
Class, 1EJ11_ 



i 



c 



■^^ 



^ 



-^6 6 



c^CLs- 



|7^ 



4 



ii\\{^ _i\_i4\A 



If 



M^^ 



-<K^^ 



T 



.M.iUdt'' 



AlA 



•^^»- 



Jp 







-•► 



(ICIL 













T^ 









r-i^ii- 



-( )F 



-^ -^ ) 








CONTAINING 



Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent 
and Representative Citizens of the County, 

TOGETHER WITH 

PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALU THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATE, AND 
OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHICAGO: 



4 



ACME PUBLISHING CO., 
I 

1889. 



^ 




4\ 



..Jf^ 



^► ~^ ll 4» 



pF(Ep/^<?E. 




-^•t^ -KH- <5<f-. 

§nE greatest of English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most brilliant writers of 
the present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the 
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Portrait and Biographical 
Alhum of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter tliat can be appreciated by but few, our 
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their 
enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none among those 
comprising this great and noble .State, and from their lips have the story of tlieir life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gput public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
intiuence extending throughout the length and breadth of the Land. It tells of men who 
have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 
many, wlio, n<,)t seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way,'' content 
to liave it said of them as Christ said of the woman |)erfurming a deed of mercy — "tiicy liave done what 
thej' could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored .and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
th.at it contains so much tli;it would never find its way into public records, and wliicli would otherwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every oi)portunity possible 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter them- 
selves timt they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biogi-aph- 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of .some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publisiiers arc not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
information necessary to compile a sketch, while otherawere indifferent. Occasionally some member of 
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account C)f such o])position the support of tlic interested 
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 

ACME rrHI.ISIIING CO. 



Chicago, August. 1889. 



■♦- 



■*►- 



♦-i rT . — ^ 








.0^ 



v?/\»-'^ 



if* 



■-^'*» . -. " ■• ■_>■' 



-r 



Governors of Wisconsin 



AND OF THE 









'^ 



tt'm 



r^J 



OF THC 





rf/iTf'K'^l'AT'.'-. 







:< ^'•''r^^^'i^,^>> 






^^ 



^i» n l ■<> 



^^ 






^\ 






a-i" 



^ COPYRIGHTED 



^.^^y 



"A^^ 1885. ^1 

fp« ^ 



a^.s'pgHggpiHi 



IHHSa 



^"i-<->ti,-^^^HX,'; ^^sr^-.<r;^ .«. 



v^ 







•¥ 



n- 



^ 







-A-^'l*. A'-'fc- -^t- .■lf,o"fm*H"'f«*h- /^ 



mQm^ 









Pl_^«. 



r<3)v — 



_,rSy-, , 



^ 




nes.i 






Ji# 



^9 




^fe^mt«A,>+o.t.i-,,.t. A^^y V^^-t.t. .t.A .t.,.+,..+.,.t,.+..A> 



j^T'+-¥Vl:-VT¥T¥ 




'*Y*4:^+'*-f'^.P'r+''-n--^ 



?* 



*► f^ ^" 



:?^::¥--^ 



•^T^ 



^•►Hh-* 




, ^^ 









"^%^f^^g 




4 



4»- 



=T* 



m. 



tr ^^Si^1' "VS^. 





■► ir^ 



FIRST I'RESIDENT. 



•«»• 



'9 



^.m.^n 



'3yg<' 



-»-*.. 



^^ 



ll'-; ^l■■v^^'^a■^"^■^<jl^^l'^Vl'.;l^7l^^l^^l5^^''^:^s^a^ 








4 



HE Father ot on; ("ouiitry was 
)oni in WV-stiiioilaiul Cu., Va., 
•el). 2 2, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Marv 
(Hall) \\'ashinL;lon. 'I'lii' family 
to which he lielonged has not 
lieen satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
l>lanter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. 'I'he 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
.\ugustiue and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the lather of deorge, fust 
married Jane lUitler, who bore 
him tour children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, (ieorge was the 
eldest, the others beinu Hetty, 
Samuel, John .'Vugustine, Charles 
and iMiklred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of (Ieorge, died 
ill 1743, leaving a large landed i)roperty. 'l"o his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the I'atoniac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence, (ieorge 
received only siicli education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, when he received private instruction in 
mathemat'cs. His spellinii was rather defectivg. 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physical 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was eady noteti for that i.obleness cf character, fair- 
ness and verai ily which c haracteri/.ed his whole life. 

When (ieorge was 14 years old he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshi[)man's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. 'I'wo years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essentLd to hini. In 1751, though only 19 years of 
age, he was api«inted adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French anil Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, wlio went there to restore his health. They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount \'ernon was given to Oeorge. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned liim and ac- 
cepted, which others had lefused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the I'lench post near Lake Erie in North- 
western I'ennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. \\ inter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The 



f- 



•4^ 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



;ii^h-#> 



trip was a perilous one, and several times he came near 
losing his lite, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful reiwrt of liis ex[)edition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Kry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most imiwrtant part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of ISraddock 
ivere disabled early in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says: "1 had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was levelin", my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

After having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
10 resign his conunission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the ix)rt 
if Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
delphia.Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if iwssible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
resixjnsible office was conferred uiion Washington, 
who was still a memberof the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but uiwn the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress lo pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of W^ashington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the peo[)le of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under every jHJSsible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 17S3, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, lesigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army lo 

to the Continental Congress suting at Annaix;lis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and ijlanter, shunning all 
connection with public life. 

In February, 17S9, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career ht was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments; trials from want ol harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the im[X)verished condition of the country, 
owmg to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the ex|)iration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining yeaisTree from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his re]K)se 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
At the pros[)ect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the connnand he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 7 2, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, (iroduced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have been able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. 
He commanded respect without any appearance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull 



^ 




'^^m J^^mz^j 



i/ 



^f^ 



i>E'JOND PRESIDENT. 



"*^^tV^^ 



23 




fe^fiaj; 




t.aUl23i 



3iu^ 






lo 



Xrft^^ .,1, ■ ."VJ 



%■.+. - t -t. ■t...t..t.,.t...t,.-Mn.t. A.t . .t,,t.*.t^.t.t.,.t...t. A .t, ,.+.,.t .t,.t. A, A .t,.t. A AA.AA . A.A.AA A.A.A,.t. AA A, ': 



3f^ 








"■«'*aj 




\l OHN ADAMS, the 
•0„ President and the lir 




he second 
lirst Vice- 
' I'resident of llic United States, 
was born in Braintrce ( now 
Quincy ),IVIass., and about ten 
'^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
al)out 1640, with a family of eiglit 
. sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer o( limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of siioeniaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
schcKjl in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
"school ot .iffli( tion, ' from which he eudeavoied to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this inir|)ose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thouglit seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the friglitful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,' 
of the operations (if which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, ixjssessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and lluent of s[ieech, and having i|uick [lercep- 
live lowers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married .\bigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (i7<'>5), the attemjit of I'arliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to ])olitics. He took initial 
steps toward holdin^, :a town meeting, and the resolu- 



tions he offertd on llie subject became very |iopulai 
tiiroughout the I'rovnice, and were adopted word foi 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 176S, and bec.ime one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocalesof the [lopular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the (ieneral Court (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. .Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
wliich met in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated tlie movement for independence against tb^ 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he mcved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the committee c»f .ive 
appointed June 11, to pre])are a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on .Adams devolved the task of battling it througli 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with th^ 
glow of e.\( itei.1 feeling, he wrole a letter to his wife 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "t'.ie 
greatest ipiestion was decided that ever was debated 
in .America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wil 
be decideil among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ouglit to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' 'I"he day is passed. The fourtli of 
July, 1776, will lie a memorable epoch in tlie history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. It ought to bi; solemnized v/ith pomp, shows. 



^M. 



4 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 




games, si)orts, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of tlic continent to the otiier, from this 
time forward for ever. Y'ou will think me transjwrted 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. 1 am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and supixjrt and defend 
tliese States; yet, through all tlie gloom, 1 can seethe 
rays of light and glory. 1 can see that the end is 
wiyfth more than all tlie means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not. " 

In November, 1777, Mr. .Vdams was appointed a. 
delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
com|>eiled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
[Xjsed him to great [jcril of cajHure by the British cruis- 
ers, wlio were seeking him. He lelt France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold liimself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as tlie British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such proiX)sels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
H'jlland, where he negotiated imjxjrtant loans and 
formed imiwrtant commercial treaties. 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
w.is advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
liath. While in England, still drooping anddesiwnd- 
iug, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to .Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he innnediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseljack and foot,he made the trip. 

February 24, 1785^ ("ongress apiwinted Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who h.nd so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to ap|K)int a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. .\dams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
.\dams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. .Again 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President,though not without much opposition. 
Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by 
.Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in ]x>l;t;cs. 

While Mr. .\dams was Vice President the «reat 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was ujMjn this |X)int which he was at issue with 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
|X3wer of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
classof atheist [)hilosoiiliers who he cl.iimed caused it. 
(j\\ tile otlier hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two ix)werful parties were thus soon organ- 
ized, .Vdams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and JelTerson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was [resented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of i)arty feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that \\\>.\ 
apjjreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look U[X)n his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given \\y all the [)rime and streni,th 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his [leculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
l)jndence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
eartlily [)ilgrim?ge, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found hunself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
DKPKNDF.NCE FORliVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great anil 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 

The ]>ersonal appearance and manners of Mr. 
.\dams were not particularly pie|iosses-;ing. Hisfa<e, 
as his ])ortrait nianifests.was intellectual ard e.vjires- 
sive, but his figure was low and imgraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and iincourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 



=^ 



*' 





W2, 



A. 



THIRD PRESIDENT. 



2? 





4 



A^'wcII, Alhermarlc county, Va. 

His |)arcnts were Peter and 
Jane ( Randolph) JefTerson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and tlie hitter ijorn in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
W'lien 14 years of age liis 
fatlier died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In i 760 he entered WilMnm 
and Mary College. VVilliamshiirg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion 
a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
su< h influences, that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
ex|)lained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previou.sly given much time. I le often devoted fifteen 
hours a day to haid study, allowing himself for e.v- 
crcise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of ih.e city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difficult I.alin and 
Creek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from coile-je hills; and 
<■ 



there was not to !)e found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more jjureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately uixjn leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. Hut the times called for greater action. 
The iwlky of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonics, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
liini into active [jolitical life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. !n 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow. 

Uixjn Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a jirospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This sjwt Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here lie reared a mansion of modest yet 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, 
'oecame the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, 
where, though a .silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed \\\o\-\ a number of imiwrtant committees, 
and was chairman of the one aiipointcd for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was ap|>oiiited 
to draw up the pajK-r. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 




28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



^^pN 



*t 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
laration, wliich, while it made known tlie wrongs of 
America, was also to |Hiblish her to the world, free, 
Koverign and indei)endcnt. It is one of the most re- 
markable pa|)ers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patriik Henry, :,s (lovernor of Virginia. At one time 
the liritish ofticer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Monlicello, to cajjture the Clovernor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 17 S3. 
Two yeirs later he was apjKjinted Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This [X)sition he resigned 
Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four yeais later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-ele( ted with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early |)art of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which tiireatened liie 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprinci|)lcd 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military e.vpedition intc the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the pur|X)se of forming there 
a new republic. Tiiis has been generally sup|K)sed 
was a mere [iretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from jwlitical life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, he h.id been continually before the i)ub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the gieatest trust anil resjwnsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
countr)', he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years veipiired, and \\\iox\ the organization of 
the new .ailministralion, in March, 1S09, he bid fare- 
well forever to jjublic life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hosiiitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence. 
great preparations were made in every part of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefierson, as the framer. 
and one of tiie few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
ness, whicli had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under whic 'i 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, enteitaincd no 
hojie of his recovery. Fiom this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at iiand. On the next 
tlay, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that 
he miglit be jiermitted to breathe ti e airof the liliieth 
anniversary. His ])rayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture ihiough om' land, 
burst ui)on his eyes, and then they «ere closed for- 
ever. And what a noble cor.sinnmalion of a noble 
life! To die on that day, — the biithday of a nation,- - 
tlie day v/hich his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred sjiirit of the venerable .Adams, as it to bear 
him company, left the scene of his eailhly honors 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the < hampionsof 
freed<>m; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their des|Hjnding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for tlie gaid of 
the country; and now hand in hand they de|)art. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their rleatlis they were not 
divided. 

In i)erson Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were liglit, his hair originally red, in after lile became 
white and silvery ; his complexion was fair, his fore 
head broad, and his whole countenance inteiligi-nt and 
thoughtful. He |K)ssessed great fortitude of mind ;:s 
well as ]iersonal courage: and his commar.d of tem- 
])er was such that his oldest anil most intimate fiier.ds 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and im- 
affecled, and his hospitality was so unboundid that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and 
his language was remarkably ]iure and (orici t. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquity. 



f- 




J- (2yLy<~^^^ jCyC^ 



(t<^cC^ i^lv 



± 



FOURTH J'JO'S/VENT. 



3' 



QWm n]:aDisoi]. 




AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution," and fourth 
jf* President of the United States, 
was born March i6, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
^■*©' June 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the ini|X5rtant 
events in that heroic period of our 
country during which the founda- 
tions of this great republic were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to lie called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
|)eake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing ujxjn a very fine es- 
tate called " Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
tlie midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
141uc Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
[Kjlitical attachment e.xisted between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth imtil death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here lie applied himself to study with the most im- 




prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 1771, witli a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost [Mirily, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subst 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, .ind his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed es|>ecial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind 
singularly fpee from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled ixjwers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. 'I'he next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jeflerson were 
Ciovernors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
inemlter of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 




•►-Hf^ 



32 



JAMES MADISON. 



intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous [wsitions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and intluential members, 
in tlie year 1784, liis term having expired, he was 
elected a member of tiie Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency ol the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no [xiwer to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent tlian Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formetl. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through tlie (jeneral Assemlily of 
Virginia, inviting tlie other States to ap|)oint commis- 
sioners to meet in coiivenlion at Annapohs to discuss 
this suliject. I'ive States only were represented. The 
convention, liowever, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urgmg all the States to send their 
delegates lo I'liiladelpliia, in May, 17S7, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the lime apixjinted. Kvery State but Rhode Island 
was represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
tution of the Uniteti States was then and there formed. 
There was, perliaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this imniorlal document than the mind 
and tlie pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented lo the several States for acceptance. 
Ilut grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but litlle ix)wer at home and little respect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by tne conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, exixnmding ti.e principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
lo it at first, but it at length triumjihed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the Flouse of Repre- 
'.cnlalives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
.TV owed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs Todd, a 
yiMHig widow of remarkable (xiwer of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
(jueenly, and probal)ly no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a |K)silion in the verj' |)eculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jeflerson, and at the close of his administialion 
was chosen President. .At this time the em roach- 
menlsof Faigl.md had brought us to the verge of war. 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 

our flag was ex|X)sed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
in hisdisi)osition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest s[)irit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, lo think of an .American slii[) brought 
to, uiwn the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects; orders them down the 
ship's side into his lK)at; and i)lacestliem on the gun- 
deck of his m.an-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relimiuish. 

On the 18th of June, 181 2, President Madison gave 
his ajipioval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal parly to ihe war, ihe country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4lh 
of Man h, IS' 13, was re-elected by a large majoritv, 
and enteivd upon his second term of office. This is 
not the plac :e to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling wiih the most formidable fxjwer which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
liy the appearance of a British flett, early in Februaiy, 
1813, in Chesajieake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States inider blockade. 

'ihe iMnperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force cjf five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patu.\et River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Hay, and marched rapidlj, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling litlle city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. 'I"he cannon of the brief conflict 
at Hladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metro|iolis. The whc>le popul.ilicn fled from the c;ity. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the While 
House, with her carriage diawn up at the door to 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council ol war He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of lieirg 
captured. Hut few hours elapsed ere the I'residential 
Mansicin, the Capitol, and all the puMii buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed aiCdient. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, his sccxind term of 
offi.^'e expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his leau- 
tilul home at Montpelier, and there |)assed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 




^^^ 



4 



FIFrn J'RESlDENr. 






dMk^ 



\ /-.^Sv 



WWS' n]oi]itOE. 





AMES MONROE, tlie nfili 
I'residentof The United Stales, 
was horn in Westniorehmd C'o., 
Va., April 2.S, 1758. His early 
ife was passed at the pkice of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in tlie prov- 
ince in which lie was horn. When, 
at 17 years of age, in tiie process 
% of com|)leting his education at 
William and Mary College, the t"o- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia lo deliberate upon the un- 
just and manifold op|)ressioas of 
('■real I'.rilian, declared the separa- 
tion ol the Colonies, ar.d pronuil- 
galed the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
ol that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
s. hool and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joineil the army when everything looked hope- 
less and glooaiy. The number ol deserters increased 
fioni day to d.iy. The invading armies came |)onring 
in ; and the tories not only favoretl the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sulficiently terrified at the pros[iect of C(jn- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as lames 
NFonroe, who went right <inw,\ril, undismayed through 
(lifTiculty antl ilanger, the United States owe their 
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
r.inks, anil es|ioused the t:ause of his injured counlr\ , 
with a firm determination to live or die witli her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
Plains, and accomiianied the disi)irittd army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he leii the vanguard, and, in the actof charg- 
ing ui)on the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was ]iro- 
moted a caijtain of infantry; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of ])romotion, by becoming an 
ofiicer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 177S, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Ciermantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-decamp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. \}\)0\\ 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that peiiod Covenior, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. 1 le did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the I.eglislature of Virginia, and by that 
body he was elevated to a seat in the E.xecutive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
o( his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legisl.ition, wliic h were afterward-; 
employed with unreinittirg energy for the piiblic good, 



4 



<^ 



'^ J6 



JAMES MONROE. 



^y^ 



he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
ihe Congress of the United States. 
lieeplyas Mr. Monroefclt the imperfections of the old 
oonfcderacy, he was opposed totlie new Constitution, 
•.hiiikiiig, with many others of the Republican parly, 
that it gave too much (wwo-r to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supixirters, and who, notwithstanding his opixasition 
secured its adojition. In 17S9, he became a member 
(,f the United States Senate; which offii e he held for 
four years. Kvery month the tine of distinction l)e- 
ivveen the two great parties wiiich divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent iaeas which now seii- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
stiict construction of tlie Constitution as to give the 
Central Cioverimient as little ix)wer, and the State 
Ciovernmentsas much (wwer, as the Constitution would 
warrant. Tlie Federalists sympathized witli England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the C"on- 
stitution, which would give as much iK)Wer to the 
Central Crovernment as tiiat document could jiossibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
gooil of tlie nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Re|)ublican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse alldrecian and .Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light eipiilii)rium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had cs- 
lX)iised the cause of the Boud)ons against the priiui- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was diawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Euro|>e were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
thai\ that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently op]K)sed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could aporeciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the ix)li< y of the Government, as the minister 
of that Govermnent to the Re])ublic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National ("invention 
in France witu the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 



Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. He was again sent to Prance to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, wiiich France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Tiieir united efforts were sue 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to llie United States. 
This was probably the largest transter of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of oui 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. .This he soon resigned 
to accept the [xjsition of Secretary of State under 
Madison. While in this office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of the War l)e|)artnient 
were also ]nit upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efti< ient 
business man in his < abinet. U|Min the return ol 
peace he resigned the Departnient of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Sec relary of Stale until the e.\- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec 
tion hekl the previous autumn ^r. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with biit little op|iosition, and 
uiwn March 4, (817, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to (he United States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and tfie " Monroe doctrine,' 

This famous doctrine, since known as Ihe " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1S23. At that 
lime the Ignited Stales had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
to have European jKnvers longer attempting to sub- 
due |K)rtions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we shouUl consider any allem])t 
on the part of European jxiwers to extend their sys- 
tem to any iwrtion of this hemis|)licre as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interix>sition for ihe purjjose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or |)rovinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by European 
IKDwers of an unfriendly dis|X)sition toward the I'niled 
Slates." This doctrine immedialel) affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the apjiro I'd 
sentiment of the Ibiited States. 

At the end of his fecond term Mr Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he li\ed until 1830, 
when he went to New ^■()rk to live with l;is son-in 
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831 




^ 




1 $, At 



<iyy>\j 



4- 



SIXTH PRESIDENT. 





A^rM5\)rM-^ 








OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixih President of the United 
tl" Suites, was born in the rural 
hiiine of his honored father, 
John Adams, in Qnincy, Mass., 
'■~5^v f" t'ls I 1th cf July, 1767. His 
\ i v.. '-'^)i ' mother, a woman of exaUed 
- ■••'" jg worth, wattlietl over his c)iiIdhood 
during tiie almost constant ab- 
sence of liis father. \viien but 
eight years of age, lie stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
iiig to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
niwn the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his fainer for Europe, 
through a fleet of iiostile British cruisers. Tlie bright, 
animated lioy spent a year and a half in P.iiis, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister pieni|wtentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice t>f these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering mnrks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely leturned to this 
coui.try, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
loi.ii ()uincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with gre.it diligence, for six months, 
to ..'udy; then acicnnpained his father to Holland, 
vmere he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then 
the University at I.eyden. About a year from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly 1 oy was but fourteen 
yea-", of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian (-ourt, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant lalior and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland thiough Sweden, Denmark, H.uiiburg and 
Bremen. This h'Ug journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. AL'ain he resumed 
his studies, under a priv.ile tutor, at Hague. Thence. 




in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father lo 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming accjuaintance 
with the most distinguislied men on the ("ontinent; 
examining architectural remains, galleries of [jaintings, 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross the human mind. After 
a short visit to England he returned to Paiis, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 17S5, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
ami ivlio was familiar willi the etiquette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under siu h cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he ])re- 
ferred to return to America to conii)lete his education 
in an American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an inde|)endeiit supi«rt. 

UiHjii lea\iiig Harvard College, at the age of twenty, 
he studied law for thtee years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, lie was ap- 
pointed by Washington, resilient minister at the 
Nelherlaiuls. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the delilierations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Gieat Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight ii\ 
London, he proceeded lo the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to I'ortiigal as 
minister pleni[X3tentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
uiK)n arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting 
liiin to remain in London iir.til he should receive his 
instructions. While wr.iting he was mairicd to an 
American lady to whom he had been ])reviously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American (on^ul in I ondon ; 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those iccom- 
|ilisliinent which emiin nlly fitted her lo n.ove in the 
elevated sjihere for which she was destined. 



^^ 



-I 



•4^ 
40 






JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



4 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
filled all the ijurix)ses of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
ihe Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, ()laced him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
ofthatlwdy. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag, riiere was n<j man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, aiid he inmiediately nominated John 
Qiiincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins; lo 
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the (Ireck and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an importai.t 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read Ave 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of Mar<:li, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately ap|>ointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, 1819, forthe Uniied Stales. On the 
i8lh of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in (^uincy. During the eight yearsof Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
forthe Presidency. The friends of Mr. .Vdams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the |)eople, the 
ipiestion wer.t to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. .^dams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of .ill the disappointed candidates now 
combinetl in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
•hp 0:1st history of our country than tlie abuse which 



was jwured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted lo ilie best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was ;:aid 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and ap|)lying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by .Andrei' 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery (piestion now began to assume 
|X)rlentous magnitude. Mr. .Adams returned to 
Quincy and lo his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long [lermiued lo re- 
main in retirement. In Noveml)er, 1830, he was 
elected re|iresentalive to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until liis death, he occupied the jxsst as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Uixjn taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last Id 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure i onld 
lie brought forward and escape his scrutiny. 'I he 
battle whii h Mr. Adams fouglit, almost singly, against 
the proslavery party in the (iovernment, was sublime 
in Its moral dating and heroism. For i)ersisting in 
presenting i)elitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the Hoiife, with assassination ; 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the simple fiith of a little 
child, he was accustomed lorejieat every night, before 
he slept, tlie prater which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

V>\\ the 2 1 St of February, 184S, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a jiaper in his hand, lo address tin- 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by |).Trnly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those aiound him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, kxiked calmly around and 
said " This is tin- oulof tartli ."then after a moment's 
])a use he added, '^ / am conttitt" These were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent. 



if. 



^ 



SEVENTH J'RESIL>ENT. 






V 







I.. 

r 



\j NDREW JACKSON, tlie 

4l seventh President of the 

{-•is 

^'vj" United States, was bom in 

X Waxliaw settlement, N. (;., 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after liis father's deatli. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
dee|)est [Kjverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
\niiversally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbident boy. His 
features were coarse, his Ibrm un- 
gainly; and tiiere was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
ti active. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
17.^1, he and his brother Rol)ert were cajitured and 
iuii)risoneii for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush iiis mud-spattered boots. " 1 am 
a i)risoner of war, not your servant," was the re|)ly of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew iii:; sword, and aimed a desperate 
I'low at the head of liie hel|iless young prisoner. 
.Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — i)ne on the hand and the other U|x)n the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which ipiite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-ixix. Their 
mother was successful in obtaining their cxchanj;e, 
4« 



anil took lier sick boys home. After .i long illnoss 
.Vndrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

.Vndrew supiwrled himself in various ways,s i:h as 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 17S4, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusen)ents of the 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was ai>i)ointed 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
whicli Tennessee was then a [)art. This involved 
many long and tedious jinirneys amid dangers of 
every kind, but .\ndrew Jackson never knew fear, 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
witn the Shar[) Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
sup|)osed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Creat was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husbai^d. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his jirofes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was es|)ec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
peoi)le met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new State was entitled to but one meml cr in 
the National House of Representatives. .Andre >v Jack- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 



•¥ j k A.* 



J. 



4^ 

44 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



4> 



sessions, — a distance of about eight liundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of tlie Demo- 
cratic i)irty. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Uonuparle, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jaikson took his se.it, C'un. VV'ashington, whose 
second term of office was then expiring, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A commillee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of the address, and was one ot the 
twelve will) voleil against it. He was not willing to 
say that tien. Washington's adminstration had heen 
" wise, (iim and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but s<x)n resigned and returned home. 
Soon after lie was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his Slate, which )x)sition he held fjr si.x years. 

When the war of 1S12 with (Ireat Brilian com- 
menced, Madison occu|)ied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Hiirr sent word to the President that there was 
an miknoWM man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission it one were con- 
ferred u|)on him. Just at that time (ien. Jackson 
offeied his servi( es and those of twenty-five hnnlred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troo|)s 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly e.\pected to make an at- 
tack r.pon New Orleans, wliete (Ien. Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops" to aid Wilkinson. The 
i.xpedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without ai:complishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. Hut the 
energy (ien. Jackson had disijlayeii, and his entire 
tlevotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
goklen oiiinions; and he became the most |)opular 
man in tlie State. It was in this ex[)editioii that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
lingering mion a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
I'lorida to the Lakes, to e.vterminate the white set- 
lets, were commilting the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary, (ien. Jackson, with 
his fractured Iwne just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the bendsof theTallaiKwsa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strotlier. 
With an army of two thousand men, (ien. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called 'I'olioiieka or 
Horse-shoe, on tVio 27th of Marcli. 1814. I'he bend 



of the Tiver enclosed nearly one hundred acres ol 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the nunow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable bria..l- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warr'ors, 
with an am[)le suply of arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des 
perate. Not an Indian would acce|>t of ipiarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. Fiom ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. .Some threw themselves into the 
river ; but the unerring bullet strui k their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed .\ few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
jiower t)f the Creeks was broken forever. This fold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, 
so a|»ixilled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the ("reek war enabled us to lon- 
centrate all our militia u|K)n the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than (ien. Jai kson could have conducted this Indian 
camiiaign to so successlul an issue Immediately he 
was ap|H)iiited major-general. 

Late in .\ugust, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. lackson came to 
Mobile. \ British fleet came from I'ensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, an< hored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault. The battle was long and tloubtful. .\t length 
one of the shi])s was blown up and the rest retired. 

(iarrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a ver)' arduous campaign. This won 
for (ien. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
trooi)s, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six liundred. 

'I'he name of den. Jackson soon began to lie men- 
tioned in connection with the Presitiency, but, in 1824, 
he was deleated by Mr. .Xdams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1S2S, and was re-elected 
for a seconii term in 1832. In 1829, just l>elore he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible afifliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, wliom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he n<;ver recovered. 

His administration was one of the most niemorable 
in tlie annals of our country; applauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man h.ul more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. .\t the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died lune 8, 1S45. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 



T* 




^ 7 J-^ZJO^ ^-i^] U^c.^-z,^_^ 



u 



EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 







^2^(?>5««^^»iCT%'54^fev^V^:(?!><^^ 



IPRTII] YJ\l BUREl]. 



<^> 



-im 





i--.v.;..iSH.s..'> 


■ATT 




'^ 


Ikb £\# 1 


TT^' 


lMMs?Jjp5)| 


1 y\ 


^^■J 


% 






ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
ciiihth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
[il.iic, July 24, 1S62. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about half way up on one fate. 
Tiie lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by slirub or flower. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Bureu 
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Thougli his life was stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biograi)hy. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and e.\em|)lary (nety. 

He was decidedly a precocious boy, develoinng un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were required of him 
before he could be admitted to the bar. Insinred with 
a lofty antbition, and conscious of his jwwers, he pur- 
sued his studies witii indefatigable industry. After 
spending six years in an office in his native village, 
--^ 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one yeais of 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Rei)ublican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Huren was from the beginning a [xjlitician. He had, 
l)erhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently esiwused the 
cause of Stale Rights; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tlu' 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years, 
constantly gaining strength by contending in tlu, 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
Ijeauty and accomi)lishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consumi)- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In 1812, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and t;ave his strenuous su[)|x)rt to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was a|v 
IKjinted Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to .Mbany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
piominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 



f 



- > 48 



^ 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



r^ 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing tlie State. In true consistency willi ins 
democratic principles, he conleiukd thai, wiiile tin- 
path leading to the privilege of voting should lie open 
to every man withovit distinction, no one should he 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it l>y inleliigence, virtue 
and some [iroperty interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 I he was elected a member ut tiie United 
States Senate; and in the same year, lie took a seat 
in tiie convention to revise the constitution uf iiis 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all p.uties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to })romote the 
interests of all classes in the comniunily. In the 
Senate of the Unitetl Stales, he rose at once to a 
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quinty Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
termined opposer of the .'\dministration, adopting the 
"State Rights" view in op[)osition to what was 
deemed the Federal [iroclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the Stale of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andiew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whetlier 
entitled to the re|)utation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
It was supiiosed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret s|)iings of action; how to jjull all 
the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
organi/.e a [lolitical army wliic h would, secreily and 
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these (Kjwers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
lew thought then could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
apiK/iiited Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
|K)silion he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
apix)inted Minister to England, where he went the 
sime autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
te fused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of C^alhoun, at the reelection 
ot President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
fiowns for none, he took his [)lace at the head of that 
Senate which had refused to conrirm his nomii-.ation 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his reputliated favor- 
ite; and this, i)robably nv.iie than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van lUiren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States lie was 
elected by a handsome majority, lo the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. I'.nlon, '"the election of Mr. \ ,\\\ 
Buren lo the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution h;;d ajiifeired 
upon him the [lOwer lo appoint a successor." 

His adniinistralion was filled with exciting events. 
'I'he insurreclicjii in Canada, whii li threatened to in 
\olve this (ounlry in war with iMighind, the agitation 
of the slavery cpiestion, and finally the gieal <oininer- 
cial i)anic which spreati over the t:ountiy, .ill were 
trials lo his wisdom. The finani ial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and lirought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re election. 

With the exceiuion of being nomin.iled for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1S48, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly uiion his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, ol frugal habits, 
and living within his imonie, had now forlnnalely a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him nol only the homage of his parly, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. \:\n Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald^ 
he still exerted a powerful induence uixjn the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
age, probably far more luipiiiness llian he had before 
e.xperienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 





/t/. //r)9a-iA^- 



-K^ 



«<»■ 



NINTH PRESIDENT. 



a 



S' 




Wlfeiil4M lENRY ^4^i,|@@i 





^' 



ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at ISerkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
' ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, was early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
i William Henry, of course enjoyed 

in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
;iien re[)aired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Ujxjn the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 
^ 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General W'ayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
]X)sition. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two jx)rtions. The 
eastern jwrtion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called '' The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap- 
lX)inted by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Lxjuisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign ujwn the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with ix)wers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times apix)inted to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost Iwundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opixjsite Ix)uisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About 



*-o 



i 



•►Hf^^^ 



52 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



i- 



-t 



the year 1806, two extraordinary mer, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. Or.e of 
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching 
Panther;" the otlier, OUiwacheca, or "'I'he Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise \n which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and liad long regarded witli dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Propiiet, was 
anorator, who could sway tlie feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree -tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely anorator: he was, 
in the suiterstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from trilie to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

(Jov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Ti[)pe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaugiiter. 
October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and in(iuired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made fora meet- 
ing the next day, to agree uix)n terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well ac(iuainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations Selecting a favoralile spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were jxssted in a hollow s(iuare, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
t!ie darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the dcsper.ition which superstition and passion most 
highly inflamed could give, u]X)n the left tlank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
tiis yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubtir.g a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
iroops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
u .til day dawned : they then made a siuuiltaneous 
charge with tlvj bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing th*^ foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British desceiiding from the Can - 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rusliing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
tiie most vivid imagination can but iaintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was ilbuninatcd with tlie conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
was apixjinted by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
(General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re 
sixjnsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharinp 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle Thirty-five British officers, 
his [)risoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In 1 8 16, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and powerof elo(|uence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate ot 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. .Xt the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re -nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which any President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the i)rospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of .April ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States. 





,t 



4 



TENTH PRESIDENT. 



55 




* JOH^" T'TlEBo 




I OHN TYLER, the tenth 
nte Presidentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered \Villiani 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and pirtly with Edmund 
Randoljih, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced tiie practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
et of the court in which he was 
not retained. When but twenty-one vears of age, he 
was .almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
L;!M?lature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 

a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 

a.ily with the Democratic party, oi)ix)sing a national 

bank, internal imj)rovements by tlie General Govern- 

<■ 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocatmg a strict con- 
struction of tlie Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term h.- fciand it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes, (lovernor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

Jolin Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in tlie Senate of the 
United States. A ixjrtion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and Ijrought forward John Tyler as his opiwnent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. T\ler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all [irojects of internal inij)rovements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by liis opjMsition to the nuliifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. There was a ■:\X:\ in tlie Den'.ocratic 



\ 



J. 



6 



JOHN TYLER. 




party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave hini a dinner, and showered compU- 
inents upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
seqiience of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he rcnio\ed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
took his seat in the Legislature of \'irginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disapi»intnient of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the No.th: but the Vice 
President has but very little [xswer in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occui)ant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
une.xpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was i)laced in a jwsition of e.xceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opiwsed to tl-.e main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would opiX)se all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incor]K)ration of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. He tjuacested, however, that he vvould 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proix)sed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now e.xultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all jjolitical alliance 
between the \Vhigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
apix)inted a new cabmet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion ))assed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vitu|)eration. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the sup)X)rt of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unsjieakable lelief. His first wife. 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles city Co., Va. A [Xilished gentleman in 
his iTianners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and jxissessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. ^Vith sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 



ed. I 





^.j^Z^ 



OCL- '^J^o-^i^^'i^ 




ELE VEN TH P RES! DEN T. 



59 ' > 




Y fath 



AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 

?jj President of the United States, 
was born in Mecklenburg Co., 
M. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
ents were .'^anuiel and Jane 
(Knox) I'olk, tlie former a son 
of Col. Thomas Polk, wlio located 
at the above place, as one of the 
first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year i3o6, with his wife 
and children, ar.d soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk farnly, Samutl Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles fartlier west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding tlie pur- 
suit of a surveyor to ihatof a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth until 
he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong connnon 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
liim methodical in his haliits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
j)rinciples of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 




sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hojnng to fit him for commercial [Hirsuits. 

This was to James a bitter disapixjintment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, wlien at his 
earnest solicitation jiis father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to [irosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 181 5, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix GruiKly, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a JefTersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
constantly called tqxsn to address the meetings of his 
l)arty friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Xaix)leon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 



f 



-^^ 



JAMES K. POLK. 



''H^ 



;ourteoiis in his bearing, and witli that sympathetic 
nature in the jo)s and griefs of others which ever gave 
liiui troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackso;i, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frei|uent and a po|)ular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the ix)int, and without any 
ambitious ihetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
S[>eaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4tli of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for (Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 1 4th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took tlie oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his tenn of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate- of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. ^^^^ was inaugur- 
ated Presider.t of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
i;s iiilluence upon Congress; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
njture to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passixsrts and 
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

I.i his first message, President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then lie was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of "observation," then of "occupation," 
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeljle Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brouglit on. 

'To the victors belong the sixiils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be adctd to the L^nion. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of tlie dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and ha[)i)iness were before him. Hut the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth 
) ear of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen 



^ 



•^^i-^ 



i 



«<*■ 



TiVELFTH PRESIDENT. 



4- 



t 





t;;^<:^cTv^.\\>-wvA^;Ftvvv^T^v5?^-^vv.v..\.\.\ .v\.v,A.v 








ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
I'rcsident of the United Status, 
was born on the 241I1 of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
« father, Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his fatlier with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In this front- 
?/iS ier home, away from civilization and 
I all its refinements, young Zachary 
70uld enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When si.K years of age he attended a common 
school, and was tlren regarded as a bright, active boy, 
i-ather remarkable for blunlness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
cliildhood ou his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1S08, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
■rom one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 1S12, Capt. Taylor (for he had tlien been 
jjromoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen, Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack l)y the Indians, 
ied by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



r 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in tiie autumn of 1S12, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Therr 
api)roacli was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Tajlor that 
in the morning their chief woidd con^e to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of tlie savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down ; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his jxist. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. Tiie savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-liouses- 
Until six o'clock in tlie morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages tiien, baffled at every point, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for tliis gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by Ijrevet. 

Until the close of the war. Major Taylor was.placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here tl'.ere was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 



v 



i 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 






tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
ein[)loyments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond tlie limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
hac' promised they should do. The services rendered 
he.c secured for Col. Taylor the higli appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
tc he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United Slates troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
;.nd was stationed over the Department of the South- 
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imposed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
f^implicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
ihe sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

T.ie tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
pread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for tlie 
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
rlaring that he was not at all ijualified for such an 
office. So little interest had he taken in ]X)litics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
who had been long years in the public service found 
tl.iir claims set aside in behalf of one wliose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It Is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took jxissession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opjxjsing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial ix)sition, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufierings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the ixDlitical conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians- 

In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died ton the Qlh of July, 1850. 
His last words were, " I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of ^n unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an ofticer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
' touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, 
few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor- 
saving contempt for learning of every kind 



i 











, Jl 




L 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



67 



m 







-^^ 



^^MILLftRn FlLLMnRE--^^ I 



J^ 






@*- 



4^ 





LLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
Presideiit of the United 
States, was horn at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the 7th uf January, iSoo. His 
father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in lumihle cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she jxDssessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
jiersonal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
[xjsition, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
' young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
rneans of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career uiwn which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Hible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
;s from home, to the then wilds of 
to learn the trade of a clothier. 



I tllt^^ llil^l Icll^^ 111%.. i\JiA 

I When fourteen yen 

I some hundred miles 

,1 Livingston County, 

', T Neai the mi'l there ' 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This jiroved an inestimable blessing 
lu \ oung Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing .Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate; 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and lie was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
and cf gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood cf ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ai>- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much im[)ressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very im[)erfect. Hut Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion about 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has gr.-.daated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hal' ; 



was a small villiage, wherp some I ind then enters a law office, who is by no means as 



■► ■ <• 




•« 



68 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



4- 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
niill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of. age, he v/as 
admitted to the Court of Co-nmon Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced tiie 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opi)ortunity for a sudden rise in foitune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one cajjable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention , and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, wilh an elder member of the bar in 
Huffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in jx)litics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parlies, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degri e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress He entered that troubled 
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave him stKngth and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now pre[)ared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear uixjn the jjublic good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his ix)pularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate wilh him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
iiamesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4tli of March, 1849, 
(ien. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a verj' able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Filhiiore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the .South felt 
the inadequacyof all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The iKjpulation of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillnicre's adminstration, and the Japan Kxi>edition 
.was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supjxDsed that 
his symi)athies were rather wilh those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of clieer to the one parly or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 



»»■ ■ ^ 



I 




I 



FO URTEKNTH FRESIDENT. 



7> 



4- 



.-gfej^ 



•- .%r* 




= 3=»- t -aaaafa^ 



-^§il?*ii^- ^-FRANKLIN PIERCE.-^ ^^^"^- - 






^^*i,^"»*^' ■•-^*^ 









;(S 



RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
IJ5" United States, was born \\\ 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though imcultivated 
mind, and an uncomproniis- 
Oemocrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, jjru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the si.xtli of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on tiie play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. Tlie neighbors 
looked upon him witli initle and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a i)eculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeal)le. Without de- 
veloping any [)re(:ocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-develoiied boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Howdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most po|uilar young men in the college. 
The i)urity cf his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his d'.'meanor, his rank as a scholar, and 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied: it was the simple outgushing of his 
oww magnanimous and lovnig nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the Slate, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social cpialities of the young lawyer, his 
fatlier's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
|)olilical career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
naling yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of (ien. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
[iractice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to re|>resent tlie town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house iiy a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laliorious in duty, 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to ddorn every 
station with wiiich her husband was honoicd. Of the 



■► ^ ■1 < • 




-^ 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



\ 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

Ill the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, uiwn his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newiwrl, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an im|)ortant part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and trne soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval ; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a "Northern man witlt Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was cliosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4lh of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be- 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culminating ix)int. It became evident that there was 
an " irrepressible conflict" between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of .President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident , and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 



*► i <• 



A 




; ■ 



d 




xiym.^^ (^^;^u^ 



-/'z^z/n^^^^^T/^ 



.^f^ 



I'IFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



75 



f 




■ <«« 



-+-• 




>»» 



x'X?i^^C^C^v^'SfC^x'^i^^^^^^<*< '• ' ''A 




'(A 

n 



\Wi\M> 



':r^^^^^a^j!^S^^!^^^^:^^^^Mi^l^!i^ 



<««; 









AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn. ,011 
"-■. ---^ the 2 jd of April, 1791. The place 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stood was called Stony 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic s[X)t in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a [xjor man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little pro|>erty save his 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Si)ear, the daughter of a respectable fanner, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into tlie wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the d-rama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
h.is son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
l)rogress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native jxjwers en- 



abled him to master the most .abstruse subjects with 
facility. 

In the year 1809, he graduated with the highest 
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
twenty-si.x years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate ore of tiie 
judges of the State, who was tried ui>on articles of 
impeachment. .U the age of thirty it was generally 
.admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his i)rofession, having ac- 
([uired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, ujwn his elevation to the Presidency, 
ap|X)inted Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. 'Ihe 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, WeLs'.ir, 
Chay, Wright and Calhoun. He .advocated the meas- 
ures projjosedby President J.-ickson, of m.aking rei>ri- 



i 



h 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country ; and defended the course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
porters of iiis administration. Upon this (piestion he 
was brought into direct collision with He.ny Clay. 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
Karnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the 
circulation of anti-slavery documents bv the United 
States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had 
no power to legislate upon the subject. ' Congress," 
Slid he, "might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the course our Government pursued in that 
movement 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the pi-rpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear aguinst the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1S50, 
which included the fugiiive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr! 
Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final aliolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
■ eived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
174, and was elected. The poinilar vote stood 
t,34o,6i8, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On 
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
•allied in political principles and action for years, were 
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins ot our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
\^nldered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws.' 
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kindj 
unite With those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. He therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nommaied Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
parly was such, that he had been willing to offertheni 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention ufjon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
operation of the Government to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, tiie slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the vvodd has ever seen. He 
declared that Congress had no |X)wer to enforce its 
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This 
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed. " The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, 1S60; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charieston : Fort Sumpter 
was besieged; our forts, navy-yards' and arsenals 
were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close the administration, so terrible in" its weak- 
ness At length the long-lookcd-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and lilood over our whole land, no word came 
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's 
banner should lriuni| h over the flag of the rebellion. 
He died at his Wiieatland retreat, June i, i868, 



r 



./ 




',^•'1 r 



^. 




<^ 



e/'^^^^^^-^T^ 




SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT. 




79 



J i A BRAHAM i> '^m^ 








!NCOLN:> i 



mm^ 



•f 



P.RAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteenth rresident of the 
United States, was liorn in 
Hardin C"o., Ky., Feb. 12, 
1809. About the year 1780, a 
man l)y tlie name of Abraham 
Lincohi left Virginia with his 
family and moved into the tlien 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while woriving one day in a 
field, was stealthily appro:;ched by 
an Indian andshot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
ittle children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of tlio 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of .\brahani Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name mvist henceforth fo'ever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the (Kjorest of the [loor. His home was a wretched 
log-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Ivlucation he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thuss])ent the whole of his youth as a 
laborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he buill a log- 
rabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of jwor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from N'irginia. Their 
second child was .Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, ])ensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
" All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. " 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indi.ina. Where 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
comnuinity around him. He could not have liad a 
better school than tliis to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He abso became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he re;'d 
and re-read until they were almost committed to 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. Thi're were joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family w'as gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his scpiatter's claim in 1S30, 
and emigrated to Macon Co., III. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed i)rairie planted with corn, wbe.i 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
etiucation and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. He savv the ruin 
which aident s[)irits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
God's word, " Thou shalt not take the name of the 
Lord thy God in vain;" and a jirofane ex|)ression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were iJure, and he was iincontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham'wotked for a time as a hire<l laborer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in building a large flatlont 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissipjii to New Orleans. "Whatever Abraham Lir.- 
coln undertook, he perfonned so faithfully as to giv" 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adv<^.- 



f 



■>»-P-^ 



41 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



I electora 
\\ , constitu 



ture his employers were so well pleased, that uix)n 
his return they placed a store and mill under his care. 
In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he' 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointmentof Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 
In 1854 1 he great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery (juestion. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became' 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the .Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
slavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6th of June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. An immense building called "The 
VVigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man wiiose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
orominent. It was generally supix)sed he would be 
tlie nominee, Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to wliich that nomination doomed him: 
and as little did he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fi.\ upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
aplaceinthe afl^ections of his countrymen, second 
only, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore 
constitutionally elected President of the United States.' 
The tirade of abuse that was ix)ured ui)on this good 




and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was ■ 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, i86r, Mr. Lincoln started 
lor Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frou-ht 
with much danger. Many of the Soutliern States iKid 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, uix)u his arrival to "get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the p 01. A secret and special train was provided to 
take him from HarrisL'urg, through Baltimore, at an 
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
halt-past ten; and to prevent ai.y ]>ossible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang m Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated 
although great an.viety was felt by all loyal people! 
In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opiwnents before the convention he gave 
innxirtant iwsitions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving uiJon the President been .so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
teelmg his own weakness and inability to meet and in 
his own strength to cope with, the ditficullies, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo»h personal and national. Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself. Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in i86r, however, plans had been 
made for his assassination.and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater It 
was announced that they would Le present Cm 
Grant, however, left the citv. President Lincoln, fee'l 
ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
It would be a disappointment if he should fail them 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John ^Vilkes Booth 
entered the box where tlie President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
m tears. His was a life which will fiilv become a 
iiiodel. His name as the savior of his 'country v-'ll 
live with that of Washington's, ils father; hisco-.ntry- 
men being unable to decide wl,i, h is t1>^ greater 






0(y^ 




%^/? 



*4^ 



SE VE.VTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



=4- 











^m 






4 



NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
_ ,_enth President of the United 
Slates. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
^ the record of jxjverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
^y was horn December 29, 180S, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
ing to the class of tiie 
"poor whites •" of the Soiilli, were 
in sucli circumstances, that they 
could not confer even tiie slight- 
est advantages of education ui)on 
their child. When ,\ndrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while heiorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, .\ndrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supjjorted by the 
lalxir of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the sjieeches of distinguished British slates- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these sjieeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly appHed himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called ujwn the genile- 
tnan to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letten: 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed oi. 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the sho]), and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature, 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and \w 
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired nuicli 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1S41, he was elected State Senator; in 1S43, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important jwst for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resixjnsible [osi 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abi. 



m^ 



f 




ANDREW JOHNSON. 



i= 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: 
on tiie contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
said lie on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of iSuo, iie 
mras the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the Soutli- 
zxw Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
im|>eriled his own life to protect tlie Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military ("Fovernor of the State, and he 
establislied the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
Jhey do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be punished ; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent 



opix)sition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginnirig of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted uixjn that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the imiieachnient. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though imi)otent'y, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of (ien. (rrant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The liullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a lietter opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
[xjlitics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the sth of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, ''^"^ ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 .A. M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
witli every demonstration of respect 





^ 



<2>'-''-^^C^ 



it^ 



ETGH TEENTH PRESIDENT. 



87 





(i!)®©V<2XS)^Jf(S) 





4 



LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
eighteenth President of the 
§^ United States, was born on 
the 29th of April, 1822, of 
Christian parents, in a liunil)le 
r-,.'S.>:-,.f5J'^^ home, at Point Pleasant, on tlie 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took resi)ectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military ix)sts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and e.xasperating 
Indians. 

The war witli Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
liattle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route ex|X)sed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging iiiwn one 
side of the anir»«il, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent,'with the fourth infantry, 
10 aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Ix)uis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a fanner. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ehrs 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being fonned in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the isth of 

■» 



4 



J. 



88 



ULYSSES S. GRANT. 



-t 



June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at l^aducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, lie sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henrj- 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Cirant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He. then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Cliattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Wasliington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon '.''•' duties of his new office. 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack uiwn Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all (juarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The LTnion was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At tlie Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
May 21, 1S6S, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the ix)pular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5 til of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the peo])le five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant 
started ujx)n his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Rei)ublican National Convention in 18S0 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York an i 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof (jrant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
(jeneral of the .\rmy and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 



mt- 





5 






•^»- 



-■► 



JV/A/il/i/iA'TB PRKSIDRNT. 




^ RUTHERE'ORD B, HAYES. 



t i'^ ga'^^'sat^'.gi)^v'*»^;:>'uL'iv;'i^;ji^;^^.';i'^^'Sa>:iJSi'iai't- 



&a >:'ff->- 








UTHKRI'ORI) B. HAYES, 
(fe) the nineteeiitl\ Presiduiit of 
■ the United States, was born iii 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three month:; after llie 
death of liis father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can l)e traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two .Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged totlie 
nobility, owned e.xtensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
tune overtaking the family, Cieorge Hayes left Scot- 
land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah 1-ee, and lived from the time of liis mar- 
riage until his death in Simsiniry, Conn. Kzekiel, 
son of flaniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turerof scythes at Biadford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in ,\ugust, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and coidd mend a plow, knit a stock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of i8t2, for reasons ine.xplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis. who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



=r 



4 



92 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



•^ 11 ^' 



, , mei 

Y 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birtli that he 
was not exi)ected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
him, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to 
iiim. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You 
"ait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
deatli; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to liis 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he went to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of disix)- 
sition, and tliat delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proiX)sed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a jirofessor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in llie office of Thomas Sparrow, Esc]., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1S45, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence u[X)n his subse- 
quent life. One of tlicse was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webli, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members such men as'^hief Justice Salmon P. Chase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. The Literary Cluo brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so lon^j hidden by his bashfulness and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the ofilice of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1S61, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
tlie zenith of his professional life. His rank at the 
bar was among tlie the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, lie 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At tlie battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from liis reginienl, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
in command of the celelirated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in tiie battles 
of Winchester, F"isher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetled 
Major-General, "forgallant and distinguished ftrvices 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West \'irginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been 1 )em- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was im[K)rtuned to resign his 
commission in tlie army ; but he finally declared, " 1 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. .Mien G. Thurman, a ixjpular Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1S75. 

In 1S76 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, hcwever, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his administration was an average on". 




:'^"^^ 




TilJ^A JJJ< ni J' RESIDENT. 



^i^h-4« 



l^i JAM'BS A.. iAR FIELD, f ^ 







^-'^^'T^H^-^'!v^*9*^'; ^ ^- ^ ; v^:H^>^ K^^'^/^ vC -*^ ^ i X 'H^ CC k^#^ 



'^^w^r/^F 



AMES A. GARl'IELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. 19, 
I S3 1, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abrani and Eliza 
(Ballon) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
tory of that section of our coun- 
iiy, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James .\. was 
born was not unlike tiie houses of 
poor ( )liio farmers of that day. It 
i.ds about 20X 50 feet, Imilt of logs, with the spaces be- 
.ween the logs filled witli day. ilis father was a 
lard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
.ileared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
The household comprised the father and mother and 
heir four children — Mehetabel, 'I'homas, Mary and 
'ames. In May, 1823, the f.ither, from a cold con- 
.racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
iliis time James was about eighteen months old, aiul 
'"homas about ten years old. No one, |)erliaps, can 
(ell how much James was indebted to his biothcr's 
toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
itis live in .Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

'I'lie early educational advantages young Carfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
tiiem. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
mother in he' ^trujjgles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the sini[)le. plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until he 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly oi)posed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to C'leveland. This was his first visit to the city. 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on tlie Ohio iS: I'ennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he went 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disci|)les of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to heli) pay his way. 
lie then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
"exhausted Hiram " and needed more; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from whi h 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwartls returned to Hiram 
("oUege as its Piesic'ent. As above slated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its ]iulpit and places where 
he liapijened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion 







JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



-^H^r^ 



t 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Clirist and life and 
failh and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more tlian usual degree. Li 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which lie was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in tiieir Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyally to 
the less stately and cultured Christian communions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
larian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself 
worthyas the wifeof one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven cliildren, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, 
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became tlie favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, i86i. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before lie had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
(Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1S62; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was witli Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the 
General Couit-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff." 
The military lu'story of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

\Vithout an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for sixty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha ^\'hittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his jjlace in the army. At the time heen- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. There he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in iSSo. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which 
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu- 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some sijeech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. (iarfield." 

Uixju Jan. t4, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
])arty for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Gatfield, and every 
day it grew in favo; with the peojjle, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the de[K)t, in com- 
])any with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his liack. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but in.'lictiiig no further 
injury. It has been very truthfully said tliat this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his jxswer and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world tlie 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
19, 1883, at Elheron, N. J , on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly ])revious. *l'he 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. 



■♦- 



TIVEIVTY. FIRST PRESIDENT. 



■•^Hl-^ 



99 





m,> :^A-!i(Ji^iMM^R, 







^)£^^ 






HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

^ twentv-first I'resi'-'.wiH of the 

'^-' United States was born in 

Franklin t'our ty, Vermont, on 

„ , ^ ^ thetitthofOdober, i8!o, andis 

V^v-' t-ri'/ tlie oldest of a family of two 
4;' ■ .■■•- " -I) 

' sons and five daughters. His 

father was the Rev. Dr. William 

Arthur, a Baptisld .rgyman, who 

I emigrated to tb.s country from 
the county Antrim, Ireland, in 
his i8th year, and died in 1875, in 
Newtoiiville, neai Albany, after a 
long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S( henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the e.\i)iration of that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his [jocket, 
and entered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
I being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward niaxr'fd the daughter of Lieutenant 
A* 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at. 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
nonunation to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon, 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under tht 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. ^L Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went tt) the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Gliarles O'Conor here csiwused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



v 



-4^ 



lOO 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge- Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hnii Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen com]X)sing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was apiwinted Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. Tliis was perhaps the greatest jx)litical 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was comixjsed of the ':;ading jxjliticians of the Re- 
publican i)arty, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. I'inally (ien. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and (Jen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
.vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours - 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and lie it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored )X)sition in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and tlie world, as never 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to assume the resixjnsibilities of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
Sept. 20, 1881. The [wsition was an embarrassing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what jx)licy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many imixjrlant measures were to be immediately 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew tlie feelings of many on 
this ix)int. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in !)is own 
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rj'ing with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 





^yPt'tZ^^ 




u. 



TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



'°3 . L 





^,Vk^ 



t 





C)O - 



"oSo" 



•-+: 
» 



lEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LANDjthetwenty-second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
l)orn in 1S37, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in ottice must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, jnoved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie ("anal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to scliool in the " good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 

4»— I 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supiwrting by the i^uickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a re[)utation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not e.\- 
hibit as yet any particular '' flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
Hut instead of remaining witli this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an op[K)rtunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 



*^ m <• 



-4^ 



I04 



■•^^H r"^* 



S. GROVER CLEVELAND. 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 

he left the city to seek hii fortune, instead of going 

to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 

there was some charm in that name for him; but 

before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 

»sk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 

stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 

E]3eak entiuisiastically. " What is it you want to do, 

my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 

law," was tiie reply. "Good gracious!" remarked 

ihe old gentleman ; " do you, indeed .'' What ever put 

that into your head? How much money have you 

got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 

If 
an jr. 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
l!lace temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, wiiile lie cuuld " look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but (irover's persistency won, and 
ne was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
vvhcre they all begin." A titter ran aroiind the little 
lircle of cleiks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
i)ul indue time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing princii)les through all their metaphysical 
\)ossibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
t," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
eiectcd was that of .Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital punishment uiwn two 
criminals. In iSSr he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worse 
thau squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
I r, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thunnan, etc.: and he 
was elected by the peoi)le, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Reiiub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 18S5, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
York; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, I'f 
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of 
/Vrkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inauguration. 



•T* 





. O^a. 



^:2^'5*^-'?Vi-«sitJi-£C 



^F^^ 



TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT. 



11)7 




^&v^ -'^ '^ 



f^.a^^^.:'*^ 




::i^^ 













••o*o.-@^®..oio~ 




4 



N.IAMIN HARRISON, tlie 

\ , twenty-third I'l-i'sident, is 
is>? the descendant (if one of tlie 
historical families of this 
^ country. The liead of tiie 
';3 f:unil3' was a ]\I;ijor ( ieneral 
TjU^'S Harrison, one of Oliver 
(f^ Croniwell's trnsted follow- 

and fij^hters. In tlie zenith of Croni- 
s power it hocaine the dntj' of this 
Harrison to partiripate m the trial of 
Charles I, and al'liM'ward to sign the 
death warrant of the king. He snl).se- 
(pieutly paid for this with iiislife, lieing 
hnngOct. 1.'5, 1000. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of tiie 
family that appears in history' is Renj.a- 
Cy '.in 'larrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 

father of the snhject of this sk(!teh,and 
after whom he was named. licnjamin Harrison 
was a nuMnlier of the Continental Congress during 
the years 1 77 l-;")-0, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Inde|)endence. He 
was tinee times electecl fJovernor of \'irginia. 
Gen William Hcniy Harrison, the son of the 



4»i 



distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc- 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
and willpa clean record as Governor of the North- 
western Territoiy, w.as elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His career was cut short 
1)}' death within one month after his inauguration. 
President Harrison was horn at North Bend, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. .''O, 18.i3. His life up to 
the time of his graduation by the Miami University, 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
try lad of a family of small means. His father was 
able to give him a good education, and nothing 
more. He became eng.aged while at college to the 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female school 
at Oxford. After graduating be determined to en- 
ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin 
cinnati and then read law for two years. At the 
expiration of th;il time young Harrisou received tha 
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him 
a lot valued at iiSOO. He regarded this legacy' as a 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, »aks 
this money and go to some Eastern town an '. ne- 
gin tlie i>ractice of law. He sold liis lot, and with 
the money in his pocket, he started out wita his 
young wife to fight for a place in the worltl. j'"e 



■*#- 



•¥^f^ 



:^^H^ 



108 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 






decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at 
liiat time a town of promise. He met with slight 
encouragement at first, making scarcely anything 
tlie first year. He worked diligentl\', appl3-ing him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
fession. He is the father of two children. 

In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speaker. He can- 
vassed the State thoroughly', and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th 
In<liana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of the rawest of material, 
hut Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
when he therefore came to move tow.ard the E.ist 
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
drilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he 
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
at Peachtree Creek he was made a Brig.adier Gen- 
eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
eoniplimcntarj' terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
the Supreme Court declared the ollice of the Su- 
preme Court Reporter vacant, and another person 
w.as elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
ing Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 1864 
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
thirt3'-day leave of absence, and during that time 
madea brilliant can v.ass of the .State, and was elected 
for another terra. lie then started to rejoin Sher- 
man, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet 
fever, and after a most trying siege made his way 
to the front in time to participate in the closing 
incidents of the war. 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined n, re-election .as 
reporter, and resumed the pr.actice of law. In 1870 
he was a candid.ate for Governor. Although de- 
Teated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him 
-», National reputation, and he w.as much sought, es- 
pecia:.y in the East, to m.akc speeches. In 1880, 
as usual, he took an active part in the campaign, 
and w:. elected to the United States Senate. Here 
lie served sis j'ears, and w.as known as one of the 
ablest men, best lawyers and strongest debaters in 

4* 



that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial 
term he returned to the practice of his profession, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest lirms in 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 w.as one (jf tlie 
most memorable in the history of our country. The 
convention which assembled in Chicago in June and 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Re[)ul)lican party, was great in ever}' i)artic- 
ular, and on this .account, .and the. attitude it as- 
sumed upon the vital questions of the d.a}', chief 
among which w.as the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations beg.an to visit Mr. 
Harrison .at Indianapolis, his home. This move-- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations juurne^'ed 
Ihither to p.ay their respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable siieeches 
m.ade by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all tinough 
the summer and autnnui to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in the 
foremost rank of American orators and .statesmen. 

On account of his eloquence as a si«'ak(>r anil his 
l)ower as a debater, he w.as called u|i(in at an un- 
commonly early .age to t.ake i)art in the '.liscussion 
of the gre.at questions th.at then began l-.) agitate 
the country. He w.as an uncomi)romising ant: 
slavery man, and was mat-ched against .some of v.!.e 
most eminent Democratic s|x>akers of his State. 
No man who felt the touch of his bhuh? desired to 
he i)it(ed with him .again. "With all his eioii-'ence 
as an orator he never spoke for oratorical etfeet, 
but his words alw.ays went like bullets to the nmrk 
He is purely American in his ideas and is a splei- 
did type of the American statesman. (Jiftcd wif. 
quick percepticm, a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
he is one of the most distinguished im|)rom))tu 
speakers in the Nation. Many of these si)eeches 
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. IMany of his ter.se 
st.atements h.ave alreadj' become a|>horisms. Origi- 
nal in thought, jjrecise in logic, ter.se in statement, 
yet witlial faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as 
tlie sound statesman and brilliant orator o*" the day 



■•► 



f 



■^•- 



4" 



^^^^ 



vL ^ 



4' 




-^m. 





i 







JM«^^^ 





■tfjf. 



><*■ 



^^►Hl-^ 



GOVERNORS OF WISCONSIN. 



113 





"' ' IIF, first Dodge in America 
settled on Block Island, a 
portion of Rhode Island, in 
the year IGGO, and is down 
in the records as Trustronie 
(Tristram) Daudge. Israel, 
father of Gov. Henry Dodge. 
settled in Kentucky during the 
bloodiest period of the Indian 
massacres, and built the first 
stone iiouse at Bairdstown. He 
erected large mills at Ste. Gene- 
vieve, 3Io., and during one of his 
journeys between ids house and that 
place with his wife, was inter- 
cepted at Vinceunes, Ind., where, on Oct. 12, 1782, 
Ilenr^- was born. The nnuie Henry was bestowed 
in honor of a gunsmilh nanieil IMoses Henry, who, 
wlien a savage liad seized and was about to dasli 
the cliild's l)rains out, by an extraordinary exhi- 
bition of intrepidity, saved its life. 

A littlg later tiie Dodges moved to Ste. Gene- 
vieve. Henry's education was completed in a log 
school house at Bairdstown, but later he read law a 
little anil at twenty-one was appointed Sheriff of 
Ste. Genevieve County, Mo. 

Wlien the \Var of 1812 broke out, he enlisted as 
a sul)altern and .successively tilled every intermedi- 
ate rank to that of brigadier-general, which he re- 
ceived in 1814. 

In 1820 he was elected a member of the Consti- 
tutional Convention of Missouri, an<l appointed 
United States Marshal. In. 1827 the discovery of 

<■ 



lead in Wisconsin having created considerable ex- 
citement, he emigrated to the "lead region," set- 
tling at Dodgeville, Iowa County, which was named 
in his honor. 

Here he erected the first smelting works and for 
some time carried on with great energy the busi- 
ness of mining and and smelting, going in person 
down the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers on flat- 
boats to New Orleans with cargoes of lead. 

Soon after reaching what is now Wisconsin, the 
Winneb.ago Indians began raiding the feeble settle- 
ments, killing and scalping men, women and child- 
ren. The settlers chose Gen. Dodge to lead them, 
who, after erecting block houses and forging spikes 
for defense, started in pursuit of the leaders of the 
n|)rising. His great energy and full knowledge of 
tlie peculiarities of savage warfare so surprised and 
terrorized the Indians that they surrendered the 
originators of the raid, who. though tried and con- 
victed, were pardoned by President J. t^. Adams. 

Gen. Dodge's name became widely known 
tlirough the Blac"l<: Hawk AVar. The Sacs had 
yielded the lead regions to the Government, and 
agreed to remove across the Mississippi into Iowa, 
r.lack Hawk contended the treaty had been improp- 
erly signed and refused to move. Finally in 18.'?1, 
United States troops forced him across; but calm, 
brave and patriotic, he recrossed in A])ril, 18:12, 
with 500 warriors and 1,000 women and children, 
to recover his villages and country. 

Immediately 2.000 troops were raised. Dodge 
recruiting the Mineral Point "free rangers," a fear- 
less, rough-and-re-ady and well armed body of 



114 



HENRY DODGE. 



men, who with their comniandor, commissioned 
Colonel hy the Governor of Michigan, pursued 
Black Hawk until he was finally captured. 

There is an iniraeuse amount of bragging and 
falsehood in the popular accounts of the Black 
Hawk War, but Gen. Dodge rendered valuable 
service by terrorizing the Winnebagoes, whose 
treacherous and sneaking character be seemed to 
understand, thuskeci)ing tiiom in subjection. 

In 1833, Gen. Dodge w.os placed in command of 
1,000 mounted rangers, raised by special act of 
Congress, for the protection of the frontier. At 
the end of a year of this precarious service, he 
was placed in command of the first regiment of 
dragoons ever enlisted into the army of the United 
States, and sent towards the head waters of the Ar- 
kansas River for the purpose of reclaiming whites 
held in cajitivity by the Commanehes, Kiowas and 
other hostile tribes. 

In 1835 he penetrated the wild country at the 
head of the Platte River and formed treaties with 
more than thirty tribes of Indians. On his return 
Congress ordered the journal of his expedition, a 
rare and interesting volume now out of print, to 
be published. 

Wisconsin having been created into a territory 
in 183C, Gen. Dodge was nominated by President 
Jackson to be its fii-st Governor and .Superintendent 
of Indian affairs. 

A "grand independence celebration" having been 
arranged at Jlineral Point, on July 4, 1836, Gen. 
Dodge was invited to be present and as part of the 
ceremonies solemnl}' subscribed to the oath of of- 
fice in the presence of the people, and made a brief 
speech. It was the most democratic inauguration 
ever held in Wisconsin. 

The first election having been held, Gen. Dodge 
convened the Legislature at Belmont, now in 
La Fayette County, on Oct. 25, 1836. Ills mes- 
sage, delivered in person to both Houses, was com- 
prehensive. He wished Congress to clear the Rock 
River of its olistriictions, but thought that railw.ays 
must f urnisli the future means of transportation, and 
.asked the Government to construct a line from the 
Mississippi to Lake Michigan. 

He also recommended "tiie propriety of asking 
from Congress a donation of one township of land 



■^^ 



to be sold and the proceeds of the sale placed un- 
der direction of the Legislative Assembly for the 
establishment of an academy for the education of 
youth." This emljodies preciselj' the principle of 
the plan on which Universities were established in 
Wisconsin and other States, by grants of lands 
from Congress. 

There was a certain mixture of dash, self-conceit, 
energy and insight into the ways and wants of tiie 
pioneers, that made him popular. Besides, he had 
recommended the "right of pre-emption, graduated 
prices for lands according to v.alues." and that the 
(Government put a stop to "speculation in land, 
the immediate gift from God to man." He was 
re-appointed in 1839. 

On March 4, 1841, the Whigs came into power, 
under William H. Harrison and John Tj'ler, and 
Gov. Dodge was removed to make room for 
James Duane Doty. Thereupon the Democrats 
made him their nominee for delegate to Congress, 
and he w.as elected over Jonathan E. Arnold, of 
Milwaukee; and he was re-elected in 1843, over 
Gen. Hicox. 

In March, 1845, the Democrats, under James K. 
Polk, assumed national control and Gen. Dodge 
was re-appointed Governor of the Territory and 
continued to serve as such until Wisconsin was ad- 
mitted as a State in 1848. 

Tiie new State Legislature met in June and on 
the 8th elected Gov. Dodge and Isaac P. Walker to 
the United States Senate; and in casting lots for 
the long and short terms, Gov. Dodge drew the 
former. He was re-elected in January, 1851, for 
tlie term eiuling on the 4th of March, 1857. This 
closed the public career of Henry Dodge. 

Though not an educated man he found delight 
in certain branches of literature, especially during 
the latter part of his life in careful perusals of 
"Scott's Bible" and its notes, and at his death, 
wiiicb occurred on June 19, 1869, at the home of 
his son, Augustus 'C. Dodge, in Burlington. Iowa, 
he was a memlier of the Episcop.al Church. 

His last years were passed mostly at Mineral Point 
in a state of complete rest and peace, in emphatic 
and beautiful contrast to the privations, warfare 
and stormy activity of bis earlier life on the front- 
ier and far into tiie heart of tlie Indian country. 

In 1 870 the Legislature of Wisconsin appropri- 
ated $2,000 for Knowles' marble bust of iU)v. 
Dodge, which stands in the Capitol at Madison. 
No other citizen was ever thus honored at public 
expense, ^ 



i*>-i- 



M^ 



GOVERNORS OF WISCONSIN. 



4 

117 T\ 




*■ JAMES DUANE DOTY, 








-^-Hi-=3&^=^-M- 



HE ablest ano most compre- 
liensive of our pioneer 
statesmen, and the one who 
possessed a better knowledge 
of the Territory and its re- 
- luret'S, and a surer insight 
into the future than an}- other 
m:\n of his time, was born at 
Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., 
on Nov. 5, 1799. After com- 
pleting a thorough English 
course of stud}', he studied law, 
and in his twentieth year settled in 
Detroit, where his suave manners, 
conspicuous ability and handsome, 
commanding presence brought immediate popu- 
larity. 

In 1819 he was admitted to the bar of the Su- 
preme Court of Jliehigan, and soon after was 
elected Secretary of the Detroit City Council, Clerk 
of the Supreme Court, and Secretary of the Terri- 
torial Legislature. In tliese positions he increased 
his reputation, for he seemed to know exactly how 
everj-thing connected with .administrative affairs 
should be done, and ixjssessed the tact to do it ac- 
curately and promptly. 

Charles C. Trowbridge, of Detroit, in a letter to 
Lyman C. Draper, of the Wisconsin State Histori- 
cal Society' , sa^-s: "I found Doty here when I 
came, in September, 1819, and roomed with him; 
made the tour of the lakes with him in (Jen. Cass' 
expedition of 1820, and enjoyed his uninterrupted 



friendship. He became the law partner of George 
McDougal, * * who predicted from the first that 
Doty would become a man of mark. The partner- 
ship continued several years — I think until Doty 
was made Judge of the Northern District. * * 
While he lived in Detroit, Gov. Doty was dis- 
tinguished for close application to his profession 
and for frugality." 

In 1820 Lewis Cass made his famous tour of the 
lakes, and jjenetrated to the source of the Missis- 
sippi in a flotilla of birch-bark canoes. Doty was 
secretary of the expedition, and his report is still 
looked upon as embodying the most .accurate in- 
formation to be had in reference to the condition 
of the country before it was settled by the whites — 
game, food-products, Indi.an tribes and habits, tim- 
ber, etc. "Northern Wisconsin in 1820," in Vol. 
VII Wisconsin Historical Collections. At the close 
of this e.xpedition, at the age of twenty-two, having 
already revised and published the laws of Michi- 
gan, Doty went to Washington and was admitted 
to practice before the United States .Supreme Court. 

In 1823, all the country west of Lakes Michigan 
and Superior, in the old Northwest Territory, was 
setoff into a new judici.ll district, and Mr. Doty 
was appointed b}' President Monroe to be its first 
judge. It is not possible now to fully appreciate 
the dangers and responsibilities which this appnint- 
ment entailed. He w:is compelled to cst;il)lish this 
hitherto unknown authority at Prairie du Chien. 
Green I').ay .and .Mackinaw; traveling with his books, 
papers and records, on horscb.ack, between these 



^ 



^ 



118 




JAMES DUANE DOTY. 



widelj'-separated points throui;h a hostile anrl un- 
known country. Besides, tlie condition of such as 
called themselves settlers was, in its way, even 
worse. At each point were a few soldiers; here and 
there were traders living with Indian women and 
everywhere around and mixed in with them were 
Indians subject to no authority whatever, as they 
believed. He wascompL'Ued to hear murder trials, 
divorce suits, actions upon contracts, controversies 
between tra])pcrs, claims to lands yet unsurveyed. 
to settle conflicts between civil and military autiior- 
itv, and generallj' to bring order out of social 
chaos; and here should be recorded I\lr. Doty's 
most important and difllcult work — la3'ing the 
foundation of society and teaching these wild classes 
to respect and obey the laws. At first the people 
were disposed to resist the Judge's authority, as he 
at once began to compel those who had been living 
with Indian women to marrj' or leave tiiem and 
provide for whatever offspring had been the fruits 
of these strange unions. 

Judge Doty's record, from the time of his first 
term at Mackinaw, beginning on July "21. 1823, to 
November, 1832, is preserved in the vaults of the 
State Historical Society at Madison, and is a 
model of neatness and perspicuity. 

In l.s32he was appointed by the Secretary of 
War to laj- out militaiy roads from Green Baj' to 
Prairie du Chieu and to Ft. Dearborn, now Chicago, 
and in 1834 was elected to serve as a member of 
the Territorial Legislature of Michigan, drafting 
and passing the act which matle Michigan a State, 
and Wisconsin a Territory. 

The first legislature of the Territory of Wiscon- 
sin met in 183G and fixed the seat of government. 
There were several candidates — some real places, 
like Fond du Lac, Mineral Point, Cassville, Bel- 
mont and Green Bay, and some cities on paper. 
Mr. Doty, knowing the topography of the country 
better than any other man, entered a large tract of 
land between the hikes at Madison — a beautiful lo- 
cation — platted it, and offered free a site in the 
midst of a fine natural park for the capitol buildings. 
After a bitter fight he was victorious, and ISladison 
was chosen as the seat of government. From this 
event dated the unparalleled political assaults upon 
Mr. Doty, which did not cease until he ^'as coni- 



pletely out of the public eye — the foundation for 
it all — being the disappointment of speculators and 
politicians who wanted the capital located else- 
where; yet all concede now that Gov. Doty selected 
the most beautiful location in the State for the 
State House. 

In 1837 he was elected delegate to Congress; was 
re-elected two years later, and served until he was 
made Governor and Superintendent of Indian 
Affairs of AVisconsin Territory, in which capacitj- 
he served from Oct. 5, 1841 to Sept. 1(5, 1814. 

Gov. Doty's first message was long and compre- 
hensive. He opposed all laws creating monopolies — 
charters granting exclusive privileges; recom- 
mended that steps be taken to organize a State; 
that bank circulation should be circumscribed and 
rendered more stable; that, to encourage the intro- 
duction of sheep and growth of wool, sheep and 
their fleeces be exempt from taxation; that a more 
effective system for the supjiort of common schools 
should be devised, and that all the Indians be re- 
moved from the Territory. 

Although his administration was stormy and un- 
pleasant — an open rupture occurring between him- 
self and the Legislature — Gov. Doty w:is active 
and ambitious in behalf of the people of the Terri- 
tory. He made a vigorous attempt to have the 
southern boundary of Wisconsin established on a 
line drawn westward from the head of Lake Michi- 
gan, as the Ordinance of 1787 provided, which 
would have made Chicago instead of Milwaidiee 
the metropolis of Wisconsin. 

In 1846 he was chosen to serve in the conven- 
tion called to form anew State constitution, and in 
1841) was elected to Congress, and le-electotl in 
18.01. While serving in this capacity he was 
branded as an Abolitionist, because, desiring to 
protect an important interest in his State, he re- 
fused to vote to repeal the duty on lead. 

In 18G1 he was apiiointed Superintendent of In- 
dian Affairs of Utah, and made the first treaty ever 
had with the Shoshonees. In May, 1863 he was 
made (!overnor of Utah, in which capacity he was 
forced to contend with the bloody and unscrupu- 
lous powers of the Mormon Church, and whirh 
olHce he held at the time of his death, .lune 13, 
1865. 



H 




Cy^-rx.^ O'.^'^y^ t^ ^ ' ■yCU^-l-t^^^.i.c^QrjL^ 



.^-^l^^ 



GOVEKNOKS OK WISCONSIN. 



121 





_ i:.:r.a.aicl Jj oiler lallraad 



\^i^.yT r^w.\.^^v.VV^ r.;VAiV: v\i\V.V.\\iV \^ 



RC- 



^KE^ 



^^ 






-sa^feJ- 



HE Tallmadge family is of 
Saxon descent, as the name, 
originally spelled Tolle- 
mache, indicates*. Burke 
says, "It has tloiirished with 
the greatest honor in an unin- 
terru[>ted niah' succession in tlie 
County of SutTolk since the first 
arrival of the Saxons in Eng- 
land, a [jeriod of more than 
\, thirteen centuries. Tollemache, 
Lord of Bentley, and Stoke Tolle- 
niaclie. in tlie County of Oxford, 
lived in the Sixth century'; and 
upon the old manor-liouse of Bent- 
ley is still tlie following inscription : "Before the 
Norman into England came. Bentley was my resi- 
dence and Tollemache my name." 

Joel, fatiier of N. P. Tallmadge, served with 
honor in the War of the Revolution, .and w.as (nes- 
ent at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. Nathaniel 
P. wiisborn at Ch.atham, Columbia Co., N. Y., on 
Feb. 8, 17',)5. He first attracted attention by an 
unusual thirst for knowledge, beginning latin with- 
out a tutor, while yet in the district school. So 
conspicuous was tiie boy's ability to acquire inform- 
ation that he was placed under the care of William 
II. Maynard, from whom he imbibed modes of 
thought that colored his entire life. 

After graduating from Willi.ams College with 
honor in 181,5, he liegan the study of law in the 
odice of Gen. .lames Tallmadge, in Poughkeopsie, 
who taught him to be thorough rather th.in in haste 
to i)ass an examination. In 1818 he w.as admitted to 
the bar and began the practice of his profession, 



wholly eschewing politics until 1828, when he was 
elected to the Assembly from Duchess County. 

Though this Legislature was composed of excep- 
tionally able men, when it came to revising the 
statutes 3'oung Tallmadge showed such a complete 
knowledge of the principles of law and govern- 
ment that he was soon acknowledged to be a leader. 

In 1829 he was elected to the vState Senate, where 
he made a reputation that extended far beyond 
the borders of his state. DeWitt Clinton's Erie 
canal project having always been defended by him, 
he was made chairman of the committee on canals. 

The subject of railways had begun to attract at- 
tention in the United States. No man in the 
country had a more thorough understanding than 
Mr. T.allmadge of the experiments in Europe with 
steam transportation, and this knowledge was em- 
bodied in an elaborate report to the Senate, which 
discussed the subject in a manner that would do 
credit to the present d.ay. He pointed out that 
railway transportation would sooner or later super- 
sede every other form, "as railw.aysdonot freeze in 
the winter nor dry up in the summer, besides in 
speed and safety, they will be incomparable." He 
especially desired to see a railroad built along the 
banks of the Hudson Kiver, between New York 
and Albany, for the purpose of testing his theory 
that boats could not long compete with locomotives. 

Before the expiration of his term in the State 
Senate he was elected to the United States Senate 
for the term of si.x years beginning March 4, 1833. 
Although perhaps the youngest man in that bodj'. 
Mr. T.allmadge exerted a marked influence in shap- 
ing legislation. He was a sound logician and pol- 
ished orator and had the reputation of inWy under- 



•^''^t^^ 



•^^r^ 



122 



-t^ 



NATHANIEL POTTER TALLMADGE. 



f 



standiiii^ wliati'ver matter he undertook to discuss. 
His Controversy with Calhoun on the right of col- 
ored jipoplo to present petitions to Congress was 
aljle iinil memorable. 

But that which disclosed his real strength and 
audacity of character was his controversy with 
President Van Buren, some of whose recommend- 
ations he opposed. At last tiie two were brouglit 
to a personal interview, which was described as 
very interesting owing to the attempt of the Presi- 
dent to intimidate the Senator from New York. 

On returning from Washington, Mr. Tallmadge 
received an ovation, wliich was intended as an ap- 
l)roval of his opposition to Van Buren. A process- 
ion met him at the steamboat landing as an escort 
to tlie Astor House, and in the evening he was hon- 
ored with a reception at National Hall. 

His popularity was now great, and he proceeded 
to organize the Democracy of New York for the 
pnrp(jse of defeating Van Buren. While this was 
going on, in 1839, he was triumphantly re-elected 
to tlie Senate. Having been ostracized by the ad- 
ministration organs of his part>', hampered by the 
use of executive ijower and denounced as an apos- 
tate, liis re-election was generally regarded as fore- 
shadowing the fate of \ an Buren, and so it [iroved. 
Mr. Tallmadge could have been the nominee for 
vice-president on the ticket with Gen. Harrison, 
but declined that honor, as he did also the offer 
of a seat in Harrison's cabinet and a foreign mis- 
si( n. 

In 1811, having purciiased a beautiful tract of 
Ian I near F »n I ilu Lac, in I'very way lit for the es- 
Uiljlisli lien I, of a baronial home, with tlie intention 
of maiving Wisconsin his future residence. Presi- 
dent Tyler iioniiiiated him for (iovernor of the 
Territory. AI'Ler some delil)eration he resolved to 
resign his jiositiou in the United States Senate and 
accept the oilice. 

Mr. Tallin I dge succeeded James D. Doty as 
chief executiw; of this Territory, on Sept. 16, 
1H44, and held tli.' otlico until Alay 13, 1845, wiien, 
the Deniociats having a:;ain succeeded to power, 
he w IS removed and Gov. Dodge appointed. 

Jlr. TMllmadge, on lieeo uiug {invernor, found 
the peo|)le full of excitement, owing to the storm}- 
controversy between the Legislature and (iov. Doty; 
but he soon restored peace and harmony, and 
worked iiand in hand with that body, to wiiich 
he delivered his message in person on .Ian. 17. Ksto. 

In this message he pointed out that the famous 
Milwaukee it Kock Kiver Caual had been aband- 



oned, its projectors having sold enough of the 
land grant to build a water power at Milwaukee, 
and recommended tli.at a railw.ay from the Missis- 
sippi to Lake Michigan, should be liiiilt to take its 
place. 

He also opposed as too early in a new settlement 
to be wise, the proi>osed extension of the period 
required for naturalization to twenty-one 3'ears, 
and recommended the establishment for the pro- 
motion of agriculture, of "pattern farm«." agricul- 
tural societies, and agricultural schools. Those 
who now take note of our university farm and 
agricultural experiment station, our farmers' insti- 
tutes and our numerous ngrieultnial associations, 
all fostered by public approiiriations, must bo im- 
pressed with the foresight of (Jov. 'J'allmadge. 

So dignified, courteous ami able w.as this mes- 
sage that the Legislature authorized 750 copies of 
it to 1)0 jirinted in German; the first time such an 
unusual thing was ever done in Wisconsin. 

On retiring from the ofliee of (TOVern(U', Mr. 
Tallmadge aliandoned active ])olitics, and though 
continuing his residence at Fond du Lac, spent a 
large [lortion of his time in Washington, where he 
was ever ready to advance the interests of Wiscon- 
sin. 

Gov. Tallmadge was a lover of liter-ature, phil- 
osophy and good comp.any. His speeches and 
writings abound in apt and beautiful poetical quo-' 
tations; he eagerly espoused an}' controversy 
upon the problem of life, of which he took an 
ethereal though philoso|)hical view, and his spa- 
cious home was ever open to his hosts of friends. 

There settled near Fond du Lac at an early day 
a considerable list of people remarkable for wealtli, 
culture and hospitality. In fact there was no 
social coterie in the Territory at all to be compared 
with the one under mention at the time Govs. 
Doty and Tallmadge settled at Fond du Lac; and 
the life they lived of constantly interchanging 
social amenities of the most cordial and polished 
character, can hardly be understood by the present 
generation. Their children were taught French, 
music and art by private tutors; they gave hunting 
and other parties on a broad scale; they regarded 
the poor with consideration and respect and they 
added in every way a cliarm and wholesome gla- 
mour to society that had never been seen in a new 
country and is not now to be fountl anywhere. In 
all this the Tallmadge family were leaders for many 
years and very popular. 

Gov. Tallmadge was romantic and fine-grained 
in his organization, as may be seen by reading an 
early volume published b}' liiin — ''Healing of the 
Nations." He left an .autobiography, which is to 
be published in the future. 



i 



:??r+^ 



4 



GOVERNORS OF WISCONSIN. 



4* 



1:2:) 




^G? fecit J^^WC'l^o W 








DEWEY lias been a con- 
spifiious cli:ir:u:ler in Wis- 
consin for more than half a 
eentuiv, and unless Moses 
M. Strong be excepted, is 
personally familiar with more 
men, events, facts, and political 
secrets than any man now living. 
About these matters, however, 
he was never ver}' talkative, iiav- 
ing been a believer in an earl}' ad- 
monition bv James Ruchanan : "Say 
little and write nothing for the 
public eye." Jlr. Dewey is the 
son of Ebenczer and Lucy (Web- 
ster) Dewey, and was born in the 
!• nil of Lebanon, State of Connecticut, on Decem- 
ber 19, 1813. The following year his parents re- 
moved to Otsego County, in the StJite of New 
^'ork, where his youthful days were spent in the 
town of liutternuts, now Morris. 

The early education of Mr. Dewey w;is com- 
nu'iictd in the district school of that place. At 
the age of sixteen he was sent to Hamilton Acad- 
emy, then under charge of Prof. Zenos Moore, in 
the town of Hamilton, Chenango Co., N. Y., whore 
he rcmaineil throe years. Among his classmates 
were William I'ilt Lyude, for many years Member 



•►«-♦* 



of Congress from Milwaukee, and Prof. .1. W. 
Sterling, of the University of Wisconsin, both no'.r 
deceased. 

After leaving the academy Air. Dewey taught 
school in the town of .M(jrris one year, after which 
he read law, first with his father then with the law 
firm of Hansen & Davis, and later with Samuel S. 
Bowne, of Cooperstown. Leaving Bowne's office in 
Ma}', 1836, for Wisconsin, he arrived at the lead 
mines on the 19th of June, and in Cassvitle, 
his present home, in Grant County, on the Missis- 
sippi River, about a week later. He was admitted 
to the bar on an examination held by Charles Dunn, 
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory 
of Wisconsin, in 1838, and practiced law with J. 
Allen Barber (deceased) until May, 1848. 

At the first election of county officers in Grant 
County, in 1837, Mr. Dewey was elected Register 
of Deeds. He moved to Lancaster the same year. 
where he lived seventeen j'cars. AVhile residing 
there he held various county oHices, and was elected 
to the Territorial Legislature three times, onee 
being chosen S4)eaker of the House of Represent- 
atives, and Vice-President of the Council. 

In May, 1848, W'isconsin having been admitted 
to the Union, Mr. Dewey was elected by the Demo- 
crats to be its first Governor, over John II. Tweedy, 
by a majority of over 5,000. The various de^xart- 



♦l 



r 



126 



NELSON DKWEY 



•4^ 



ments being new, the functions strange and numer- 
ous, and man}' of the subordinates unused to pub- 
lic service of any kind, his position was one of 
nianv difHculties and required great patience and 
care. For the first time all State matters were 
divorced from Federal control; appointments must 
be made in spite, or at the dictation of local in- 
fluence ; responsibilit}' for errors was transferred from 
Washington to Madison, and there was tlie general 
pressure and chaos attendant upon a new order of 
things on a large scale. So well, however, did he dis- 
cbarge the duties of his office, that he was re-nomi- 
nated and re-elected, in 1849 by a Larger majority 
than before for the full term of two years. In Janu- 
ary, 1853, at the end of his second gubernatorial 
term, he retired to pi-ivate life, but at tlie first op- 
portunitj-, during the fall of that jear, was called out 
again, being nominated for the State Senate in the 
ICth District, and elected over Orsamus Cole, now 
Chief Justice of tlie Wisconsin Supreme Court, by a 
majority of three votes. 

In 1855 he removed to Cassville, which has 
been his home since, except five jears, from 1858 
to 1863, during which time he lived in Platteville. 
While living in Lancaster he was chosen chairman 
of the Town Board one terra, and also Chairman 
of the County Board of Supervisors one term. He 
was Director of the School Board which built the 



first school-house in Lancaster. While at Platte- 
ville he was twice electeil President of the Village 
Board, and was Director of the Sohool Board that 
built the brick school-house at that place. He was 
Chairman of the Town Board of Cassville seven 
3'ears, and was director of the School Board that 
erected the new Cassville school btiihling. In 1873 
he was appointed State's Prison Commissioner by 
(4ov. Taylor, and for half a century has been a 
member or nominee of every Territorial and 
State Convention held in Wisconsin by the 
Democratic party, besides being many times a 
delegate to their national conventions for norai- 
ating candidates for President, and frequently on 
the State electoral ticket, either as district elector 
or elector-at- large. Everywhere, though quiet 
and reserved, he was a familiar figure, with his 
long, double-breasted frock coat of black broadcloth, 
Byronic collar, and intensely black beard and hair. 
Gov. Dewey was alw,a3-s a man of strong will 
and modest actions. It is said that the numberless 
honors with which his party has adorned his life, 
came always without solicitation, and in all his 
positions of trust no one has ever thought of ques- 
tioning his integrity. In liis notions and habits he 
lias been as changeless as in his political jirineiples, 
and it is said that, until this sketch was prepared, 
the pulilic had no knowledge of the day or place of 
his birth. 



Note: — Gov. Dewey died at his late home in Cassville, July 21, 1889. 





f^^ 




^ ' J^ 'ThJr'i.-tr'^Z^ 



u 



GOVKUNoi;^ OF WISCONSIN. 



4- 

129 ( i 




X^GRard ^ames X arwell. 




WLAAA..\ .\\A VS V 




T 



HIS distinguishea gentleman 
had fewer personal and po- 
litical enemies tliau any man 
who ever served as Gov- 
ernor of the State, and he 
.JA himself died without knowing 
exactly why it was so, or why 
and how he was ever made Gov- 
ernor. Capt. James Farwell, of 
^Massachusetts, married Reljecca 
Cady. of Vermont, and settled 
near AVatertown, N. Y., where the 
first fruit of this union, Leonard 
J., was born on .Tan. 5, 1819. In 
1824, INIrs. Farwell died, and in 
18.50 she was followed In' her hus- 
band. Thus, at the age of eleven 
j'cars, Leonard was left an orpiiau 
and poor. He attended the dis- 
trict school until his fourteenth 
year, and then entered a dry-goods 
store. This business not suiting 
I his tastes, he applied himself to 
mastering the tinner's trade, at the same time mak- 
ing a careful st uily of book-keeping and the founda- 
dation princi()i('S of trade and commerce. 

In 18;i8, having completed his apprenticeship, 
young Farwell settled at l.ockport. 111., and with- 
out other capital than energy, and the tools and 
knowledge of his trade, opened a small tinshop and 
^ardwar-i fV>"-». Althougli he soon built up a good 
<• 



business, he thought he could see that Lockport 
was not destined to become a large city, and there- 
fore, on his twenty-first birthday, namely, Jan. 5, 
1840, sold out and removed at once to Milwaukee, 
where he opened a geuer;il hardware store on a 
large scale. 

Having a perfect knowledge of the details of the 
business, and possessing great energy and capacity, 
Mr. Farwell soon made his new venture a success, 
.and in a few years, by judicious and liberal adver- 
tising, built up the largest wholesale house in Wis- 
consin, and perhajjs the largest in the West. 

In 1846 he made a tour of the West Indies, and 
on his return, having observed that the entire coun- 
try was growing steadily and rapidly, purch.ased 
about one-half of what is now the city of Madison, 
including the water-power at the outlet of Fourth 
Lake. 

In September 1847, he started on an extended 
tour of the Old World, visiting between that date 
and the spring of 1840, tlic chief points of interest in 
Europe, Asia, Africa, and Great Kritain, contribut- 
ing regularly to the Milwaukee Sentinel incidents of 
travel and observations upon the countries visited. 

On returning from abroad, Mr. Farwell disposed 
of his business in Milwaukee, and began to carry 
into execution his plan for making a iKvautiful and 
prosperous city of Al.adison, the first move being to 
erect a saw-mill and grist-mill, so the people might 
have lumber and llour without traveling great dis- 
tances over unimproved roads. He straightened 



•> m 4* 



^ 130 



LEONAKD JAMES FARWELL. 






and deepened the channel of the Catfish River, 
which connects Fourth and Third lakes; drained 
the lowlands; laid out roads and streets far into 
'the countr}' ; built bridges and sidewalks; planted 
trees along the streets of his entire purchase; erected 
many costl}' buildings and graded the thorough- 
fares; gave the lakes the Indian names they now 
bear and planted their waters with new varieties of 
fish (some of which are now caught by the ton) ; 
established the Madison ^Museum ; started a woolen 
factory and the first machine-shop and foundrj^; 
helped to l)uild the gas works, water cure, Capitol 
House — in fact, either conceived or had a strong 
hand in building up almost everything that made 
Madison what it is. 

As he had, in 18.j1, given Madison wliat in these 
days would be called a '-boom," some one, it is not 
possible to say who, conceived the idea of nominat- 
ing Mr. Farwell for Governor on the "Whig ticket. 

The Whigs were in a hopeless minority, and Mr. 
Farwell was wholly unknown in politics; indeed, 
very few could say positively wiiether he was a 
Whig or Democrat. His wealth, his energy, his un- 
bounded public-spirit, and his great personal popu- 
larity, however, carried him througli the conven- 
tion witli a hurrah. The unanimous enthusiasm of 
the convention became epidemic, and spread over 
the State like a prairie fire; party lines were broken, 
the Democracy was demoralized, and Mr. Farwell, 
though all the other Whig nominees were defeated, 
was elected. 

Thus, at the age of thirty-two, and in ten j-ears, 
he had acquired a fortune, made long journeys on 
both hemispheres, built a city, and became chief 
executive of his adopted State — an unparalleled 
achievement. 

As Governor he tried to do for tlie entire State 
what, as a private citizen, he had been doing for 
Madison, promote material interests in a solid and 
wholesome way; and though tiie Legislature was 
politically adverse, his important recommend.ations 
were all carried into effect by that body — a sejiarate 
Supreme Court, a State banldng system, a geologi- 
cal survey, an imigration agency, and other things 
of that sort. 

iNIr. Farwell did not wish to be a nominee for 
Governor, nor to fill the office, and the committee 



sent to notif}- him of his nomination could not at 
first discover his whereabouts — he was in hiding. 
Therefore he refused to permit the use of his name 
a second time, and returned to his mills, real-estate, 
and railroad enterprises, in January, 1854. 

The financial revulsion of 18.j7 prostrated Mr. 
Farwell to such an extent that he never full^- re- 
covered. His railroad investments proved par- 
ticularly disastrous, though Madison property-, of 
wliicli he held large amounts, also became practi- 
callj- worthless, and so remained for ^-ears. He then 
retired to a farm on Lake Mendota, just outside of 
Madison, where he superintended the erection of 
tiie buildings for the State Asylum for Insane, liut 
otherwise engaged in no public enterprises. 

In 1859 he was elected to the Stale Legislature, 
in the hope of bringing him again into [)iililic life. 
In 1863 he was made Assistant Examiner in the 
Patent Oltice, and three montlis later Chief Ex- 
aminer of new inventions, which position he re- 
signed in 1870, for the purpose of embarking in the 
patent business in Chicago. 

On the night of the assassination of Lincoln, Mr. 
Farwell was in Ford's Theatre, and from his previ-. 
ous information, comprehended at once that the 
tlireateued conspiracy to kill the principal oflicers 
of the administration was being carried into effect, 
and hastened at all speed from the theatre to the 
room of Vice-President Johnson, reaching there 
just in time to prevent Atzerot from executing that 
part of the terrible plot which had been assigned to 
him. 

For thus saving his life, Mr. Johnson tendered to 
Mr. F.arwell any position he might desire, but the 
offer was declined on the ground tliat i)ublic offices 
should not be used for the payment of debts of 
gratitude. 

The great fire in Chicago in 1872, infiicted an- 
other severe financial blow upon him, and Mr. 
Farwell tiien removed toGrantCitj', Mo,, where he 
was engaged in the real estate and banking busi- 
ness until his death on April 11, 1889, at the age of 
seventy years. 

Gov. Farwell was an able, honest, energetic, 
patriotic, and useful citizen and public official, 
and cannot be remembered with too much kindness 
and gratitude by the people of Wisconsin. 



^ 



^ 



■» '■ ^ 



GOVERNORS OF WISCONSIN. 



1:53 



I 




mi William Auiiustus Barsto.w^ H 



"J^- 



;-iM* 




-^^-|"^^4^>4- 







IIARACTER is one thing 
and reputation another. A 
kinder heart or a truer friend 
than Gov. Barstow would 
be hard to find; yet partisan 
politics gave to him for a 
time such a notorious and 
unenviable reputation that it was easy 
•^ii^'^y for those who did not know him per- 
sonally to believe liim practically de- 
£j^^^fe void of any good qualitj-. Unless it 
t^S'w' ^^® James Duane Doty, no other 
Governor was the victim of more 
slander or more bitter attacks. Some 
of this he may have deserved. l)ut much 
of it was as unjust as all of it was relentless. The 
Harstows came from Yorksliiic, Eiiuhuid, where 
they bore a distinguished name, and settled in 
.Massachusetts and Couneotieut in 1 <)•!"). William 
Augustus was born at Plainfield, Conn., Sept. 13, 
1813. His father, who served in the Revolution, 
was a man C)f great force of character, a farmer. 
William was reared on the family homestead, attend- 
ing the district sclioolduring the winter, and tilling 
the soil during the summer. 

An elder brother, Samuel II., opened a store at 
Norwich, Conn., in which at sixteen years of .age 
William became a chu'k. In April, 1831 he gave 




Y up this position and entered into partnership with 



r 



another brother, Horatio N.. at Cleveland, in mill- 
ing and forwarding, and Iniilt up an extensive 
business from a very modest iieginning. 

The financial revolution of 1837, as it did many 
wealthier firms, compelled the brothers to suspend. 
After settling up their affairs as best they could, 
William, in November, 1839, removed to what was 
then Prairieville, where he had purchased the water- 
power and 160 acres of land within what is now the 
city of Waukesha. He at once erected a flouring- 
mill and opened a store, soon becoming the head 
of a prosperous business and one of the foremost 
men of the place. In those days AVaukesha was 
called the "Hub," as it was really the political cen- 
tre of the Terrilorj'. 

In a new country a merchant and miller will find 
man3' opportunities to counsel, relieve, and materi- 
ally encourage the poorer settlers. Mr. Barstow 
failed to see none of these opportunities, nor to 
help those in misfortune or distress. His course in 
this respect gained a wide circle of grateful .ind 
devoted friends, who always remembered him when 
he w;is a candidate for otiice. 

In 1841 he was made Postmaster,and for some time 
served as one of the three County Commissioners 
of Milwaukee County, which then embraced what 
is now AVaukesha County. While filling tlie ollice 
of Commissioner he was instrumental in setting off 



r 



4 



i.-u 



WILLIAM AUGUSTUS BARSTOW. 



-•►Hh-* 



*t 



the territory and creating the county of "Wauke- 
sha in 1846, establishing the county-seat in Wau- 
ivesha village. It was also his idea to have the 
Strilc prison establislu'd in Waukesha, in which he 
so far succeeded as to have what is now the county 
jail, a stone building, used for the confinement of 
convicts sentenced to the State i)enitciuiar\- 1(\- the 
United States Courts. 

In 1S19 IMr. I'.arstow was nominated arid elected 
by tlie Democrats to be Secretary of State. In this 
oHice he served two years from the 7t!i of January, 
1H.)0, and during that time was charged with tlie 
dillicult task of bringing into market and selling 
the State school lands. rr(»babl3' no Secretary was 
ever called upon to perform more new and import- 
ant duties or settle more precedents. In these his 
business genius found ample opportunity for dis- 
pl;iy. Besides having a large amount of new work 
to perform, he was compelled, on finding the rec- 
oi'ds of the office in a condition of chaos, "with his 
own hand," as has been said by his private secre- 
tary, K. 1^1. Hunter, "to write out in the most com- 
plete and finished manner nearly the full record of 
the office up to the moment it came under his con- 
trol." 

In 1853 Mr. Barstow was elected Governor by 
tiie Democrats, taking his seat in .T.anuary, 1854. 
His first message gave evidence of unusual ability 
and public-spirit; his appointments were credit.able 
and satisfactory, among them tliat of the poet, 
James (iates Percival, to succeed Edward Daniels 
as State Geologist. 

Although his administration was stormy, he was 
renominated in 1855, his opponent being Coles 
Bashford. The cam|>aign against him was one of 
unparalleled bitterness and violent personalities. 
AVlu'U it was over the returns showed that Gov. 
Barstow had bei'n defeated by a few votes, but the 
board of canviisscrs acce[)tcd some "suiiplemental" 
returns from the pine forests, which, had they not 
turned out to be in every respect fraudulent, would 
have made him Governor again. 

Mr. Bashford carried the matter before the Su- 
preme Court, which enabled (Jov. Barstow to see 
the spurious character of the "supplemental" re- 
turns, whereupon he resigned, greatly to his own 
honor and to the disgust of those who laid the 
scheme to corrupt the ballot and overturn the will 
of the people. Had he followed tlie advice of a 
few hot-heads, who were near to him and who were 
mure responsible than himself for whatever caused 
the attacks on his administration, there would have 
been bloodshed. 

Heiiig at th(! head of his party tlov. Barstow 
iialiirally became the target for all the criticisms 
and odium which this barefaced fraud upon the 



ballot called forth; but it has alwa3-s been said by 
those who knew the truth, that he had no hand in 
suggesting or preparing the spurious returns, and 
did not know their utterly fraudulent cliaraclc r 
until after his opponent, Bashford, had taken the 
ease into court. 

Two j'ears later he removed to Jaiiesvilh' .'iiid 
entered into the business of b.anking with Alex T. 
(ir.ay and E. M. Hunter, which soon proved a 
failure. Gov. Barstow then returned to niiiling, 
which he followed until he entend the army in 

1861 as Colonel of a regiment of cavaliy recruited 
bj' himself. 

Col. Barstow's health being impaired, he was in 

1862 made Provost Marshal General of Kansas, 
charged with the responsible task of clearing that 
section of guerrillas. 

In 1863 his health becoming still further ini- 
l)aired by his efforts to command his regiment, he 
was detailed niion court-martial duties at St. Louis, 
which lasted to the end of his term of service, or 
to March 4, 18C5. 

Col. Barstow then went to Leavenworth for the 
]mrpose of engaging in business. He was, however, 
too feeble to do so, and slowly sank until Dec. 13, 
1865, when he passed away at the age of fifty-two. 
"He fills," says Col. K. A. Calkins, a firm and life- 
long friend, "a soldier's grave, for he .as truly diet! 
in the cause of his country as if he had received a 
fatal wound in battle. I shall never cease to cher- 
isn his memory for his many manly virtues, for his 
intrepid spirit, which w.as not disturbed either in 
the decisive emergencies of political conflict or the 
more trying vicissitudes of i>eril and distress, and 
for the integrity with which he adhered to one set 
of principles, and one set of friends throughout his 
career." 

In his younger daj's Mr. Barstow was consid- 
ered the handsomest man in Wis<'onsin, and was 
very popular with all classes, so far as they could 
come in contact with him. His friendships were 
warm, sincere and lasting, and there was no sacri- 
fice too great for him to make for those he loved. 
Had he been less tenacious of his friendships, es- 
pecially unworthy ones, his public reputation would 
not have been so much in need of defense. 

Like Ales W. Randall, whose friend and associate 
he was for many years. Gov. Barstow was a great 
lover of sociability and fun; like James Duane 
Doty, he had no enemies save those made b}' politics, 
and it is s.ad to record that one who had occupied 
such high places and jiossessed so many friends, 
and who loved so dearly the kind olliecs of friend- 
shi|), should, as (iov. Barstow did, die among 
strangers and be compelled to receive the last sad 
attentions of life from stranger hands. 



T* 



/ 




^h^ 



GOVERNORS OF WISCOiNSIN. 



137 







0aZd5 ^^asJtf.O^d. 



]'■: i' ; itj^'^'^'^^t^'^^v in;->'.»^i^;'i^; :4^;'j>:>j:^i^^^ia:^'t'V> •• '■ '■ 'i "■ '■ "■ '<'■ '■ '■ '' '. '<%^<^t'-^ 





->^^3-e- 




' 

'{-- 



OLES BASIIFORD acquired 

popularity oiiougli Id enable 
him to reach the highest 
office in the gift of the peo- 
[)lc of the State in a shorter 
period — U'ss than five jears 
from llie lime he settled in 
X^i^^^' Wisconsin — than has ever sutliced to 
•^yjti ^-'^y nifike any other man ( Governor of W is- 
{?/- ' ' ■^''■^ consin. But few men ever possessed 
^ ;- Q, ■ an equal faculty for making and re- 
'itci®'lj^ taining friends. Mr. Bashford was 
^jf^ born at Cold Spring, Pntnam Co., 
g?~ N. Y.. Jan. 24, 1816. He w.os edu- 
cated in the Wesleyan Semi^iarj', now 
Genesee College, at Lima, N. Y., where he was a 
brilliant student. lie studied law with John M. 
Ilolley, at L3-ons, N. Y., and in 1S41 was .admitted 
to the bar. During the following year he removed 
to, and in 1847 was elected District Attorney of 
Wayne County. Though re-elected with increase<l 
popularity, he resigned in ISoO, and removed to 
the growing city of Oshkosh, Wis., where he at 
once became a prominent figure at the Ijar and in 
politics. 

In 1851 he was in the Whig Stale convention. 
an(J assisted in the nomination of Leonard J. Far- 






well for Governor, and the next j-ear, .almost as 
soon as he was eligible, was elected to the .Stale 
Senate as a Whig and Free Soiler. Proving an 
able and useful .Senator he was re-elected in 18.51, 
for the years 1855-56 but resigned to become, in 
1855, the first Republican candidate for Governor. 
The campaign was more hotly contested than any 
of its predecessors, and by the first and true returns 
Mr. Bashford was elected b}- a small majority, 
though the other Republican nominees were de- 
feated 

However, several sets of "supplemental" returns 
were concocted as coming from remote points in 
the pineries. These, purporting in some cases to 
have conic from places known to be without white 
inhabitants, were overwhelm iugly^ in favor of the 
Democratic candidate, Barstow, and were of course 
manufactured in suflicientnumliers to overcome the 
small majority honestly c;ist for Mr. Biishford. 
The State Board of Canvassers were partisans of 
Barstow, and so received .and counted these spurious 
returns from uninliabited districts, and declared 
him elected. 

Mr. Barstow took the oath of office, as usual, in 
the executive chamber, on the 7th of January-, 
lS5r>, and continued personally in charge of the 
office. On the same dav. at noon, Mr. B:»shfonl 



-^^\-^ 



4^ 

I . 138 



•«► 



colp:s bashford. 



appeared before the Supreme Court and was sworn 
in as Governor by Cbief Justiee Whiton. Thence 
he proceeded to the executive chamber and form- 
ally demanded possession ; but Mr. Barstow, pre- 
senting his compliments and respects, declined to 
alxlieate or vacate. Thereafter, on the request of 
ilr. Bashford, the Attorney General of the .State 
filed an information with the Supreme Court in- 
quiring by what right or title Barstow held the 
ollii-e of Gov> nor, and the Court summoned the 
defendant to a|)|)ear and make answer thereto. He 
did not appear until February 2. when his attorneys 
moved to quash all ])roceedings thus far had under 
the writ, for tlie reason that the Court had no juris- 
diction of the case. This motion was denied, tiie 
Court holding at the same time, that the filing of 
the motion was an admission by Mr. Barstow that 
the allegations in the information filed by the At- 
torney General were true. He was ordered also to 
api)ear and plead before a certain fixed day. 

The acting Governor's attorneys pleaded to the 
jurisdiction of the Court. Mr. Bashford interposed 
a demurrer to this plea, which was sustained and 
]\Ii'. Barstow required to luiswer within four days. 
Ills attorneys tlien witiidrew from the case, on the 
ground that to continue further would be an ad- 
mission tiiat the Court had rightful and final juris- 
diction over it. The Court then held tliat every- 
thing ijleaded by Mr. Basil ford was confessed by 
the default of i\Ir. Barstow; yet declined to con- 
form to general usage and enter judgment for the 
])l:iintitf tlien and there, but ordered plaintiff to 
jiroluce evidence to prove his case. Mr. Bashford 
might liave demanded judgment upon the default 
of the defendant, but instead jjroceeded to bring in 
pro<if of the truth of his allegations. 

The evidence thus produced was so clear in es- 
tablisiiing tlie spuriousness of the "supplemental" 
returns that Mr. Biirstow resigned on March 21, 
and Arthur JlacArthur, Lieulennnt-Governor, be- 
came (Josernor instead of Bashford, because the 
Court had not yet rendered a final decision. The 
Supreme Court now entered judgment in favor of 
Mr. Bashford, declaring him duly and rightfully 
elected to the oflice of (iovernor, and entitled to 
the executive chair. On the 25th he called on 
M.acArthur and demanded possession, intimating 
that he "preferred jn'Mcealde measures to force, but 
that the latter would be used if necessary." The 
J^ieuteiiant-Governor tliereui)on vacated the chair, 
and Mr. Basliford befame (Jovernoi-. 

This is a memorable case, and one that will make 
the nnmes of Barstow and B.ashford forever promi- 
nent in history. It was a time of intense excite- 
ment, and had it not been for the coolness of both 



principals, bloodshed might have followed. The Re- 
publicaTis proposed, if Barstow should refuse to 
obey the order of the Court, in case it should be 
against him, to take possession and inaugurate 
liashford by force. On the other hand the Demo- 
crats claimed that the Court had no right to in- 
quire into whether Barstow had been legall}' or 
fraudvdentl}' elected, or whether he had been elected 
at all, and were prepared to resist with force and 
arms any movement the Rei)ublicans might make. 
Arms were stored in the basement of the capitol, 
and in some of the hotels in Madison, and for a 
time a reign of civil strife seemed incvitaljle. But 
as Bashford only asked to have both parties obey 
and al)ide by the judgment of the Court, and as 
ISarstow w.as ojjposed to using force to resist carrj'- 
ing out that judgment, should it be unfavorable to 
him, an armed collision was averted. 

The legal aspect of the case was no less interest- 
ing, B.ashford's attorneys being Edward G. Ryan, 
Alex. M. Randall and Timothy O. Howe; and 
Barslow's being Harlow S. Orton, Jonathan E. 
Arnold and Matt. II. Carpenter, and tlie case itself 
the very first of its kind in the I'liited States. 
Very little of importance occurred during the in- 
cumbency of Mr. Bashford, save the disposal of 
the St. Croix land grant, which disastrously in- 
volved a large number of prominent men. At the 
end of his term he declined to be a candidate for 
re-election, and afterword, in 1863. renuived to 
Tucson, Arizona, resuming the pr.actice of law in 
the meantime at Oshkosh. 

In Arizona his upward career w.as as ra|)id and 
popular as it had been at Oshkosh. In l.sdt he w.is 
elected to the Territorial Council, and chosen presi- 
dent of that body almost without opiiosition. In 
1866 he was made Attorney (ieneral of the Terri- 
tory, and the same year elected delegate to Con- 
gress. After the expiration of a term in Congress 
he was apptiinted Secretary of the Territory, which 
jiosition he held until 1876, when he resigned to 
resume the )iractice of law, in which he became 
very prominent and made a groat deal of money. 

Mr. Bashford died, on the 25th of April, 1878, 
of heart disease, possessed of an ample fortune. He 
is described by Gen. David Atwood, who knew liim 
well, as "able, well-read in the law, genial and pop- 
ular. He wns warm in his attachments to friends, 
and would stand by them through any emergency; 
ill conversation he was always agreeable and in- 
structive. He was even-tempered and cool at all 
limes. Even in the excitement of the guberna- 
torial contest he was the coolest man to be found. 
Well do 1 remember the contest, and nobly did 
Coles Bashford conduct himself through the trying 
ordeal." 



-r 



-i 



-i- 



GOVKRKOKS OF WISCONSIN. 



141 




^[^; \,;VAA'..T-Tr<?W^.CT? 7T7Tr\-;Tr^r^-Vr\7T--;.^rT .\.\VA-.\.C^^ 





^'"C^^^^f^^ijf lionest. lie was a ni;ui of 

4 V ^ r y^M deep convictions, aiid alwa\s 

?^(5 irave expression to them in an 

t'l j unmistakable manner, or put 
I ggyl them into practical effect with 
'k '' a ^reat deal of force. Mr. Kan- 
^ dall was of Scotch descent, and 
liorn at Ames, Montgomery Co., 
N. Y., Oct. 30, 1819. After a 
successful course in the village 
school, he coraiileted his education 
ji^ ); at Cherrj- Valley, Schoharie Co.. 
N. Y., and then studied law and 
was admitted to the bar at tlic 
age of nineteen. Being ambitious 
and thinking a new and growing 
country better for a poor j'oung 
man, he " put his traps into a 
handkerchief" and started for the 
West, finally settling at AV.aukesh.a — then Trairie- 
ville — in 1840, at the age of twenty-one. Here he 
•at once opened an ollice, and, being handsome, 
manly, genial, strong and friendly, soon had a 
prolitalile business. Indeed, so well did he pros- 
per, that in 1842 he returned to New York for a 
l)iide, Susan Van Vechten. 

Though very successful and popular as a law- 
yer, Mr. Randall gave so much attention to politics 
and general public affairs as to seriously interfere 
witii his income. In IHIfi he was elected and 
served as a very valuable meinlier of the Con- 



-h 



stitutional Convention. He joined the Free Soil 
Democrac}% but did not become very active with 
that party on .account of the radicalism of some 
of the leaders, and remained nominally a Democrat 
until the formation of the Kepublicau party in 
1854. 

In 1847 he took a prominent part in furthering 
the interests of the first railroad in Wisconsin, the 
Milwaukee & Mississippi, now a part of the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway S3^stem, draft- 
ing the charter and being one of the first directors 
or commissioners. 

In 18,54 he was elected to the Assembly and 
voted for Charles Durkee, the first avowed Repub- 
lican ever elected to the United States Senate as 
such. During the next year he was nominated 
by the Republicans for Attorne3--General, hut was 
defeated, as were the other nominees except Coles 
Bashford, who secured his seat through legal pro- 
ceedings before the Supreme Court, in which Mr. 
Randall was one of the attorneys. 

In 1856 he was made Judge of the .Second 
Judicial District, composed of the counties of Mil- 
waukee and Waukeslia, and the next year was 
elected Governor. His administration w.as firm, 
able .and popular, and in 1859 he was re-elected. 

Gov. Randall earl}' foreshadowed the War of 
the Rebellion, and earnestly desired to have Wis- 
consin prepared for it. In his message to the 
Legislature in January, 1861, he said that secession 
was upon the country, adding: "Secession is revo- 
lution; revolution is war; w.ar ag.ainst the govern- 
ment is treason. * * It is time now to know 
whether we have a government, and. if so. whether 



»► ■ ^ 



. i 142 



-•»» 



ALEXANDER WILLIAMS RANDALL. 



*t 



it lias any strength. Is our written constitution 
nioru than a sheet of parchment? The nation must 
be lost or preserved b\- its own strength. Its 
strength is the patriotism of the people. Now is 
the time when politicians must become patriots and 
men, and show their love of country l)y every sac- 
rifice save that of principle." In closing this re- 
mariialile message, he urged the Legislature to 
prepare "to respond to the call of the National 
Government for men and means to preserve tlie 
integrity of the Union." 

Tiiree montlis later Ft. Sumter w.as fired upon, 
and Lincoln startled the Nortli with his call for 
troops. It was then that the real character of 
Gov. Randall became conspicuous — it was then 
that he was enabled to display his native boldness 
and ability, and his tremendous force of character. 
To him the year 1 SCI was one of intense activit}' 
and great responsibility, the State being without 
military organization or an overflowing treasury. 
But lie was fully equal to the occasion. Bonds 
were issued, money borrowed from the trust 
funds, authority granted to place the State on a 
war footing, niilitaiy appointments made, camps 
established, and general preparations for war car- 
ried on throughout the State with vigor. A good 
illustration of his mental make-up is this sentence, 
uttered at the extra session of the Legislature 
calleii after the news came that Beauregard had 
fired upon Ft. Sumter: "The Rebellion begins 
where Charleston is; let it end where Charleston 
was." 

Gov. Randall visited all the camps to address 
and cheer the recruits; made frequent journe3's to 
Washington to encourage and advise with Lincoln, 
and amidst his thousand new and pressing duties, 
found time to attend personally- to manj' of the 
details necessary to prepare the soldiers for active 
duty. He was in frequent conference with Gov. 
Morton, of Indiana, and materially aided in con- 
ceiving and carrying out those plans of the "war 
governors" of the Northwest which were of such 
signal service to file Federal CJovernmeiit. 

At the close of his second term, in Januar3', 
1 8(52, Gov. Randall was m.ade INIinister to Rome by 
I'resident Lincoln. In LSCT he was ai)pointed 
Assistant Postmaster General, and in July, 1865, 

-M* '• 



on the resignation of William Dennison, was in- 
vited into the Cabinet by President Johnson, as 
head of the Pustofliee Department, in which posi- 
tion he continued until the accession of President 
Grant, in March, 18C9. He then opened a law 
office in AVashington, and. until failing health com- 
pelled him to retire, enjoyed a very lucrative 
practice. 

In 1865 Mr. Randall abandoned his residence at 
Waukesha, and later made his home at Klniira, 
N. Y., where he died, on the 26th of July, 1872, 
aged fifty-three. 

One of the difficult tasks successfully performed 
l)y Gov. Randall w.as that of re-establishing and 
maintaining the postal service throughout the 
States that had been in rebellion. It was not a 
thing that could be done by a mere manifesto or 
proclamation, but one that required genius, tact, 
and a profound knowledge of human nature. 

The experiment of assorting and distributing 
mail on moving cars was begun while he was As- 
sistant Postmaster General, in 1863, and during 
his term as Postmaster General this service made 
its greatest strides. lie labored constantly to 
simplify this system, clearing away, with his strong, 
decisive hand, tlie red ta|)e and cumbrous regula- 
tions that at first seriously hindered the operations 
of what is now the most perfect and marvelous 
public service in the world. 

As a jovial, fun-loving person, it is not probfible 
that Mr. Randall had his equal in the Northwest. 
His jokes and burlesques were famous for years 
throughout the State. He saw and appreciated the 
bright, the ludicrous and the funny in everything; 
and, to lighten the cares and burdens of life, made 
the most of eveiy opportunity that presented it- 
self. He was perhaps the foremost member of 
that unparalleled secret organization, the "Ancient 
Evanic Order of 1001," and was the author and 
promoter of some of the most unspeakable of the 
many unspeakable "initiatoiy " ceremonies for which 
that institution was famous. He w.as familiarly 
known throughout the country as "Aleck," and, 
when occupying his highest positions of honor, w.os 
the s.ame "Aleck" — never an aristocrat, but a man 
of the masses — warm-hearted an<l generous, genial 
and kind to all. 



1- 



GOVKRNOKS OF WISCONSIN. 



M.-) 








LOUIS POWELL HARVEY 







-r 



'"^^ 





-^^^^^^^^^^ 



ERE is a man wlio has not 
been generally appreci 
alecl at bis full worth by 
the people of Wisconsin, 
)wing probably to the 
fact that tlio few months 
^^ he was permitted to serve as Gover- 
nor dill not afford an oiiportunity 
5,'ii? for him to become familiar to the 
masses, either in person or ollicially, 
wliile his unnatural death occurred 
when tiie mighty tragedies of the 
lU'licUion overshadowed all things 
else and almost buried them forever. 
^Ir. Harvey was born July 22, 1820, 
at East Iladdam, Conn. Duiing his eighth year 
his parents removed to Strongvillc, Ohio, wliere, 
the family 1)cing poor, he was c()m[)clled to help 
earn a livelihood at rude laljor. Jlanual labor, 
however, inlcnsilied rather than darn|iened the 
natural ardor of ambition. He studied as he 
worked, and at nineteen entered the Western Re- 
serve College, at Hudson, Ohio, paying for his 
lioard b^' working for it, part of the time as a 
book-binder. 

A lack (if books and clothing forced him to leave 
school for a time, ami ill health drove him jjcrma- 
nanently from college before he could graduate. 
On recovering his health young Harvey taught 
school at Nicholson ville. Ky., and then became 
.1 tutor in Woodward College, Cincinn-ati. In 




1S41 he settled in Kenosha, Wis., and there opened 
an academy, becoming also, two j-ears later, the 
editor of the American, a Whig newspaper. His 
paper was able and spirited, though courteous, and 
wielded considerable influence. Though several 
times a nominee he w.as elected to no oUice in Ken- 
osha, the Whigs being in the minority. However, 
he was appointed Postmaster by President Tyler, 
and made a popular and ellicient officer. 

In 1847 Mr. Harvey removed to Clinton, in Rock 
Count}', and opened a general store. Still main- 
taining his interest in politics and public aflfairs, he 
was elected, in 1847. to the second constitutional 
convention, in which he helped to frame the organ- 
ic law of tiie new State. 

Abandoning the pursuit of a merchant, he bought 
the water power at Shopiere, in Rock County, 
erected a large flouring mill on the site of the dis- 
tillery, opened a retail store, and began generally 
to build up the place. The stone church edifice 
of the C'ongregationalists was built mainly by him 
and the public schools received his constant ai<l 
and attention. 

In ISoS he was elected to the State Senate and 
re-elected in 1855, serving four 5'ears. In 18r>!» he 
was elected Secret-ary of State and was very popu- 
lar. He was consiilered one of the ablest men and 
the best debater in the Senate, and was a careful 
Secretary of State. Indeed, he w.as one of the ris- 
ing men of Wisconsin, and, the war of the rebel- 
lion rerpiiring increased activity and ability on the 



r 



146 



LOUIS POWELL HARVEY. 



"•► 



*► mj^ 



part of public officials, Mr. Harvey was nominated, 
in 1861, by the Republicans, for Governor, and 
was elected by a good majority to succeed Alex. 
W. Randall. On Jan. 10, 1862, lie read his inaugural 
message to the Legislature in person, saying: "No 
previous Legislature has convened under equal in- 
centives to a disinterested zeal in the public ser- 
vice. The occasion pleads with you in rebuke of 
all the meaner passions, admonishing to the exer- 
cise of a conscientious iiatriotisni becoming tlie 
representatives of a Cliristian people called in God's 
providence to pass through the furnace of a great 
trial of their virtue and of the strength of the 
Government." 

After the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in which 
Wisconsin troops suffered severel}'. Gov. Harvey 
asked Surgeon-General Walcott for a list of such 
articles and their relative quantities as would be of 
greatest service in the hospitals and on the field. 
In a very brief space of time after receiving the 
desired information, more than one hundred boxes 
of material had been collected, and were with the 
Governor on their way to the front. Major Jonas 
M. Bundy, who was with the Governor, says: 
'•Although pressed with a thousand cans, he made 
it his dut3' to visit our wounded in the hospital 
boats, taking them each by the hand and cheering 
them more than can well be described. As lie 
came round among them, his heart full of kind- 
ness, and his face showing it, tears of joy would 
run down the cheeks of those brave fellows who 
had borne the battle's brunt unmoved, and they 
lost at once the languor that had settled upon 
them. Then, at Mound City and Padueali, in the 
hospitals and on the hospital boats, it would have 
moved a lieart of stcme to witness the interviews 
between the Governor and our wounded lieroes. 
There was something more than formality in tliose 
visits, and the men knew it by sure instinct. 
When w^e went ashore at Savannah for a few hours, 
on our way to Pittsburg, these scenes became still 
more affecting. Over 200 of our wounded were 
there, suffering from neglect and lack of kind care. 
The news of the Governor's arrival spread as if 
by magic, and at every house those who could stand 
clustered around him, and tliose who had not raised 
their lieuds for days sat up. their faces aglow with 



gratitude for the kind looks, and words, and acts, 
which showed their Governor's tender care for 
them. At times these scenes were so affecting that 
even the Governor's self-control failed him, and he 
could not trust himself to talk." 

On the 111th of April Gov. Harvey bade farewell 
to the soldiers at Pittsburg Landing, and after visit- 
ing Savannah, ten miles below on the river, retired 
for the night on the "Dunleitb," expecting to take 
the "Minnehaha" on the following morning for 
Cairo. At 10 o'clock that night, however, the 
"Minnehaha" came alongside, and in the darkness 
and rain, while attempting to step from one boat 
to the other, he missed his footing and fell between 
the steamers. The rapid current swept him down 
and under a flat boat, and Gov. Harvey was never 
seen alive. A few days later the body was dis- 
covered by children sixty-five miles down the river, 
and buried by residents of the neighborhood. His 
remains were immediately disinterred by the author- 
ities and sent to Madison, where, after lying in 
state in the capitol, thej' were buried with impres- 
sive public ceremonies in the presence of a great 
concourse of people. 

After the death of Mr. Harvey his wife entered 
the army as a nurse, and there carried forward 
as best she could without the backing and authority 
which he enjoyed as Governor, the noble work 
begun by her husband and which resulted in m lik- 
ing her a widow. It is doubtful whether if he had 
lived, he could have accomplished more for our 
soldiers and soldiers' widows and orphans, than 
stands credited to his indomitable and self-sacrific- 
ing consort. 

Several attempts have lieen made to induce the 
State to erect a suitable public monument to the 
memory of fiov. Harvey, which, though apparently 
sustained by public sentiment, always resulted in 
failure. He certainly lost his life for his country, 
and while performing a duty not required or ex- 
pected of Governors. 

Besides being a man of good ability and educa- 
tion. Gov. Harvey was large-hearted and |)!iilaii- 
tliroiiic in an eminent degree. He was a practical, 
generous Christian, ever e.ager to right any wrong 
he might have done and to luOp the jioor, the weak, 
and the suffering. He wiis lrul\' a good man. 



■•► 



f 



■^^ 



GOVKKNOUS OF WISCONSIN. 



-•►■ 
149 




■'^3s. 








SgT7V^iy;^Ty A.^AiM.liiJ4A; A iVA:Ai ^ 




ISCONSIN never had but 
one naturalized German in 
1 the gubernatorial chair 
— Edward Salomon — and 
■5/ he was in every respect a 
credit to his native, as well 
as his adopted, country. He 
was born in 1828, near the city of Hal- 
berstadt. in Prussia, where his father was 
a prominent civil and niilitarj' official. 
He was educated in the Lutlieran faitli in 
his native city and afterward was a stu- 
dent in the I'niversity of IJerlin. Having 
more than the average share of enterprise 
and ambition, young Salomon emigrated 
to America in 1849, settling at Manitowoc, Wis. 
Here he jumped into instant favor, being hand- 
some, polished, and of courtly- l)ut jilcasant man- 
ners. 

In 1852, after serving as school teacher. County 
Surveyor and Deputy Clerk of the Court, whidi 
oflices came to him al)out .is rapidly as possible, he 
moved to Milwaukee for the purpose of studj'ing 
law, having already become, by tlui closest applica- 
tion, a fluent and correct writer and s|)eaker of the 
English language. In 18;"i5 he was admitted to the 
bar after a thorough examination by the Justices 
of tlip Supreme Cnurt and at once formed a part^ 
nership with WInticM Smi'.li. which continued until 




Mr. Salomon removed to New York City in No- 
vember, 18G9. In Milwaukee he soon became bj- 
his personal qualities as popular as be .had been at 
Manitowoc and by conscientious and thorough 
study earned also the reputation of being a sound 
and accurate lawyer. 

On arriving in America Mr. Salomon quite nat- 
urally espoused the cause of the Democratic party, 
but during Buchanan's time was "estranged by the 
palpable truckling of its leaders to the slave 
power," and in 1860 openly declared his conver- 
sion to Republican principles. In 1861 he was 
nominated for Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket 
with Louis P. Ilarvey, and was elected b}' a larger 
majority than had up to that time been given to 
any gubernatorial candidate on either ticket. He 
served with dignity and fairness as President of 
the Senate, and on April 19, 1862, owing to the 
death by drowning of Gov. Ilarvey, was called to 
exercise the functions of chief executive. His 
comparative youth, and supposed unfamiliarity 
with political matters, caused some apprehensions to 
many of his own party, but these were allayed 
within a very short time after he assumed the chair. 
He remained Governor until .Tanuarj% 1864, and it 
is certain that during his tiine the laboi-s of tliat 
office were continuously more arduous than they 
ever were before or have been since. The duties of 



■» ■ ■^ 



i= 



carrying out within this State the war measures of 
the national government, of organizing tlie regi- 
ments furnishefl bj- the State during tliat time, and 
of tlie selection of officers, of overseeing their 
equipment and maintenance, which were afterward 
transferred to federal olliccrs, devolved during the 
time Iargel3- upon the (iovernor. His zeal was un- 
tiring, and his industrj' unceasing. 

For months in succession he was found in the 
executive office at Madison at all hours, from eight 
in the morning until twelve at night; and no labor 
was deemed by him too arduous, no fatigue too 
great to be borne, if it seemed likely to insure suc- 
cess in the great work which he took upon himself. 
His activity necessarily brought upon him the hos- 
tility of many of the opposite party, and espec- 
ially of those individuals upon whom the war 
seemed to impose special hardships. 

The vigorous measures b^^ which he promptly 
subdued the insurrection against the draft in Ozau- 
kee and Washington counties were the occasion of 
much praise, and upon the other hand of the bit- 
terest censure. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of 
W.ar, issued in 1862. wh.it was tlien known as the 
"stay-at-home order." It prohibited citizens liable 
to military service from leaving for Canada, or an^' 
foreign country. This order w.as particularly obnox- 
ious to a certain large class of naturalized citizens 
who proposed to, and did in considerable numbers 
return to their native lands to escape the draft. 
Gov. Salomon having been born abroad, these peo- 
ple were very angry because he took such a decided 
stand in enforcing the terms of Stanton's obnox- 
ious order. He caused a number of people who 
were arrested for participating in the riotous pro- 
ceedings to be brought to Madison, and there con- 
fined in camp prison for some weeks, until, partly 
by tlie intervention of writs of habeas corpus, and 
jiartly by the voluntary act of the Governor un- 
<lcr authority of the general government, they were 
discharged. This prompt and energetic action was 
the means of all.iying all future dangers of resist- 
ance to the draft, although it made for the Gover- 
nor almost as manj' enemies as new friends. 

Gov. .Salomon's oflicial acts are part of the histor}- 
of the State, but among them m.ay be named the 
calling of an extra session of the Legislature in the 



year 1862, for the purpose of conferring the right 
u|)on the soldiers to take part in the elections, 
which right was duly conferred; and for the pur- 
pose of empowering the municipalities of the .State 
to raise money for the paj-ment of bounties to vol- 
unteers. During his term of office a verv large pro- 
portion of the troops who saw active service in the 
field were sent from the State, and each regiment 
and each company carried into the field the evi- 
dences of the conscientious care and the earnest 
forethought of Gov. Salomon. He visited the 
army in order to see with his own ej-es how the 
boj's fared in the field, and was a great favorite 
among the Wisconsin troops wherever he met them. 
He spared no pains to contribute to their welfare, 
and among the old veterans tiiere will always exist 
the warmest remembrance of Edwa'-I Salomon. 

Gov. Salomon was warmly urged b}' his friends 
to be a candidate for the nomination of Governor 
in the fall of 1863, but declined persistently, until 
at the request of his friends in the army, who made it 
a point of duty with him. he reluctantly consented, 
but so late in the campaign that James T. Lewis, 
then Secretar}' of State, had become conspicuous as 
a candidate. Gov. Salomon, being prompted by 
his first position from making efforts for his own 
success, failed of the nomination, though I)}' a nar- 
row margin. 

In 1868 Mr. Salomon's friends brought him for- 
ward as a candidate for United States Senator to 
succeed James. R. Doolittle. The campaign was in 
many respects a memoralile one, and resulted in tlie 
election of Matt. H. Carpenter, a resident also of 
Milwaukee. Having received at about this time 
flattering offers to locate in New York City, Mr. 
Salomon concluded to accept and has since made 
that city his home and the seat of his professional 
labors. His practice is very large and profitable, 
and generally of a pleasant though important and 
responsible nature. He has been for some time, 
for instance, the agent of the German Empire, a 
position frequently requiring his personal advice 
presence in Europe. He also takes an active 
part in nation.al politics, more, however, as an inde- 
pendent and reformer than as a strict adherent to 
any party, and in these positions wields a large in- 
fluence. ' 



-♦- 



GOVERNORS OF WISCONSIN. 



15o T^ 





— -^m- 



HOUGH quiet and unassiim- 
j ill bolli manners and 
method, Mr. Lewis has en- 
jojed an unusuallj' long list 
of honors in his adopted 
State. He was born at Claren- 
don, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1819, his 
father being of New J'.ngland 
and his mother of Scotch par- 
rents. He thus inherited pa- 
tience, econoni}-, energy and 
integrity. After receiving a com- 
mon-school education, James was 
(Sivy 
vjr sent first sent to Clarkson Acad- 

' emy and then to Clinton Seminary, 
m which he pursued the English classical course of 
study. Fond from boyhood of military tactics, he 
early joined the State Militia, and was an active 
and enthusiastic soldier. In 1838 he was made 
Sergeant, and in 1840 Lieutenant of the 215th 
Regiment. 

Having to rely upon his own resources, he taugiit 
sciiool in Western New York in 1840-41-42, and 
thus earned and saved money enough to enable 
him to pursue the study of law, which he beg.an in 
1842 in the ollice of Gov. Heiiiy R. Sulden, at 
Clarkson. After completing his studies and secur- 
ing admission to tiie bar. he started for the West, 
without money or law books, and settled at Colum- 




bus, Wis., where ho has since continuousl}' resided, 
in 1845. Here he was admitted to the bar of the 
United States District and Territorial Courts, 
and began at once the practice of his profession. 
Before the end of a year he was married and elected 
to his first public office. From that time his pro- 
motion in public favor was steady, being chosen 
successively, District Attorney, County Judge, 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
Court Commissioner, Colonel of the 14th Regiment, 
Brigadier-General of the Wisconsin State Militia, 
member of Assembly, State Senator, member of the 
Court of Impeachment that tried Judge Levi Hub- 
bell, Lieutenant-Governor (serving as Governor 
during 1855, in the absence of the Governor), Sec- 
retary of State, Regent of the State University, 
and Governor. While Secretary of State he acted 
as Governor during the extra session of the Legis- 
lature in 1862, that officer being ex-oj^cio Governor 
in the event of death or absence of both Gover- 
nor and Lieutenant Governor. 

As Secretary of State, it waa said of Mr. Lewis: 
" He was prompt, methodical and systematic in 
in all the departments of his office, — a true man 
in every sense of the word, — kind and gentle- 
manly in his deportment and possessing great 
executive ability." At the election when he was 
a candidate for Secretary, he received every vote 
cast in the city of Columbus, his home, and in 



164 



JAMES TAYLOR LEWIS. 




1863 was chosen Governor hy a laryer majority 
than had ever been given for any other candidate, 
—23.664. 

AVisconsin never had a more eonseientious and 
self-sacrificing executive. It was literally true that 
whatever he possessed of time, talent, energ3' and 
means, was devoted to the welfare of the public, 
lie secured an order permitting the transfer of all 
sick and wounded Wisconsin soldiers to hospitals 
within the Stale, and put forth great efforts to es- 
tablish more and better hospitals, and to care for 
soldiers' orphans and widows. "By personal ef- 
forts he obtained credit from the Government for 
soldiers furnished and reduced the quota at one 
time by 4.000 men, and was especially successful in 
securing the claims of the State against the Govern- 
ment, amounting in all to more than a half-million 
dollars. In 1.S6."), byhis wise administration, the 
St.ate tax was reduced by several hundred thousand 
dollars, and during his entire incumbency he did 
not use one dollar of tlie military contingent fund. 
At his request the Legislature declined to vote the 
usual appropriation of $5,000 as a general contin- 
gent fund for the use of the executive." 

In 1865 Mr. Lewis declined a re-nominaliou, 
whereupon the Lnion -Republican Convention 
passed the following resolution: 

"Resolved, That by his continued adherence to 
tlie purpose publicly avowed by him on the day of 
his inauguration, not to be a candidate for re- 
election, there is left us no other mode of mani- 
festing our sentiment toward the present chief 
magistrate of the State, Hon. James T. Lewis, than 
bj' giving expression to our cordial approbation 
of liis administration of the executive office. In the 
discharge of his official duties, he has shown a fidel- 
ity, zeal, economy, and untiring watchfulness in 
protecting the interests of the State, which are recog- 
nized and api)reciated l>y an intelligent people; ami 
in the voluntary retirement from public life which 
he seeks, he will lie followed by their sincere re- 
spect and warm gtK)d wishes." 

As far as authentically known, Gov. Lewis enjoys 



the distinction of being the only man who ever de- 
clined a nomination for chief executive of Wiscon- 
sin, when both the calling and election were sure. 
Indeed, he is almost as distinguished for declining 
as for being chosen to pulilio ofhce. He has several 
times declined legislative nominations; in 1865 
refused to accept the tender of a foreign mission by 
the President of the United States; in 1866 declineil 
to serve as Regent of the State T'niversitj'; returned 
an appointment as Commissioner of Internal Rev- 
enue in 1876, and in 1878 declined the proffered 
appointment of Railroad Commissioneer of AVis- 
consin. 

One marked feature of Gov. Lewis' character is 
his benevolence. Besides his numerous personal 
gifts he devotes a portion of his annual income to 
the building and support of universities, colleges, 
academies and educational interests — the most ju- 
dicious and lasting form of public giving; and in 
1864 Lawrence University conferred upon him the 
degree of LL. D., an honor to which he was liber- 
ally entitled. 

In 1868 Gov. Lewis was made A'ice-President of 
the AA^isconsin State Historical Society; visited Eu- 
rope during the Franco-Prussian war; went as dele- 
gate to the Republican National Convention in 
1876, which nominated R. B. Hayes for President, 
and in 1882-83 completed a journey around the 
world. On several occasions he has received votes 
in the Legislature for the position of United States 
Senator, but. having made no organized effort in 
that direction through himself or his friends, was 
naturally outstrii)ped by those who make more of 
a business of rallying and marshaling the political 
forces in the usual way. 

A noticeable feature of Gov. Lewis' career is that 
he has not changed his place of residence, his busi- 
ness, his religion, his political principles, his habits 
of life nor his friendsliijis. nor lost the esteem of his 
neighbors, since he first settled in AVisconsin, almost 
a half-century ago. This is all the proof that is 
necessary of his goodness and steadfastness of 
character. 






' '1 




^^^^c<Aje^:^<^u^ 




'k 



<^ 



GOVERNORS OF WLSCOKSIN. 



^•^-Hl^-* 



\r>7 













-!-+ 



•M- 




51 IE ninth Governor of Wis- 
consin, Gen. Fairchild, was 
bom on Dec. 27, 1831, at 
Fr.inklin Mills, now Kent, 
Ohio, where his father, J. 
C. Fairchild, of English 
descent and more th.in or- 
dinary natural gifts, lived in his , 
own house, owned and managed 
the one store of the village, and 
a tannery; and, being also a Jus- 
tice of the Peace, was generally 
known as the "Squire." The 
mother, Sally Blair, a young 
woman of fine physique, of un- 
mixed Scotch-Irish ancestry, tem- 
pered by three generations in the 
romantic hills of Western Mnssachusetts, had great 
executive .ability, a f.'ir-reacliing hospitality, and 
quick, keen, good sense. AVith a view to the better 
education of their children, the family removed to 
Cleveland, where the boys had the unique promise 
from their father of a- gold watch each, when they 
should have committed to memor}' the dictionary! 
Needless to say the watches were never received, 
though there is a trarlition that the book was con- 
'quered as far as the D words. 






Having suffered greatly from the financial crisis 
of 1837, the father, now known by rank in the 
militia as Col. F'airchild, removed with his family, in 
1846, to Madison, then a small village whose singu- 
lar beauty had captured him while merely passing 
through the Territory. In Wisconsin the educa- 
tion of the sons, begun in Cleveland, and aided by 
a year at a boarding school near that city, was sup- 
plemented by a year at Carroll College. But the 
impatient spirit of Lucius was not of those who 
take their knowledge at second hand from books. 
He must wring it by personal experience from the 
world; and so, in 18-19, at seventeen years of age, 
he started, with a saddle horse and as many luxu- 
ries as could be crowded into a "prairie schooner," 
for California. This w.<is education indeed, and he 
was of the few who returned after six years with a 
creditable "pile" of gold, and with mental, moral 
and physical powers unimpaired. 

The tiring on Ft. Sumter found the young man 
occupied as Clerk of the District Court of Dane 
County, in the performance of which duties he be- 
came sufliciently learned in the law to be admitted 
to the bar. His leisure was given to the enjoy- 
ment of "society," with a zest born of California 
deprivation ; nevertheless, he responded instantly 
to Lincoln's call for troops, by offering his services 



•►-^f^H4- 



r^. J f-^ 



i k loi 



LUCIUS FAIRCHILD. 



A ver' 

•4^ 



as a private. In gratitude for tlie moral effect of 
this prompt action. Gov. E.mclall offered to bim 
the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 1st Regiment. His 
knowledge of militar3- matters being only that 
gained by belonging to the "Governor's Guard." 
he felt himself insufficiently equipped for assum- 
ing a position so responsible. He was elected 
Captain of Company K, in the 1st Regiment, how- 
ever, and from that his promotion was rapid. 

His Colonel, a graduate of West Point, knew 
how things should be done, and took the profes- 
sional view that it was a Lieutenant-Colonel's i)lace 
to do them. The young officer eagerly availed liim- 
self of so exceptional an opportunity to become 
familiar with the best military methods, and wrote 
home to his mother: " 'TheArmj' Regulations' are 
my Bible and the 'Tactics' my Prayer Book, which 
I stud3- night and day." At Gainesville. Col. 
O'Connor was killed and Col. Fairchild assumed 
full command of the 2d Wisconsin. The vicissitudes 
and heroic deeds of the Iron Brigade are familiar 
to all, and in these are included the history of 
Gen. Fairchild's military career. The battle of 
Gettysburg reduced the 2d Regiment to a handful 
of men. whose field officers were all either killed or 
seriously wounded, and Col. Fairchild was carried 
home minus an arm. 

Here followed a painful crisis in his life. Dur- 
ing this perioil of enforced inactivity, he found 
that the political party with which he had from 
youth been identified, was lukewarm to the cause 
which had become to him the dearest in the world. 
Convinced that, while piiysically incap.acitated to 
be iu the field, he could fight as effectively under 
tiie same banner by throwing his influence with 
those wlio were m.aking a civil struggle to push the 
war to a successful conclusion, he agreed to permit 
his name to go on the Union-Republican ticket for 
the office of Secretary of State. In order to do 
this he was compelled to give up his hard-earned 
rank in the army — Brigadier-General of Volunteers 
for gallantry at Gettysburg, and Captain in the 16tli 
Regular Infantry, an honor awarded after Bull 
Run. This last being for life, would, in the regular 
order of promotion, have made him a Colonel only 
a few years later; yet he resigned them all, left the 
Democratic i)ar1y, joined the Union-Republicans, 
and was elected Secretary of State on their ticket. 

One term as Secretary of State, three terms as 
Governor — eight years in all — positions given each 
time by tlie si)ontaneous will of tlie people, leave 
his civil as unstained as his military record. 
Devoted to the agricultural and cdiic.itional inter- 
tcrests of the State, eager in the piomotion of tlie 
welfare of all classes, he gave unremittingly the 
very best of himself to his work. Of matters con- 



connected with the St.ate Universit3-, his ex-odlcio 
position of regent gave an opportunity to s|)eak 
with no uncertain sound, and this munificent 
provision of the General Government became 
thenceforward more and more an object of pride 
and fostering care to the State. 

In Januarj-, 1S72, he retired to private life, only 
to be called upon in October, by President (Trant, 
to go as Consul at Liverpool. That this very re- 
sponsible ])osition was bj' him filled acceptablj', is 
the universal record. Its duties are largelv judi- 
cial — settling questions between captains and sea- 
men, etc., and for this he was fortunatelj- prepared 
by some previous knowledge of admiralty law. 

At the end of five useful and pleasant j-ears he 
prepared to return to his native lanil — indeed had 
sent his household goods before him — when, to his 
surprise, he received a commission as Consul Gen- 
eral at Paris, where he again had a successful and 
honorable career. Once again, when he had de- 
cided to resign and return home, he was called b}' 
President Ha3-es to succeed James Russell Lowell, 
.Ts Minister .at the Spanish Court. This, opened a 
new and delightful field of work and observation, 
but at the end of two more years he felt that he 
would no longer kee|) his cliildren in exile, and 
peremptoril3' resigned. 

On his return to Wisconsin, in March, 1882, he was 
welcomed by all parties and classes with an ovation 
of the most enthusiastic description. Since that date, 
while still in the full vigor of nwnhood, his life luas 
been essentiall3' that of a private citizen. Much 
of his time is given for the benefit of the disr^Mcd 
and poor comrades of the Union Army. In Felj- 
ruary, 1886, he was elected Commander of the 
Wisconsin department, and, in August of the same 
year. Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of 
the Republic. To the discharge of the duties of these 
offices his whole time was given during ne:irl3' two 
years. He is public-spirited and read3- to throw him- 
self into ever3- effort, small or great, toward advance- 
ment; and free from the cares of public life, he 
finds leisure for many of the public services which 
belong to the priv.ate citizen. He retains his in- 
tense interest in all the political questions of the 
day, and iu election campaigns works from Maine 
to Texas, at his own private expense, and with 
greater effect because he has no personal interest at 
stake. 

He lives in the home built by his father fort3^ 
years ago on the banks of Lake Monona, and there 
dispenses hospitality and makes a bright centre of 
clieerfulness. which spreads blessings to a wide 
circle. He has a charming and accomplished wife, 
•lutifnl and affectionate children, and the wisdom 
to know when he is happy. 



f 



■•^ 



i- 




,^::;:,^ /^.i2>.^x.€^.^7-W 



-I 



GOVERNORS OF WISCONSIN. 



-4r 






SE^s^s^i^ 



-f-H?-^<:S=f-M— - 







OV. WASIir.l'RN was.'iltc- 
Sictlier loo hirgo :i man to 
be sketched in a hasty man- 
ner, or within a limited 
space. It wonld require a 
great deal of careful studj^ 
T to get his true measure. He 

was one of a long line of able, sub- 
stantial anti successful men. John 
<^^^|!^^ Waslilnirn, Secretary of Pl3^moutli 
'^^j|?^i Colon3', in England, settled at Dux- 
(,^W|3>1 bur}', Mass., in Ki.'U, and became 
<%'yif^ wealthy and prominent. Israel Wash- 
-^-i-^~ burn, the next in line, became a 
^?x Captain in the UevoUition, a mem- 

ber of the General Court, and .sat in the con- 
vention which ratified the Constitution of the 
United States. Israel Washburn, Jr., father of 
Oov. AVnshburn, born at Raynhani, Mass., in 1781, 
was equally prominent, and lived until l^TG, and 
to see his large family of sons more successful in 
private and public life than any otiier of equal 
:i;unber in the Union. 

The mother of Gov. Washbui-n was a descendant 
of .lohn Henjainiu, who settled in .Masachussetts in 
1 G32, and was one of the pro|)rietors of Cambridge. 
Her ancestors served the Colonies and the infant 
Union with no less zeal and distinction tiian those 
of her husband. So there was good stuff in (iov. 
Washburn, who was born at Liverniore, Maine, on 
April 22, 1S18, where his fallier owned a farm and 
general store. One who knew him in 3'outhsays: 
"He was a (luiet, broad-shoul(lerc<l boy, never in 



trouble, and liked bj' everj'body — observing, 
studious and persistent." lie lived at home until 
1835, working on the farm and attending the town 
school. In 1835 he entered a stcjre at Hallowell, 
then a cultured and thrift}' town, where he enjoyed 
unusual social and business opportunities. During 
the winter of 1838-39 he taught the chief school at 
Wiscasset, and with the mone}' thus earned set out 
early in the spring of 1839 for the Territory of 
Iowa. His first stopping place was in the village 
of Davenport, where he taught a i)rivate school for 
three months. On tlie day following the close of 
sciiool he took a position with David Dale Owen, 
on the Iowa Geological Survey', which Congress 
had just ordered to be made. 

In the winter of 1839-40 young Washburn went 
to Rock Island, 111., and began the stud}' of law 
with a former friend in Maine, Joseph B. Wells. 
At tiie election of 18KI he supported Gen. Harri- 
son, and was himself elected to the office of Sur- 
veyor of Rock Island County. In March, I 84 2, at 
the .age of twenty-tour years. Mr. W.ashburn estab- 
lished his residence in Mineral I'oint, Wis., was 
admitted to the bar of the United States District 
Court, and began the practice of his profession. 
Mineral Point w:vs then a thriving mining town, 
and .Air. Washburn by close and careful attention 
to whatever was entrusted to him, honesty and 
general tru>t worthy methods, soon grew into a 
large and profitable practice. In 1844 he entered 
into partnership with Cyrus AVoodman. for some 
years agent of the New England Land Company, 
(irailually the firm of AV.ashburn & AVoodman, 
having now an abundance of capital, abandoned ihe 




JL 




• ^ 162 



CADWALADER COLDOON WASHBURN. 



•^ 



practice of law, and gave attention exclusivel3' to 
entering, purcliasiug and selling land, perfecting 
titles, locating Mexican land warrants, and trans- 
acting a general financial and land business. 

In 1852, on the invitation of Gov. Far well and 
Justice Harlow S. Orton, Mr. Washburn went to 
Madison to assist in framing a general banking 
law, under which, when enacted, his firm opened the 
^lineral Point Bank. This institution stood the test 
of all financial reverses, never suspended specie 
p.nyment, and when finally its affairs were wound 
ui). paid every dollar of liabilitj' in gold and silver. 

In March. 18.1.5, Mr. Woodman retired from the 
firm, leaving its immense affairs to be managed en- 
tirely b}' Mr. AVashburn, who had, at the previous 
November election, entirely without solicitation 
and against his will, been elected to Congress by 
the Republicans, then just organized. On taking 
his seat he met iiis brothers, Israel from Maine, and 
Elihu B. from Illinois, both of whom had l)een first 
elected to Congress, like himself, at the age of 
thirt3'-six years; and during the ensuing six years 
these tiiree strong brothers, from three different 
States, occupied seats together, and impressed their 
united strength upon the legislation of the country. 

In 18G1 the committee of thirty-three on the 
state of the Union, of which Gov. Washburn was a 
member, reported an amendment to the Constitu- 
tion, making slavery perpetual. lie joined with Mr. 
Tappan, of Vermont, in a minority report against 
tlie proposed amendment, and against any con- 
cessions wliatever of liberty to slaver^', or in favor 
of secession. Addressing the House on that sub- 
ject he closed with these prophetic words : 

"Sir, I have no special dread in regard to the 
future of this Republic. AYliatever may come 
I have an abiding faith in a kind Providence that 
lias ever watched over us, that passing events will be 
overruled for good, and for the welfare of mankind 
in this and other lands. If this Union must be dis- 
solved, whether by peaceable secession, or through 
fire, and blood, and civil war, we shall have the 
consolation of knowing that ivheii the conflict is 
over, those vho survive it will be, tvhat they never 
have been, inhabitants oj a free connirtjl " 

In Marcli, 18(!1, Gov. Washburn removed to 
La Crosse, but liad hardly settled down to attention 
to his enormous private interests before he saw 
tliat the cause of the Union demanded all the men 
and means at the command of the North. He 
tlierefore raised the second regiment of cavalry, 
was commissioned Colonel, and reported for dutj' 
on Oct. 10, 1861. It is impossible to follow here 
his militarj^ operations in detail. He became a 
ISIajor Gener.al on Nov. 29, 18fi2, and until he re- 
signed, in !May, 1865, was an active, daring and 

<• . 



successful commander. One of his notable feats 
was reducing, with an inferior force, the bomb- 
proof works at Esi>erenza, Texas, and historical 
works on the war declare him to have been one of 
the very best district commanders in the army. 
Like Grant, he never turned back, and never for a 
moment lost faith in the ultimate triumph of the 
Union Army. 

In 18()(! Mr. Washburn was again elected to Con- 
gress, and re-elected in 1868. During these terms 
he gave earnest attention to the postal, transporta- 
tion and telegraph service, recommending Govern- 
ment control and ownership of the telegraph as a 
means of transmitting information, as proper and 
essential as any form then in use. At the close of 
his last term in Congress, in 1871, the Republicans 
'n'ought him forward as a candidate for Governor, 
and he was elected over James R. Doolittle by 
10.000 majority. His administration was quiet, 
able and economical, and very useful to the people 
of the State. In 1873 he was re-nominated, but 
the high-tide of Grangerism, general dissatisfaction 
with railway charges, and hard times, conspired to 
his defeat by AVilliain R. Taylor. This ended Gov. 
Washburn's official career, though, in 1875, as he 
had been in 1.S61 and 186'.(, he w.as an unsuccessful 
candidate ff)r the United States Senate. While gen- 
erally a in;ui's public career more than anything 
else attracts pulilic attention, it was in private life 
and business that the great qualities of Gov. Wash- 
burn were most conspicuously exhibited. He w.is 
one of the earliest purchasers of pine lands, and held 
them when others were selling similar possessiors 
for a song. He was no speculator, but made sev- 
eral million dollars in the manufactiu'e of lumber 
and Hour. After the destruction, in 1878, of his 
great mill at Minneapolis, where he was one of the 
early and princi[ial owners of the St. Anthony's 
Falls Water Power, he went toEuro|)efor the i)ur- 
pose of studying the various processes of making 
flour. As a result he was the first to introduce into 
America the Hungarian roller system, and what is 
known as the patent process of producing tlour, and 
made his new mill the largest and best in the 
world. 

Gov. Washburn's charities were nobh' and mod- 
estly bestowed — \Vashburn Observatory to the 
Wisconsin State University, at Madison; People's 
Library, in La Crosse; Minneapolis Orphan's Asy- 
lum, in memory of his mother; his beautiful home 
and grounds, at Edgwood, near ^ladison, to the 
Catholic Sisters, the Slate having refused to accept 
it for jHiblic jjurposes, and numerous lesser gifts. He 
died of paralysis, superinduced l)y a complication of 
diseases, at Eureka Springs, Ark., on May 11, 1882, 
aged sixty-four years. 




u 



(iUVKl{.\(JK.S OK WlScONSIX. 



••► 



lUo 



I 



4^^-=. 
%• 




^ WILLIAM ROBERT TAYLOR. 





'•la.^' 





I 



ILLIAM R. TAYLOR is of 

Scotch descent, bom in 
ill Connecticut, July 10, 
IH20. His motiier died be- 
fore he had reached the 
age of three weeks, and his 
father, an ocean captain, was 
lost at sea, with his vessel, five years 
later. At the age of sis j-ears he was 
placed under severe guardianship in Jef- 
ferson County, N. Y., three miles from 
school, in a newlj'-settled section. Be- 
fore reaching the age of sixteen he was 
awakened to the necessity of securing an 
education, and at once began a course of 
study which, alternating with hard labor in the 
fields and forests, continued until he had secured a 
certificate of admission to the third term of the 
so|)lu)iiK)re year of Tnion College, at Schenectady, 
N. Y. For the want of financial ability he was 
unable to enter college, but went instead into the 
sugar-bush and made 1,100 pounds of maple sugar 
and two barrels of molasses with which to pay 
b;)ard and tuition bills already incurred. 

He next tauglit a select school, and then an 
academy. In 1840 he went to Elyria, Ohio, and 
joined a class of forty-five, preparing to become 
teachers. The authorities of La I'orte were offer- 
ing at this time a large salary to any teacher who 
:;ould manage their public school, notoriously the 
most roiiiili and ungovernable in the section. Youn;,' 
^« — 



Taylor engaged to teach it, and before the enil of 
his third term it became the premium school of the 
county. 

He now undertook the management of a grist- 
mill, sawmill and cupola furnace, at which he im- 
paired his health by overwork. He then devoted 
his spare time to reading medicine, and during the 
winter of 1845-46 took a course of lectures and 
clinical instruction at the Medical College of Cleve- 
land. 

While residing in Ohio he was elected Captain — 
receiving every vote of the 101 members of his 
company— and afterward a Colonel of the State 
Militia. In 1848 he removed to Wisconsin, set- 
tling on the farm in Cottage Grove, Dane County, 
on which he still resides. 

It was not long before his neighbors began to 
bestow otKcial favors upon him, and for forty 
years he has hardly been without some public 
duty to perform. Several times he has received 
nearly all, aiul twice all the votes put in the box 
for Chairman of Ids town; has been Superintend- 
ent of public schools; tluee times Chairman of the 
County Board of Supervisors, now consisting oi 
forty -six members; was County Superintendent of 
Poor for seventeen years; was Trustee, Vice-Presi- 
dent and member of the executive board of the 
State Hospital for Insane from its re-organization, 
in 1860, until he became Governor, in 1.S7I; has 
been elected to both branches of the Legislature; 



tJf <• 



166 



WILLIAM KUIJEUT TAVLOH. 



was seven years President of the Dane County 
Atrricultural Societ\'; seven years Chief Marshal, 
and two 3'ears President of the Wisconsin State 
Afiricnlturul Association, and during the Kehellion 
was the lirst man in Dane County to offer a bountj- 
for volunteer enlistments. 

In 1873 he was by acclamation placed in nomi- 
nation for Governor by a convention comjiosed of 
••Democrats, Liberal Republicans and other electors 
frienfUy to genuine reform through equal and ira- 
paiUal legislalion. honesty in utHce and rigid econ- 
omy in the administration of public affairs." His 
oi)ponent was C. C. Washlniin. then Governor, 
over whom he w.as elected by a majority of 15,411. 
It was Mr. Taylor's foitune to belong to the mi- 
noritv party when he was elected Chairman of the 
County Board of Supervisors, member of Assem- 
bly. State Senator and Governor. 

His irubcriKitorial aiipointments were more nearly 
uon-partis..n than tliose uf any previous executive, 
his aim being to secure men of peculiar fitness and 
ability f(jr the management of the various chari- 
table, pen.al and refonn.atory, and especially the 
educational institutions. And thus some of the 
best men in both parties were commissioned by 
him independent of pressure, importunity or at- 
tack. 

One of the appointments whicli will ever re- 
dound to his credit is that of Edward G. Ryan, 
to be Chief .lustice of the Supionu- Court^an ap- 
pointment niaile upon his own judgment of emi- 
nent qualifications. 

The most inii)ortant work of Gov. T.aylor's term 
w:is the enactment of the '•Potter law.' which aimed 
to place railways completely under Slate control, 
limiting charges for transporting p;issengers. classi- 
fying freight, and regulating the prices for its 
transportation. 

At the outset the two chief railw.ay corporations 
of the Stale served formal notice upon the Gov- 
ernor that they would not respect the provisions of 
this law. Under his oath of office to support the 
Constitution, and to '•lake care" that the laws be 
faithfully executed, he promptly responded to 
the notification of the railroatl companies by a 
proclamation, dated May 1, 1874, in \vhich he en- 
joined compliance with the statute, declaring that 
all the functions of his ollice would be exercised in 
faitlifuUy executing the laws. "The law of the 
land," said he, ••must be respected and obeyed. 
While none are so weak as to be without its jiro- 
tection, none are so strong as to be above its re- 
straints." 

The result was an appeal to the court-s. in which 
the Governor and his advisers were forced to con- 
front an array of tlie most formidable legal talent 



of the countr3-. Upon the result in Wisconsin de- 
jKnided the vitality of similar legislation in oilier 
States; and Gov. Ta3-lor was thus compellccl to 
bear the brunt of a controversy of national extent 
and conse(iueiKe. The contention extended both 
to Slate and I'nited Slates Courts, the main ques- 
tion involved being the constitutional power of 
the State over corporations of its own creation. 

In all respects the State was fully sustained in 
its position, and ultimately judgments were ren- 
dered against the corporations in all the Stale and 
Federal Courts, including the .Supreme Court of 
the United States, and establishing finally the com- 
plete and absolute power of the people, through 
the Legislature, to modif}' or altogether re[)eal the 
charters of corporations. 

It might be stated, in this connection, that 
Gov. T.aylor wrote personall3^ to Judge David 
Davis, earnestly requesting him to come to Wis- 
consin and preside at the trial of a test case, and 
he consented. And thus was settled by Gov. 
Taylor and his administration, a momentous issue 
between the people and the corporations— an issue 
vitally aft'ecling all the comnu-rcial and agricul- 
tural interests of the Stale. 

Among the creditable acts of his adminislralion 
were those securing §800,000 from the General 
Government for the Fox and AVisconsin River 
Improvement; dividing the Stale lands into dis- 
tricts, and making each timber agent responsible 
for his localitj', by which he recovered largely 
increased sums to the trespass fund; comi)ell- 
ing the Wisconsin Central Railway Comi)any. be- 
fore he would sign the certificates of its land 
grant, to give substantial .assurance that the pro- 
jected line from Stevens' Point to Portage should 
he constructed; and, by taking such prc/mpt and 
decisive action against what he liclievcd to be a 
fraudulent printing claim, that there was saveil to 
the t:ixpayersof the State Hie snug sum of ^100,000. 

During his incumbency, and at his earnest re- 
commendation, appropriations were cut down, the 
rate of taxation diminished, the number of depart- 
ment employes lessened, the expenses of (iovern- 
ment curtailed in many ways, and the totjd dis- 
bursements for Slate purposes reduced several 
hundred thousand dollars below what Ihey had been 
in many years. 

(iov. Taylor devoted his undivided .attention 
and energies to the public service, attending per- 
sonally to minute details and the manifold labors 
of his office, and, among the long roll of gov- 
ernors, none brought to the discharge of official 
duties a clearer integrity of purpose or a more 
sturdy devotion to the |>ulilic welfare than Will- 
iam R. Tavlor. the ••Farmer Governor." 



^ Aj^ 



^ 




'■^^-^D 



-4^ 



GUVKiiM;KS Ul- W ISCONSIN. 



1G9 , I 



^^#^^-^\:^f 





y^ 



HARRISON LUD12GT0N. 



>yv' 



.,j- M 





"'SS,'.'' 






— >^>*^^ 



i>; 



4 





i;\;,^I' THE eighteen inon who have 
served Wisconsin in the ca- 
pacity of chief executive, 
"1^ only one ever received from 
the piiljlic a sobriquet that 
became popular and perma- 
nent. From his hearty and straight- 
f^ forward manner of expression and 
X action, Jlr. Ludington earned the 
\^ title of "Bluff Hal." and in local 
campaigns in Milwaukee was known 
to the masses by no other name. 
He was born in Putnam County, 
N. Y., on July 31, 1812. and has 
tiuMcfore reached a greater age than any other 
governor save Ciov. Dodge, who was almost eigiity- 
five at the time of his death. His early life was 
devoted to severe manual labor, relieved b\' a few 
" winter" terms in the district school — all the edu- 
cational advantages he w.as ever permitted to enjoy. 
At the age of twenty-six yo.ars he started, on foot 
anrl bv stage, for the West, and became a perma- 
nent settler of Milwaukee in X(jveiiiber, 1838. 
Tims the people of the Cream City have had ample 
time to take the measure of Mr. Ludington, as he 
has been active and prominent among them during 
more than half a century. 

On settling iii ^lilwaukee, he at once entered 

upon the business of general merchandising in the 

"Juneau Warehouse." with his brother Lewis, tm- 

der tiic liiiu name of Ludington it Co.. at the cor- 

4* 



ner of East Water .and Wisconsin streets. On this 
corner stands the Ludington IJlock, to mark the 
spot where he began his successful and honorable 
commercial career in the West. 

In 1851 Mr. Ludington entered as senior mem- 
ber into the firm of Ludington, Wells & Van 
Schaick, which concern, in the manufacture of lum- 
ber, soon became one of the most prosperous, as it 
was among the largest, producers in the Northwest. 
It is said that during the entire period of his long 
mercantile and manufacturing career he never 
knew what it was to be embarrassed in business. 

In politics he was in early life a Whig, but be- 
came a I{epul)lican in 1854 — as soon as there w.as 
even a skeleton of the Republican party to which 
he could attach himself. His chief interest in po- 
litical matters consisted in choosing good men for 
office; 3'et he was twice elected Alderman and 
thrice Mayor of Milwaukee, which was in those 
days — 1871-2-3-4 — supposed to be a safe Demo- 
ocratic citJ^ 

Air. Ludington proved to be an exceptionally 
good Ma3-or, his great business and executive abil- 
ity enabling him to manage the public :is he had 
his own finances — with intelligence, economy and 
success. He was ever a man of deeds, and his 
[lublic and i>rivate life is known and made up of 
what he has done, not what he has said. 

" The executive capacity attributed to Gov. 
Ludington can hardly be better illustrated than by 
a reference to his prompt and benevolent action, 



17U 



HARKISON LUDINGTON. 



■» ■ O 



-1= 



while Mayor, in rendering aid to Chicago during the 
'great fire,' and to the wonderful energy as well as 
generous spirit displayed in collecting and forward- 
ing relief to the suffering people of the stricken city. 
By means of his prompt and energetic action the 
people of Milwaukee were not only enabled to 
furnish valuable aid in subjugating the flames, but 
were also permitted to send successive car-loads of 
clothing and provisions to the flying population be- 
fore the full extent of the awful calaniitj' had been 
realized." 

This signal action brought to him a special ac- 
acknowk'dgment of thanks and gratitude by the 
authorities of Chicago, and a complimentary reso- 
lution Ijy the Comuion Council of Milwaukee. 

In 1873 Wisconsin underwent a marked political 
upheaval. Wm. K. Taylor, Democrat, was at that 
time elected by more than 15,000 majority, so that 
in 1875 the Republicans were anxious to place their 
strongest man in nomination and attempt to regain 
control of the State. AVith that object in view, 
solel}', the convention met at Madison and con- 
eluded unanimously that Mr. Ludington was the 
man, and nominated him by acclamation. The cam- 
l)aign was ably and persistently fought on both 
sides, the natural advantages being with the Dem- 
ocrats, who elected their entire ticket — with the 
exception of Governor — by fair though reduced 
majorities. 

jlr. Farwell and Mr. liashford were elected in 
the same manner; so iSIr. Ludington is the third 
and last to receive the honor of an election while 
those on the ticket with him suffered defeat. He 
resigned the position of Ma3-or of Milwaukee to 
be inaugurated as Governor, in January, 1876. 
At the enil of his term he did not wish to be re- 
nominated, and has since lived in perfect retire- 
ment. 

Ills reliable business sense cr()pped out in the 
opening par.agraph of his first message to the Leg- 
islature, as follows: " It maj' not be considered un- 
becoming for me to express some doubt as to the 
wisdom of the provision of the constitution, which 
makes it the duty of the incoming Governor to 
coiinnunioate to the Legislature the condition of the 
State, and recommend s\ich matters to them for 
their consideration as he may deem expedient. 
It would appear that such information and recom- 
mendation might more properly come from the 
citizen wiio had administered the affairs of the 
State during the past year, than from one who has 
just been called from other occupations to that 
duty." 

So quietly and smoothly did he manage the 
affnirs of Wisconsin th.'it the people never became 
fully aware of the great executive ability of Gov. 



Ludington. In some respects he had no equal, and 
all public affairs, large and small, were conducted 
on strict business principles. In handling and com- 
prehending masses of figures — financial reports or 
election statistics — no one in the capitol could 
match him; and he frequently found delight and 
pride in showing the clerks how to add long col- 
umns of figures swiftly and without an error. 

The most per[>lexing and annoying matters that 
engage the attention of a governor are the " par- 
don cases." These are numerous, and sometimes 
sad by reason of surrounding circumstances, and 
appeal so stronglj' to the heart as to endanger an 
unbiased judgment and the proper administration 
of justice. In these cases, with their adjuncts of 
the appeals, prayers and tears of relatives and the 
trickery of paid advocates. Gov. Ludington would 
sit with extreme patience for hours and listen, but 
not utter a word. Almost invariably', at the con- 
clusion of the argument, he was prepared with a 
final decision, and gave it there and then, thus end- 
ing all suspense. And those familiar with these 
matters declare that he was always right — subse- 
quent investigations disclosing no reason for a 
reversal of judgment. 

One of the secrets of his success was absolute 
freedom from worrying — ability to " shed trouble" 
as a duck's back sheds water. Frequently, indeed 
generally, in five minutes after deciding a case that 
had occupied several hours with testimony, argu- 
ments and personal appeals, he would be found on 
the sofa in the executive chamber, taking what he 
called " a snooze." Thus, having decided a matter, 
he put it instantly behind him — devoted no time 
to wondering whether he had committed an error, 
whether he would ever regret it, or to other probable 
consequences. It was with him as with Pilate — 
" What I have written, I have written." 

There is another fact that exemplifies Jlr. Lud- 
ington's perfect business instinct, as well as his 
capacity for details. Once everj' week, as long as 
he was Governor, he went carefully through all the 
books and records of the executive olHce. The 
executive clerks were the same as they had been, 
and as they are now — capable and experienced, and 
enjoj-ing his confidence; but he must know of his 
own person.al knowledge th.at the public business, 
and all of it, was being promptlj- and properly 
done. 

Though a man, generally, of few words. Gov. 
Ludington is a most genial companion, and in all 
matters, public and jnivate, broad-gauge, kind and 
large-hearted. He rarely gets out of temper, and 
never loses his head. In business he is a safe coun- 
sellor; in social life a generous, true and unswerv- 
ing friend, and everjwhere a sturdily honest man. 



T 





C/^-v^y^L^ 



^. 




-^*- 



GOAT.TJXOPS OF WISCONSIN. 



173 




WiHiam E. Smith. 




a^^a^)"^*^' 



■;:• i'd'd'4 ■';.': i' ; ■: 



:,-.', ■. 'i . ', . 'i -. 'i ■. 'i -.'i^^f^^^^iSi^i^t^i^ 






\A\E is a man distinguished 
;is much for being always 
tlie same even-tempered, 
genial, kindly and cour- 
teous gentleman, as for 
liis real abilitj- and ster- 
ling worth. To him also belongs 
the unusual honor of being the onl}' 
citizen of foreign birth who was 
ever elected to be chief executive 
of Wisconsin ; not onl}- so, but he 
received a greater majority tlian 
w;is ever cast for any other candi- 
date for that office. He was born 
on June 18, 1824, near Inverness, 
in tiie North of Scotland, where his father was a 
well-cducntod and prosi)erous gentleman. His 
mollicr's family name is Grant. In l,s;5,") the family 
came to America, and settled at Commerce. Oakland 
Co. — "County of Lakes" — Jlich. His biotliers 
having chosen professions, William, after some 
furtlier education in this country, early decided to 
.adopt a mercantile life, and after an experience 
of a few years in Michigan in this direction, went 
to New York City and entered the great — at least 
great for those days — wholesale dry-goods house 
of Ira Smith A: Co., for a pern id of five jears. 

In IHl!). .at the age of twenty-live years, he 
came to Wisconsin, first settling in Racine County, 
but a little later moved to Fox Lake. Dodge 




i- 



County, and established himself in tlie mercantile 
business, which he followed at this place for twenty- 
three years. In 1850 he married Mary, daughter 
of the famous Rev. John Huotli, of Michigan, ; nd 
returned to Fox Lake, whereupon he wa.s elected 
to the State Assembly. In the following year he 
was nominated for Assemblyman but declined to 
run, and kept out of politics until 1857-.')8, when 
he served as a member of the State Senate. Dur- 
ing the same year he was appointed Regent of the 
State Norm.al Schools, by (iov. Randall, and held 
the j)osition uninterruptedly until he himself be- 
came Governor, a period of twenty- years. 

In 1864-Co Mr. Smith again served as State Sen- 
ator, but in 18t5o, before his term had fully ex- 
pired, was elected State Treasurer on the ticket 
headed by Lucius Fairchild for (iovernor. and was 
re-elected in 1867. In this otlice Mr. Smith added 
largely to his already substantial reputation, by the 
exceedingly careful and thrift}- manner in which 
he handled the uninvested "trust funds" of the 
Slate. The pulilic did not seem to care to give to 
Mr. Smith much time for attention to his private 
business, for in November. 1870, he w-as elected to 
the Legislature, and in January, 1871, chosen 
Speaker of the Assembly. This position, about 
which apparently the people generally seem to know 
or care but little, is one in which a public man may. 
and very likely will, cither "make or break" him- 
self. It is one in which quick, sure and fair judg- 
ment, patient and courteous conduct, accurale 
measurement of men, ability to detect tricks anil 
subterfuges, .and firmness to do right iMdej>eudeut 

■» 




••► 



WILLIAIM E. SMITH. 



of scores of conflicting!: interests and contendlnsj fac- 
tions are absolutely essential to success." Mr. Smith 
was more than successful ; he largely' widened the 
circle and increased the strength of his friendsliips. 
In 1872 he removed to Milwaukee, and formed a 
co-partnership with Jndson A. Roundy and Sidney 
Ilauxhurst, under the firm name of Smith. Koundy 
6s Co., and engaged in the wholesale grocery trade. 
In 1874 he was appointed a Director of the Wis- 
consin State Prison, by Gov. Taylor, and held the 
position, to which he gave a great deal of time and 
thought, until his election as Governor compelled 
him to resign. 

In 1877 Mr. Smith received the Republican 
nomination for Governor. At this time the -fint" 
money partj-, stjling themselves Greenbackers. 
were very numerous antl very talkative. The^' 
nominated a wealthy manufacturer, named Edward 
I'. Allis, as their candidate for Governor, and went 
upand down the country appealing to those who 
were in debt, and especially to those who were so 
poor they could'ntget into debt, "to vote for cheap 
monej- ; " "vote for an increase in the volume of the 
currency;" '-vote to dethrone the baron bondiiold- 
ers;""voteto remove the mortgages from your 
farms ! " There was a very large number, as the elec- 
tion proved, whose votes were to be caught with 
bait of this kind.and as the Democrats had nominated 
a strong, old-fashioned member of their party in 
the person of Judge James A. Mallory, Mr. Smith's 
campaign was one of numerous hardsiiips and per- 
plexeties. The masses, not fully enlightened in the 
problems of a sound public finance, and suffering 
from a general depression in business, were more 
likely to *be aroused by ap])oals to passion and 
prejudice, and to some extent having been so 
aroused, were more easily led by the seductive 
sophistry of "cheap money," '-cheap interest." and 
'•no mortgages." But he adojjted .as his platform, 
instead of the r.ather uncertain party platform 
conjured up I)}' the convention by which he was 
nominated, an address to the i)eople setting forth 
the fallacies and dangeis of the fiatmouej' theory, 
and the lasting benefits to individuals and to the 
State of a sound and stable currenc}', a currency in 
which our creditors, as well as ourselves, could put 
confiilence and know that none would be cheated. 

Tiie campaign was f.ar more educational in its 
character than any that had preceded it, and there- 
fore of inestimable value to the people, who by a 
plurality of over 8.000 votes, made Mr. Smith (iov- 
ernor. Perhaps it should be mentioned that no 
man before him had been made Governor by a 
plurality vote, in fact, that of 1877 w.as the first 
triangular gubernatorial contest in the history- of the 
State. From the first there was an air of quiet dig- 



nity and conservative respectabilitv about Gov. 
Smith's administration that made it very popular. 
Besides, his appointees were selected from the able 
and honorable men of the State, and public busi- 
ness generall}' was conducted in a careful and 
thrifty manner. While the peoi)le were never 
dazed or amused by anj' pyrotechnical display's of 
statesmanship, they felt certain that everything 
connected with public affairs w.as in safe and 
honorable hands. It was jiracticaily a faultless ad- 
ministration. When, therefore, in 187S), he was 
placed before the people for re-election, they 
showed their appreciation of his qualities by an in- 
dorsement more flattering tiian was ever accorded 
to any other Governor — returned him to the ex- 
ecutive ch.amber by a plurality of 2.5.4.5,), and a 
clear majority over all of 12. .501). Perhaps tiie 
chief feature of his administrations was the adjust- 
ment of long-pending claims against the United 
States for lands, by which hundreds of thousands 
of acres were secured and recorded to the State. 

On retiring from the office of (Governor, in Jan- 
uarj', 1882. Mr. Smith returned to Jlilwaukee, and 
having retired from the firm of Smith, Eoundy iV 
Co., on his election to the Governorship, in com- 
pany with Henry M. Mendel and Ins own son Ira, 
established a large wholesale grocery house, under 
the name and style of .Smith, Mendel <fc Co. To 
this he gave his time and attention, except such as 
must iniavoidably be devoted to the public duties 
of a private citizen at once so popular and well- 
known, and the business prospered largelj'. 

On the 10th of January, 1883, the Newhall 
House in Milwaukee was destroyed by fire, and 
with it about fourscore human lives. The entire 
city, a house of mourning, was resolved into com- 
mittees, either to honor deeds of heroism, com- 
memorate the dead or relieve the survivors of the 
holocaust. Gov. Smith was made Chairman of the 
Relief Committee, and while in energetic and 
effective service in th.at capacity, contracted so se- 
vere a cold that it attacked his lungs in the form 
of pneumonia, and resulted fatally Feb. 13, 1883. 

Thus the death of Governor Smith became almost 
.as much an actual part of the horrors of that heart- 
sickening morning in January, as if he had Jiem 
burned or mangled with the others, with the ad<li- 
tional honor^ that though occupying a high and 
hononable jjlace in the community, he lost his life 
in the service of the poor and humble. His funeral 
w.ns a wide demonstration of sorrow and respect, 
the Legislature and State ofiicers, with other public 
officials and numerous civic societies attending in 
formal bodies for the purpose of testifying the 
public esteem and public loss. AVilliam E. Smitii 
was in every respect a good man. 



^^^ 



-4^ 




GOVERNORS OK WISCONSIN. 




m 








.June of the strong charactcv.s 
pil and picturesque figures in 
/ Wisconsin is '-.leKrv" Kiisk. 
^ as he is Icuown througliout 
^S> 3 t''^ country, whose public 
'""''^ and private sa3-ings and do- 
ings and whose rugged personality, 
are familiar to all. He was born in 
Morgan Count}', Ohio, on June 17. 
1830, in a section, and surrounded 
by circumstances that rendered the 
attainment of a liberal education 
whoU}' impossible. "The nutrition of 
his early 3-outh," says one writer, 
"was drawn direct from nature's sources of sup- 
ply — from the earth, the air, and the sun-shine. He 
obtained his sturdy strength from contact with the 
soil; he w.-is hardened by the summer's heat, and 
the cold of winter. Plain food, active outdoor exer- 
cise, the absence of care, constant association with 
the free and benignant influences of nature, all 
united to construct for him a sound body — the 
foundation of cheerfulness, patient endurance, 
iiopefulness, the abilit}- to labor untiringly, perse- 
verance, and, in fine, all the essential qualities of 
success in life." 

At the age of fourteen he lost his father and was 
tluis compelled to put forth extra exertions to help 
support his mother and two sisters. For this pur- 
pose at the age of fifteen, he engaged to drive a 
four-horse stage betweeu Zanesville and Newark, 
and became an expert in horsemansliip, an accom- 
lilishment still unimpaired, of which he was always 
proud. In order to earn mone}' with which to pay 
the taxes f)n his mother's farm he learned the 
cooper's trade, and it is said that he can still set 



up a "tight" or "loose" barrel as well and quickl}' 
as ever. 

At the age of nineteen he was married, and in 
18.5.3, settled on a farm in Vernon County, Wis., 
which he still owns and calls his home. In this 
new but rapidly settling country his shrewd- 
ness, good sense and natural aptitude for leader- 
ship at once placed him at the head of local im- 
provements and public affairs. 

Earl}- in 1855, the county oflicers were in search 
of a horse thief. "Jerry," without knowing him 
to be such, had seen the outlaw — ^given him his 
breakfast in fact. He believed the ofBcers were be- 
ing successfully eluded by the thief, so mounted a 
horse and started in pursuit "on his own hook." 
After a long ride over an exceedingly rough and 
hilly country, he overtook the thief, and though 
unarmed, effected a capture after a severe per- 
sonal struggle, and returned unaided with horse, 
carriage and desperado, and his own horse. For 
this feat the people made him sheriff at the ensuing 
September election, and he proved to be one of 
the best officers that ever served in that capacity. 

In November, 1861, he was elected to the Legis- 
lature, in wiiich he was particularly active and in- 
fluential in furthering war me.isures of every kind. 
At the close of the session "Jerry" turned his at- 
tention to the war with all the vigor of his power- 
ful and enthusiastic nature and was soon commis- 
sioned Major of the 25lh Regiment. He had been 
at the front but a short time when he was pro- 
moted to the Colonelcy and served as such with Gen. 
Sherman from Vicksburg to the close of the Rebel- 
lion, and was breveted Brigadier-General for brav- 
ery at the Battle of Salkeiiatchie. 

From the first Geii. Rusk was a daring and iu- 



■» ■ <» 



.>-ll^^ 



" "► ~^ » ^» 



-t 



178 



JEEEMIAH McLAlN RUSK. 



trepid soldier and a model officer, having the con- 
fidence of his men, and his superiors. He never 
ordered the bo)'S to go, but alwa3S led the van and 
bade them "come on." He was cool, fearless and 
determined, but cheerful and hopeful, and from the 
the first declared he would not leave the service 
until the last rebel had laid down his arms. When 
McPherson fell. Rusk's command was at the front, 
and he lost one-third of his men. During the battle 
be was onue cut off from his command and sur- 
rounded by Confederate soldiers armed with saber- 
bayonets. His own sword was snatched away and 
he was ordered to surrender, but drawing a pistol 
he used it with such deadly effect that he was 
enabled to break tbrough his assailants and escaped 
with only a slight wound in the leg and the loss of 
sword and horse — the animal being literally rid- 
dled with bullets. In regaining his lines. Rusk's 
progress was particular!}' barred by a Confederate 
with a lowered bayonet; but the soldier was killed 
by a shot from the colonel's pistol, and then the way 
was clear. 

In 1 866, Rusk was elected Bank Comptroller, and 
held theoflice four years during the trying time of 
bank re-organization, at tbe end of which service he 
was elected to the 42d, 43d, and 44th Congresses. 
In Congress he conceived and promoted some of 
the most important pension laws on tbe statute 
books, and was otherwise an active and useful mem- 
ber. 

In 1881, he was appointed by Garfield and con- 
firmed as United Stales Jlinister to Paraguay, which 
office wsis declined as was also that of Minister to 
Denmark and other important tenders. 

At this time Charles Foster, Governor of Ohio, 
was in Washington. He began to badger Rusk 
about office -getting, and thus taunted him: "Now if 
you had any standing at liome, such as I have, you 
could go b.ick to Wisconsin and be elected Gov- 
ernor." 

"I can do that," exclaimed Rusk, "and I will, 
or I'll come back to Washington and play Lad^' 
Godiva the whole length of Pennsj-lvania avenue." 

He started immediately for Wisconsin, and though 
there were several candidates already in the field, 
was nominated for governor bj' the Republicans 
a few weeks later and duly elected in November. 



He did not have to play Lady Godiva through the 
main thoroughfare of Washington. 

In 1884 lie was re-elected, and again in 1886, 
serving seven years — longer than any other man — 
as Governor, the Legislature having extended the 
second term one year, in order to make all lines 
of ofTiee to begin with the even numbered years. 

The ability, popularitj-, and usefulness of Gov. 
Rusk's administration are the common property of 
the people of the State, and need no mention 
for the present generation. He accomplished 
more for the agricultural interests of the State than 
had ever been undertaken. Amongst the general 
ridicule of that time he manfully stood b\- Magnus 
Swenson's experiments with amber cane sj'rup, out 
of which grew more valuable knowledge and ma- 
chinery for sugar-making than we had hitherto 
possessed. Had it not been for the firm and liber.il 
backing of Gov. Rusk, it is more than likely that 
we should not have had the splendid process which 
has built up the great amber cane syrup industry 
of the southwest and made it so profitable, for 
Swenson was poor, friendless and unknown. 

During bis administration farmers' institutes 
were inaugurated, the experiment.il st.ition made- 
effective and useful; the bureau of labor and indus- 
trial statistics establislied; the office of State veter- 
inary surgeon created with power to control, and 
condemn diseased horses and cattle and preserve 
the general health of domestic animals; a State 
pension agent appointed ; the State militia brought 
to a perfection and effectiveness hardly equaled b}' 
any other State; the north and south wings of the 
Capitol, the State school for dependent children at 
Sparta, and Science Hall of the State University, 
were erected, and the old war claims against the 
general Government settled and collected. 

In 1888, he received the vote of the Wisconsin 
delegation in tlie Republican National Convention 
as a candidate for President, and on the 4th of 
March, 1889, wascrdled into the cabinet of Presi- 
dent Harrison to be Secretary of Agriculture. 

Gen. Rusk is six feet and two inches in height, 
massive in proportion, bright, active, and tbe l.idies 
say, handsome. On a horse, or heading a process- 
ion, or in a promiscuous gathering, be certainly is, 
with his flowing hair and beard and rudd>' com- 
plexion, a man of marked and attractive appearance. 
He loves his children, his horses, and his farm, and 
never "goes back" on a true friend. 



••► 



r 



% 




^0-ylUy\^ 



"^^^JcJMy.^^ 



4 



^*- 




GOVKRNORS OF WISCONSIN. 



181 





William Dempster Hoard. 





Jp " q"/^' '~^'W/\ N altogether new character 
-^t'. ^]n.\'^y)iA in the civil and political 
history of Wisconsin, and 
one wliich has but few coun- 
terparts an^' where, is William 
Dempster Hoard. He was 
^' j^:-^~l''^ born at Stockl)rid<;e, JIadison 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1836, and 
was the son of a Methodist Cir- 
cuit-Rider. His early education 
was derived entirely from the 
common schools, which were 
then none of tlic best. At the age 
of twent3'-one he settled near Oak 
Grove, Dodge Co., Wis., where he 
worked upon a farm, but removed to Lake Mills, 
Jefifcrson County, in 1860. 

In Ma^', 1861, he enlisted in Company E, 4th 
Wisconsin Tnfantr3-, and served until July, 1862, 
wlien he was discharged for disability-. Soon re- 
gaining liis health at his former home in New York, 
he re-enlisted, in Company A, 1st New York Artil- 
lery, and remained in the service ;is a private to the 
close of the war. There are flippant and careless 
souls wlio declare that Oov. Hoard and Phil Cheek, 




.Tr.. are the only private soldiers left in Wisconsin. 

At the close of the war he returned to Wisconsin 
and engaged in the nursery business at Columbus, 
but in 1870 again estaljlisiied himself at Lake 
Mills and began the publication of the Jefferson 
County Union, receiving during the same year the 
appointment of Deputy Initwl States Marshal, and 
also having to do with taking the Federal Census. 
In 1872 he was elected Sergeant-at-arms of the 
State Senate, and the following year removed to 
Ft. Atkinson, which has since been tlie place of 
residence of himself and his newspaper. 

There is far more than is generally under- 
stood in the career of Hoard that is proud and 
creditable. Starting with absolutely no capita!, he 
put bis jjaper in the way of accomplisiiing some- 
thing substantial for the community as well as for 
himself. From the beginning he devoted consider- 
able space in his paper to the discussion of dairy 
and farm matters. Himself an ex|)ert in the busi- 
ness of making butter and cheese, his articles at- 
tracted and held attention from the good sense and 
practical knowledge which they displa_ved. 

It is true that at first the fruits of his effort 
seemed to he insignificant — certainly unsatisfactorj' 



•^T^ 




, , 182 



AYILLIAM DEMPSTER HOARD. 



^f- 






— but he continued unswervingl}' in the course 
originally marked out, and fiuallj- began to rally 
the local farmers around him. Almost entirely 
through his efforts the .Teflerson County Dairyman's 
Association was organized, in 1871, followed by the 
AViseonsin State l)air3'man's Association, of which he 
was also the real founder, and for three years Secre- 
tary, and then the Northwestern Dairyman's Asso- 
ciation, of which he has annually been chosen 
President without opposition, since 1878. 

The value of this State Association in particular 
to tlie fanners of Wisconsin, can hardly be com- 
puted. It found them turiung out but a limited 
amount of dairy jirdducts, and those with a de- 
cided rejHitation for inferiority. In the course of 
a few years it saw the production increase man}' 
fold, and the reputation for both cheese and butter 
advance to the very front rank, manufacturers 
of Wisconsin carrying off from every competition 
more than her proportionate share of the prizes — 
indeed in some instances taking the grand prize 
over all competition in the nation or world. 

It is certainly true tliat " Peace hath her victories 
no less renowned than war." In this view Mr. 
Hoard is conspicuously entitled to the laurels of 
the victor; for himself and his Jefferson County 
Union were prime factors in this great progress, 
which means cash — increased profits — better educa- 
tion and more comfort in life to every maker of 
butter and cheese in the Stale. 

After a time the demand for the "Dairy Depart- 
ment" of his paper became such that he was com- 
pelled to issue special editions, and finally to es- 
tablish Hoard's Dairymanon a separate basis, which 
has a wide circulation, and is an accepted authorit}' 
on dairy matters throughout the Nation. 

When the Wisconsin Farmers' Institutes were 
organized by the State University in 1886, for the 
purpose of holding educational sessions in different 
portions of the State, Mr. llo.ard was selected as 
the leading lecturer on dairy matters. In two sea- 
sons he delivered more than 300 addresses on this 
suliject, exposing in a frank and fearless manner 
to the slipshod and slovenly farmer the foll.y of his 
w.ays, and preaching the doctrines of agricultural 
regeneration through such improved methods as 
were in jiace with modern improvements in other 
branches of business. 

These addresses, at once simple and homely, 
were yet so eloquent with incontrovertable facts, 
common sense, and pat illustrations, and so inter- 
spersed with a patlios, humor and drollery not 
equ.alled by any other speaker in tlie State, as not 
only to convince, but to captiva'o liis audienc'S 
everywhere. 

When, therefore, in the spring of 1.S88, without 



any knowledge or consideration on his part, his 
name was brought forward as that of a suitable can- 
didate for Governor, it was received not only with 
favor, but with enthusiasm. And so widesprea<l 
and powerful did this enthusiasm become tliat, 
though remaining quietly at home and "pursuing 
the even tenor of his w.ay." the Re|)ublican masses 
sought him out and made him their nominee for 
Governor, contrary, it must in truth be said, to his 
own judgment of ability and qualifications. 

In the campaign which followed he was in demand 
everywhere as a speaker, and through his addresses 
ilemonstrated that the country editor and dairy 
specialist had been a close student and logical 
thinker in many lines of political and philosophical 
inquiry. Indeed, an impromptu .address to the 
club of "first voters" in Milwaukee, being steno- 
graphically reported, was widely published and 
favorably reviewed. He was of course elected and 
duly inaugurated. 

In his ment.al organization Mr. Hoard is essen- 
tially a |)hilosoplier. This is known to .all who 
have listened to his public addresses or have en- 
joyed a personal .acquaintance with him. He never 
appeals to passion or seeks favor by pandering to 
ephemeral whims. In his message to the Legisla- 
ture he says: "I feel authorized to say in their 
(that is, the farmers') behalf, that they have no 
sympathy, as I have none, with any etfort at legis- 
lation on any question which springs from i>reju- 
dice." 

All his writings .and speeches are conceived and 
framed on the same basis — " know the truth and 
be guided by reason." In the only authentic bio- 
graphical sketch of Mr. Hoard that is extant, is the 
modest assertion: " He was educated in the com- 
mon schools." He is one of the few who really 
appreciate the v.alue and vital importance of the 
district schools. In the mess.age above referred to. 
in recommending attention to them, he said: "1 
confess to nnich solicitude for thecommon schools, 
and especially for the district schools in rural com- 
munities. I have a profound respect for the liigli 
school, the academy, the college and the univer- 
sity. These, however, are but the fruits of a low- 
lier blossom, and they have many and most earnest 
advocates. But the common district school, the 
'people's college,' is so much everybody's business 
tii.at in many respects it s\iffcrs from neglect. It 
is to the little country school that we must look, in 
a great measure, for the inculcation of the true 
principles of American citizenship." 

Mr. Hoard is yet so new in the executive chair 
that it is imjiossihle to speak intelligently of his 
adniiuistralion. further th.an that he is careful, con- 
scii'ulious and conservative. 




ROCK COUNTY 




; 



^^ 






^^^f^ 




1 ' 




f 




^ IN^TRODUQT^ORY.p 



■^-^ 



-t^-^ 




4 



HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of tills county to per- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of tiieir 
rogress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
**4/'*V'^v«* enliven the mental faculties, and 
^ " {Q wah down the river of time a 

safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
people who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their i:)rinie entered 
the wilderness and claimed tiie virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to tlieir graves. The number re- 
maining who can relate the incidents of the first days 
if settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for the collection and [ireser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. /Ml will be forgotten soon enough, 
in s[)ile of their best works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means cmjiloyed to prevent oblivion 
and to [lerjietuale their memory has l)een in propor- 
tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
Th ■ pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements 
The erection of the great obelisks were for the same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
u\> their gieat mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
publish to the world the history of those whose lives 
are unworthy of public record. 



-■»> 




j<sa»'>5># 



Wi>' 



iHA^-t 



'^m^ 



Q.^ 






^■^ii^ 



m^ 



\W/i> 




x 



4 



^•- 



••^ 



4- 




-f 



4- 



■^•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



191 I i 






ilP'i^V'iX^M 



o 






ttf^e^BdMt^^^M^ 





— l-J-i-^^^^sH- 



4 



ON. .lOllN i;. UKNXK'ir. 
of .I;iiios\ ilk", Wi.-;., an 
o \ c (! I 1 o 11 t poitniil of 
ulidiii .iiiiioiirs upon tlio 
iip|i<)sitc page. Judge of 
till' Twolflli Judicial Cir- 
■p ciiit ( 'oiii'l. is a iiali\ e (if New ^'ol■|\, 
lioni in Uoilnian, Jefferson County, 
f^ Nov. 1. 1S-2II. His pareiils, Daniel 
and Deliorali l,eed.s (Spicei) ilen- 
nelt. were deseeiideil from luiglisii 
I'liiitan anee.slors, who settled in 
( oiiiu'ctiinl aboiiL the year KJilH. 
'I'hc father wa.s the fourth son of 
David an(] Uel)eeca (Miner) Iten- 
liell, and was licrii at Sloiiinglon, ( 'onii., on the 
KUli day of l''elnuary, I 7".t.), while David lieiiiietf, 
the palern;d grandfather of our subject, was a son 
of Stephen and Meliilalile Bennett. 'I'lic mother 
of llic judge was a daughter of William and Han- 
nah ( Leeds) Spicer, and a graii<ldaughter of (Jideon 
Leeds, wliost- lionie was in Leeds, England. 

The sulijecl of this sketch was reared to niaii- 
hooil upon his father's farm, and received his early 
education in tiie eoninion schools. In the fall of 
18:!;i he lieeame a student of the lUack l{iver 
Liler;uy .ind Religious Instilute, of W'alertown. 
N. v.. where he fitted himself for the profession of 
leaching, in which he engaged at intervals until 
April, 1.S4I, ill connection with his atti'iidance at 
the Instilute. At the il.ate inentioned he enteied 
ujion a course of law studies uiuler the preceptor- 



ship of W. W. Wager, of I'>rowiiville, Jefferson 
County. N. V.. whicli he continued t'or a period of 
six months. On the 2Sthday of November, l)S4l, 
at llounslield, Jeffersiin Couiitv, N. V., he w.as 
m.iiiied to Miss I'^lsie L. llolloway, the daughter 
of Ch.arles and C'hloe llolloway, whose sweet and 
gentle iiillucnce has evei- tended to lead him in the 
pro|)er and pleasant paths of life, and to be under 
the guid;iiice of the heller angels of his nature; 
the i)uiity of her life, the wisdom of her counsel 
and the comfort of her society are still continued 
to him by a beniliceiit Providence and are the 
sources of his greatest happiness. 

In the month of April, 184;'), lS!r. Hennett com- 
menced reading law in the ollice of Dyre N. Burn- 
ham of S.ackett's Harbor, N. Y., ;ind pursued his 
studies with that genth'iii.an until the Sth day of 
May.lHIS, when he was admitted l<j (iiaclice in the 
courts of that Slate. ( )ii the 2<l d.iy of October 
following, he started for the West to seek a bioailer 
lield tV)r the e.xercisc of his talents in that attract- 
tive region, and on the Kith day of the same monlh 
reached Janesville, \\'is., where he I'slalilished him- 
self in business. Ovi-r forty years have passed 
since that time, and now, the young lawyer of two 
sct)re years ago, ripe in the experience of an active 
anil successful practice, honored for the high order 
of his talents and purity of character, presides in 
the court where so often he has appeared as an 
earnest and eloipient advocate. On coming to 
.lanesville. Mr. Iieiinett. from tlie beginning, took 
a foremost place at the bar of Rock Comity, and 



f 



4- 



192 



ROCK COUNTY. 



in all these years lias been the peer of the ln'iglitcst 
niul ablest in the profession. When it is reineni- 
liereil that sueh men as Carpenter. Whiton, Knowl- 
ton, Xoggle and .lordan were his conteni|)oraries, 
the eomimrison is signilicant. 1 1 is life li:is always 
been a biis^' one, both as lawyer and judge, while 
in the |)raetiee of his i)rofession he was specially 
noteil for tiie eonseientious regard shown for the 
interests of his clients, in a earefnl, |)ainstaking 
preparation of his e:ises, and uniform candor and 
honesty. By the strictest integrity and keen sense 
of profession:>l honor, he won and retained tlio 
confidence of the people. In addressing court or 
jury, his commanding presence, earnestness and 
ability alw.-iys inspired respect and secnred atten- 
tion. In the trial of cases he was peculiarly suc- 
cessful, haying a quick conception of that which 
would liel|> or hurt his cause, and possessing a cer- 
tain reserve force that always seemed to tide him 
over any sudden difllculty or emergency. His 
tact in cross-examination was remarkable, and his 
triumphs in that direction were numerous and 
marked. His business in the Supieme Cnurliif the 
State soon became extensive and increased in im- 
l)ortance as time advanced. It is said that no 
edition of Wisconsin Reports, from the lirst to the 
last, has been issued that ilid not connect his name 
with one or more cases. Kndowed with mental 
faculties of a high order, which liave been trained 
by extensive leading and systematic stu<ly. and 
beintt gifted with a (plaint and pleasant delivery, 
he is entertaining and instructive in discourse and 
is a charming convers.'itionalisl. 

Judge Bennett is tall of stature and of powerful 
physique ; yet modest and uiiMssuniing in manner, 
possessing quick sensibilities, but with perfect self- 
command. Rigid and firm in his sense of duly, 
he yet has a deep, tender and sympathetic nature, 
and knows how to -'temper justice with mercy." 
As a lawyer he was ever noted for his uniform 
courtesy to his brethren of tlu' bar. and for respect 
to the court, as well as for his wisdom in counsel 
and force as an advocate. As a judge, he is ad- 
mired and respected for the fairness of his rulings, 
the impartiality and justice of his decisions and 
the nianl}' dignity of his |)rcsence. 

In his political sentiments. .Judge Bennett is a 



consistent Republican, and has faithfully adhered 
to the principles of that i)arty since its organiza- 
tion. In 186(1 he had the honor of being a dele- 
g.ate to the Js.itional Republican Convention, which 
nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. 
He was elected District Attorney of Rock County 
in 18('):?, was re-elected and served until 1867, and, 
without being a candidate, was nominated by the 
Republican State Convention of KhT.t for theotlice 
of Attorney General of Wisconsin, Iml was de- 
feated with the rest of the ticket, with the excep- 
ti(jn of the candidate for Governor, Ilari-ison Lud- 
dington, who was elected by a small majority. Mr. 
Bennett w.is elected to the bench of the Twelfth 
.Judicial Circuit in April, 188-2. by a large major- 
ity, being the almost unaniint)us choice of the bar. 
which position he has since tilled with credit to 
himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. 
In the Spring of 1SS8 he was again elected, witii- 
out opposition. 

IJeared under strictly religious influences, and 
possessing a di'Cp veneration for the Holy .Script- 
ures. .Judge Bennett has from early youth yiveii 
the subject of spiritual life, and the relation of 
man to his Creator, deep thought and earnest con- 
sideration. --He is a New Chuiclmian or Swedeii- 
borgian, as the members of that dcuoininatioii are 
more frequently called. They hold that the Sacred 
Scriptures, unlike all human composition, contain 
within the letter a spiritual sense, as far above the 
literal sense in beauty, brightness and power jis the 
immortal soul excels the perishable body in which 
it gro.'ins in this life, being burdened. He counts 
it a fi>rtunate circumstance that his ancestors, so 
far as he has any knowledge of them, were deeply 
religious; and for the |)ious instruction received 
from his parents, who now, he trusts, occupy the 
everlasting abodes of the l)lest, he is under a debt 
of gratitude that can never be repaid." 



^/ILLIAM C. CHASE, a worthy pioncci- of 
Rock County, of 1836, was born in I'.r.-id. 
ford, Orange County, Vermont, on the 
l'.)th day of Dei-emlx-r, 1803, ami was the son of 
Moses Chiisc. He was married in his native State 




-t 



Late \ I 



I 



•^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



19:3 



Oct. IC, 1828, to Mis.s M.-iry Gilson, and witli his 
family iiiovimI (o La I'orte, Iiul., al)out 1835. In 
183G, lio emigrated to Wi.sconsin 'rcnitory and 
»i'ttk'(] in wliat is now Hock County licinfi^ the tirst 
settler in the town of Hradford. which he named 
after his native town in Vermont. He entered 
Government land, engaged in the cattle business 
and owned large tracts of land. Owing to un|iroli- 
talile investments in cattle, he lost heavily. Ilup- 
ing to retrieve his fortunes, ho removed with his 
stock to northern Wisconsin, htitthe [lanic of I8.)7, 
which prostrati^d all Inisiness was disastrous to him, 
and in 18()() he went to Pike's Peak, joining the ad- 
venturous hands of gold-seekers. Me continued 
in the mountains until his death, wliich occurred 
on .Inly 21. 1803. 

There were five children horn to Mr. and Mrs. 
Chase. Mary, the eldest, is the wife of .Jacob 15. 
Ilyzer, of Janesville; Manly M., is a cattle grower 
of Colfax County-, New Mexico; Mason G., died at 
Leadville, Col., several years ago; George M., 
is with his lirnthor in Colfax C(junty, New Mexico, 
where they own one of the laigest cattle rancli.es 
in the West; and a j'oungcr son died in Rock 
County in IiovIkxmI. .Mr. Chase was a tj'pica! |iio- 
neer. enter|iiising and fearless, a man of large 
stjilurc, great i)hysical strength and force of (-har- 
aeter, and fond of the freedom anil adventure of a 
frontier life. He was a Whig in politics, and a 
liberal Christian in his religious views. lie was 
large-he:ine<l, generous and always true I0 his 
friends in adversity as well as [irosiHjrity. 



^:^ TKPIIKN 15. KKNYON, of Janesville, wli.. 
for Ihiity-two years has been a resitlent of 
of Rock County, was born in Oswego 
County N. Y., Sept. 30, 182;), and is a 
son of Reynolds and Abby (Combs) Kenvon. 
The Kenyon family in America is desceiuled from 
three brothers who emigrated to this country dur- 
ing tlie earl}- colonial days and settled in the 
Colony of Rliode Ishuul. 

Reynolds lven3'on. the father of c>ur subject, was 
born in Rhode Isinml.and when .about twenty' years 
of age, went to Connecticut, where he made the ac- 




(|naintance of the lady who afterwards became his 
wife. A short lime subsequent to their marriage 
they removed to Oswego County. X. Y., where Mr. 
Kenyon entered a tr.act of heavily timbereil l;ui<l, 
from which he developed a farm, and resided tlu'reon 
for the long period of forty years. In 1 8.)8 he re- 
moved with his family to Allegan County, Mich., 
where his death occurred March 13, 1 SCO, at the age 
of seventy-four years. His wife who was born near 
New Haven, Conn., died on the Hthdayof Septeni 
ber, 186(), aged seventy-one years and six months. 
Her fatlier, Thomas Combs, was a native of the 
north of Ireland, but came to America in early 
life, settling in Connecticut, where he continued to 
make his iionie until death, engaged in the occuiia- 
tion of farming. 

The family of iMr. and Mrs. Kenyon nundiered 
eleven cliildren, seven .sons and foiu- daughters, all 
of wliom are living with t lie exception of Abby .iiid 
-lol) K. Oeborah is a resident of S\racuse, N. V.; 
Thomas is a resident of Texas; Austin make his 
home in southern Illinois; Ursiil.-i is living in .Vlle- 
gan County, Mich.; DeWitt is locatc<l in Santa 
Harbara County, Cal.; Stephen 15. is the next in 
age; Francis H. is a resident of Syracuse, N. Y.; 
Sarah is living at Pawtucket, R. I.; and (inrdin N. 
is in Los Angeles, Cal. 

During his early life the subject of tliis sketch 
leariieil the trade of lilacksuiithing. wliich occupa- 
tion he followed for the long peiio<l of thiity-six 
years. He was married in Oswego County, N. Y.. 
to Mi.ss Kllen A. (lillett, a native of Otsego County, 
that Stale, ami a datighter of .loel and Charity 
(Finch) Gillett. Her parents were also natives of 
the Empire State, and passe<l many years of their 
lives iu Oswego County. They reared a family of 
six children, two sons and four daughters, four of 
whom are yet living — Kverett, of Mexico, Oswego 
County, N. Y.; Kllen. wife of Mr. Kenyon; Kvc- 
line, now Mrs. Cornwall, of Clint<)u, Rock County; 
Kmeline. who is living In Mexico, N. Y. Tlu' dc- 
ce:ise<I were Ellery and Kveline. who died in child- 
hood. 

In 1857, Mr. Kenyon and wife left the Fast and 
emigrated to Rock County. Wis., locating at Clin- 
ton. While residing in that town, the}- had the 
misf(ulnne to lose their only child, a little daufli- 



T= 



J^ 



-^ 



194 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



ter, Alice C. who ilicil on tlie .')il ilay of Aiiiil, 
1860, at tlie aiie of eiylit years. The same year, 
the parents removed to -lanesville, where 'Mr. Ken- 
yon resumed his occupation <>f lihieksniiUiinj:. 
which he carried on until 1882. when he retired 
from active life. In 1881 he was elected Superin- 
tendent of the poor for Kock County, a position 
which he still holds, lie is one of the self-made 
men of this coii)nHinit\ . Without capital lie began 
life's work, hut liy industry, careful management 
and perseverance, has secured a comfortable com- 
pentency. lie and his wife are numbered among 
the esteemed citizens of Rock County, where for 
thirty-two years they have resided, gaining friends 
by their kindliness, their cordiality antl upright 
lives. In his earlier years. Mr. Kenyon was a 
Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote for Zach- 
ary Taylor in 18tH, liut since the organization of 
the Re|)nblican party, he has been numbered among 
its su|>porlers. 

(^^, YL\' ESTER BUCK, of Shopiere. one of the 
^^^ Nation's defenders during the late war. was 
born in Tompkins County, N. Y.. Nov. 19, 
1823, and is a sou of Marvin and Hannah 
(Williams) liuck. The father served .as a soldier 
in the War of 1812. Ills death occurred in 1864, 
at tlie age of eighty-four years, and his second 
wife, who is yet living, has been placed upon the 
pension roll of the the soldiers' widows of tiiat war. 
Marvin liuck was a [mblic spirited man and always 
identified himself with the leading interests of the 
community in wliicli he resided. He had a family 
of live children l)y his first wife, namely: Rachel, 
wlio wedded William Rude, both now deceased; 
.Sally, also deceased; Emiline, who is living in 
Cuba, Allegany Co., N. Y.; Sylvester of this 
sketch; and William Nelson. Tlie mother of this 
family died about the year 1828, and the father 
married for his second wife. Miss Jane Burch, who 
is now making her home with her children. .She 
also was the mother of live ciiildren: Eli. Amos, 
Hannah, May and Harriet, tlie latter being deceased. 
Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon school of his native comity, and his early life 



•^-i:r^ 



w.as spent in the manner of farmer lads generally. 
He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah .\. 
'I'aylor, a native of the Empire State, and a daugh- 
ter of Charles and Annie (Lothrope) Taylor. 
Their marriage was celebrated on the 1st day of 
.lanuary. 1841, and until l^iiJG they continiicil to 
reside in 'I'ompkins Couiit\'. N. Y.. where live of 
their chihlren were born: Mary E., widow of Ivl- 
ward llogeboon. residing in New York; Eniiiia .1., 
wife of Rev. II. li. Tuttle, a citizen of St. Charles, 
Minn.; Charles; .Marion, of Kansas City. Mo., who 
has charge of the affairs on the home farm; (ieorge 
F.. a resident farmer of Dolan, I)akot:i. Three 
children were born after their reino\al from New 
York: William, who is also engaged in fanning in 
l)akot:i: Edward A., a street-car conductor in Chi- 
cago; and Byrou F.. who is engaged in the steam 
lauinlry business in Kansas City. 

In 18,')6, Mr. Iluek. accomiianied by his f;unily. 
emigrated to Rock County, locating in Turtle 
Towiishij), where he engaged in farming until Mie 
breaking out of the Rebellion. His love of coun- 
try prompteil him to enlist, and he became a nieui- 
ber of the IVMl Wisconsin Infantry, lie was sent 
to Vicksburg, and there lieing l:iken sick, was 
placed on detiichcd duty ;is guard tin the wagon 
train going with Shennan to Atlanta. From that 
city he was sent back to Nashville, Tcnn., on ac- 
count of disability. He was then placed in the 
hospital w here he lay sick for about two mouths, 
when he w.as sent to St. Louis, Mo., but after a 
week was ordered to Rock Island, where lie did 
guard tluty until the close of the war. He was 
then sent to Springfield, III., and discharged in 
September, 1865. While in the service, he became 
a great admirer of Gen. Sherman, (ilacing the full- 
est confidence in his ability. 

After being mustered out Mr. Buck returned to 
his home and again gave his attention to :igricul- 
tural |)ursiiits, but the long marches, the frequent 
exposures to inclement weather and the many pri- 
vations of army life had undermined his constitu- 
tion, and his health failing perceptibly, he was 
forced to abandon the farm, and in 1874 removed 
to Shopiere, where he has since lived a retired life. 
He bought a neat residence in that town in 188(1. 
where he has since made his hoinc. He has been 






ROCK COUNTY. 



195 



plaei'd iipiin tlie pension list, but no money could 
pay for the sufferin<>:s wbivli he lin,s ondureil. In 
politics Mr. Buck is .a Repuhlican. lie is a wortliy 
iind well known citizen of the conmiunity, :ind l>\ 
his nian\' friends is held in hiuh regard. 




\ 



j^-«ll<»MAS KING, one uf the oldest employes 
ill point of service on tiie Northwestern 
Railroad, is now a resident of .laiK^sville. 
lie was horn in .Suffolk County, England, on the 
7th (lav of .lune, 1829, and is a son of \\'illiani 
and ,Iane (.Smith) King. His early boyhood ilays 
were spent under the parent,il roof, hut at the age 
of thirteen he left liome and began work in the 
loiind houses and inaehiiie shops, thus heeoniing 
familiar with railroading in early life. I'oi' .-ibout 
eight years i)rior to his emignition to America, he 
was employed a,s lirenian. when, in liH,^jI,lie left 
his ii;ilivc land and settled in .Syracuse, N. V.. where 
he spent the winter, going to ( )hio in the spring of 
1852. He began work in this coiintr}' on the (la- 
leiia Koad, the lirsl road hiiill from Chicago, hul 
after nine iiionlhs left that road and was employed 
us lirenian on the i\Hchigan Central. In IMoIJ he 
was pronujted to engineer, continuing in that ca- 
pacity for the Michigan Central until 1858, when 
he entered the employ of the Chicago, Iiurlington 
A' ({uincy Railroad Comp.anj'. In 1859 he came to 
.lanesville, engaging as engineer on the Northwest- 
ern Road, and in 18()2 was placed in charge of a 
passenger engine, .and has served in that position 
continuously since, covering a period of twenty- 
seven years. During tlie entire time he has never 
bi-en laid off for any misdemeanor, and not a single 
passenger in the coaches of his train over received 
even the slightest injury. Careful and painstaking, 
he has won the confidence and approval of his em- 
ployers and their patrons, and his long continued 
service is a high testimonial of the regard in which 
he is held by the road. His run is now between 
Janesville and DeKalb. ^ 

On the 27th day of Seiitemher, 1851), Mr. King 
and Miss Sarah .1. Ellis were united in marriage. 
'I'liis lady was born in Lincolnshire. England, and 
when twelve years of age came with her parents, 



.Tames and Mary (Cli;irlwoo<l ) Ellis, to America, 
the family locating in New \ink. In 1850 Mr. and 
Mrs. Ellis became residents of Milwaukee, Wis., 
and lalcr removed to Eoinl dn l,ac, where the}^ spent 
two 3cais. For one year they resided in Oshkosh, 
after which they became residents of Chicago, 
where the death of the mother occurred from chol- 
era in 1853. Eor thirty-three years Mr. Ellis was 
connected with the Northwestern Railr.)ad Com- 
pany in the capacity of mail agent. His death 
occurred on the Itli of March, 1884. 

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. King a family of 
six children have been born, three sons and three 
daughters: William T., who married JNliss Dotty 
Watson, is now traveling agent for the Osborn 
Manufacturing Company, and resides at J.anesville; 
Alice married Alfred 'rallmadge, an eini)loye of the 
Northwestern Uailroad Company; Lnella J., is the 
wife of Roliert McLean, a resident of Janesville; 
Clara M. is the wife of Charles E. Watson, an en- 
gineer on the Northwestern Railroad, living at 
Harvard. III.; George E.. and Ross Harry complete 
the family. Mrs. King was reared in the Episco- 
pal Church. Mr. King is a member of the Royal 
.Vrcaiuim, and is a highly resiiectcd citizen. 



^ 



-^ 




THOMAS KlIiK. of .lanesville, a cooper by 
trade, now living a retired life, was born in 
County Antrim. Ireland, on the 8Ili day of 
iSIay, 1817, and is a son of .John and Mary Eliza- 
beth (Auld) Kirk. When a young man, he hade 
good-bye to home and frit'iids, and in the spring of 
1812, crossed the liroad Atlantic to America and 
settled in rortsmouth, Ohio, where he learned the 
cooper's trade. In that cit}' he w.-xs united in mar- 
riage, Oct. 19, 18111, Miss Mary L. Auld becoming 
his wife. She W!is also born in Count}' Antrim, 
Ireland, the native laud of her parents, John and 
(irace .\nld. with whom she came to America when 
but two years old. ICIcven children were born of 
their union, seven ilaughters and four sons. Eliza- 
beth, who was born Aug. ;i, 185(1. died Aug. 28th, 
of the same year; John, born Aug. ."5, 1851, resides 
in .lanesville, and is engaged in farming; William, 
born June 7. 1854. died March 28, 187(); Agnes. 



=r 



196 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ 



born Dec. 7, 1856, ami dwells with her parents; 
Sar.-ih .lane, horn Feb. 11. 1«5U. is employed at 
Rotkford; Martha, horn .May 20, 1«U1, died Aug. 
20, 18C1 ; Thomas, horn Aug. 10, 1862, died Aug. 
19, 1868; (irace, horn Sept. 21, 1868, is a teacher 
at Centralia, Wis.: Mary, horn March 5. 1868. 
dwells at home, a saleslady; Alexander, born Sept. 
11, 1870, died on the 16Ui day of September, fol- 
lowing; and AlarUia, horn Oct. 2, 187;5. a student 
at the high school. 

Mr. Kirk remained a resident of rortsmoiith. 
Ohio, until 184',). when he came to Janesville. and 
embarked in the coopering business in this city, con- 
tinuing in that line until 1886. when he retired from 
business life. He did an extensive business, often 
employing as many as tvventy-five hands, ami his 
was one of the lending <'nterprises of Janesville. 
His fair dealings won the conlidence of all with 
whom he came in contact, and he was deservedly 
held in high regard by all. lie takes great interest 
in civic societies, and is a lea<ling member of the 
Masonic Fraternity. He f)elongs U> .lancsville 
Lodge No. 55, A. F. iV' A. M.; .lancsville Chapter 
No. 5, R. A. RI.; and .buiesville Commandery No. 
2, K. T. He is also a meinlier of Wisconsin 
Lodge No. 11. I. O. ( ». F., and lias passed all the 
chairs of that order, lie has held man^- olllces in 
the Masonic Lodge, has been Treasurer of the 
lodtr^'. the Ciiai)ter, the Commandery ami the 
Council, anil served as Master in all the hodies. 
In politics he is a Republican, and lie and his wife 
are members of the rreshyteiian Church. 



JM IXiF HKNKY A. PATTERSON, of the 
I muiiicipai court of Rock County, was horn 
I in the town of Lindley, Steuben County, 
I N. Y.. on the 8th day of .lune, 182',», and is 
a son of Samuel an<l Grace (Upham) I'atterson. 
His father was horn in Lu/.erne County. I'a., in 
17'.(2, and was descended fri)m .Scotch-Irish ances- 
tors, while Lis mother, who was of New England 
origin, was a native of Otsego County, N. Y. Our 
subject was reared to manhotxl in his native town, 
an<l received his luimai-y education in the public 
schools. He continued his studies at the (icnesee 



'►l U ^! 



Wesleyan .Seminary, of Lima, after which he at- 
tended the law school of Hallston. Saratoga County, 
.and was admitted to practice in 1854. The fol- 
lowing year he came to the west, where a broader 
Held WHS afforded, and, settling .at Janesville, 
formed a law partnership with David Noggle and 
Charles (!. Williams, under the firm name of Nog- 
gle, Williams & I'atterson. Judge Noggle, the 
senior partner, was later called to the bench, and 
became a distinguished jurist of the Stitte. Sidi- 
sequently, he was elected to the honorable position 
of Chief .lustice of Idaho, and his death occurri^il 
in 1879. Charles G. Williams, the second member 
of the firm, served several years in Congress, at- 
tained considerable |)roniiiience as a stal^'smaii. 
and is now a resident of Dakota. Mr. Pattcreon 
continued his connection with the linn until 1857, 
when he was elected .Justice of the Peace, which 
position he tilled for live 3'ears. He was then 
elected District Attorney for Rock County, was re- 
elected, and after serving four years resumed pr.ac- 
tice, wiiich he coiitinue<l without iiiterru|)tion until 
187:5, when he was elected to the Legislatuii'. In 
1875, on the tcrmiiiatioii of his legislative duties, 
he was appoinlcd Postmaster of Janesville by Presi- 
deiifi Gr.Miit, was re-appointed liy President Hayes 
and served eight years. Once more lie resumed 
practice, pursuing his professional business until 
April, 1887, when he was elected judge of the 
municipal court, which position he still holds. 

On the loth day of March, 1850, a marriage 
c'ereinoiiy performed at Painted Post, N. Y., united 
the destinies of .liidge P;itterson and Miss Harriet 
C. Patterson, a^ery distant relative, who was born 
at Painted Post, and is a daughter of John M. and 
Mary Patterson. Two chihlreii l)lcsscd thi'ir union: 
Ch.arles II., who was born at Horucllsville, N. Y ., 
nitirried .Miss Kale Smith, daughter of A. Hyatt 
Smith, and now resides :it Englewood, a suburb of 
Chicago, where he is in the employ of the Chicago 
it Eastern Illinois Railroad (V>mpany. M;iy E. 
was h(un at Janesville, and with her mother is a 
member of the Congregational Church of that city. 
In luldition to his law practice and ollicial duties. 
Judge Patterson has always taken a warm interest 
in matters pertaining to the welfare and prosperity 
of the city. At present he is a stock-holder in the 



■•► 



4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



197 4 



Jaiiesville Machine Company, one of its most ex- 
tensive, pcospoions maniifaftiiiinij institutions. He 
iia.s now been identified witli the iiistory of Uoek 
County as a member of tiie l)ar or in olliei.al posit- 
ions for more tiian tiiirly-three yeai's, and in every 
jtosition to which lie lias been called has proven 
capable, prompt .and faitiiful to every duly. As a 
lawyer lie is di.stinguislicil lur superior natural 
ability and judicial talent, and while District At- 
tornej' was eminently .successful. During his term 
of oflice it happened that he was called upon to 
prosecute in several imiiortant crimiu.al ca.ses in 
each of which he was successful in landing the of- 
fender behind the I)ais of the penitentiary. His 
.idministr.ation of the post-otlice w.as marked by 
cflicient and faithful discharge of duty and the 
general satisf.action of the public. Diiiiug his 
term in the State J.,egislMturc, lie was true to the 
interest of his constituents and the general welfare 
of the coninioiiwe.'ilth of the Slate; and while ser\ - 
ing .'IS justice aud judge of the inuuicipal court, 
his course h.as been marked by fair and impartial 
rulings and just and correct decisions. 

.ludge Patterson is an nncom|)roniisiiig Repulili- 
caii ill political sentiment, has scrve<l his party 
faithfully since its organization, and as a citizen is 
hinlilv esteemed aud uiiivcrs.ally iespe<-tcd. 



►*-!- 



-f 



Slpji'jENJAMIN LATTA, who is engaged in fariu- 
\h>\. ing on section :il, Bradford Township, was 
I'/fM) II born in the town of Lewiston, N. Y., on 
^^^ the Niagara IJiver, not far from the Falls. 
The days of bis boyhood aud youth were spent 
upon his father's farm, aud his life has been passed 
ill .Mgricultural |iursuits. In the ye.'ir IHIl he 
foinicd a matrimonial alliance with' Deborah C. 
Stevens, who was born .luly 1."). IMKi, in Clarence, 
Krie Co., N. Y.. where their marriage w.as cele- 
brated. Ten children graciMl the union of this 
worthy coui>le. as follows: .Susan C, who is now 
the wife of William Stewart, of Sommerville; Wil- 
liam J. was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted 
at Heloit, in Company B. 40th Wisconsin Infantry, 
in the lOO-day service; IJenjaniin Franklin is a 
practicing attorney of Minnesota; Almetta E., now 



Mrs. T. 1>. Mason, is a resident of Clinton, Wis.; 
Albert W. is engaged in farming near J.aniestown, 
Dakota; (ieorge W. is an attorney of Antigo, Wis; 
Darius K. is living on the old homestead; Josephine 
K. is the wife of F. 1). Cowlcs,a residentof Darien, 
Wis.; Ida Ma3' is the wife of Fr.ank Little, whose 
home is in Allen drove. Wis.; and Dr. U. Grant 
lives in Chicago, where he has a large practice. For 
four years he attended the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons in that city, and then entered upon 
the prosecution of his profession. 

In the year IW4(> Mr. Latta left the East, and ac- 
companied by his family, emigrated to Rock 
County, Wis., settling in the town of Bradford, 
where he pun based 230 acres of land. Subsequent 
to that time be became the owner of ninety-two 
acres adjoining the old homestead, and under his 
able management the farm li.as become one of the 
best in the township. At the time of his arrival 
the country was in a wild and uncultivated state; 
not a single improvement had been made on his 
land, and the settlements were few and far between. 
WiW game of all kinds abounded, including deer, 
which would often come u|) to the door, and b.ands 
of strolling Indians were frcfiuently seen. In the 
^reat changes which have taken place he has cheer- 
fully borne his part, has aided in the transforma- 
tion of the broad prairies into beautiful farms, has 
witnessed the rai)id growth of town and village, 
and has seen the great strides which civilization 
h;i.sniadc. Delias now retired from the more active 
duties of life, the farm being under the manage- 
ment of his son, Darius K., who was born on the 
old homestead in 18.54, and has there passed his 
entire life. On the S'.Hh day of December, 1880, 
be was united in marriage with Mi.ss Carrie A. 
Ilartslioni, who was born in the town of Clinton in 
IHfil, and is a daughter of Charles horing and 
Sar.ali(Fay) Hartshorn. An interesting family of 
four children has been born to them — Warren II., 
Lola Mtiy, Lillian and Fay L. 

In 1S87 Mr. Latta was called upon to nmurn the 
loss of his wife, who died at Clinton on the I4tli 
day of Maj'. Knowing that the end of her life 
w:i3 near, she directed all the arrangements for her 
funeral, and when the final summons came her si.K 
sons acted as pall-bearers for the loved mother. 



H- 



•^T^ 



198 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^^^H^ 



whom they were never again to see on this earth. 
During his long residence in Rock County, Mr. 
Latta lias formed an extensive aciiiiaint.inc-e, and is 
held in the highest respect l>y his many friends. 
Mrs. Latta was a devoted member of the Congre- 
gational Church, of whicii church Mr. Latta is also 
a meml)er. rolitically he is a Uopulilican, ami was 
originally a Whig, having supported Wm. Henry 
Harrison in 1840. He is now an old man seventy- 
three years of age, and ha:^ spent most of the days 
of Ids pilgrimsige right where he now resides. We 
are pleased to record his sketch in the history of 
Rock County. 



♦«» 



Ut^ 



-S- 



PENNKK KLMHALL, one of the pn.niiiient 
business iiien i)f .Janrsville. President of the 
Kimball llanhvarc ('u)npany, and also a 
member of the linn of Thoroughgood & Co., manu- 
facturers, is a native of North Seituate, Hhode Isl- 
and, and was born Oct. G, 18-22. He is a dese<'ndant 
of Richard Kimball, who came to this country from 
Ipswich, Kngland, in 1034. and settled at Water- 
town, Mass. In l(!;i7 he removed to Ipswich. Mass., 
where he resided during the remainder of his life. 
A grandson of his settled in Johnston. Rhode Isl- 
and. His name is supposed to have been Jose|)h. 
One of his (Joseph) sons, settled at North Seituate, 
Rhode Island. His name was Uean ; he married 
'riiankfull Williams, a great-granil-daughter of 
Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island. Jarvis, 
a son of Dean, married Phebe Irons, a lineal de- 
scendant of Roger Williams. Dean, son of .larvis, 
and father of the subject of this sketch, lived in 
the city of Providence a laige portion of his life, 
and died there in May, 1875. 

Our subject enjoyed but limited advantages for 
-securing an educati<jn, for at the age of fourteen 
years, he entered a cotton mill, where he remained 
until nineteen years of age, when he entered upon 
an apprenticeship to the trade of cabinet-making, 
painting, etc. He was thus articled for two years, 
receiving as compensation for his services f4o and 
his board. At the end of twenty-three months, 
having an opjKirtunity to go to Fall River, Alass., 
and work :»-•* carpenter for ^\0 (wr month, he 



bi>ught the remainder of his time — one month — of 
his employer for $12, that he might .■iccei)t the more 
lucrative iiosilion at Fall River. He continued to 
work at the carpenter's trade for two years, when, 
in 1845, he left Fall River and went to Fast Green- 
wich. R. I., whither in the meantiine. his parents 
had removed. There he engaged iu the liusiness 
of painting, continuing to follow that occupation 
in Greenwich for eleven vears. In the s|>ring of 
1850, Mr. Kimball caine to Rock County, and pur- 
chased a farm three miles south of Janesvillc. in the 
town of La I'rairie. This was his first experience 
•as a farmer since he was fourteen years of age, but 
he succeeded in the enteriirise which he had under- 
taken, and for nine j'ears lived the life of an agri- 
culturist. At the expiration of that time, he re- 
moved with his family to Janesvillc, but continued 
to own his f:utn until I. SOS. Arriving in this city, 
he fornuMl a partnershi|) in tlie furniture and un- 
dertaking business with William l>. Urilton. under 
the firm name of P>ritlon .V- Kinili;dl, which connec- 
tion was continuc(l until .luly, 1 SSM. when Mr. IJrit- 
ton sold out ;uid was succeeded by .lames Hall, this 
firm still c;urying on the business under the style 
of Kimball A- Hall, the interest of .Mr. Kimball 
however being under the nianaiicnient of his .son. 
Frank 15. Mr. Kimball also foinu-d a partneiship 
with K. >\'. Lowell, in the hardware business, which 
was afterward iucorporatetl umler the linn name of 
the Kindiidl Hardware Company, in which our sub- 
ject holds the ollice of President. In the tirm of 
Thoroughgood it Co., manufacturers of cigar boxes 
and cigar lumber, he is also a member. 

While residing at Fall River. .M;\ss., Mr. Kim- 
ball formed a matrimonial nlli.ancc with Miss Ade- 
line Allen, a native of that town. One child h.as 
been born to them, Fraidv B.. already mentioned as 
his father's successor in the firm of Kimball A- Hall, 
furniture dealers of Janesvillc. 

In early life, .Mr. Kimliall was a suppoiterof the 
Democratic part^', casting his first Presidential vote 
for James K. Polk, in 1844: but holding anti- 
slavery views, when the Repul)lican party was 
formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, 
he joined its ranks, and has since voted with that 
organization. He has held various ollicial posi- 
tions, among which is that of Represeulallve. hav- 



f 




ROCK COUNTY. 



199 , , 



iiig represented his district in ttie .State Lejrisl.itiirc 

in 1878. He lias been eleven j'ears a member of 

tlie County ISoard, of wliich l)ody lie was made 

Cliaii man in 1M8',>. In liis relioious belief he is a 

Unitarian. As a business man lie ranks among the 

higlicst, and h.as done niucli toward tiio advance- 

nx'nt of several of tlic Icadinic business interests of 

.lanesvillc. His tidclity to duty, his fair dealini; 

and earnest desire to [(lease his customers, has won 

for him the respect and conlidence of all, and Mr. 

Kimball is regarded a.s a leading citizen of Rock 

Count3^ 

- oro - 
• ooo - 

J "11 BOVD .lONKS, the present popular and elli- 
eient County Superintendent of the schools 
of Rock County, is a representative i>{ one 
!/ of the early families of this community. 
Tile paternal grandfather of our subject. Daniel 
.lones, w.as a native of i\Iar\!and. and emigrated 
thence to Ohio, when that .St.ate w.as still a Terri- 
tory, lie was of Welsh descent, and his death oc- 
curred in 1814, when his son, Ira. the fathci- of our 
subject was but four years of age. 

Ira .lones was born in Champaign County. Ohio, 
.Ian. 3, 181(1, and w.as reared to manhood in his na- 
tive State, where he married Sarah .lane Lenu)n, 
who w:\s horn in Champaign County in 181.'j. He 
w!ts a farmer by occupation, and followed that pur- 
suit .as a life work. In 1837, the year of his mar- 
riage, he removed with his young bride to I'eea- 
tonica, Winnebago Co.. 111., where he settled on a 
new farm, there making his home until the s[iring 
of 1810, when he came to Rock County. lie be- 
came a resident of the town of Union, entering a 
claim on section 32, where he made his home until 
his de.'vth, which occurred on the 19th of Decem- 
ber, lH.5(i. He left a family of eight children, foiu' 
sons and four daughters, including an adopted 
daughter. The mother of the family died at the 
old homestead in September, 1881. The children 
left by Ira Jones at his death, are with one excep- 
tion, all yet living. The adopted (laughter, .Sarah, 
was the eldest of the family, and is now the wife of 
William A. Miller, of I'reston, Minn.; Mary, widow 
of 1). L.Clark, resides at the old homestead; S. 
\an .tones, the eldest son, is living in Parker, South 




Dakota; J. Boyd is the next in age; Ella G. died 
in 1864, at the age of nineteen years; Frank E. is 
making his home in Millville, Tenn. ; Ira A., and 
fJertrude are living on the old homestead. 

Ira .Tones was one of the prominent settlers of 
Rock County. He served as Chairman of the 
Boaid of Supervisors of Union Township for a 
number of years, occupyini; that position at the 
time of his death. He was a member of the Wis- 
consin Territorial Legislature in 1846, was aj)- 
pointed a Justice <(f the Peace of Rock County by 
(t(iv. Henry Dodge, on the ICth of .lanuary, 1841, 
and our subject now has in his possession the com- 
mission as Justice issued by the Governor of the 
Territory, bearing the date above given. This 
commission is one of the few in existence given by 
a Territorial (iovcrnorof WiscoTisin, and ]>erhaps 
is the oldest to be found in the State. Religiouslv. 
Mr. Jones and his wife were for many j'ears faith- 
ful and consistent members of the Methoilist Epis- 
copal Church, and ht^ w.as one of the organizers of 
the first Methoilist Society at Evansville. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the town 
of Union. Rock County, on the "ilst of December, 
18 11. and was reared to manhood on the old home- 
stead. He receivecl his e<lucation at Evansville 
Seminary, and at Allen's IJrove Academy in Wal- 
worth County, and at the age of sixteen years be- 
gan teaching. In December. 18(;3, he enlisted in 
the late war as a musician in the band of the 1st 
Brigade, 3d Division of the 201h Army Corps, and 
served until the close of hostilities, lu-ing mustered 
out in .lune, \Mo. He wjus continu.ally with his 
command from the time of his enlistment \intil the 
close of the war, and [larticipated in some of the 
most important events, including the Atlanta cam- 
paign, and .Sherman's march to the sea. With (he 
2()th Corps, he mareheil all the w.ay from Nitshville 
to Wjushington by w;iy of Atlanta and the .\tlaiitic 
Coa.«t. 

On his return from the war. Mr. .b>nes resumed 
the profession of teaching, which he h:is followed 
as a livelihood during the greater part of his life. 
For one year he was editor of the Evansville J{e- 
view. As an instructor, he is thorough and success- 
ful in his work, and his ellieiencv as a Su|)erinten- 
dent is indicated by the improved condition of the 

■ » 



^•►IH* 



200 



ROCK COUNTY. 




scliools since bis adiniiii.stration liegan. Mr. Jones 
has given considerable attention to the science of 
music, is a superior ))ass singer, and an accomptislied 
instrumental musician. IIo has written considor- 
ai)le music of inuiii merit, .'lud from llic fall f)f 
1S72 until the fall of 1K77, ho acc<imi)anic<l ami 
formed oTie of the famous Lcavitt IVll Uiuuers, 
making a tour of llu' I'nited States. In politics, he 
is a Kepulilicau, and a warm advocate of the prin- 
ciples of that great puliticjil organization. In the 
I'resiilential <ami)aign of 18is8, he took an active 
pait, and was an effective speaker on the stump in 
support of the Repuhlican candidates. 

Mr. Jones married Miss Ella Roberts, a native of 
V(?rmont. and a daughter of S. M. Roberts. Tliree 
children have been boiii of tlieir union — Klla. Karl, 
an<1 Paul. 

ILLIAM G. lUlTLKR, whose home is on 
section '2Ci. Harmony Township, w.as born 
in IJerlin, (Jcrmany, on the lOlh of De- 
cember, 18.'i',t, and is the son of Michael and Tiney 
(Tesner) liutler, who were also natives ofder- 
many. 'J'lie paternal gr.'uidfat her was an extensive 
land-owner and farmer in the K.-itlicrland, his i)Os- 
.sessions aggregating 4.<1IMI acres at the lime of his 
death. Michael Butler also engaged extensively 
in farming, being a vcr^ enterprising and successful 
business man. He was born in 1811, and his death 
occurred at Hamburg in 18.")fi. Mrs. I'.uller was burn 
in IKll. and was a widow at the lime of her marriage 
with our subject's father. Her lirst husband was a 
Mr. Hanelt, and to them were born two children: 
August, who is living in Appleton, Wis.; and Tiney, 
wife of Charles Shullz. who is also a resident of the 
same city. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Butler were Imru three chil- 
dren: William, of this sketch; Minnie, wife of 
Frederick Ilankee, who is living in H:irnionv Town- 
ship; and Amelia, wife of August Zylk. a resident 
of Killiiiore County, Minn. In 1870 the mother 
emigrali'd to this country, making her home with 
her daughter, Mrs. Zylk, until her death. 

I'ntil about fifteen years ago f>ur subject re- 
mained upon his father's farm .assisting in its cul- 
tivation, but at that time accompanied his father's 



brother to America. Boarding the sailing-vessel 
"Johonas." which sailed from the port of Ham- 
burg, they crossed the broad ocean, landing at 
• Quebec after a voyage of forly-(ive d.ays. From 
that city they went to Milwaukee. Wis., but later 
removed to Watertown. in the same State, where 
William remained about three or four years, dur- 
ing which time he was engaged in working by the 
month on the farm of II. K. Humphreys, who was 
a native of Wales. Leaving that employ, he came 
to Uock County, in the year 18G0, and engaged as a 
f.irm hand witli a Mr. .Stone, with whom he contin- 
ued for a period of two years. At the expiration 
of that time he renteil a farm, for which lie paid 
cash rent, and two years later became its owner. 
In connection with the cultivation of his land, 
which is eighty -seven :ind onc-tliird acres in extent, 
he eng.ages in stock-raising, including sheep, cattle, 
horses, and hogs. lMiteii>rising and progressive, 
he is one of the leading farmers of Harmony Town- 
ship. In his political sentiments, he advocates the 
principles of the Democratic p;uty. and is held in 
high regard by .ill who know him. lie is a de- 
voted member of the Metliodi>t Kpiscopnl Church, 
in which liis fal.hei' :nid mother were both mem- 
bers, an<l he is a self ni:i<lc man in every respect. 

KNHV AISTIN. Notary Pid)lic and a lead- 
ing citizen of Footvillc. Wis., is a native of 
Goshen, Conn. His parents were Norman 
(^ Litclitield and Anna B. (Cady) Austin. 
Their family consisted of our subject and a sister, 
Julia, who is also a native of Connecticut, and the 
wife of Kdwin Bailey. They were married in her 
native St.ate, and in 1H5I. came to Rock Countv, 
settling in Footville, wIkm'c the husband worked at 
his trade of carpentering and w:ls also engaged as 
a grain-dealer. One child was born unto them — 
Charlotte A., who marrieil Ira V. Fisher, and their 
union has been blessed with one child — Clara. 

In 185G, our .suljject renioveil with his parents 
to Rock County, Wis. He ha<l received a liberal 
education, having been a student in the high-school 
for eight terms and had also engaged In the pro- 
fession t>f teaching for about nine terms. The first 





-* 



k 



■<l»- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



203 



land owned by him in tlie county was tlie home 
farm imichased <»f I\Ir. Garihiant, and which is still 
ill Ills possession. Mr. and Mrs. Austin continued 
III Mi;il<e their home with our subject until called 
from Ihis e:irth liy death. The father departed 
this life in 1H58, at the age of seventy-four years; 
his wife survived him until 1874, her death also 
oceurrinii; at the age of seventy-four. 

Henry Austin has spent many years of his life in 
di.seliarging the duties of the various odicial posi- 
tions to which he has been elected. lie gave his 
tinu' and attention to the cultivation and develop- 
of his farm of eighty acres, sitnate<l on section 4, 
I'lymoulh Township until the year of IS'H, when 
he was elected to the office of Township Clerk. 
The ability and fidelity which he manifested in the 
discharge of his duties led to bis rc-^tCFtiTm again 
and again, he liolding that position for eleven con- 
secutive years. At the ex|)iration of that time he 
retired fi'oui public life, and for sc\eral years was 
engaged alone with his farm interests until ISHT), 
when he receive<l the appointment as Notary Public 
of l''iiol\ilie, a position wliicli lie still holds, lie 
lias always taken an active interest in the welfare 
I if the community and has always been found 
ill liic fdrcniost rank in the work of advance- 
iiiriil tiMil progress. Public-spirited and progress- 
ive, he is :i worthy and valued citizen and has 
many warm friends in the county by whom lie is 
greatly respected. He cast his first Presidential 
vote for Henry Clay, but since the organization of 
the Itepublican jiarty has been numbered among 
its faithful adliereiils. one strong in support of its 
principles. 



r -♦ — 






t 



^j^lJOKKSSOK .1. .1. r.LAI.SDKLL was born 
III Cana.au, (Jrafton Co., N. II., Feb. 8, 
^ 1827. His father was Hon. Klijah lll.iis- 
^ dell, a distinguished member of the New 
Hampshire liar, and his grandfather, Hon. Daniel 
lilaisdclj. who served in the Uevolutionary army, 
and w;is a member of Congress during the early 
part of the crntury.^ At the .Mge of seven \ears he 
renioveil with his fiuiiily to LcbaiiDii, N. II.. wjicre 



his father resiiled until his death in 1857. Here 
he enjoyed the advantages for education common 
to the better New England towns in that time; 
but the best part of the intluence which came to 
liiin in these early years of life was due to the free 
and abundant association he had with nature in that 
magnificent region. It was his Gonleiilincnt to 
trudge and live amid its mountains and forests, its 
lakes, its brooks and springs in all seasons of the 
year, winter and summer alike. At the same time, 
in all sports and contests of boyhood, he was 
equally at home. Especially he had the blessing 
of being trained amid the plain ami simple ways of 
a strenuous and genuine people, and in a thorough- 
ly Christian home. After his eleventh ye.ar he wjis 
under the private instruelion of the venerable Pro- 
fessor Ebenezer Adams, for many years Professor 
of Mathematics in Dartmouth College, until the age 
of fourteen, when, after a single term of study at 
Kimball Union Academy, then under the care of 
Hev. Cyrus Richards, he entered Dartmouth Col- 
lege in 1812, gradiiatingat that institution in 18J(;. 
The next year was spent in teaching in Montreal, 
Canada, after which, for nearly three years he 
studied law with his father in Lebanon. It had 
been the tradition of the family from his child- 
hood, that he should follow the father's profession, 
and these studies of his early manhood, pursued 
with great avidity and enjoyment, no doubt con- 
tributed much advantage iu his subsequent work, 
while they also established a fondness for this and 
kindred departments of study, which have ninde 
them more than a pastime until now. Having 
ciiiiipleted the requisite course of readintr. and en- 
tered upon pr.Mclice with his father, in conse- 
quence of iiiaturer views regarding his life work, 
Mr. HIaisdell entered Andover 'I'lieological Semi- 
nary, and gradu.ated at that institution in 1852. 
On leaving the .Seminary he immediately became 
pastor of the Tliinl Presbyterian Church in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and remained in tli.at pastorate seven 
years — .-i period which is cherished hy pastor and 
people alike in grateful and loving lueniorv. In 
I 859 he wiis called to the service of Beloit College 
.as Professor of Rhetoric and l''.uglish Literature, 
from which position he w;is transferred, in 1 8(15, 
to his present department of Mental and .Mor.d 




ROCK COUNTY. 



-t 



Philosophy, in the same institution. He has been 
teaeher in the college, of tiiirty successive classes, 
and his piii>ils — among the best of men in all the 
various callings iii which men may be lionorahlo, 
are a bond of alllliation wliich connects him. 
through themselves, with the work of doing good 
in all parts of the earth. His work in the college 
has been to him on(^ of extreme enjoyment, truly a 
lalior of love, from which offers of larger emolu- 
ment and wider fame have had no charm to call 
him, satisfied if the sons of the college are true 
and effective in n)aintainiug the principles of in- 
telligent loyalty to Christ wliich it is the mission 
of the college to teach and make prevalent. 

Professor niaisdell has been identified from ear- 
ly life with the work of public inslructiun in the 
common schools. Mr was SupfriiiU'iidi'iii of 
schools in Lebruion N. II., in 1S17 'IS and 'I'.*, 
and in P.eloit from 1 SC I to 1S(;;). lie has Iuumi a 
diligent a!id thnughtfid student of sdcinl (picstions, 
and has made frccpicnt aildrcsses on Methods of 
Penal Administration :ni<l Uindred std)jc(ts. In 
the War of tlic Kclu'llion he was cjiapiain of the 
40tli regiment of Wisconsin \'olunleers. a regiment 
composed in a large measure, of meniliers — teachers 
and students — of Wisconsin colleges. Helms tjiken 
active part in the cause of tem|)erance. and has 
identified himself from the first, willi the agitation 
in behalf <)f pi'ohiliiling .'ukI m.-ikiuL; iiiminal the 
oiitr.'ige of the l)iewerv and the saloon. A student 
and scholar, loving nature and books, he is more 
interested in men. and no goo<l interest, private or 
iiublie, has failed to command ids sympathies, and, 
to the extent of his ability, hisactivi? support. He 
received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from 
Dartmouth College, his Alma Mater, .and from 
Knox College in the same year— lH7:i. He, with 
all his family, is a member of tJie I'"irst Congrega- 
tional Church, in lleloit. 

Professor lilaisdell marrie(l, Feb. 1, 1 sr>,"!. Susan 
Ann Allen, daughter of Abner Allen, of Lel>anon, 
N. H. A simple and sincere hospitality has been 
to them a constant joy. in having in their home 
among the best of all tlie earth. They have li:id 
three children: .\bner ,Mlen. who died in 1.S7.5, 
wliile a senior in Beloil College; Phillip Vanl'.er- 
»en and .lames Arnold. Professor Blaisdell is in 



the full vigor of life, and gives promise of not a 
few years of active work. 

As to the manner and rpiality of tlie innn an 
acquaintance writes: 

Professor J. .1. Plaisdell is an extempore speaker 
who always lights up his subject, a true orator. 
With wonderful memory and ample culture, an 
instructed scribe, he brings forth out of his trea- 
sure, things new and old. His style, whether as a 
speaker or as a writer, is that of sound logic, a 
wealtii of accurate verbal expressions, clear, pro- 
gressive thought and .and ever present impressive 
earnestness. His penmanship could hardly be 
worse and his writing on the hearts of men con Id 
hardly be better than it is. As a man Prof. Blais- 
dell seems to strangers somewhat reserved yet 
genial :uid scholarly. To old acquaintances, and 
espeei;dly to his former pupils, he is a lifelong, 
manly, christian friend, for whom they all cherish 
feelings both of reverence and strong affection. 
His unsellisli and tintiring devotion to the best 
welfare of those under his charge h.as inqiressed on 
eaeli the noliility of self-.sacrificing service for liie 

g I of others. His pulili.shed works are chielly 

comprised in these living editions. On the lives 
of many honored Heloit graduates, in our own 
and other lands, lives which well illustrate noble 
(■har:ieler, all who have eyes to see m:iy read this 
.stMUqi: .lames .1. P.laisdell. his mark. 

On another page will l)e found ;in ailmirrible por- 
trait of our subject. 



— V 



-^ 



^- 



-> 



; 



\Y| AMKS SIMPSON, a prominent farmer of 
La Prairie Townshi|i, residingon section 1 1. 
was born in the year 1824, on .Shetland Is- 
l;ind. of which his p.arents. .lames and Mar- 
garet (Nicholson) .Simpson, were also natives. 
His father was a sailor during his j'outh and for 
eleven years served as gunner's mate in the Brit- 
ish navv. He i)articipated in the War of 1812, 
against the United Slates, and w.as with the fleet 
which attempted the capture of New Orleans. Later, 
abandoning the sea. he engaged in farming and 
stock raising, being (piite extensively engageil in 
niisin" horses. His death occurred in 18.'5."). at the 



ine 



ROCK COUNTY, 



205 



agii of sixty yeiii-s, when our subject was eleven 
\- ears old. His wife died live j'ears previously. 
Their family numbered three ehildren, namely: 
Margaret, wife of Stewart Ervin, of Shetland Island ; 
John, who died on the old homestead, and James. 

When only eleven years of age, our suhjeet was 
left an ur|)lian and went to live with an aunt, with 
whom he made his home until attaining his major- 
ity. Emliarking on the brig, "Tar," he sailed to 
Lerwick and from tlience to I'liiladelphia, Pa., in 
which cit3' he spent the following summer. With 
a cargo of provisions, he then returned to the Isl- 
and, but followed a sea-faring life for eight years, 
visiting nearly ever3' port on the Atlantic Ocean. 
In 1H5'2, witii a ilesirc to gain wealth more ra|)idly, 
lie went to Australia, where he engaged in mining 
gold for three years, and was rea.sonably success- 
ful. At length he returned to the land of his birlh. 
Ml which he remained until May, 1)S57. 

A short time previous to the date above men- 
tioned, IMr. Simpson was united in marriage with 
Forbice II. Smith, who was born on Shetland 
Island, and is a (hiugliter of Nichol anil i\Iaiy Ann 
(llalcuw) Smith, who were also natives of the same 
place. The wedding journey of the young couple 
consisted of a voyage to America. ( rossing the 
broad Atlantic, they landed at (Quebec, Canaila, 
and tiience proceeiied to Janesville, Wis. In 
Rock County, Mr. Simiisou purchased eighty acres 
of land situated in La Prairie Township, where he 
still continues to reside. The land was then but 
parti.illy improved, liut the care and laboi- which 
he has l)estowcd upon it h.as transformed il into 
(me of the linest farms in the vicinity. Many 
be.-uUifnl and useful improvements have been made 
and tlu'cMlirc surnjundings indicate the thiift and 
enterprise of the owner, while the home, whose 
mistress is one of the highly esteemed ladies of ',\\.- 
eounly, is the abode of neatness .and relincnieiit. 
The trees, which throw their welcome shade on 
house and lawn, were also planted by Mr. Simpson, 
while the bonmlaries of liis faiin have iieen ex- 
tended until it now eom|uises I'Jit .acres of land 
which is under a Idgh st,at<' of cultivation. 

No ehildren have be<'n born to this worthy 
couple, but they have an adopted ilaughter .and 



Son, iianiel\ : Charlotte K 



who is now Ihe wife 



of Peter J. Moort, of Janesville; and Charles \V. 
Kunson, yet at home. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are 
mend)ers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at 
Knu'rald (J rove, with which they united nearly a 
third of a ct^itury ago. He has served the organ- 
izalion .as Class-Leader and Trustee, and is now the 
teacher of the Hible class in the Sunday School, in 
which his wife also liiis a class. They t.ake a deej) 
interest in church work,are always read^' to aid in 
any possible w.ay, and are liberal in its support. 
In his political sentiments, Mr. Simpson is a Re- 
l)ul)liean, and has served as a member of the 
School lioard in wliich he acted as 'J'reasurer for 
several years. He is well infoi'mcd on all matters 
of public interest, and is regarded as one of the 
leading citizens of La Prairie Township. He has 
traveled over a greater part of the world, visiting 
nearly every civilized country of the globe, therelty 
acquiring a knowledge of the i)eople, together with 
their manners and customs, never attained from a 
st|id\' of books. 



Vip^ICIIOLAS SCHENCK, a leading .and pro- 
I )/) S''*^*-'''^'^ farmer, residing on section 27, of 
li^tMfi ^^^ Prairie township, is a representative of 
one of the pioneer families fif the county. His 
father. William .Schenck, located at Sliopierc in 
18I2, and from that time until his death continued 
to reside in this community. He wns boin on the 
2 I lb d.is of October, 18Ht, in Mcmtgomery Co., N. 
Y., and Dec. 21, 18.3.'?, wedded Miss Saiah .lanette 
■^'ost, who was born Nov. 24, 181.'). They became 
the p.arents of eight children; Dorcas, the eldest, 
who was born ( )(^t. 10, 18;!l, became the wife of 
Henry VantiaMcr, March II, 188'), and after the 
<Ieath of her first husbainl in Missouri, she wedded 
John Wayman, a icsi<lent of Louisiana, Rio. Ra- 
chel, born October 2, \x:',C,. was married Sept. 29, 
18<>;i, to Henry Hart, who died in California. 
March 10, 1888; Peter, born Jan. 2'.K IS.iO. died 
March It;. I8I(;, in his eighth year; William W., 
Iioiii April II. 1811; Niciiolas, of this sketch 
Se|il. 12, 1813; Edward F. S.. Aug. 2!l. LSIC; 
.lacob S., Sept.. .'^O. 1H48; and Sarah J. who 
w.ss born I'cb. 17. 1 K.j2. married .Inlin Clark, and 



20G 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i- 



died Feb. !>. 1875, her Iiiisband dying in August, 
1877. Willi tlic exception of Peter, all tlio cliil- 
dren i>rcw to m.aiiiiood and woinauiiood. The 
death of tlie iiiDllicr occurred on tlio l/illi day of 
ISIarcli, l.H.'iM, and ISIi-. Sclien(rl< was again married 
Oct. 11, l.sfl."), wluMi Miss Mary M;is<>n, wlio was 
boni in Wisconsin. Oct. 2. IHI.'i, l)ecanic liis wife. 
Their union was l)lessed witii one child — Lorrain. 
who was liorn .lime .'!. IM'.'i. 

Ill 1812 W'illJMiii .Sclienck left his easlerii home. 
and, .accompanied by his family, came to Rock 
County, setlliiig in Shojiiere, where he worked at 
the trade of wool-carding for two years, having 
followed the same occii|)atiun in the east. In 181 1 
he |iurchascd of liie governiiieni, 240 acres of land 



on section 27, Lai' 



t(>wiislii|), iiaying iS;1.2'i 



4 



jier .acre, lie at once hegnn Ihe devei<i|iiiieiit of 
the virgin soil, and, in the cour.se of time, had a 
fine farm. The year of his removal In Ihe claim, 
he built .a small frame house, for wliirli he pro- 
cured the lumber in .leffersoii C'o., Wis., rafljiig it 
down the Ro<'U Kiver to a convenient landing, 
froiii whence lie liaiileil il willi an ox le;iiii l,o his 
f.irin. With the assist.ance of his neighliors, the 
house w.'is raised, and continued to he his home un- 
til some years of prosperity having elapseil, he re- 
placed it by a more modern .-ind commodious frame 
residence, which, on the l.'itiidayof April, 187(1, 
was struck by lightning .'ind burned to the ground. 
Mr. Sclienck was a successful fanner, a good neigh- 
bor, and enjoyed the <-onfideiice of the entire coin- 
inunity in which he lived. He ciwt his lirst vote 
in 18:52, with the Whig party, which he supported 
until its dissolution, at which time he joined the 
IJepiiblican party, and remained one of its faithful 
adherents until his death, which occiiiicd .Innc .'?. 
188.'>. 

Nicholas .Sclienck. the siilijecl of this sketch, was 
born in Shopiere, then the village of Waterloo, the 
yeiir following the arrival of his panaits in Rock 
County. The greater part of his life has been 
spent upon a farm, and at his father's death he 
succeeded to the old homestead, where the liajipy 
days of his boyhood were spent. In 1 8;'ir> he left the 
parental roof and went to Tama Co., low.a, wliere 
he engaged in f.arming until 18(;o, and then re- 
turned to his home, where the succeeding year was 



spent. At the end of th.at time he went to Mcxi- 
I'o, where lie engaged in the grocery business for a 
year, aii<1 then again returned to the old home- 
stead, whore he h.as been actively engageil in fann- 
ing coiitiniioiisly since. Enterprise and industry 
are nniiihered among his chief characteristics, and 
he is a worthy citizen of Lal'rairic township. 



ijij lEUT. WILLIAM II. A LLKN. of the firm 
I (^ "^ Allen iV McI->oy, m.achiiiists, is one of 
/I'—^YS llie heading citizens not only of the city of 
IJeloit, but of Rock County, and we take plejisure 
in presenting this sketch to the readers of the 
.'Vi.i'.iM. lie was born in Alden, Krie Co., X. Y.. 
.Ian. 1. 1S28, :iiid is a son of Alexander :md I'ollv 
(Keniier) Allen, who were also natives of the Kin- 
pire State. After tlieir marriage tliev located in 
Western New ^'mk, where Mr. Allen opened up a 
fine farm, there residing until Ihe summer of 1 8-11, 
when, with his family, which then consisted of his 
wife and ele\en children, lie emigrated to Rock 
C'ounty, Wis., ami located in Turtle Township, near 
Shopiere. After arriving in this community, two 
other children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, 
making a family of Ihiilceii, .i record of whom is 
as follows: Alexaii<ler is now engaged in farming 
in Turtle Township; \\ . II. is the .second in order 
of birth; .lolin Scott died in California in ISSIJ; 
.'\iisel C. is a miner and coiitr.actor of San Fran- 
cisco, Cal.; Mary .\., who resides in S.acramento, 
Cal., is the widow of William Wilkins, who at one 
time was ;in extensive farmer and stock-raiser of this 
county; Washington H. died in California; James 
L departe<l this life in I8G2; Harriet A. A. is now 
deceased; Franklin F., who was one of Ihe brave 
soldiers of the 2d Wisconsin Infantry, .and partici- 
p.ilcd ill forty engagements iiniler the command of 
(ieii. A. .). Smitli, died in San Franci.sco in the fall 
of 1888; Taylor F., who ran .away from home in 
order to enlist in his coiinlry's service, continued 
in the army until tlie clo.se of the war, and w.as with 
Sherman on the march to the sea, and died in Cali- 
fornia several years ago; Winficld .Scott died in 
Shopiere, Hock County; Malvina R.. dei-eased; and 
George, who dieil in infancy. 



i 



-♦»- 



ROCK COUNTY. 






4 



Ali'xniiilci- AlliMi. tlir fatluT of tlusc cliil'Iicii, 

HMS niif (if tlic |iicii]ct'is. .-iiiil Icailinj^citizriisiif IJock 

Coiiiily. ;iii<l uMs licid jii liijfli csti'iini fur his ni.'iiiy 

.■nliiiii.ililr (|u;ilitic.s. None know liiin Imt to love 

hiiM. Ill Ills liiisiiitss life he was shrewd iiiid quick, 

yii thoroiiiihiy lionest. Kind and nnassiiiiiini;', ircn- 

eroiis and charitalde, he hsis often, l)y his tinu-ly 

aid, li<hMl a person t>ver the stream of misfortune, 

which would otherwise have laiide<l him in hank- 

iiiptey. lie had a kind woi'd forall, and the [xioi', 

wlio often reeeive<l fioin him suhstantial ai<l, 

soii^ihl him as a friend in their trouble, asking his 

counsel and advice. His death occurred in the 

summer of I8(!7, at the age of sixt>'-fo(U' years, and 

his wife was called to meet her linsliaml in that bet- 

lei' land Nov. 17, lH7<i, having reached the ripe old 

age of seventy-one years. .She wasailevoted meni- 

l>er of the Methodist Episcopal Clinrch, and like 

her husband, w.as honoi-ed .anil respeclcd for her 

kindliness and Christian character. 

( )nr subject began his school iif<' in his native 
county, and .after coining to Rock County atlendeil 
the little log school-house near vvliat is now .Sho- 
picrc. such as were in every community. When a 
lad of thirteen sumiinas, he came with his parents 
to Rock County, where his days passed in the usual 
manner of farmers' boys, though probably more 
eventful on account of the newness .in<] uu.settled 
conililion of the country. The winter of 1812 was 
one long tobe remendtered by the ol<l .settlers on ac- 
count of the heavy snow falls. The snow was un- 
usually deep one morning when William started to 
.school, and before reaching his destination lie was 
obliged to <lig his w.iy thi-ougli the tirifts. Uctuin- 
ing in the evening, he heard the hideous and fright- 
ful howl of wolves, who |>erch;ince, were ilesperatc 
for tin' want of fooil which they could not <pbtain 
while the snow was on the ground. Many were the 
ditli<'ullii's .and trials to be endured in those early 
days, yet the pleasures were more keeidy enjovi'd 
in c<intiast, and Mr. Allen may well feel proud of 
the f.act that he is one of the pioneer seotlers of the 
county wlinh now is the foremost in the State of 
Wisconsin. In 1.S.51. he left his home and em- 
barked in tlie liusiness of bujMng and shipping 
grain, hogs, cattle, or in fact any kind of produce 
offered for sale by the |)opulace. He located at 



Cherry \alley, III., then the terminus of the Chi- 
cago & (iaiena Railroad, but subsc(pienlly came to 
IJeloit, where he followed the same line of business 
until IH.'j'J, when attacked by th.al m.alady known 
as gold fev<'r, he went to Pike's I'eak. He startetl 
with supplies enough to last him a year, but his 
kindness of heart prompted him to divide with 
those who h:id come with but a limited supply, and 
woidil, had it not been for Mr. Allen, snITered for 
the want of food. He gave freely to iiiau\ Inin- 
drcils who lacked the necessaries of life, and by his 
kiiidl\ .assistance! many were enable<l t.o return to 
their home ami fiiiiids. The same year, he came 
back ti. lieloit, .and in IHtJO, started for California 
with :i herd of line horse-s of which he wished to 
dispose in that western market. On reaching Salt 
Lake City, he was induced to take the .southern 
route, and for si.v weeks was detained on the load 
to help biiilil l''t. Cliuicliell, in Car.son \':dle\-. fol' 
protection fioni hostile Indians, who were then 
on the war path. At length he resumed his jour- 
ne3'. <-rossing t Ih' I Id miles of sand desert, wlnae 
the men were forceil to carry water for themselveij 
.and the stock. X'irginia City at that lime con- 
tained but two buildings, and there the desperadoes 
held high <aruival, massacring many at that place. 
iMr. Allen was acquainted with many of the nnfoitu- 
n.ate |)eople who were killed on the route during 
those trying times. .\t lengtli reaching California, 
he disposed {>( his stock at a hamlsome prolit, and 
in 1 Sdl , started on his liomew.ard trip. 

Mr. Allen retunu'd b\- way of the Isthmus, and 
while on board the vessel, became ac<piainted with 
the distinguished .lohu C. Fremont .ami wife, whom 
lie fouinl very pleasant companions, tlie^' becoming 
quite intimate friends before the voyage was com- 
pleted. While on bo.ard the ship, he heard of the 
prepar.ations being made for that greatest struggle 
ever witnessed on the Western Continent, and ini- 
nuali.alely .after his arrival at home, set about re- 
cruiting soldiers for the country's .service. With 
his comrades he became :i member of Company (!. 
(itii Wisconsin regiment, which wa.s ordered to 
.MadLson. and there e(|ui|(ped. Mr. Allen being coni- 
niLssioned Second Lieutenant. He at once entered 
upon active .service, and in July. IS61, was one of 
the victims of the measles, but feeling it his duty 



4*i 



f 



208 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



to go Willi Ills coniinMinl, ho r:iii the risk uf expus- 
ure, and. thoiiiili siitTt'iiny;. did not nfjflcrt his duly 
or make ext-iisc for its iioii-iicTfonii:iiiii', lint re- 
inaiiieci witli his men iinli! threatened witli severe 
fever, when In; at last was forced to resign. This 
he did, Iml after somewhat regaining his liealtii, he 
was appointed by Gov. Harvey, sutler of the lath 
Wisconsin Infantry, and w.as with the regiment un- 
til after the battle of .Stone River. He sent in his 
resignation to Maj. Geu. MeClellan, and received 

the following reply : 

llKAi)<.(rAnri;KS. / 

Kim;s Hkidi.i;, Aki.inoton Hkiciits, \'a. \ 

Oct. 20, i«(;i. 

Special order. \o. 130. 

William H. Allen, Second Lieutenant of Com- 
pany G.Oth Wisconsin Volunteers having tendered 
his resignation, he is hereby honorably discharged 
from the military service of the United Stiiles, by 
command of Maj. Gen. McClellan. 

(Signed) S. Williams. Ass't. Adj. Gen. 

Many were the letters of regret received by ftlr. 
Alien on his resignation, which testified the high 
respect in which he was held by both otiicers and 
men. 'I'he following resolution was passed and 
signed by the whole compMiiy. 

WiiKUKAs: Lieut. William H. Allen, of Comiiany 
G, (>tli Wisconsin \olunteers. has resigned his posi- 
tion and been honorably discharged from the ser- 
vices of the United- Slates, we, the undersigned 
members of Company (J. would take this occasion 
to return to him our thanks for favors (b>ne us, 
and express onr opinion that he was justified, under 
the ciicunistanccs, in tendering his resignation. 
Signed by the members of the company. 

That the ollicers of the regiment held him in the 
liiL;hesl esteem, will be seen by the following: 

AiiLiMiroN Heiohts, Va. 

Nov. L isr.i. 

Dkai: Sik: — The undersigned ollicers of the (Jtli 
Wisconsin Kegimcnt of Volunteers, regret j'our re- 
signing j'our commission, and feel that your com- 
pany has lost a most efficient oflicer; and we, your 
brother otHcers, also desire to signify to you our 
hiuh opinion of you as an otlicerand gentleman, and 
hope vou will soon be able to re-enter the service. 

C'ol, Cutler, the coinniMiidiiig ollicer of the regi- 



^t^ 



nienl was greatly opposed to having Lieut. Allen 
resign, considering him as one of the best ollicers 
of the regiment, but he finally consented when the 
surgeon iufoniicd him of the condition (»f the Lieii- 
teiianl's health, and wrote the following letter to 
Mr. Allen, at Washington: 

Hi;Ai>i^u!Auri:Ks Grii Wisconsin V*)li'ntkkrs. ) 

Ani.iN(iTON Hi:i<iiirs, Va. ( 

Nov. G, l«(!l 

JjlliUT. Will L\M IL AlI.KN 

Dkau Sik: — As yon have been com|)elled by ill- 
health to leave the .service, I desire to say to you 
that I regret the necessity which compels you to 
do so. I also take ple.asurc in saying that I have 
contidence in your patriotism and fidelity to the 
cause of the I'liion. and this feeling. I am sure, is 
shared by all the officers of the regiment. Your 
long sickness has deprived 3-ou of the same lacili- 
ties which other ollicers have enjoyed for drill and 
iinproveineiil. Vou have been on detached duty 
more than aii^- other ollicer, and have always dis- 
chargeil your duties with great fidelity and prompt- 
ness, :uid to the entire satisfaction of all. Vou 
h:ive shown in one respect that you uiKlerstand the 
first duly of a soldier — "olie<lieiice to order." in an 
eminent degree. :is you have alwajs been ready to 
obey all orders without (juestionsor evasions. Kor 
these and many other reasons, I regret to lose you 
from the regiment. In retiring you carry with 
you my kindest regards, and wish that you may 
soon be restored to perfect health, and be able to 
again enter the service of your country. 
I am very truly yours, 

L. CuTLKK, Colonel. 
As above stated, Lieut. Allen re-entered the ser- 
vice in the 15th Wisconsin, and after the battle of 
Stone River, returned to his home at Bcloit. 

Jlr. Allen has been twice married, his first union 
being with .Miss Tryphena .Saxbury, who was born 
in Tioga County, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1*<;31. To them 
were born two children — l^latie J., wli<» was born 
Dec. 28, 1850, and died April 12, 1870, wns a most 
estimable young lady. Her life was devoted to 
others; she lived to. comfort the sick and alllicted. 
visited the poor and needy, bringing sunshine into 
their homes, encouraging them with her liright 
presence and kind words, while at her side in the 



^ 



t 



•►-11^^^ 



ROCK CUUNTV. 



•209 1 



4 



cnrrijiye one would ofU'ii isw :i poor ol<l woman fiit- 
tinjj, or an invalid, or a cliild. who rt'nu'iiilierfd for 
da^s llu'ir pleasant diivo in the rcfri'sliiiij^ air liy 
the side of their gentle companion. Ilcr life was 
the livini;' embodiment of her religion and all sor- 
rowed wlK'n this pure yonni; life was taken from 
tlii'ir midst. The sci'ond eliild, Klla .1., who was 
born Aug. 15, 1853, died in infam^y. Mrs. Allien. 
who was a good wife, a Uind neighbor and a de- 
vote(l member of the I!a|)list t'hureh, wjis ealled to 
her Hn.'d home June Id, 185 I. On tin; 5th day of 
April. 1855, Lieut. Allen weilded Catherine Mc- 
Caffrey, a native of New York, born in I'lanklin 
County, Get. 11. 1838. They i)eeame the parents 
of four chihlren, all of whom died in early infaney 
with the exception of Klla, who was taken from 
them at the age of si.v months. Mrs. .Mien is a 
hwly possessing rare gifts and graces of mind and 
character. She has nuich ability as an artist and 
her crayon portrait work would do cre<Iil to a iM'o- 
fessional, and many fine works, both in paintiiiiy 
and wax, adorn and beautify her home. Slu; takes 
a prominent part in the Women's Relief Cor()s So- 
ciety, was one of the charter members and was its 
lirst I'resident, and has been honored by llic otlice 
of State Inspector, which she occupies at the pres- 
ent time, this being her third year. 

After his return from the war, Mr. Allen on 
.account of ill health could not enter into active 
business |)ursiiits for some time, but as soon as he 
regained sullieient strength, lie eng.agcd in his pres- 
ent business .as a mendjer of the firm of Allen, Mc- 
Kvoy it Co., machinists and general jobbers. This 
lirm also manufactures all kinds of pumps, cylin- 
ders, [)ark and boulevard la ni|) posts and other ma- 
chinery. The factoryjis located on the corner of K 
and Third streets in lieloit, an<I the lirm docs an 
extensive business and well deserves a liberal share 
of the pidilic [latronage. In connection with his 
manufacturing interests, Mr. Allen owns and suc- 
cessfully oper.ates in Turtle Township, 230 .acres of 
land on sections 1 I anil 12, ('omprising one of the 
finest farms in the vicinity. Mr. Allen founded 
and built the now prosperous town of Ridegway, in 
Iowa, and placed it on a firm finam'ial basis. For 
sever.al years he was a traveler for V. N. Uavis & 
Co., introducing their ornamental building paper. 



and foi' their successors Barrett it Kind)all, during 
which lime lie had charge of their exhibits at the 
Centennial Kxhibitioii, :inil while in their employ 
traveled through itvery State in thel'nion, visiting 
every city and town of .any importance in the va- 
rious states as well as those of the Donuiuon of 
Canad,!, In 1871 he in comp.Miiy with a Mr. Perry 
p;ilenlcd an iion bridge known as the JMireka 
Wrought Iidn liiidge, and was for a time engaged 
in its manufacture and inlindnced a nuniljer in 
Iowa and Wisconsin. 

Mr. .\llen isastalwart Uepuiplican in politics, and 
while he takes an active interest in local and na- 
tion.al piplitics he li.as never .sought public distinc- 
tion ill that direction, preferring to devote his time 
to business pursuits, though he has yielded to the 
wishes of his friends and filled .some local ottices. 
Sociall\ . he is a member of the M.asonic Fraternity 
and the (!. A. R. Post of IJeloit. He and his wife 
are held in the highest esteem and regard by all 
who know llicin. they hold .an enviable place in the 
hearts of their friends and their home is the abode 
of hospitality, where each one receives a cordial 
welcome antl a pleasant greeting. 

yATSON rnUNKU, owner of the Meadow 
Field .Stock Farm, situated on section 32i 
Porter Township, .and one of the |)romi- 
nent stock-raisers of Rock County, was born on the 
11 til day of March, 1811, and is a son of John and 
Aclcline (Kallard) Turner, who were natives of 
New York. The father was a carpenter by trade, 
.and while resiiling in Jeffei'.son Count}', N. Y., 
served as priiu'i|).al of the schools in Dexter for a 
number of years. In 1 850 he came to the West, lo- 
cating in Kock Count}', where he followed his tr.ade 
for about three years, when he became principal of 
the Fourth Ward School in .lanesville, serving in 
that capacity for two years, when he purchased KiO 
acres of land in Center Townshii), and turned his 
.altentitin to agricultural pursuits. After eng.aging 
ill farming for ten years, he sold his land and re- 
moved to (Irand Ua|)ids, Mich., where he embarked 
in the real estate business, continuing in that line 
until 1873. Retiring from active life, he removed , 



H^ 



210 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Mr* 



4= 



to St. Louis. Mo., in lli.-a ye.-ir, conlinuiiiL; to make 
his home in tlial city until his (U'ath, wliich oc- 
cuiTca on tlie 11th day of .Marcli, 1SH.3. Ilis ic- 
iiiains were brought back lo.I.anesvilU'. ami interred 
in the Oal< Hill Cemetery. He was a memliei- of 
the M.asunic Fraternity, and in politics was .a Re- 
publican, and a prominent and inllucnlial iiieiuber 
of tliat party in the coinniunity where lie resided, 
being an earnest worker for its success. lie wa.-< 
ever ready to aid in any way possiiile in the ad- 
vancement of public enterprises for the common 
welfare, and w.as a worthy citizen. 

John Turner was twice married, liy his lirst 
union, that with Adeline llallard, three children 
were born — .John Wesley, who died at the age of 
eight years; Watson of this sketch, and Mary, who 
died in infancy. His first wife dying March 27, 
1<S49, Mr. T\irner in 18.>0, was again niarrieil, his 
second union being with Harriet K. Smith, a native 
of New York. They also had a family of three 
children, two of whom. Frank and Hattie, are now 
deceiused, while Herbert, the only surviving one, 
is living in Evansville with his mother. 

When only si-x years of age, our subject removed 
with his i)arents to this county, where he has 
passed the greater part of his life. His early edu- 
cation was supplemented by asi.x months' course in 
the Commercial School of Janesville, after whiih 
he engaged in operating his father's farm until 
1864, when he went to Conover, Iowa. He was 
there engaged in buying grain for the firm of Dow 
& Cargle for six months, when in company with 
Floyd Smith, be engaged in the stock business, 
continuing in that line until the fall of 1867, when 
he returned to Rock County. Locating in Center 
Township, he operated a farm on .section 5, for two 
years, when he again left Wisconsin for Livingston 
County, Mo., where be i)urch.ised 90 acres of land. 
That tr.act was then in its prinutive condition, not 
a furrow h.ad been turned or an improvement 
made, but with characteristic energy he erected a 
house, and commenced the developement of the 
land, which after cultivating for four years he sold. 
Again he became a resident of Rock Ct)unty. and 
purchased 180 acres of land, which he farmed for 
ten j'ears, when he sold 100 acres of the amount 
and bought 2II0 acres on sectit)n 'M. Porter Town- 



ship, where he has since continued to make his 
iiome. Mr. Turner started out in life with no 
capital yet determined to succeed. His fair and 
honest dealings in all his transactions, his industri- 
ous life and good management all comliined, have 
brought about the desired result and he is now one 
of the well-to-do farnieis of Hock Conuly. His 
landed possessions now aggregate 280 acres, which 
arc under a high state of cultivation, and bis faiin is 
known as the ■■.Mcndow Field .Stock Farm." He is 
one of the most extensive stock dealers in the 
community, feeding and shipping from four to live 
car loads of stock, all of the best grades, every 
season. The latest im|)roved maehineiy. good 
barns and outbuildings and a comfortable home 
make his farm all that can l>e desired. 

On the Mn\\ day of Septendier. 1867. Mr. Turner 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Hattie Dibble, a 
most estimable lady, born in Chaut:uu]na County, 
N. v., Aug, 20, 184.'). Their union has been 
blessed with .seven children, five of whom are yet 
living — Harry, born July 25. 1868 ; Floreni'e. de- 
ceased; Lamont. l)orn Maj- 21. 1871; .lunc, 
Jan. 20, 187o; Minnie, June 24, 1871; l.vnu, 
Nov. 'W. 1880; and Mary, the youngest, who 
died in infancy. The children yet living are all 
with their |)areuts. 

Mrs. Turner is a daughter of (ieorge A. .•ind 
Hannah C. (Drake) Dibble, who were early settlers 
of Hock County- of 181.J. .Mr. Dibble is a native 
of Greene County, N. Y., and at this writing is re- 
siding with his son-in-law, and though in his 
eighty-third year is still hale and hearty. Hannah 
C. Drake who was a native of the (!reen Mountain 
State, and was of Fnglish ancestry, lived in Ohio 
several jears and died in Rock County in .Vpril. 
1864. 

Mr. Turner has held various township ollices of 
lioiH)r and trust, and in political sentiment is a 
Prohibitionist. He supported the Repul)lican p.-uty 
until 1884. when he joined the r.anks of the Prohi- 
bition party, and since that time has devoted his 
jntluence and efforts to the advancement of that 
organization. He and his wifeai-e mendiers of the 
Congregational Church .at Kvansville, and are 
numbered among its active workers. Mr. Turner 
also holds membership in the .Masonic Lodge No. 



r 



.*5#l';^'" 




.a^^l2xi/t/txl 




ROCK COUNTY. 



■2i;i 



4- 







l."57, of FdOtvillc, :iii(l isacknowU'diicd to lie oiii' of 
the leadiiii;- citizens of liie coiiiiiimiil y. I'ulilie 
spirited and progressive, he has borne no incc)nsid- 
or.-dile part in tiie advaneeini'iit of those enter- 
prises whicli tend toward tiic npl)uilding; of IJock 
Count}'. 

^^-im^^- 

KWIS CLARK, a general farmer and stock- 
raiser residing on section II, Beloit Town- 
ship, is numbered among the pioneer set- 
tlers of Hock Connl\', of which he has been a 
resident since IS17. He liaces his fann'ly geneal- 
ogy back to Kdward Clark, Ihc founder of the 
family in America, who emigrated from England 
in IGG2, crossing the ocean in the sailing vessel. 
S|)ee<twell, and first located in Massa<'husetts, and 
Later in Windham Count\-, Conn., where Jercndah 
Clark, the grandfather of our subject was born. 
'I'hc latter was there married, but later removed (u 
Orange County, Vt.. when his son, Jeremiah .Ji'., 
the father of our subject, w.is twelve years of ago. 
In llial. county Jcreniiah .Ir. grew to manhood and 
in 1801, was united in marriage with Mary Kidder, 
who '.vas born in Massaclinsetts in 1780, an<l lived 
to the ripe old age of seventy-nine vears. ThcN 
were the parents of three children — l'h3'lenda, who 
died at the .age of nineteen years; r,ewis, of this 
sketch; and Al>igail. who was born after the re- 
moval of the family to (k-nesee County, X. V. 
She became the wife of Ward C. S|)auliling, wlio is 
now dccease(l, and resides in (ireat JJend, Kansas. 
Jeremiah Chirk, Jr., spi'ut his entire life in farm- 
ing, engaging in the cultivation of his land until 
his death, which occurred in l!Si:!. He and his 
wife were niembeis of the I'.aptisl Church, am! 
were highly respected people. Aftci- his death, 
the mother was again married, and later c;inio to 
Wisconsin and died at the home of our subjcci in 

Lewis Clark, of this sketch, was born in Orange 
County, \'t., on the .Jth day of February, I S07, .and 
wliiai a 3'oinig child went to (<encsce County, 
N. v., where he remained until twelve years of 
age. hi the mean time his father's death had oc- 
curred and he later returned to his native count}', 
making his home with his uncle until attaining his 
majority, spending the intervening years in atten- 

4* — -^— .^.-^— ^— _ 



dance at the common schools and a.ssisting his 
uncle in the labors of the farm. He also taught 
school for two term> in the district. In the Kail 
of IH27. he returned lo Genesee County, N. Y., 
wlu'ic he |)urchased the old f.arni, thus (iroviding a 
home for his mother and the younger children who 
were born of the second marriage. 

In 18.'W, Mr. Clark was nniti:d in marriage, be- 
coming the husband of Miss Harriet K. Flint, who 
was a native of Orange County. \'t., born leb. I, 
IHIO, anda daughter of Martin and Chloe ( I5nr- 
nett) Fliid. Her parents were natives of Connecti- 
cut and emigrated to Vermont about the year 1808, 
where both departed this life. They were estimable 
people and were mianbers of the Congregational 
Church. The father of our subject was a ISaptist. 
In the early days of the history of this countiy, in 
the eommnnily where he resided, the Congiega- 
tioiialists were tjie aiost numerous, and conse(pientlv 
tried to make their faith the state religion, l.axing 
all for the supiiort of the i-hurch, but Mr. Clark, 
believing in the religious faith of the Baptists paid 
a certain sum of money, by which he was then 
made free to worship in the manner wliicii lie 
chose for the remainder of his life. 

But to return to the hisloiy of our subject, Jlr. 
and Mrs. Cl.ark began their domestic life in (iencsee 
Couuty, N. Y., and to them were born three chil- 
dren — one of whom is now deceased, a son. who 
was the second in order of birth, and died at the 
age of eighteen years in Sacramento County. Cal. 
Caroline, the eldest, is now the wife of Zalnion 
Martin, :i grain dealei- of I'.eloit, and lo lliein have 
been born four cliililreu — Lizzie E., Lewis C, Nel- 
lie May and Willii\ who died in infancy; Clara I'., 
the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Clark, is the 
widow of Martin F. Mann, who was a native of 
Orange County N't., in which county his death 
ociairrcd. Hi! was a dcvotcil mendier of the 
Christian Church, a kimi and iudulgeiit hnsh.and, 
and was mourned by many warm friends. Mrs. 
Mann is now living with her parents, caring for 
tlicm in their declining years, paying to them every 
attention which care and love suggests and m.aking 
the old home bright and cheerful Iiy her kindly 
manner. 

In I8;i!), Mr. Clark made a tri[) to Wisconsin 



•> jm ^* 



t. 



■^*- 



•^ 



214 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



and ill Rock County |iui(1i:immI 2 10 acres of laml. 
wliicli from tiiiiL' to time he improved but still re 
iiiaiiied a lesideiil of the Kiiiiiiie State. In 1.S12. 
he sold the old homestead Iml reinaiiKil a resident 
of New York until 1847, wiien. aceomiianied liy 
liis family, lie eaine to his new home in Kiick 
County, which he ha<l partially iniproveil. lie iiii- 
mediately l(e<;aii the devehipnieiil of the wild hiiiil, 
which he has transformed into a tine farm, makinjr 
it his home continuously since with the exception 
of a few years s|H'nt elsewhere. (Joing to Califor- 
nia he made a line farm in the Saerauiento Valley, 
where he continued to reside from 1850 to 1856, 
when he returned to his home in Rock County, 
where he made his home until 1877. The four 
years succeeding that date were spent in Sacramento, 
Cal., and with these two exceptions, he li:is cou- 
linnsly resided in this county since 1817. In 
connection with his farniiiii; interests, for the past 
few years he has iieen eii.ijayed in coiiduetint; a 
dairy and at this writing, Dec. 1, 1888, has about 
twenty head of tine Jersey cattle, being also tlic 
owner of several head of sheep, lie began life in 
limited circumstances, but by industry and |)erse- 
verance has g.ained a comfortable competency, and 
is mimbcreil among the well-t<»-do farmers of Rock 
Comity, lie has held various township olliccs and 
in poliliial sentiment is a true Jackson Democrat. 

On the 8th of February, 1881. !Mr. and INlis. 
Clark celebrated their golden wedding, having 
travelled life's journey together for a ixsriod of 
fifty years. Mau^' friends assembled in celebration 
of the happy occasion and a goodly luiiiiber of 
presents made of gold, were presented to them. 

The siileiidid portrait accompanying this sketch 
was made from a photo taken when in his 8;id 
year, and the autograjih was written in the s:iine 
year. 



IKNJAMIN C. ROGKRS, one of the e:irly 

and respected citizens of this county, who 

^))l] for twenty years was a prominent iiierchaiit 

of Bchiit, is a native of Portage County. 

Ohio, born Scj)!. 2, 1824. His father, William 

Uoiiers. w.as a native of Connecticut, and served as 

a soldier in the war of 1812. and was subsequently 



i= 



<»■ 



a pensioner of the same. In IMO.S. when ( )hio w:is 
a dense wilderness, he shouldered his rille and ax 
and started for that new Territory, to make a home 
and fortune. lie localeil in I'orlage County, where 
he formed the ac<pi:iintan'e of Miss Minerva (ioss, 
an<l about 1H12 they were united in marriage. She 
w:is bom on the banks of the Sus(|nelianna Uiver 
in l'ennsylvaiii;i. and was a daughter of .lohnlioss. 
one of Ohio's pioneer settlers. Tliey bei;aii their 
domestic life on a farm in I'ortage County, where 
eight children were born to them, four sons and 
four daughters, all of whom lived to mature years. 
William K., who serveil as a soldier in the late war, 
married Kllen llolleiibeck, and settled in I'ortsige 
County, where his death occurred; IJeiijamin ('., 
of this sketch, was the second in order of birth; 
Calista is now the wife of Richard Cross, a resident 
of La I'ortc Coiiiity. Iiid.; N'oliiey. who was also 
one of the boys in blue, wedded Miss Ellen Per- 
kins. an<l is now ivsiilini; in I'ortage County ; Mary 
A. is the wife of ('apt. Simon Perkins, who served 
with distinction in tlie late w;ir,and is now residing 
in Randolph Township, I'ortage Co.. Ohio. Of the 
other members of the family but little is known at 
this writing. Mr. and Mrs. Rttgers were Mumbered 
among the pionetrs of Portage County. Ohio, ami 
ill eonimon with all who settled on the frontier, en- 
dured many trials and hardships. The country was 
full of wild animals; wolves made the night hideous 
with their howling, and ninch trouble was occa-, 
sioned by besirs stealing the pigs from the barn- 
}-ard. The foo<l of the family wa:;- largely fur- 
nished by the natives of the forest; deer abounded 
and their table was almost dail^' supplied with veni- 
son ; plenty of wild honey could be .secured, and 
the maple trees furnished the sugar. The markets 
were far distant. Our subject can remember when 
his father had to riile the long distance of about 
lifty miles to Cleveland for salt, being guided by 
Indian trails and a iiockct conip.ass. Money was 
almost an unknown article, furs being one of the 
principal articles of exchange and almost the only 
thingfor which cash was pai<l. The first gristmill 
built in the section of the State whore the* Rogers 
family resided w:is twenty miles away from their 
home, and the journey had to be made on horse- 
liack, following a path marked by the blazing of 

■» 



. 



f 



i 



ROCK COUNTY. 




215 



ti'ct's, !is the roads had not then l>ci-n cut. When 
the canal was made, it was u.sed as a means of 
transpurtatiou to convey the farm proihicUs to tlie 
market, but w:ls only availalile in the summer lime, 
MS it was frozen over ilurinii the winter. Ilowevci", 
as time ])as.sed the profits of tlie farm increased, and 
Mr. Rogers at length liecame one of the well-to-do 
citizens of Poitage County. 

The suliject of our sketch received his piimary 
education in the common scliools, and heini;' of a 
studious nature, hy the time he wa.s twenty years 
of ;it;e, he was well fitted to teach, and therefore 
secured a school. With the t'ompensation received 
from his laliorsin that direction, he paid his tuition 
in the Liman Academy at Atwaler, I'ortaye Countw 
hut after one term spent as a student, he was em- 
ployed as a teacher, receiving :i half interest in the 
school, and rcmaincil with Ihc princi|)al of tiiesame 
for the period of seven yeais. In IS17 he started on 
a tour and traveleil extensively lhri>ui;li the Xorth- 
west. until at last, in 1S.')1 . he settled permaiienlly 
in lleloil. For a year he followed the profession of 
leachiui;-. when he enijaged as traveling; salesman 
for till' lirni of W. 1). Smith iV Co., remaining' in 
lliat employ for three years. At the end of that 
time, he embarked in the mercantile business in 
Beloit. prosecuting his trade for about twenty years, 
when he retired from active business. 

Ill 1.SJ7 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to 
Miss Marietta I'cltou. a native of ('hautau<|ua 
County, N. Y. Her death occurred Oct. '.», 1870. 
He was again married Oct. lo, 1871, at Madison, 
Wis., becoming the husband of Mrs. Mary Chcenej', 
a native of New York. 

Since locating in I'eloit, Mr. Rogers has been 
honored with sevei'al local ollices, including that of 
mayor of the city, and |)olicc justice, serving in the 
latter position for several 3'ears. Politically he was a 
Kepulilican until the second administration of I'resi- 
dent (1 rant, and since that time he has been, and 
still is an enthusiastic supporter of the Prohibition 
party. His long experience :is police justice tlujr- 
ougldy satisfied him that at least nine-tenths of the 
crimes committed in the community are caused bv 
strong drink, and that the highest duty the nation 
has to perform to-day is to effectually free itself 
from the curse of intemperance. He is a in.-ni well 



informed on all llic leading topics of the ilay, and 
gives to every subject careful considcr.'ition before 
making a decision, but when his mind is finally 
made u(i his views are luiallerable. Mr. Rogers 
can converse in five dilTerent languages, is a gO(^d 
conversationalist, and has won nianv friends 
thioughoul the county, who holil iiini in the iiigli- 
esl regard, lie is numbered among the prominent 
business men of lieloit, .and though he has now re- 
tired lo piivate life, he takes a w:uui interest in the 
welf.ire of the city. He is the owner of four good 
business blocks, in connection with which he has 
490 acres of l.md v;dued at*100 per acre, together 
with 200 acres of heavily timbered land in Wil- 
liamson County, 111., and IC.'i acres of fruit land in 
Indiana. 



IL^^AI.\KK I.. SKA\ LIOM, l.ile Sheriff of Rock 
Yl jr County, was born in the town of Newark, 
'^^^ \Vis.,<m the -•'.d of October, 1840. and is the 

(^ son of Lars and (iroe (Nelson) Skavlem. 
He received a coninion-school education, was reare<l 
to mauiiood on a f.Mrm, ami on the 1.5th of Decem- 
ber. 187.5, was united in marri:ige with Miss Gnnil 
Olmstead, a daughter of Hans and (Jerliude (Ode- 
gorden) Olmstead. Mrs. Skavlem was born in the 
town of Plymoulli, Rock County, March 30, I80I 
ami her mother was a daughterof Mrs. Odegorden, 
the second settler in the town of Newark. Her 
father was a farnier of Plymouth Township, and 
died in ISO 1, his wife departing this life May .'iO, 
1884. Mrs. Skavlem's grandfather, Harold Olm- 
stead, was an early settler of Newark, where he is 
still living at the advanced age of ninety -six years. 
The union of our subjt'ct and his wife has been 
blessed with four children, two sons and two 
daughters: llann.ah Luella, born Oct. 13. 1875; 
Louis Norman. Oct. I'J, 1877; Gertrude Juliana, 
Feb. 15, 1879; and Henry Oilman, .Fan. 31, 1885. 
Prior to his marriage, Mr. Skavlem went to Web- 
ster County, Iowa, where he was eng:»ged in teach- 
ing school, and also in hotelkeepiiig at Ft. Dodge. 
After his marriage, he settled in bis native town, 
Newark, and eng.aged in farming. In the fall of 
1871), he was elected Sheriff of Hock County, and 
entcr<'d upon the <luties of his ollice .Ian. 1, 1880, 



T^ 



■216 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



since which time he lias made his home in .lanes 
villc, engaged in the liuvinii; and siiippingof iiurses, 
and in the real estate l)nsiMess in Dakota. lie is a 
straight UepuMican in politics, and is liheral in his 
religious t>i)iniuns. Willi his family he attends the 
I'nitarian Chureh. 

Mr. fSkavlem has always had a Uiste for the study 
of natural history in which he takes great delight, 
and which has led hini to gather a large and varied 
collcctioM of birds and animals, numl)ering in :dl 
upward of 40(1 varieties. Being an exjx'rl taxi- 
dermist, he has them mounted in elegant style, 
making a desiralilc collection, i-'or the past five 
years he has reported for the ( )iniliiological Divi- 
sion of the Dei)artnient of Agriculture at Washing- 
ton, D. C, and has liecn employed in collecting 
scientilic statistics for the same. lie has a fine 
library of standard historical and .scientific works, 
and has also been a great student in that direction. 
Gentleniaidy and courteous in manner, well in- 
formed on the topics of the day. and an original 
thinker of the school of Darwin ami Huxley, lie is 
always an entertaining couipaniou and pleasant 
host. 



#-# 



-{— 




lllM.KV W liACON, a leading farmer and 
j) stock-raiser residing on section :)t'>. ],a 
I'rairie Township, was born on the 2;5d of 
.\ugust, 1824, in Franklin County. INIass., 
and is a son of Adolphus and Sophia (Newton) 
r.acon, who were also natives of Franklin County, 
the father born of Irish parentage, the mother de- 
scended from Sct)tch ancestry. 1 hey had a family 
of three children — Adol|)hus N., a carpenter and 
joiner, who died m Jliehigan in 1>H8(>; Lydia, who 
Ijecame the wife of llarlev Hooker, a resident of 
Kansas City. Rio., and I'hiidey V'., of this sketch. 
The death of the father occurred in l«2',t, being 
caused by the kick of a horse. His wife survived 
him many long years, dying in I.HS2, at the home 
of her daughter in Kansas City, at the age of 
eighty-seven years. 

Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon schools. His father being killed when he was 
but live years of age he went to live with an aunt, 
his mother's sister, with whom he remained until 



the age of nine years, lie then returned to his na- 
tive county, where he attended school, but at the 
age of twelve years went to Living.ston County, 
N. Y.. m.aking his home with an uncle until attain- 
ing his majority. In KSl.") he started for Texas. 
bill on reaching Rock County, where his mother 
was living, she so 0|iposed the plan of her son go- 
ing to that far dist.-mt Slate, tliat he resolved to cast 
his lot with the early settlers of Wisconsin. Dur- 
ing the summer months he engaged in teannng in 
lieloit. and spent the winters in the pineries of the 
State, working alternately at th<.>se occupations for 
about six years. 

On the 2Gth of .lun<'. 1K.')(), .Mr. IJacon was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Julia Hurnliam, who was 
born July ".). 1S2(!. in East Windsor, Hartford Co., 
Conn., and is a daughter of Lucius and I'ermelia 
(Goodrich) Hurnliam. The Burnham family came 
to Rock County about the year 1H.'57. locating on 
the farm where our subject now resides. At that 
lime but one house marked the site of the present 
be.'iiiliful city of Hcloit, and bclweeii Ihe farm lui 
which Mr. linrnham located and that village, there 
was also but one caliin. In 18.52 he returned to 
his home ill the east, where he resiiled until de.-ith, 
though he again visited his farm in this county. 
He died in 1884, at the age of eighty-two years, 
and his wife dei>arted this life in 1.S78. at the age 
of seventy-four jears. Mr. IJiirnham was an act- 
ive Worker in the Methodist Church, and his wife 
a consistent member of the llaptist Clmreli. 

Mr. and Mrs. B.acon began their ilomeslic life 
upon a renleil farm. The first crop of wheat that 
he raised he sold for tweiily-nine cents per bushel, 
oats brought eight cents, and com sold from ten to 
twelve cents per bushel. Many were the privations 
an<l hardships to be endured in those pioneer days, 
yet happiiie.ss and pleasure were not wanting in the 
little cabins. Though the coiintry was so wild that 
the deer yet roamed over the prairies and the howl- 
ing of the wolves often broke upon the stillness of 
the night, true lios|)italily abounded in those days, 
and the traveler was always a welcome guest. In 
1H.')4 Mr. Bacon m.ade his lirst purchase of land, con- 
sisting of a trad of fort3' acres in the town of Brad- 
ford, and the following year erected a little caliiii 
into which the family inove<l. Alittle ilaughter came 



•^tr?^ 



't 



■-.-K3K. 




^ 




S^ 

fb 

■^ 

S 

^ 





.^ 




^ 



-iN- 



-•»• 



ROCK COUNTY. 



217 



U) \n\ug sunshine to the home, and previous to tliis 
liuic a son had ln'cn horn. Tiie latter. Fr:ink .1.. 
who was horn in lU'hiit, Oct. 20, ISiiS, wedded Miss 
Al.'iiy .1. Ildlly. ami is engaged in farniinij in Ham- 
lin Couiity, Dak.; the former, llallic, who was horn 
Oet. 27. lHr)8, is now the wife of L. A. Meloy, a 
resident farmer of this county. 

Ilntil 1804 Mr. Hacon remained upon liis orig- 
inal f.arm. when they removed to their present 
home on section ."iC, La I'raiiie Township. The 
same year he erected the two- story house, their 
present home. Mrs. Bacon's father erected thclirst 
frame house in Rock County, which is situated on 
this farm, and Is still st.'in<ling, one of the few relies 
of pioneer days which has withstood the rav.-i^es of 
time. The farm now comprises 12C acres of land 
nndei' a fine state of cultivation, and though he- 
ginning life in limited circunistaiu'cs Mr. Hacon is 
now regarded .as one of the leading, well-to-do 
f.-irniei-s of llie toniisliip. his competency having 
lieeu gained by Ins own honest efforts of in(lnsti\ 
.and economy- "e is a friend to all social, moral 
anil educational interests, and provided his ehiMren 
with good educational advantages. I lis daughter 
is a graduate of the Milton High .School, ;\nd for 
some years w.is n successful teacher in this neigh- 
lioilioixl. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are memhei's 
of the Congregational Church. an<I to its advance- 
menl have given liherally of their time and nie;ins. 
He is a Republican in polities, and for six years 
served as a memher of the School Board, and .-is 
Road Supervisor. Honest and upright, genial in 
manner, he has won the lespecl of .dl who know 
him. 

— -^^ ^*s^- ^-^-■ 

THOMAS LAl'l'l N. the piimeer iiierclianl of 
.lanesville, was horn in County Me.ad, Ire- 
land, on the 12th of .M.ay, IHTi, an<l is a 
son of William and Ann (Welch) l.appin. His 
falhei- was an only son, anil his mother an onl}' 
daughter, conserpiently the list of cousins, aunts 
and uiieles which onr snhjecl can ho.ast, is neces- 
sarily lindted. In 1H25 the family emigiiited from 
Ireland to America, settling in the city of New 
York, whence, after there spending two years. 
the\ removed to Detroit, Mich., where Thomas 




learned the i)rinter's trade. In the Spring of 1838 
he set sail for Milwaukee, Wis., taking a small 
slock of general merchandise with liini. in which 
.1. & L. Ward, of Detroit, were interested. The 
vessel in which he sailed w.as wrecked on the reefs 
of Mackinaw, and hut a small portion of stock was 
saved. With this remnant of his goods. Mr. Lap- 
pin loaiU'd some small long boats used for coasting, 
known as Mackinaws, and made for Crcen Bay. 
then the most important trading point in Wiscf>nsin 
Territory-, w here he hoped to effect a sale. Failing 
in this, and lieing anxious to meet his |)artners in 
Milw.aukee. he stored the goods, and, out of pa- 
tience waiting for an expected hoal. with some 
others started on fool over the Indian trail for 
Milwaukee. On coming in sight of the Lake near 
the Old North Point Light Ilou.se, they had the 
pleasure of .seeing the boat for which the\ had 
waited, p.ass llieni, luit Jis she did not touch at Mil- 
tv:iukee it v/ns just .as well for them that tlie\- had 
not secured pass.age. Arriving at his desliiialion. 
Mr. Lappin there spent the Summer and Fall, .■uid 
in December of the s;U]ie year came to .lanesville. 
where, in comp.-uiy with the Wards, he opened (he 
lirst general store in this cit\-. in .lune. I s.V.I ; in 
fact it was the lirst store of any kind in the town. 
They occupied a one .story frame building which 
sdiod on Main street, where Benned's building now 
stands, and their stock invoiced 45350, being com- 
posed of a general .a.ssortnient of nn-rchandise. In 
1 H4(l the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Lappin 
began business himself with a slock valued al-i;| l(t. 
lie walked to Chic.ag-) to replenish his stock, and 
having ef)mpleted his |)m-chase found (hal he had 
exceeded (he amonnt of his cash by ti|;j. foi- which 
(he house refused to trust him, the recent panic in 
linancial alTairs having destroyed conunercial con- 
(idenCe. In is 10 he erected a two story frame 
building on (lie present site of Lappin's block, and 
soon aflerwai'ds W. 11. II. B.ailev became a pardier 
in the business, which connection continued until 
1 s 1 2. 

On the 2nd day of .November, 1.S47. Mr. Lappin 
w.as united in marriage at .lanesville wi(h Miss 
Mary .1. .lackman, a daughter of Timothy and 
Kslhei' (Cooper) .lackman. .She was born near 
Saratoga, N. Y. Four children graced their union. 



-^ 



4*- 



■218 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Kmma A., the eldest, is the wife of Edwin F. Cai- 
lientcr, an attornej- of Jancsviile, whose sketch ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work; Ellen Josephine, who 
wedded llenrv A. Uoty, died in September, 1873; 
Mary Esther is the wife of Henry A. Doty, a former 
lirother-in-iaw, who is a inannf.-ictiirer of .lanes- 
ville; Harriet Maria wedded Edward M. Hyzcr, 
of the firm of Winans A- llyzcr, attorneys of 
Janesville. 

Alioiit the time of ids marriage, Mr. Lappin pur- 
eiiased a farm near the eily, sinee included in the 
corporation, for which he paid *1(I00 .and $1500 in 
notes, taken in tlie way of htisiness. lie opened a 
hrick-yard on his farm and from a i>art of the pro- 
ducts of his kilns built the Iari;e three story block 
at the soiilliwest corner of Main and Milwaukee 
streets. The block is 1 1 4 feet front on Main street 
and extends along Milwaukee street to tlie Rock 
l!iver. He linally soM liis farm for ^I 1,.')00 and 
returned to the city to live. lie lias ever l)een one 
of the enlerprisiu;; and progressive citizens of 
Kock County, and is held in high regard by all. 

L. LIVINGSTON, the owner of .i fine farm of 
IfiO .acres on section 2.5. liiiidford Townshii), 
,^ h.as been a resident of Rock County, since 
the year 1842. He was born in liroome County, 
X. Y., in 18.'.8. and is a .sou of Ezer .and Eliz- 
abeth (Saveshnry) Livingston, both of whom 
were also natives of the Kmpire Stale. The union 
of this worthy couple was celebrated in Schoharie 
County, N. Y.. and in tlie year 1812. they cinigni- 
ted with their family, which iiuiMbcrcd thirteen 
children, to Wisconsin, and located in the town of 
IJiadford, lioeU County. The following .are the 
names of their children in order of birth — William, 
Caroline, Charles, .lames, John, lliild.i, .lacob. I. L.. 
Ceorge. .Ml>ert. liutli, Fletcher and Linn. Soon 
after their arrival in this county, death visited the 
pioneer htmic taking from it the daughter. Hulda. 
Four of the brothers of that family served their 
country during the late w.ir. James, who enlisted 
at Ripon, Wis., in the llh Wisconsin Hattery. w.as 
taken prisoner, conliueil at Andersonville and af- 
terwards transferied to the Libby l>risoii. wlierc he 



died from the effects of ill usage and disease con- 
tracted while in the former prison; John also en- 
listed at Ripon. becoming a member of the Ith 
Wisconsin Infantry; .and George defended the 
old (I.ag .as a member of the 13th Wisconsin 
Regiment, his name having been enrolled among 
the boys in blue .at Janesville; Albert enlisted in 
the regular service and w.as consigned to the Ileav}' 
Artillery. 

Our subject was but four years of age when he 
came with his parents to Rock County, where lie 
has p.asseil the remainder of his life. He received 
his education in the common schools and si)ent his 
early years in the usual manner of farmer l.ads 
assisting in the work of cultivating the farm 
.as soon as he w:is old enough to handle the plow. 
lie is now regarded as one of the le.ailing ;iiid en- 
terprising farmers of Bradford Town.ship. where he 
owns IGO acres of fine land, which pays tribute to 
his care .and cultivation. Many beautiful and use- 
ful improvements have been made, while every- 
thing about the place denotes the thrift and indus- 
try of the owner. In l.Slili. Mr. Li\ingstou was 
united in marriage with Miss I'rsula .lolmson, of 
Darii'ii. Walworth County. She is the daughter of 
Iliram and Almira (lUnidy) Johnson. The latter 
j'et resides in the village of Darieii. but the former 
died May 111, 1888. 

Three children came to bless the union of I. L. 
Livingston and Fi-sula Johnson. James Earl, born 
Jan. 2'.», I8(;!i; Myron Ellsworth, born July 29, 
1875; Ira. born Nov. 14, 1885. Politically, Mr. 
Livingston is a Republican, wiiile socially, he is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. As a citizen, 
he is held in the highest regard. 





^iloM.VS Al'LD, deceased, was numbered 
among the early settlers of Rock Count3\ 
He w.as born in County Antrim. Ireland, in 
the year 1802, and his early life was pa.s.sed in his 
native land. He was a farmer l)y occupation, and 
in 184(>, emigrated to America, first settling near 
Portsmouth. Ohio, where he ma<lc his home for 
one year. At the expiration of that time, he came 
to Rock County, choosing La Prairie Townsliip as 



^ 



f 



/ 




vr^,> 





,^iU^s 






cM/^^^ -Wfc^CA. S ^c^Zoi 



4= 



ROCK COUNTY. 



219 4 



llic scene of his future laliois. He piircli.-i.scd 1G(I 
.■KTcs of land on scftioii 2, upon whicli not a fur- 
row had hi'iMi turned, a fence huill, or a shigle im- 
provement ?iiade. Will) eliaraeteristie energy he 
licgau tile cullivalion of liis land vvhieii, soon 
plowed and planted, hegan yiehlinga good harvest. 
( tn the f.-uni then |)ureh!ised he resided until his 
death, wliieh occurred in tJit month of .lune, at the 
age of lifly-live years. 

In lS;i3, Mr. Auld was united in marriage with 
Jane Auld, who was also horn in Couul.y Antrim, 
Ireland. 'I'hcy were the jiarents of four children 
— lohn, who was formerly a merchant of Rlinnc- 
nppolis, Minn., is now residing in Washington 
Agnes, the wife of Hugh Stockman, a farmer, 
of Milton Township: Josias resides on the old 
homestead; Martha, wife of Hugh H. Stockman, a 
resident farmer of Kock County. Iloth |)arents 
were memhers of the l*iesli3'terian Church. Mr. 
Auld was an enterprisiug and sj'stpuialic farmer, 
and ranked among the leading citizens of the county. 
lie was ipiiet and conscrv.itivc, the soul of integ- 
rity in all his business transactions, and politically, 
was a suppoiter of the Ivopublican paity. liis 
wife is still li\ ing and makes her home with her 
daugliter .Vgnes in Milton Township. 

.losias Auhl, who resides on the old homestead, 
eame to Uoek County, in chihlluKxl, and has here 
since eontinue<l to reside. His <'ducation was re- 
ceived in the ilistricl schools, and he was reared to 
manhood on the farm which he still m.akfs his 
home. When the war hroke out, .lohu Auld was 
one of the fiist to respond to President Lincoln's 
call for troops, and enlisting in IKCl, .serve<l until 
l.scri. He entered the service as a private', becom- 
ing a member of the Kith Wisconsin Infantry, 
but by his meritorious conduct was jironiottid 
to the lank of cajitain, being in command of 
Company A. He participated in many of the 
hard fought battles of the war, an<l for four j'ears 
endured the trials and hardships wliicli form a 
part of tiie soldier's lot. 

On the.'Hstday of January. 1.S83, Jcsias Auld led 
to the marriage altar Mi.-fs Clara K. Smith, who was 
born in Milton Township, this county, and is a 
daughter of Milo Smith. Four children grace 
their union — Josias C.. John Milo. Clru'a K.. anil 



Alice. Ml-. .\uld is now engaged in general farm- 
ing. He inherited fiom his father those traits of 
enterprise and industry, which are so essential to 
success in life, and is numbered among the prom- 
inent and pidgre.-<sive farmers of the township. 
His f.arm comprises 180 acres of hand which is 
highly improved. On the ;5rd day of September, 
1888, just as he h:id liuished threshing his grain, 
he had the misfortune to lose by fire his entire 
crop, together with his barn, entailing a loss of 
^.■?,r)()0. Politically, he is a supporter of the Re- 
publican part\-, an<l he and his wife .are members of 
tlie I'resbyterian Church. 



#^ 



-V— 



JTOIIN A. rKCICHAM.a represent.ative farmer 
I of Jaucsville Township, residing on section 
I 10, was born in New Bedford. Bristol Co.. 
' M.as.s., in the year 1828. liis grandparents 
j were members of the Society of Friends, and his 
p.arents, Thomas and Martha (Maxfield) Peckham. 
were natives of Mass.-ichusctts. Tlifun.as Peckham 
was a mason b}' tr.ade, and followed that occupa- 
i tion until IH.i.'i, when accoin[)anied by his family, 
I he removed to New York anil engaged in f.armintr 
! until his death, which occurred in 1861. His wife 
! preceded him to her fin.al rest, dying in 18,"il. 

The subject of this sketch pa.s.sed the days of his 
boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, and his 
education was received in the district schools of 
\ the Kmpire St;itc. Pemaiiiing in New Viuk until 
the fall of ISi'iO, he then bade goodl)y to his home 
and friends, and started for the then far West. 
Locating in Rock County, lie w.is employed as a 
teacher in the village school the following winter, 
after which he returned to his ohi home. After four 
j'cars h:id p.as.sed he again came to Rock Coiintv. 
but previously spent one ye.ar in Mcllenrv C'ountv. 
HI., where he owned a farm. 

In 18r)(!, in Rock County, Wis., the union of J. 
A. Peckham and Mi.ss Catherine .St. John was cele- 
br.ated. The lady is a native of the (ireen Moun- 
tain Stjite, and a daughter of Levi and Tryphena 
(Barber) St. John, both of whom were born in 
Iluhbardton, Rutland Co., \'t. At various times 
her father followed the three trades of a tanner 






-^^ 



220 



*4r- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



cun-ier, and a slioeiiiaker in his native State. In 
I83(i, lie came to wliat is now Rock County. Wis., 
Ihon forming a ))art of what was known .a.s tiie 
Norlhwcstcrii 'I^M-ritoiy, inciniling Micliijjan, Wis- 
consin, lowii, and other lands. 'I'wo houses marked 
the site of liie present city of .Iniiesville, wiiich li.as 
now a iiopniation of twelve thousand, and the en- 
tire coiinly was almost an unsettled wilderness. 
Kiileriuu land from tiie (Government, he developed 
;i I'.'nni and altoiii'thei' iini)roved 70(1 acres of land 
ill liiK-k ('(iiiiily. :nid the lirst farm on which he lo- 
cateil, was retained in the family until after his 
death, which occurred in 18Gl,at the .age of si.Kty- 
two yenrs. Mr. St. John assisted in organizing the 
county, later seryed as Alderman of the city for 
several years, and was niiiiilierecl amf>ng its hon- 
ored pioneer settlers, for in no siiiiUl di'gree ilid he 
assist in |pl:icing Rock County in its present exalted 
position in this great commonwealth. Socially', he 
was a member of the I.O. (). V. His wife survi\('d 
him for about eleven years, dying in ■Iiuiesyille in 
1H7"2. in the seventieth year of lier.igc. The}' were 
the parents of seyeral cliildreii, namely: Minerva, 
now Mis. Ransom, residing in .lewell (Joiinty, Kan.; 
DayitI !>., who is married .'ind resides in .Jewell 
County. K;ni.; Dr. .1. \.. whose wife is an artist of 
wide reputation, spends p:irt of the time in Cali- 
forni.'i. and the leniainder in New ^'orkCity; Eliza, 
now Mrs. iiely. is living in {'.•iliforiii;i ; ••ind S. Cor- 
nelia, who became Mrs. Wheeler, died in California, 
on the 7th of April, 18H7; Dr. .1. W. is living in 
.1:inesville. 

Since 1K7<), Mr. IVckham has resided on his pres- 
ent fruni, which comprises Hid acres of line arable 
1:111(1. ;uid which is under :i high slate of cnltiva- 
tion. In connection nilli general farniing. he gives 
considendile lU.tention to the i:iisiiig of Norman 
horses and Shoit-lioin c:illle. in which he is (piite 
successful, lie docs not take an active part in 
political ;itTairs. yet is an enthusi.astic .and :udent be- 
lieve]' in the principles :idyoc:ited by the IJepnb- 
lican (iarly. For some years past he has held the 
ollicc of 'rownship Assessor, and is the present iii- 
ciiiiiliciit. Soci:illy. he is:i mcmlier of the 1. ( >. ( ». 1''. 

Mr. and Mrs. I'eckhani have been the parents of 
six cliildren. but only t woare now liying: Louis S., 
is mariied :iiid resides in M;irsh;dl, low:i, where he 



is engaged in the grocery business; Aelon II. died 
Jan. 12, 1862, when about t\vo years of age; Helen, 
born April 2. 18G2. died Feb. 21, 1886; Thomas, 
born Dec. IS. 1866, died on the 18th of March 
following; St. John, born Oct. 18, 1868, died .Ian. 
;iO. 1878; J.ames AV,. born Nov. 3. 1871. is now at- 
tending school. JNIr. I'eckham is a man of high re- 
spectability, and is numbered among this county's 
best citizens, in whose interests an<l enterprises he 
has ever taken an active part. He is rather (piiet 
in m;inner. and although often solicited to .acce))! 
local ollices, has respectfully declined, though he 
has served several times as Assessor. 



'-'-^;^^VU^:7^^-^ 



x^-*-— 



S^DWARD .1. KKNT, dc:il 
Ifel p;iints, glass, etc., is one <: 
J ' — ^ ness men of .I;niesville, an 



iler in w:ill-paper. 
of the leading bnsi- 
/| i — ^ ness men of .I;niesville, and Jilso does house, 
sign and decor.ntive p;iinling. He is a native of 
Kngland. born in Kent, on the l.'Uh d:iy of Feb- 
ruary. is;il and is a son of John ami Susan Kent. 
His boyhood d^ys were spent in his native county 
until sixteen yeius of age, when he went to J.,on- 
don, anil there learned the trade of painting and 
decorating, which lie li:is followed :ilniost conlin- 
nonsly since. Thinking to belter his condition by 
becoming a resident of Anierica, in ISIllI he bade 
good-bye to home !ind fiii'inls :ind crosscil the At- 
lantic. After hinding in this country, he .at once 
continiu^d his jt)urney until reaching .l.anesville. 
Wis,, Avhere he settled peiinanently. F\)r .some time 
he worked at his trade in the employ of others, 
and in l.S7(i. established business for himself. He 
is loc:it('il at the corni'r of Dodge ;iiid River streets. 
and employs on an ayciage from eight to twelve 
men. He carries a complete stock of wall-jjaper, 
p;iints. ghiss. etc.. and his eslablishnicnt has be- 
come a leading one in its line in the cit}'. I'.y f:iir 
dealing and good work he has built up a good busi- 
ness. 

In October. IStio, while residing in London, Eng- 
l:nid. Mr. Kent w:ls united in marri:ige to Miss 
Louisa Rush, who is a native of tli;it city, and a 
daughter of William Rush. A f:iinily of ten chil- 
dren, three sons :uid seven d:iugliters. have been 
born unto them: Kddie. the eldest, died liebne the 

■» 





j2^'7-^iyoy 



t^l^z^xJ 



^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



223 



removiil of the family from Englanrl; William 
married Miss Ida Phelps, and resides in Auburn 
I'ark, III.; Alice is now tliewife of Will Arris, a resi- 
dent of Janesviiic; Ada wedded Frank Pecliin, and 
resiiles at Huron, Dak.; Winnie resides with her 
parents; Aitliur is a railroad man. residini;' at 
Huron, Dak. ; Annie is the wife of Charles lleni- 
minj^. of Rockford, III.; Clara. Lulu, and Nettie 
dwell at home. With the exee|)tion of the two 
youngest children all were horn in England. Mrs. 
Kent and the older children are members of the 
( 'ongregational Chureh. 

In political sentinienl. Mr. Kent is a supporter of 
llie Republican party, and soeir.lly, is a mend)er of 
the A. (). r. W; the Wisconsin Lodge, No. 11, 
I. ().(). v.: and of .lanesville Council, No. 238. 
National Union. He is a wide-awake, active busi- 
ness man, progressive and public-spiritcil. and 
since l)ee<>ming a resident of .lanesville, has won 
manv friends ■who hold him in high regard. 



ENRV DAMS, one of the early settlers of 
the county, residing on section 23, La Prai- 
rie Township, was liurn in the State of New 
York in 1832. His parents, Ira S. and Al- 
pha (Hull) Davis, were both natives of Vermont, 
and were of Welsh descent. His father died when 
he was a child of three years, after which his 
mother w.as again married, becoming the wife of 
Dayton Hedges. The children of her first marriage 
were: Henjainin, who is iuiiiil>ere<l among the | 
pioneer settlers of Rock County, .and is cng.aged in ! 
f.'iiining in Porter Township; Polly, who became 
the wife of Peter Morgan, of AIniira, N. Y.. in 
which city her death occurre<l; Caroline, wife of 
(■eorge I"'o<jte, of IIa\an:i, N. Y.; Pluebe. who 
married ()rrin .leronie, and after his death becanie I 
the wife of a Mr. I!:iskett. who died in Missouri, \ 
and her di'.-ith occurred in Linn County, that State; 
( leorge. who is engage<l in f.irming in Chenango 
( ounty, N. Y.; ;iud Henry, of this sketch, who is 
llie youngest of llie family. He has two h.alf- 
sisters — M.ary .1.. wife of Simon Waile.and Louisa, 
who Is also marrie<l and resides in Nebraska. The 

<■ 



maternal grandfather of our subject, Darius Hull, 
served his country during the War of 1812. in 
which he held the rank of Captain. 

When Henry was but three years old, his father 
died, after which he went to live in the family of 
a farmer by the name of Wcblerj', who resided in 
New York, but being so cruelly treated, his 
mother brought the young lad back to his home. 
He afterwards entered the family of one John 
(ioodell, with whom he remained for several years, 
but at length returned to his mother, who in the 
meantime had been.ag.ain married. In 1851, when 
nini'teen years of age, he left home and went to La 
Prairie Townshi)). In the meantime, the family 
had come to Rock County, in 1818, settling in Por- 
ter Townshi]). After leaving home. Mr. Davis en- 
g.aged as a fai-ra hand for several months, being in 
the employ of Mr. Hitchcock, after which he 
worked for Hiram Kincii for one year. 

In the spring of 1855 our subject was united in 
ra.arriage with Hannah ,\. Sparrowk, a nativeof N'er- 
mont, and by their union nine ehihlren were born, 
eight of whom are now living — Aljjha A., wife of 
Simon IvnoiT, a resident of .lanesville; Hannah, 
who wedded (leorge Davis, of .lanesville; Alice C. 
wife of (Jeorge E. Deen; (leorge II. 15., a resident 
farmer' of La Prairie Township; .lohn (1.. who 
makes his home in .lanesville; Kittle R., Eiank E. 
and Nora M., who are at home. The mother of 
this family died on the 9tli d.ay of .September. I.s7 I, 
at the ag(? of thirty-nine years, .after which Mr. 
Davis was again married. Miss Fannie Terweilleger. 
a native of Pennsylvania, becoming his wife. To 
them has been born one child — Chailcs I!. 

Mr. Davis has been honored l>y his fcllow-iitizens 
with several local ottices of trust, including that of 
Township Treasurer, which he held for the long 
period of fourteen years. Politically he alliliates 
witli the IJepubliean party. In 185 1 he purchased 
eighty acres of land, situated on section 23, La 
Prairie Townshi|i. which he immediately began to 
improve .'uid enltl\ate, and now has one of the 
linesl farms in the \ Iclnity, its boundaries, however, 
having been exten<lcd until it now comprises 32(1 
acres. He hits made a specialty of raising line 
sheep, and is regarded :us one of the progressive and 
enter|)rising citizens of the coniil\-. Fiiianeiallv, ' 



224 



ROCK ^'OINTY. 




Mr. Davis is a self-made man. He diil not oven 
receive an artvancefl education to aid liiin in lil'f. 
for his only opportnnities were those atTorded by 
the district schools, but with characleristic energy 
he determined to make life a success, and has ear- 
nestly and faithfully labored, until he is now num- 
bered among the well-to-do farmers. See portrait 
upon another page. 

-'•' ^ • 3 ' I ' >^" *" 

=-^ij^\A'/AAll SllKKMAN. a leading farmer of 
t. @d { l,a I'rairie 'I'ownsliip, residing on section 
ll\ 11, is numbered among the early settlers 
of thisconnty, dating his residence back to 
May, 1817. lie was born in Albany County. 
N. Y., in the year lH-22. and is the son of .Mtnriii 
and Prudence ( Mereliant) Sherman, the former a 
native of Nantucket Islam!, and the latter of .M- 
bany County, N. V. His paternal grandfather. 
Amnziah Sherman, w:ts born in Rhode Island of 
Welsh descent, and throughout his life followed 
the sea, being Cai)tain of a vessel. 

Mr. Sherman, the father of our snliject. engaged 
in agricultural pursuits (hiring his younger days, 
but in after years dealt in innd)er. Accompanied 
bv his family, he emigrated to the West in I.SIG, 
and choosing Rock County, Wis., for his future 
home, took up his residence on section 11, La Prai- 
rie Township. Enteringa claim of eighty acres, he 
immediately began improving the farm, but after 
three short years had passed, he departed this life, 
dying at the age of forty-nine. His wife survived 
him many years, dying in 187H, at the age of sev- 
enty-two years. They were the parents of four 
children: Adelman, born in January, 1S21, became 
a resident of Rock County in 1841, driving a team 
fr<jm New York, and in this community his death 
occurred in January, 1875; Amaziah is the next in 
order of birth; George, who was born in 182ii, 
emigrated to this county in 18-lfi, locating on sec- 
tion 11, La Prairie Townshii), but subsequently re- 
niovcd to sectiiui 8, where he made his honn- until 
his death, which occurred in November, 188:5; Jane, 
the youngest, was the wife of I'liilander M. Kinch, 
of Janesvillc; she w.ns called to her final i-e.st in 
March, 1889. The father of this family w:ts num- 



bered among the prominent and respected citizens 
of La Prairie Township. He took great interest in 
political affairs, easting his ballot with the Whig 
|)arty. and wliile residing in New York, served as 
Captain of the State Militia. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm 
life, an<l also aided his father in the lumber busi- 
ness. His education w.as received in the common 
school, and in his native State the days of his lioy- 
hood and youth were passed. In 1847 he left New 
York and emigrated to Wisconsin, taking up iiis 
residence in Uoek County. He entere<l a claim of 
t'ighty acres on section II, La Prairie Township, 
which he place(l under a high stale of cultivation, 
liut h:is since disposeil of half that amount. 

T\v(j j'ears previous to his removal to the West. 
Mr. Sherman was united in marriage with Miss 
Harriet A. .lones, a native of New York, but her 
death occurred about thirty-five years ago. Ik- 
was again married, in the monlh of September, 
18.")7, at which lime he wedded Sar.ih Johnson, a 
native of Yates County, N. \ .. and a ilaughtcr of 
Daniel II. ••ind Nan<y M. (I-Mnchl Johnson, who 
were also born in the same Stale. The death of 
the father occurred in New York. an<l her mother 
died in Michigan. ^Ir. and Mrs. Sherman are the 
parents of two children: Walter, who is at home; 
and Fred, a carpentci' li}' trade, now living in Chi- 
cago. In his political sentiments Mr. Sherman is a 
Republican, and has helil the oltiee of Township 
Treasurer, and also that of Supervisor for several 
years. Socially, he is a member of the Patrons of 
Husbandry, and is a man who takes great interest in 
pnblii' atl'airs, being well informed on all tiie lead- 
ing issues of the day. 



R.VNCIS DANO. of Janesville, one of the 
?ii l>ioneer settlers of Rock County, of 1811, 
is a native of Boston, Mas.s., born Feb. Mi. 
1810. His father, Francis Dano. w.as a native of 
France, and when a young man emigrated to IJos- 
ton, where he married Miss Hetsy Vose, a native of 
that city, and a daughter of Kmeliah \'ose. Her 
father w:us a soldier in the War of the Revolution, 
and was a commissioned officer under Gen. Wash- 



■h 



lUK'K COUNTY, 






f 



ington. Tlie family is of English descent, and 
was fuiiMili'cl III lliis cdiiiiliv during the early days 
of Ni'w JMijiland history. In fact, Huston has licen 
the home of the N'osu family for nian^' generations, 
and ntnnerous arc its representatives, who still re- 
side in that city. 

Kraneis Dano. Sr., and hi.s wife removed from 
Boston to N'ermoiit, when our suhjeet was a lad of 
four years, and .settled in the eity of Vergennes. 
There tliey resided for many years until after the 
mother's death, when the f.atlier removed to an- 
other part of the State, where his own deatli oc- 
curred. They were the parents of four children, 
two sons and two daughters, though our siiliject 
is theoni}' one now living. The other mendicrs of 
the family were Eliza, whodieil in early life; .lane, 
(dec,ea><ed) wife of a Mr. Richards, of Hock County ; 
William <lied in Sauk County, Wis., in the fall of 
IHHfi, leaving a family of sc\('ii children. 

When lifteen y<'ars of age, our subject was ap- 
prentiec(l to the tr.ade of a lilaeksniith, wliicli lu' 
made his principal occupation while residing in 
the East. On the I Ith day of .\ugust, 18.SI, in 
Wiiyhridge, Vt., Mr. Dano was united in mai-riage 
Sarahpliina I'ldiner, a native of the; (4reen .Moun- 
tain St.alc. Alioiit two j'ears after their marriage to 
they removed to Monroe County, N. V., where 
Mr. Dano worked at his trade. A nunilier of years 
having i)!issed, in which he accumulate(l a few hun- 
dred dollars as the result of his l;ilior, lie resolved 
to come West and invest it in real estate, where 
land was cheaper than in the older and more set- 
tled States of the EjusI. deceiving favorahle ac- 
counts of Uock County, Wis., from neighbors and 
friends, who had made this county their home, he 
de<-iile(l to make .lanes\lllo his olijeetive point, 
and llie autumn of IK14, found him in this eity, 
then a handet containing about 400 inhabitants. 
The methods of traveliTig f<H'ty-live years ago 
were tpnte different from the pi'e.«cnt luxurious 
mode. Mr. D:uio accompaiued by his wife and 
three children, left his home in Ogden, Monroe Co., 
N. Y., going by the way of the Erie Canal to Buf-. 
alo, and thence by steamer around the Lakes Ur 
Milw.aiikee. whence lie transferred his faiiiiU :ind 
effects by team to .laiiesville. The joiiriie\ which 
ean now be accomplished in a day then retpiired a 



week. After arriving in this eity, Mr. Dano en- 
gaged in blaeksmithing, which he has followed in 
connection with v.arious other occupations coiitiu- 
uonsly since. His wife who accompanied liim on 
this tedious journey and who shared with him the 
trials and privations of pionec'r life, and for over 
fifty-seven years wjus a true helpmate to him, dieil 
Jul3' 2, 1884. 'J'hey were the p.arents of four chil- 
dren, namely: J.ane Ann, who is now the widow of 
Oarrett Ostran<ler; P'raneis E.; Ellen V., wife of 
O. E. Newton; and Ernest A., the youngest of the 
f.aniily. 

On the .".(Ith d;iy of November, 1885, Mr. Dano 
W.MS niarrieil to Mis. iMiniee I'ayne, widow of 
Charles Howard I'ayne. Her maiden ii:iiiic w;is 
Eunice I'reston, a daughter of C'harles and Betsy 
( Blanding) Preston, and she was born in the town 
of Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. \. Eor many ye:irs 
she resided in Corning, N. Y.. and in I8(;2 came 
to .hinesvillc. The following year, she wedded Mr. 
Payne, who died in May, 1884. 

Eor till' long period of forty-five years, Mr. Daiio 
has lieeii a resident of .laiiesville, and li.'i.s witnessed 
its growth from a mere village to one of Wisttou- 
sin's most prosperous and growingcities. In early 
life, in his political seutinients, he sui)poitcd the 
Whig party, but when the Republican p.aily was 
formed, joined that organization, with which he 
has since been identifieil. In religions belief, .Mr. 
Dmuo and wife arc li.-iptists, and have long lieeu 
connected with the eliuich of that name. I'hiis 
we have given a brief sketch of one of .lanesville's 
oldest and most highly esteemed citizens, who is 
well worthy a place in the permanent reciwd of the 
old settlers of Ituck Count\. 



J n AMES II. ELLWOOD is a farmer of Rock 
I { 'oiinty, now residing in Union. In record- 
I iug the events of his life, we give the liis- 
' lory of one of the .self-made men of the 
county, who, though starting out in limited cir- 
eumstances, h.as by industry and economy, and the 
.assist.ance of his estimable and frugal wife, acipiiicd 
a eonipetcnce. He was born in (..ivingstcui County. 
N. Y.. on the "ilid of October. I.S.!I. aiicl is ;i son of 



•P- i ^« 



-4^ 

22G 



ROCK COUNTY. 




Ilezokiah R. and Maiy (Edwards) Kllwood, the 
foriiior a native of New York, of wliieh Stale liis 
wife was also a native, havintf l)een horn in Sara- 
toga County. In IH.'i.'i, the family removed to Lo- 
rain County. Ohio, wiiere Mr. P^llwood estalili.slied 
his wife and children on a farm, while he devoted 
his attention to the trade of a cooper. In that 
county our subject received his education, and was 
reared on a farm, liut disliking the dull routine of 
f;uin life, and his ambition leadiuij him to believe 
that a briijhter future w.as in store for him else- 
whcie, lie decideil to leave the p.arental roof, and 
in 1H,')1, we find him in Reedsbursj;. Wis., whei-e he 
purchased eisjhly acres of land. Ileoiecteila good 
house, and in I8.j;i, the family went to Reedsburg, 
where the aged father and nu)thcr found a good 
home, residing there until called to their final rest. 
The death of the father occurred in 1H72, and his 
wife departed this life in 11S.').5. They had a fam- 
ily of eleven children, ten of whom grew to man- 
hood and womanhood. 

On tlie 23(1 of M.arch, 1X.')2, James Ellwood was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. .lohnson, 
daughter of David .lohnson. who was one of the 
pioneers of Kock County. Shortly after their mar- 
riage, the young couple removed to Iowa, Mr. Kl- 
wood purchasing 160 acres of land u<Tir Mitchell. 
where he made his home until IS.')!!, when he came 
to Rock County, and bought a farm of eighty acres 
on section 11, I'nion Township. Like his other 
pur<'hases. this land was in ;i wild and uncultivated 
conilition, but building a good residence, he began 
the development of the farm th.at afterward became 
one of the best in Rock Comity. He had hardly 
established his wife and chihl iu their new home, 
however, when the report came that Ft. .Sumter hail 
been fired upon, and the I'resident at once called 
for troops. His iiatriolism prompted him to re- 
spond, and bidding good-by to his little family, he 
enlisted in September, 18(!1, in Comp.-uiy (;. of the 
Wisconsin Sharp-shooters, and started for the field 
of war. Going to New York City, he was assigned 
to the 1st United States Sharp-shooters, which regi- 
ment was then being organized, and scut to W.ash- 
ington, 1). C. where he remained during the win- 
ter. In the spring of 1HR2, he entered into .active 
service at Fortress Monroe, and was with (Jen. Mc- 



Clellan during the Peninsular camiiaign. He ])ar- 
ticipated in the seveu-(lays' siege at Richmond, 
where the army w.as dri\en back, fighting all day. 
butstill slowly retreating until nightfall, when they 
fell back to Harrison's Lauding on the .lames IJiver. 
Here they remained about four weeks then went to 
Newport, and from there to Fredeiicksburg. \'a., 
where Mr. Ellwood was detailed to t.ake charge of 
a team carr^'ing baggage. He conlinuiil to piM- 
form that duty until receiving his disch.arge on the 
2;5d of September. \HI]i. After lieing mustered 
outof service, he at oni-c rcliirued ti> his home. 
Three of his brothers were also numbered among 
the boys in blue, being members ()f Coinpanv <>. 
1st I'liiled States Sharp-shooters. Jon.is, who is 
now living in Ilaraboo, Wis., was for thirteen long 
months a prisoner of war, surt'ering all the horrors 
and pain endui-ed by those unforlun.ale soldiers 
who fell into the hands of the rebels. 

After his return from the w.ar. Mr. Ellwood again 
resunuMi the occup.'iliou of farming. To him and 
his wife ha\c been boin four children: Eva, wife 
of August Freucheii, a mechanic an<l m.anufacturer 
of Milwaukee; Ada. widow of L. \\ . I'.righani. is 
living in Union County, and has one child. P.ertha; 
Retta. who was graduated frcnn the Evansville 
Seminary, is still at home with her parents; David 
R.aV. who W.MS born Ma\ 11, 1 SS2, is the yonmrest. 
Mrs. Ellwood's mother finds a happy home with her 
daughter, but for scver.al years past has been greatlv 
alllicted, hi'r eye-sight ha\ ing almost failed her. 

Mr. Ellwf)od is now engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising, operating ir)G .acres of l.iud. p.-irt 
of which was entered b\- David Johnson in l.s4(l. 
rpon his farm will be found a good gradi' of all 
kinds of stock, together with ni.any line improve- 
ments. Although he began his lifeas a farm hand, 
receiving only fifty cents i)er day, b^' determined 
energy, industry and ability, he has become one of 
the w(dl-to-do citizens of Rock County. IK' is a 
man well-informed on all tlu' leading (juestions of 
the day, is socially a member of the (i. A. R., and 
in politics is a stalwart liepublican. lie has never 
aspired to political ilislinction. lueferring to di'vote 
his time and energies to the more .ngreeabic pur- 
suits of farm life, though he li.as taken a lively in- 
terest in educational affairs, and at all times favors 



r 
fi 



iz 



•^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



:iiiy entei'in-ise linviDji for its objocl (lie piiltlic gooil. 
lit' ;ni(l liis family are all wortliy cilizoiis, who en- 
ju\ llii; coiiliilencc ami respect of (he commmiilv in 
which llu'v have so lon<>' lived. 



» -^-*^- 




4 



LMON BICNNI'ITT, a distingnished iiionecr 
(@/lJ| f)f this counlv, of 184^3, and now an hon- 
lii oicd resident of IJeloit, was liorn in KocU- 
inghani. Windsor Co.. N't.. I ).-c. I. l.su;. 
and is a sou of John and Abigail ( I'orrin) lionnelt. 
I'he former was Ixiin in the Green Monntaiu State, 
in 1770, .111(1 the latter in I'oinfret, Conn., in I7M(;. 
I'liev were marrie(l in the latter State, and siltled 
in Rockingham, \'t., where seven children were 
lioin Miitu tlieiii: Kmily. liiTMiiie the wife of Cyrus 
15roi)ks, of Chester, \'l.. and cinigrated with her 
luisb.nnd to liriiulield. I'coriri Co., 111., where he be- 
came a prominent farmer; RoswellG.,a millwrigiit 
by trade, located at Xunda. Livingston Co., X. V.; 
j.iicinda became tlie wife of Jacob ( )sgodby, a na- 
tive of Knglaijil. who settled in Nunda; [Jberly, a 
farmer l>y occu|)ation. is residing in Livingston 
County. N. V.; Almoii is the next in order of birth; 
Lucia A. wedded John W. P.ige, of Nunda, N. Y. ; 
Millicent M. is the second wife of Jacob ().sgo<lb}', 
a resident of the same town. 

In 1 is.'i.'i, John Bennett removed with his family 
to Nuiuhi, Livingston County, N. Y., where he 
passed the remainder of his daj's. He was in the 
War iif 1!SI2. ^erving in the capacity of teamster, 
and his father, John IJennctt. who was of Scotch 
descent, was also a sok^er of that war. in which iu! 
.served with distinction. He laid out the town of 
('aiiil)ridgeport. was a prominent lactor in its up- 
building, and erected the lirst sawmill and grist- 
mill at that place. 

( tursnbjcctgrew to manhood In his native counl\', 
receiviiiLT his e;irly ednt-ation in the (listrictsclmols. 
after which he took a [i-artial course in the .'icade- 
inies at Chester anil r.cnningtoii. At the age of 
eiuliteen years, he left the [larental roof, and gohig 
totiilsmn. N. II.. took charge t>f the sawmill at 
that place. 'I'lic following year he received u pro- 
motion, becoming foreman of a saw and carding 
mill, in which line he continued for two years. 



4^ 



when in l.sl.'i, as aliove stated, he turned his face 
to the setting sun and came West to .seek bis for- 
tune \\ bile en route to IJufTalo, he made his first 
tri|i on the cars. It was in the month of October, 
and !i heavy sleet had fallen, bending the bushes 
over the track, so that the train men were forced to 
cut them down before the train could continue on 
its way. Arriving at Buftalo, Mr. Bennett pur- 
chased a ticket by boat to Chic'ago, but on account 
of the rough weather during the voyage, landed at 
Milw.Mukee eight days after embarking. He there 
secured a passage to Cold S|>ring, where he had a 
friend residing, a man by the name of Abraham 
Ibink. who owned the water-power at that place, 
lie secureil em|)loviiient at Cold Spring, and !is- 
sisted in building the first grist-mill .-it that point. 
In IS47. he came to Beloit, where for three years 
he was em|)k)yed in the machine shops of Barker A- 
Gardner, and at the end of that time, being at- 
tracted by the discovery of gold in California, 
crossed the plains to that country in 18.">0. While 
on the Pacific sloi)e, lie spent part of his time en- 
gaged in mining, and also worked at his trade, re- 
turning home in 1H52, by way of the Isthmus of 
Panama and New York City. .Vfter bis return he 
embarked in the lumber business, as a meinbi-r of 
the lirni of ( i ates A- Bennett, hauling their laniber 
with teams from .Milwaukee. That linn continued 
in business for live years, when RJr. Bennett with- 
drew and engaged as a grain dealer, following that 
line until l.S,s."i, when he lost his warehouse by fire, 
since which time he has lived a retlix'd life. 

Li 1K4(;, Mr. Bennett married Miss Calista L. 
Peck, a native of> Jefferson County, N. Y., their 
union lieing celeljiatcd at Cohl Spijugs. Two ciiil- 
dren have lieen lioru of tlii'ir marriage, namely: 
llila .M., wife of Rev. W. F. Brown, pastor of the 
Presbyterian Chnicli. of .laiiesville; and Allie M.. 
wife of B. M. Maloue. attorney at law of Beloit, 
and district attorney of Rock Coiinl\-. 

Politically, Mr. Bennett is a stanch supporter of 
the Democratic party. He was a great admirer of 
Stephen A. Douglas, and a warm friend of G rover 
Cleveland. He is iiuiubcred .•irnong the self-made 
men of Rock County. When he started for the 
West, he had but f'20 in his pocket. Arriving at 
Rochester, he paid $8 of that sum for a coat, and 

^ 



f 



228 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^i^H* 



on rcacliitiif Milwaukee liad but a very limited sum 
ivmaiiiing. His energetic natuie at once led liiin 
to seek oinployiueiit, and little by little, by economy 
and indnstry, he li:is accumulated a competency, 
and is now able to rcliie from the active duties of 
life, to spend Iiis declining years ill comparative 
rest from Inbor. He has always been a wt)rker in 
the foremost ranks in any enterprise for the beneBt 
of the city, has given liberally in the support of its 
institutions, and is one of the representative citizens 
of lieloit. being held in the highest esteem by all 
wlio know him. 



4^-^^- 



^ 



'OII.N W. I,A rilKUS. residing on sectitni 9, 
Turtle Township, is numbered ann)ng the 
prominent farmers and extensive landown- 
ersof Hock County. He was born in Mont- 
gomery County, N. Y., April 12. 1833. and lii» 
parents were William and Margaret (Lasher) Lath- 
ers. The name of the family was originally written 
Landers, but the later generations have changed 
the spelling to the i)resent form. The ancestry of 
this family were natives of (Germany, atul were 
people of immense weallli and prominence In that 
land. The great-grandf;ither with his family started 
on a [ileasure trip to .Vmerica with no intention 
of permanently locating in this country, but tro- 
ul>le and loss which overtook him, combined with 
the dread of making another sea voyage, the 
Brst one having continued for the long period of 
six months, caused hiuj to locale in America. He 
purchased land in Monlgomer}' County, N. Y., and 
there engaged in operating an extensive farm. 

The gr.'indfather of our subject was l>orn during 
the voyage of his parents to America. When a boy 
of nineteen years he enlisted in the Uevolutionary 
War, and was promoted to the rank of Major for his 
brave deeds and daring acts in carrying dispatches 
through the Tory lanks. His wiU'. lived to the ex- 
treme old age of one hnndrcd and eleven years, 
and at the age of ninety -eight wt)uld often Lake 
walks of three miles. 

Tiie parents of our subject were united in mar- 
riage in Montgt)merv County, of which they were 
both natives, and of their union were born seven 



children, live daughters and two sons, as follows: 
Lanali. wife of George Kcker. a retired farmer of 
Wlieeler, D.ak. ; Nancy, who became the wife of 
Charles .Snell, a native of New York, who w.as after- 
ward a farmer in this county, where he died, is now 
living in Nebraska; Mary wedded Louis .Shoemaker, 
now deceased, and makes her home in Turtle Town- 
ship; S\isan is the wife of Ira i>ewis. son of Deacon 
Lewis, one of the earliest settlers and most promi- 
nent citizens of this county; Caroline died at the 
age t>f two years; our subject is the sixtli in order 
of birth; William H. is engaged in farming in Tur- 
tle Township. In early life William Lathers learned 
the blacksmith trade, which he followed for a live- 
lihood for some years, l^ut afterward purcha.sed the 
old homestead on which his grandfather located, 
and engaged in farming. He there continued to re- 
side until 18,50, when he came to Hock County, .ami 
purchased 144 acres of land on section 9, Turtle 
Township, besides some village i)ropertv, and con- 
tinued to engage in farming until IW>2. when he 
sold out and bought the Ira Lewis farm and went 
to Shopiere, in which vill.age his death occurreil in 
1881, at the age of eighty-two years. His excellent 
wife is still living at the advanced iige of eighty- 
nine and is well preserved, retaining her faculties 
to a m.arked degree. Both parents were reared in 
the Lutheran faith, to which they over remained 
adherents. Mr. Lathers was a man highly res;)ected 
in the community where he resided, and in his 
death the county lost one of its most valuable citi- 
zens. 

Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and 
youth in his native county, wliere he received his 
education in the common scliools. At the .age of 
thirteen he was considered old enough to .assist in 
the labors of his father's farm, since which time he 
has been eng.aged in agricidtural pursuit,s. In ISiiO 
he came with his father to the West, this tri() being 
his lirst introduction to Hock County, which has 
since been his home. He here became .acquainted 
with Miss Angelina Beckwith, and on the 8tli of 
March, 185'.l, the young people were united in the 
holy bonds of matrimony. Mrs. Lathers w.as born 
in North Hamptonshire. England. June 22, 1831, 
and isa daughter of William and Hannah ( Hodson) 
Beckwith, why were natives of the north of Ireland. 



4 



=fef-* 




^^^^y'^i^e^fcl-t-cie^ 






tl 



(^^L.CA_.Aji£j ^■^'^^-y-iyjarf^ 






ROCK COUNTY. 



•229 



4 



She was oiiu of a family of llirec cliildri'ii. llcr 
liinllu'i \\ illiaiii went to Aiislialia, and tlie oilier 
oliild (liiMl ill iiifaiR-3'. Ih'i' iiiollier's |)Co|ilc beitinged 
to a family possessed of gi'cal wealth and occiipj'ing 
distiiiatuislied |positions in ICnj^land. The death of 
Mrs. licikwilh occurred in that country, when the 
hnsliaud was again married, his second iiiiiou being 
with Miss ITarriet Cox. Her family was also one 
of iMoiniiienec and resided on the Isle of AVight, 
near the home of the royalty. Mr. Lieckwilh died 
in his native land, after which his widow came to 
America. It was ^vhile on a visit to her step- 
mother that Miss IJeckwith became accjuaiuled with 
our subject. She remained in the land of her 
ado|>ti()i). and through her inllueiice the other mem- 
bers of the family came to .Vmerica. Iler step- 
mother died in Chicago in I1S7(1, ami was liuried in 
Kose Hill Cemetery. IIcm' children are: Henry J., 
who is a proiiiineiit druggist, .ind a very wealthy 
citizen of Chicago, residing on one of the boule- 
vards, where he owns an elegant resiilen<-e; (ieorge 
M., a <le.iler ill l;iw books in the Lake Side build- 
ing, and Harriet, wife of S. K. Dale, .1 prominent 
attorney of Chicago. 

Mr. and M rs. Lathers have been the paieiits of 
six children: William .1., born Dec. r.i, 1859, 
(ieorge II., April l.'i, 1802, died at the age of 
eight years; .lohn B.. liorn Di'c. 2, 1 8(1 1 ; Charles 
v.. .Inly (■), ISl'w, wedded Miss Nellie Kdwards, 
daughter of .lohn K<lwards, and is engaged in 
farming; .losejih, Feb. 9, 18(;i); Matthew F., June 
1:5, 187.{. 

Mr. Lathers has been identitied with the growth 
and i)rogress of Uoek County since his arriv.al in 
18,')(l, and is nnnibered among its leading citizens. 
He is (.me of the largest land-owners within its 
borders, owning six of the best farms in Turtle 
Township, including his home farm of (1(12 .acres. 
Ill his political sentiments he is a Democrat, but 
has never sinight public preferinent. indeed has 
steadily refused to accept olllce. although repeatedly 
urgeil to do so. His attention is all given to his 
large farming interests which occupy his whole 
time, (ieni.al, pleasant and companionable, he does 
not onl}' make friends, but possesses the rare gift 
of retiiining them. His hospitable home is presided 
over by one of Uock County's most .accomplished 



and relined ladies, whose social rpialities are the 
.•idmir.-ition of her friends. These worthy jieople 
;uu held in the highest esteem by all. 

•o»o..^X^-o»o~ 



ON. DANIEL .lOlINSOX, an honored pio- 
K' ^' neer and retired fanner now residing in 
1^^ Evansville, is a son of David .lohnson, who 
((^j was born in the State of \'eriii()iit. .Ian. 16, 
179G, and belonged to one of the early families of 
the Green Mountain State. \\'lien a l:id he emi- 
gr:ited with his father to Steuben County' N. V., 
where he was reared, and during the early days of 
his manhood he went to Iventucky. and in that 
State married Keziah Dolscjii, who had removed 
from Steuben County, N. Y., with her parents but 
a short time previous. Soon after their marriage, 
the young coui)le became residents of W.ayne 
County, Ohio, where they made their home for a 
while and then liecame residents of (lark County, 
where Mr. .lulinson cleand and developed a farm. 
His residence in Ohio continued from 1810 to 
18;)7, when he went with his family to .lennings 
Count\ , Ind.. mikI there purchased a s.iw and grist 
mill but the investment proving iinprolitable, he 
determined to continue his journey to the West. 

Previous to that time. Daniel .lohnson, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, had visited Wisconsin. In tlie 
month of ( (ctober, I808, he left home, his journey 
being made on foot, and went to a point on the 
W;ilinsh River, near Attica, from whence he pro- 
ceeded to Chicago, where he arrived four weeks 
;ifler leaving home. Two weeks of that time had 
been spent in husking corn at a farm house where 
he stopped in Indiana. Chicago at the time of his 
first visit t(» that city was an insignificant little 
village on a low pr:iirie and gave no promise of the 
importance to which it has since attained. His 
means being very limited, Mr. .lohnson was con- 
stantly on the lookout for work, depending on his 
labor on the way to secure the necessary funds with 
which to pay his expenses. He had at that time 
sc:ircely passed his seventeenth birthday. His 
father had [ireviously been in comfortable circum- 
stances, having acquired considerable property be- 
fore going to Indiana, but by his unfortunate in- 



t 



230 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



vestment in the millinj; Imsiiu-ss In- lost all 
that lie hail ami was chiiiih-IIimI, in a (inaii- 
eial sense, to liegin life anew. Of f<»uise at that 
time he was iinalile to give Daniel any material 
assistance and thus we find him .stniy^gling alone to 
make a start in life. He reniaineil Ijnt a day or 
two in Chicago, as he could find no work to do, 
when again shouldering his knapsack, he started 
for the territor3' of Wisconsin. In .Mcllenry 
County, 111,, he secured eniplo_vment and worked 
for a month, but received no compensation for his 
services. In the latter part of January, 18311, heat 
length arrived in Walworth Count}, AVis., with 
4;4.r)0 in his pocket. Uesolved to make his life a 
success, with characteristic energy he began his 
search for work and soon found emploj'ment witli 
Henry Phenix, of Delevan, and during the re- 
raainiler of the winter and the following sjiring he 
worked for Mr. l'lieni.\ and others in the nciglibor- 
liood. While cng.nged with his first employer in 
Wisconsin he aided in the liuilding of a sawmill at 
tlie outlet of Delevan Lake, which was one of the 
tirst mills erected in Walwortii County. In the 
spring of ISoK. he carried tiie chain for the sur- 
veyors in l.iying out the lirst plat of Delevan. 

After remaining at his new home until the month 
of .lunc, Mr. .Johnson returned to Indiana for the 
purpose of pcrsuatling the family to remove to 
Wisconsin, and before returning, on the 22nd of 
October, he was united in marriage with Miss An- 
geline Courter. His birth occurred Nov. 30, 1821, 
conse<|uently he was but eighteen yeai-s of age, 
while his wife was liut seventeen years of ;ige. 
Mrs. .lohnson is a daugiitcr vf Cornelius and Ma- 
hala ( Noe) Courter, who were natives of New Jer- 
sey, in which State their marriage was celebrated. 
Later they removed to Clark County, Ohio, where 
Mrs. Johnson was born. Nov. 22, 1822, and when 
she was but three years olil her father died. At the 
age of fourteen years she was left .an orphan bj- the 
death of her mother, and went to Indiana, making 
her luime in Jeiniings County. The Courter familj' 
nunibcred seven chihiren, live sons and two daugh- 
ters, but Mis. .lohnson and a brother. Jahiel. who 
is now a resident of Davis County. Mo., are all 
tlial are now left of that once large family. 

Ill May, 1840, Daniel Johnson and his young 



bride returned to Wisconsin, his parents accom- 
panying them, and on the l.^th day of .lune, of that 
year, they entered a claim in the town of Union, 
Rock County. Soon after arriving at their new 
home, our subject was employed by Ocn. Worth as 
teamster to a.ssist in removing the Winneb.igo In- 
dians to Prairie dn Chien, prepar.itory to again 
removing them to their reservation West of the 
Mi.ssissip|)i River, from which the}' li.ad returned. 
This labor being accomplished, Mr. Johnson spent 
the summer season in haying and harvesting on 
Rock Prairie, Walworth Count}-, in order to secure 
subsistance for the family during the coming win- 
ter, as all the money had been used and they were 
still in debt for the expenses incurred in moving. 
In Deceml>er, 1840. he erected his first home, a log 
cabin, upon his claim. Not a sawecl board was 
u.sed in the construction of the cabin, neither nails 
or glass. There Mr. Johnson made a homesteail. 
increasing his farm until it comprised 200 acres, and 
also purchased his father's farm, adjoining his own, 
when the latter had reached an advanced age. 

David Johnson and his wife were the parents of 
ten children, six of whom, two sons and four 
daughters attained to mature years, while two sons 
and two daughters are yet living 1889. Those who 
grew lo manhood and womanhood were .lane, who 
married .lohn Adams, who removed to Mitchell 
County, Iowa, where her death occurred a number 
of years ago; Daniel, of this sketch; Louisa, who 
became the wife of Oliver Martell, and died in what 
is now Adams County, Wis., in July, 1855, leaving 
three children, a daughter and two sons, one of 
whom, David Martell, was a railroad conductor 
and was a victim of the Newhall House disiisler in 
Milwaukee, a few years since; ISIaria is the wife of 
.lames II. Elwood, a farmer of Union Township; 
Reuben is residing in Kvansville, Wis.; and M.iggie 
is now the wife of Hugh Jehu, of Estherville, Km- 
mett County. Iowa. She w.as the only one of the 
family born in Wisconsin. 

David Johnson was one of the earliest pioneer set- 
tlers of Rock County and was a worthy and esteemed 
citizen and an upright, honest man. lie never as- 
pired to prominence in any direction, but rather pre- 
ferred to pursue the oven tenor of his way. content 
with the (piiet life 'of the farmer. In his earlier 



i 





U)'U(r^ 



rtf C^iZ^> 



^<rr^^ 



u 






ROCK COUNTY. 



23:} 



years lie was a Wliig in politics, Ixit later, advocat- 
m<X strong anti-slaver^' sentiments, joined the Re- 
|)ulilic;in parly and was a faithful adherent to that 
great political organization. For many years he 
was a consistent menilier of the United Brethren 
t'hurch. and it was bis dail^- endeavor to live in 
harmony witli his i)rofession. He died RIarch 111, 
IH77, at the rii)e old age of eighty -one years, and 
left Ipchind him a name of which the children may 
well he proud. His wife was born Sept. 8, 1800, is 
now in her eighty-ninth year, and possesses re- 
markalile vitalit}' for one of sudi advanced age. 
Sju' was a faithful companion of her worthy lius- 
hand, and her virtues and excellent traits of char- 
acter have gained for licr the love of all. She re- 
ceived .-I liheral education in her girlhood days and 
in early life engaged in teaching for a number of 
years. She lost her eyesight several jears ago, oc- 
cassione<l by an attack of measles, but her industri- 
ous habits of former years still cling to her and she 
is often busy with her knitting. 

liv the nniiin of Daniel .liilHi>on and his wife, 
live rhiidren were born, but only two are living — 
William 11. H., who was born in IS 12, and now re- 
sides in Ev.ansville; and l)avi<l ."\I., who was born in 
IHII, and now owns and occupies the old home- 
stead in the town of Union, where his birth octnir- 
re<l. Two children of the family died in infancy, 
and Hannah, the lirsl born, died at the age of 
eleven years. 

In IHt;.). Mr. Jolinson retired from the active 
duties of farming and removed to l-ivansville. Dur- 
ing his long residence in IJock Couuty he has been 
frecjuently called bj' the ballot of bis fellow-citizens 
to otlices of honor and trust, .and has ever ilis- 
charged the duties incident to the various positions 
with ability and fidelity. He was elected to t'.ie 
General Assendjly of Wisconsin, in DSfio, served as 
Sheriff of Rock County in IMfi'.t and 1X70, during 
which time he was a resident of Janesville, for sev- 
enteen years filled tlie oflice of County Supervisor, 
and for seven yeais w.as chairman of that body. In 
his political views be is a Rcpulilican. He ca.st his 
lirst Presidential vote for (Jen. Zachary Taylor in 
184H. anil like his father, belonged to the anti- 
slavery branch of the old Whig i)arty, and when 
the Republican party was organized joined its 

'4* 



ranks. He attended the meeting at Madison wIutc 
the Re|)ublican i)arty was organized in the State of 
Wisconsin,and assisted in effecting the organization, 
lioth Mr. .and Mrs. .lohnson are (communicants of the 
Episcop.al Church. Together have they journeyed 
through life for the long period of fifty years, near- 
ly all of which has been spent in Rock County. As we 
have seen, Mr. .lohnson began life a poor boy, liut 
by industry and good management tni the part of 
himself and wife has long since acciuired a compen- 
tence. Their children are well situalcc] in life, and 
the parents arc now passing tin'ir declining years in 
comfort and inde[)endence in their i)lcasant home 
in Kvansville. Since retiring from the more active 
duties of the world, they have spent much time in 
traveling, and liave visitetl every State in the 
Union, except Oregon. They spent one winter in 
Florida, have visited the famous Vosemile Valley, 
and man}- other places of interest tbrongbout the 
country. Mr. .Johnson has been connected with 
the Masonic Order for many years, and is now a 
member of Union Lodge No. 32, Kvansville Chapter 
R. A.M. No. 3.5. and .Janesville Commandery. 



i¥p!!)N()S C. DICKINSON, an horn. re. I pioneer 
|l^ of 181(1, residing on section 27. H.-unninv 
/L^^ Township, is nund)eied among the leading 
citizens of Kock County, of wliich he ha.s witnessed 
almost the entire growth and development. He is 
a native of Amherst, .Mass., born Oct. 10. 1817, 
and the history of the family can be traced back to 
ancestors who were natives of Kngland. His 
father, Nathaniel C. Dickinson, was born in Am- 
herst, in the year 1784, and die<l in the city of his 
birth, March I'J, 18()8. in the eighty-fifth year of 
bis age. His brother served in the War of 1812. 
but he was deterred from entering the .service as 
his aged parents needed bis help and care at home. 
He was one of the extensive and successful farmers 
of Massachusi'tts, and in that State was united in 
marriage with Submit .Smith, who was Imni in 
\'ermont in 1794, and died in thi' autumn of 1839, 
when forty-seven years of age. I'he^- were the 
parents of eleven children, but with the exception 
of our subject all have i)as8ed away. 



•^ M ^* 



i i 234- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^••fc-Hh-* 



Until llic ni;e of nineteen Kuos Dickinson le- 
in;uiic<l iinilci- tiie parental roof, but at that time 
he went to Indiana for the purpose of reeruiliiig 
liis liealtli, and spent two years in tile nortliern 
part of that State, lie enL;a!ie<l in leaeliing the last 
winter, after wliieli hi' returned to liishonie, s|)end- 
ing two years in liis father's family. In ISIO. at 
llie aire of twenty-three, lie etnijjiated to the West, 
and hccanie a resident of Koek County, when it 
was almost an nnhroken wilderness. i:)uring the 
two sueeeedins winters he aijain followed the oeeu- 
pation of teaching, when, his heallli having sonie- 
wliat improved, he abandoned that voeation. au<l 
beifan workinu; for his brother upon a farm, spend- 
inji the winters in workino; at cabinet-making. 
During tile summer of IK I.") he was employed at 
joiner's w(jrk, when he abaiiihined all trade and 
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He 
h.id previously purchased 200 acres of raw land 
upon which were no improvements, anil in the 
summer of 1816, erected a house thereon, doing all 
the cariienter work himself. 

ilaving .secured a home, Mr. Dickinson w.as 
united in inarriagi' with Miss Sarah ,\. (iibbs, but 
aftei- a short time she was culle<l to her final rest, 
dying in 18 IK. One child hail been born to them, 
Francis (i.. who is now living in Nebraska. On 
the 2'.>th d.ay of .luue, 1850, Mr. Dickinson was 
again married. Miss Sarah Jehu, a native of Wales, 
and daughter of Hugh and Sarah (Evans) Jehu, 
becoming his wife. To her parents were born a 
familv of nine children, namely: Ann, wife of 
Thomas Jehu, a rtisident of Rutland. Dane Co., 
Wis.; Margaret, who is the widow of John Turner, 
anfl resiiles in Janesville; Sarah, wife of our sub- 
ject; Susan, deceased wife of James Menzies; Ed- 
ward, deceased; Jane, widow of Stephen Little, 
resides i'l Kutland, Wis.; Elizabeth, who weddei) 
.lolin Lacy, of Iowa; Griflith, who also makes his 
home in Kutland: Hugh is located in Iowa. In 
1839 Hugh Jehu left his native laud for .\meriea, 
with a view of making his home in the New World. 
He left his family behind, but becoming satisfied 
that this country wa-s the place for the man with 
ambition to better his condition in life, the year 
following he sent for them to come over. The 
(rood wife with her nine children, the eldest of 



whom was but fifteen years of age, made the peril- 
ous trij) across the ocean, landing safely in New 
York, where she was joined by her husb.aml. They 
W'cre four wi'cks upon the water. In IK 111 the 
f.imily came West and locateil in Kock County. 
IJoth are now deceased. 

The union of Mr. .and .Mrs. Dickin.Min has Ix'cn 
blessed with .a famil\- of nine chihlren: Susan INI., 
born .Inly ;il. 1851. now decejwed ; Edwin J., born 
Oct. 15. 1853. is at home; Ansel, born .Ian, L' 1, 
1K55, is residing in Delevan, Walworth County; 
Alfred E.. born Dec. 3. I85C, died Oct. 21, 1K(;5; 
Heniy II.. born Aug. 18, 1858. is living in Omaha, 
Neb.; Walter L., born Nov. l'O. 18(;o. die.l .May 7, 
18GI: Sarah B., Ikmu April 3, 1 8(;2, died on the 
1 0th day of .Vugust following; Arthur N., born in 
February, 18ti5, died October 12th of the same 
year; Eva, born Feb. 10, 1869, is still with her 
parents. 

Mr. Dickinson is engaged in general farming and 
operates i7() acres of land. He al.so gives some 
attention to the raising of cattle, horses and hogs, 
and is one of the leading farmers of the township. 
In early life he and his wife were both members of 
the Congregational Chnrrh, luit now liohi member- 
ship with the Presbyterian Church. He has always 
taken great interest in Church and Sunday-school 
work. Politically, he was first an advocate of the 
Whig party, but was always a strong anti-slavery 
man, and since the organization of the Republican 
[(arty, has fought under its banner. Under the 
Territorial laws of Wisconsin, he .served as a mem- 
ber of thi' Hoard of School Commissioners, and in 
1860, lield the office of Town Superintendent of 
pul)lic schools. For almost half a century he has 
been a resident of Hock County, and has been an 
active participant in the work of progress and de- 
velopment which place it in the fioni rank in this 
great coninionwealth. His influence has ever been 
given to the support of educational, social and 
moral interests. 

As has already been stated, when Mr. Dickinson 
first located in l{<ick County the country was but 
little better than a wilderness. But three or four 
houses were in sight from any given point. The 
winter following his arrival was comparatively 
mild, and in February, 1811. the neighborhood was 



^ 



ROCK COUNTY, 



235 



startlfil liy llie aiiiKiiinienu'iil Ui;it a cliilil was lost. 
All who could luriicd out in llie .soaicli, and about 
!l 1'. i\I. the littli' fellow was found upon the [uairie 
unhai'iniul. 

In IIk' first years of his residence here, Mr. I)ii-k- 
iiison was eoni|ielled to <i<) to Milwaukee for his 
mill slulT. 'I'akinjj an ox-team, he would make the 
tiresome and lonesome journey, which required 
several days, and hei'ause of the scaix-ity of money, 
he usually ean)|>e(l out. The present generation 
can liltk' realize the hardships the pioneers of those 
earl^' days endured. 'J'liere can lie no comparison 
between that and the present time. To-day the 
railroads precede the pioneer, and open up the way 
for him, carryiiifj to him lumber for his house and 
food for his family. It was many long years before 
the railroads came tothe pioiieersof Wisconsin, dur- 
iiii; which time their ijrain had to be hauled in wag- 
ons many miles to market, while their stock had to 
be driven over the same weary road, or else killed 
during extremely cold weather and sold at .a very 
low price. But those hardships were cheerfully 
liorne, and now, in jilace of the log cabins and 
straw barns, elegant farm houses and sidjstanlial 
frame or brick l>arns appear. To no one is more 
credit due for the irreal changes that have been 
made, than to Knos C. Dickinson, the subject of 
this sketch, whose portrait apjjears upon another 
page. 

- OOP - 



4 




NfclLl-I.MM SPAUl.DINO was. for almost 
half a century, one of the most promi- 
nent and widely-known citizens of Rock 
County, lie w.as a native of IVnnsylvania, born in 
Athens, Bradford County, Aug. 1. 18(17. His 
father, Capt. .lohu Spauldiiig, was a native of 
Connecticut, born in I'lainlicld in 177.'!. His 
mother, Klizabeth (Prentice) Spaulding, w:is also 
a native of that State, born in 178.3. She was a 
daughter of Dr. Amos I'rentice. of Stonington, 
Conn., and w:is a descemhmt of "Old Capt. Thoin.as" 
Prentice, who was born in England in l(i20, and 
who <lied in Cambridge. M.ass., May 2(), 1710, aged 
ninety years. They had a family of ten children, 
of whom our snbject was fourth in order of birth. 
The Hon. Jesse Spaulding, of Chicago, who served 



as Iriited Slates Internal Revenue Collector un.ler 
President Arthur, is one of the surviving members 
of the family. 

The boyhood and youth of William Sp.'uildinij 
was spent upon his father's farm in Penn.sylvania. 
Jn the public schools of his native State he received 
a g(K)d common-school education, wliiih in 'after 
years was supplemented by reading .and reflection, 
making him a thoroughly posted man upon all 
practical subjects. He chose as his vocation the 
life of a farmer, which was more suite<i to his t.aste 
and disposition. In the fall of 18.'i4 he left his 
native State and took up his abode in La Porte, 
Ind., where he remained two years, and then, 
.accompanied by his brother Joseph and his friend, 
G. Williston, he emigrated to Rock County. The 
journey was made with teams, the little party of 
travelers arriving at their destination on the 23d 
of Ai.ril. 1837. They spent their first Sabbath in 
the only house in that section of the country, kept 
by H. F. Jones as an hotel. In the fall of 1837 he 
pre-empted 160 acres of land. ;ind in 1842. when 
the land came into market, purchased, in connec- 
tion with his brother Joseph, 1040 acres in the 
township of Harmony. They subsefjuenlly divided 
their land, the division being ni.ide in 1818. Jo.scph 
taking 480 acres, while our subject received the 
remaining 560 acres. 

In 1838 Mr. Spaulding returned to Bradford 
County, Pa., and w.as there united in marriage 
to Miss AlniM II. Wright, a n.ative of Connecti- 
cut, born in 1809. Shortly after their marriage 
he returned with his young bride to his Rock 
County farm, when they lived in happiness until 
September, 1860, when Mrs. Sjiaulding died. le.i\ - 
ing her husband and three children to mourn the 
loss of an affectionate wife and kind mother. Five 
children had been born to them, but two of them 
had passed away. Julia Klizabeth, born Aug. 23. 

1839, died May 22. 1853; Charles, born Xov. 16. 

1840. died March 25,1845; Owen, born Mav 2, 
1844, is now a thrifty- farmer of Milton Town- 
William \V., born Feb. 12, 1847, <Iied .Fune 9, 
1877; Harriet, born on the 20th of July, 1851, 
is the wife of Charles E. Kirniie. and is now 
living in Winona. Minn. About two years after 
the death of his lirst wife. Mr. Sp.iulding wedded 



-4^ 
•236 



ROCK COUNTY 



iT 



JIi'S. Lucy M. Riclianlsoii, tlicir union being cele- 
l)ratecl Jan. 28, 1862. The lady was tiie widow of 
Alanson Ricliardson, and a daughter of Ei'astus 
and llannali (.ludd) Hi-nctlict. Slie was lioni in 
Marshall, N. V., Ai)ril 211, 1825. The other nieni- 
hers of tiie family were: Eunice .lane, who is now 
the wife of lieulien \nslin, a resident of INIiiine- 
sola; Mary A. and .lohii 15.. deceased; .lames E., 
who makes his liomc in Kvanston, 111.; and Lydia 
M., deceased. One child was liorii of the second 
union. Edward iMigenc, horn Inly 25, 186.T. lie is 
living al home with his mother, and has charge of 
the home farm, lie is a youiifi- man of good intel- 
lect .-nid liusiiiess tact, ainl will, no douht. handle 
the large proiierty credital)ly, having inherited 
from his father, not only a lai-ge estate, Imt a 
natural husiness ability and enei'getic disposition 
that will mark his path with success. 

In connection with l'",nos .1. Ila/.z.ard and William 
.S. .Murray, Mi. Sp;uilding formed the lirst lio.ard 
of County Commissioners, then known as the 
County Principal. He s(jught neither personal 
nor |ioliti<:d prcfi'rmenl, hut. neveitheless. served 
as County Commissioner, antl also as Town and 
County Supervisor. lie was also one of the 
fonn<lers of the Faiiners" Mutual l'"ire Iii>nranee 
Company, of Harmony Township, and, from the 
time of its oigani/.ation until his death, served as 
Treasurer of the company, which now iiH-liidcs the 
townships of Milton, l'"ult,t)n. Harmony and .lanes- 
ville. Mr. Spaulding was (|uite an extensive stock- 
raiser, usually keeping aliout two hundreil hi'ad of 
shcc|), one hundred hogs, from thirty t(^ lifty head 
of cattle, and manv well-bred hoi'ses. In his 
political sentiments he w;is an ardent sn|)porter of 
the principles .'idvocated by the Republican party, 
while all churi'h. educational, or other interests 
for the pul)lic benelit receiveil his hearty support. 
His death occurred, at his home in Harmony 
Township, Feb. 2(), 181S."), caused from diphtheria. 
( )n Sunday afternoon rollowing, al 2 o'<'lock. his 
man}' friends assembled to pay the last tribute of 
respect to the man whom they had hoinired in life, 
and who will cvei' be held in loxing remcmhr.-nice. 
It had liccn long since so many of the old settlers of 
Rock County had assembled together, but. by this 
act, they showed their esteem ami a|ipreeiation of 



•4^ 



him who had borne with them the trials and hard- 
ships of jjioneer life, and who often spoke a cheering 
word to those who became discouraged with the 
hard labor which had to be performed and the <tif- 
ticulies which were encouulcrcil. The Rev. Dr. 
Ilodge was to have olliciated at the services, hut, 
owing to personal accident, wa.s nnalile to be pres- 
ent. His place was supplied liy the Rev. \V. !•'. 
IJrown, of the I'resbytcriaii Church, who maile a 
brief address, in which he spoke feelingly of the 
many virtues of the deceased. Obituary noti(;es 
ajipeared in all the pa((ers in the surrounding conn- 
try, and the Chicago Jotinial gave a touching no- 
tice of this m;in. w hos<' mi'mor\' will long lie cii- 
shrimnl in the hearts of the good people of Rock 
County. 

William Spaulding. in many respects, was a re- 
markable m.an. (Juietand unobtrusive in his ways, 
he was yet firm and self-reliant. He had a remark- 
ably elieerful temperament, and was always the 
same genial, warm-hearted, clieirful companion. A 
loving husband, a kind and indulgent father, a 
steadfast friend, he was dearly beloved by ihosi- 
who knew him best. The poor in him found a 
friend iiidceil, and there are many who owe their 
start in lilV to his generous aid. Cool, calm and 
deliherale in his manner, he yet never hesitated to 
act at the right nunnent. He was alw.ays on the 
side of right and justice, nml his iulegritx was 
without ((uestion. Not a mend)er of any church, 
his life was yet more consistent than that of many 
who nia<le the profession. The golden rule he 
faithfidly and conscientiously observed — "As ye 
would that men should do unto you, do ye even 
so unto them." 



eLOl'DEN STEIIIUNS. residing on section 2, 
I'orler Township, is a leading farnu'r .'iiid 
the owner of 2(10 acres of line land. 1 Ic was 
born in the Stale of \\>iinont. .ami is a son of Mor- 
ton and Maria (Sherman ) Stebbins, who were natives 
of the same State. In connection with larming, 
which he followed for many years, .Morton Stebbins 
engaged in the manufacture of starch, carrying on 
the two lines of business until 18l)!t. when he re- 



n^ 



*» ■ ^« 



ROCK COUNTY. 



237 



solved to make liis home in tlie West. Awom- 
|>Miii(Ml 113- his family, i" I.'**!:! he oiiiii,^rate(l to Wis- 
iMHisiii, U)catiiin- in IJociv County, where he settled 
on a farm coniprisini;' a half scclion of land, in I'or- 
tei' 'rouiishi|i, whu-ii he had |imcha.sed sc^vei'al 
years hcfort'. Kreetiny a large house and liarn, he 
then began Ihe development of the land. Clearing 
away Ihe lirnsh, he |)1o\v(m1 the groiin<l. planted 
eio|is, and ii\ the conrse of lime reaped a honnteoiis 
harvest as the residt of his labors, lie also pur- 
eliascd l,')()aeres of l:ind in Dane Count}'. Mortem 
Stebbins was an energetic and andntions citizen, 
and felt a deep interest in the welfare of his country. 
He had a brother. Ilarrisein Stel)bjns, who was a 
resident of Rock County, and his sketch appears 
on .■mother page of this volume. 

The family of wliich our subject is a tnend]er 
nundiered eight children: Lucinda, the ehU^st, is 
now residing in Iowa; Edwin. Kugene and Augusta 
arc deceased; Mar}' E., residing in I'orter Town- 
ship, is the fifth in order of birth; .lairus has alsf) 
(lasscd away; Cloiiden is the next in age; and 
Shaplcy II.. the youngest is also deceased. The 
father of this family died on the (itii day of June. 
I.S8G, and was buried in Faucett Cemetery, at 1m1- 
gerton. Ilis excellent wife was called to her final 
home .'Vug. 17, 1S87, and was laid to rest by the 
side of her linsban<l. They were well-known peo- 
l)le in the community, and were highly rcNspected 
for their many excellencies of charactei-. .\t their 
death the county k)st two valued citizens, and their 
absence is mourned by many. Mr. Stebbins w.as :i 
faithful adherent Mf the Republican parly, and took 
a warm interest in Ihe success of that great political 
organization. 

During his boyhood days our subject attended 
the comnnm schools. He has been a resident of 
this county since IHIili, the time of the removal of 
his parents to Porter Township. lie remained at 
home, aiding his father in the labors of the farm, 
mil 11 his marriage, which was celebrated Sept. Ill, 
1M7(;, when Lney Aiinetta Morgan became his wife. 
He then took charge of his father's farm, which he 
operated in his own intere.-it until after the death 
of his parents, when he piirclutsed the shares of the 
oilier heirs, and now owns 2t(i acres of land, com- 
prising one of the liest farms in the neighborhood. 

^1 



\r 



His residence is a large two-slorv frame house, and 
the barns and out-buildings are models of con- 
venience. He has the latest improved machinery, 
gooil grades of horses, entile and hogs, and every- 
thing about the place denotes thrift and enterprise. 
I'olitically, Mi-. Stebbins is -a IJepublican, having 
been an ardent supporter of tli-it party .since attain- 
ing his majority, lie has borne his share in the 
work of progress, and is a liberal supporter of all 
moral, educational and social interests. In the 
years of liis residence in Rock County he has gained 
the respect and conlidence of his fellow citizens. 

Till' [larents of Mrs. Stebbins are Thomas and 
Mary .1. (Hoxie) Morgan, who reside at Cooksville, 
and are numbered among the pioneers of 1H44. 
Mr. Morgan is a native of Wales, was born May 17, 
1.S21. and emigrated to Aniirica in I.S37, ami be- 
came a resident of Rock County in 1841. Mrs. 
Morgan is a native of the State of Maine. 



^^ 1111,0 S. FENTON, the i.rcseni edicicnt 
.Assessor and late City Clerk of Janesville, 
\^^ and one of the gallant defenders of our 

I \ country's tiag. w.as born at Mount Zion, 
Macon Coiiiity, III., on the 7lh dav of February. 
IHU. His iiarenls were .lames C. and .Mary A. 
(Parks) Fenton, the former a native of the Empire 
State and the latter of Connecticut. For some 
time .lames Fenton resided in \ew York City, but 
in 18;3(i, became .1 pioneer of the great West, lo- 
cating in iMacoii County. III. He was a young 
man when he went to the Prairie State, and the 
journey from his eastern home was made on foot. 
He followed the occn[)ation of farming for manv 
years, but is now, at the .age of seventj'-six vears. 
living with his children. His wife was called to 
her final rest Oct. 31, 1872. They were the parents 
of six children, five of whom, two sons and three 
diiughters .-ire still living. Oursubject is the eldest 
ol the family, and with the exception of Philo the 
other mendiers, Clara, .\nn. Delilah and Orlan<lo, 
arc all living within a radius of a few miles in 
Dickinson County. I\:ins.as, their post olKco being 
Abilene. 

The subject of this sketch was reareil to manhood 



4 



238 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^r 



t- 



upon his father's farm and remained under the 
[virental roof until Aug. 9. 1862. when he enlisted 
in his country's service at Decatur, III, and became 
a member of Company C, 116th Illinois In- 
fantry. The regiment formed a part of the 
l;')tli Army Corps, and was sent directly to Mem- 
phis. Tcnn. It took part in the Tallaluisse expedi- 
tion, aided Sherman in his efforts against \'icks- 
burg. w.as under (ien. Grant during the entire 
siege of that city, fought at the bloody battle of 
Arkansas Tost, and was in all the principal engage- 
ments attending the siege of that Confederate 
stronghold. Mr. Fenton also took part in the 
battle of .lackson. Miss., and with his regiment 
went thence to Memphis and across the conn- 
try to Chattanooga, arriving at the beginning of 
that series of important events that culminated in 
the capture of Atlanta. About this time the 11 6th 
Illinois anil the 8tli Missouri regiments j^erformed 
a most daring and successful feat. Startingdown the 
Chickamauga River in the night, they leached the 
Tennessee River, which they crossed, then formed 
line and captured the entire picket force of the 
enemy almost before the rebels were aware of their 
presence. The next day, the '2;')th of November. 
1863, the regiment took |)art in the brilliant battle 
of Missionary Ridge. From thence it proceeded 
to Knoxville to the relief of Gen. I'.urnsides, who 
was besiced by Gen. Longstreet, after which it 
went into winter quarters at Larkinsville, Ala., 
where the regiment did provost duty until spring. 
Thev were then ordered to join Gen. Sherman's 
arniv at l):illns, (Ja.. and soon after Mr. Fenton's 
army life was finished. On the .'!d day of .lune, 
lK6l,hc received .a gun shot wound that resulted 
in amputation of his right arm near the shonlder. 
After being wounded he w.as t.aken to the hospital 
at Allatoona Heights, l)eing at that plaee when the 
severe battle at Allatoona P.ass occurred. He was 
soon .after si'ut home under a genei:il order from 
Gen. Sherman and was mustered out at .S|)ringlield, 
111., with his regiment .hily 1 1. 1X65. 

Receiving his discharge, Mr. Fenton returned to 
his home in Macon County. III., and in 1H66, en- 
tered the Soldier's College at Fulton. 111., where he 
"■radnated in 1871. For a number of years he then 
engaged in teaching and two years was employed 



as principal of the Third Ward school at Decatur, 
giving ex(tellent s.atisfaction. In 1874 he came to 
Janesville. Wis., and for sever.al years w.as em- 
ployed as book-keeper for various firms in this 
city, until 1887. when he was elected Cit}' Clerk, the 
duties of which ottice he discharged in a prompt 
and etticient manner. 

In 1871, in J.anesville, Mr. Fenton and Miss Rosa 
S. Alden were united in m.irriage. The lady is a 
daughter of James M. Alden, whose sketch apjiears 
elsewhere. Unto them have been liorn an inter- 
esting family of five daughters — M. Louise, Ada. 
Alice. Catherine and Josephine. Mr. Fenton takes 
an active interest in (ir.and Army circles anil w.as 
formerly a member of the first G. A. R. Post or- 
ganized in the conntry. This was .at Decatur. III. 
He now holds membership in W. II. .S.argent I'tist 
at Janesville, and in jiolitics he is a Republican. 
He w.as a lirave and gallant soldier in the war for 
the Union, and gave his right arm for the cause of 
freeiliiin. He is a worthy and respected iltizeii. 
highly esteemed by all who know him. 

J^OIIN STOKES, a leading farmer residing on 
' section 14, La Prairie Township, is a native 
' of Somersetshire, Kngland, and wa.s born 
' Jnnt' 5. 181!». He is a son of John and Ann 
(Tucker) .Stokes, who were also born in the same 
county. His father was a farmer throughout life, 
and his family numliered four children — Kliza, who 
manitd M. Nippers, of liristol. Fingland; Charles, 
who came to America in early life and is now en- 
gaged in farming in Milcliell ('omity. low.a; John, 
of this sketch; and Kdward who lias lln' man.age- 
ment of the old homestead in Kngland. 

At the age of fifteen years our siibjert left home, 
and bidding good-by to friends and native land 
sailed for Ameri(>a. He first took up his residence 
in New Hampshire and in Amherst and Hills- 
borough, that .State, served an apprenticeship to 
the cabinet maker's trade, his term being for three 
years. Having attained proliciency in that line, he 
went to Concord, and was employed in a factory 
where musical inslriiiiu'iits were m.aiiufaitured. 
Later he established Imsiness for himself, whii-li he 



1- 



t 



-4•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



carried on until his removal to Rock County, in 
IK.tT. After a year spent in the town of I'orlcr, 
he renio\e(I to .lanesviile. wiiere he cniliarkeil in 
the ij;i'oeer\ business, wiiich he carried on for a 
ye.ir. lie then niaile liis first |iui(hase of ianil, 
biiyinii eiiihtj' acres on section 13, Lal'rairie Town- 
sliip, which iiad l)een iTii|)r()ved. He lias since 
lidded to his possessions until his farm now com- 
prises 1(!0 acres, located on sections 1 ;! and 14, 
LaPrairie Township. 

Nov. 14, 1844, Mr. Stokes W.1S united in inarriajje 
with Charlotte Ilolt, a native of I'cnihroke. N. U., 
and a danu;htcr of Nathaniel and I'IhcIpo (Haines) 
Holt. Her father followed the occup.ition of farin- 
inji', and also eufjagcd in carpentering. He and 
his wife were hoth niemlieis of the Congregational 
Church and were earnest, sincere Christian peipple. 

Mr. and Mrs. .Stokes are the parents of (our 
children — John H., who married P'lora K. Alason, a 
native of llockport, M.^ss., is engaged in farming 
on the old homestead; Eliza A., wife of Myron 
Halt, of .lanesviile; Edward, who died in infancy; 
and Charles W.. of Chicago. Mr. Stokes has held 
the olllcc of .Sui)ervisor of Larr.airie Township for 
a niind)er of years, and is a supporter of the Ue- 
pulilican party. He is now engaged in geneial 
farming anri is ranked among the substantial citi- 
zens of the township, where he is known .ind 
respected by all. 



lEHMAN HARMON DAVIS, a retired nu-r- 
f—j chant of .lanesviile, is numbeied among the 
^^ pioneers of 18411. He is a native of \'er- 
inont. Ikuii in Windsor Co\inty. M.13' 20, 1820. 
His mother, IJetsy (Ackley) Davis, was al.so a na- 
tive of the same Slate, while the family of the fa- 
ther. Daniel F... w.is from New Hampshire. I'.oth 
families were of early New Englantl ancestry. In 
his native county our subject grew to manhood, 
and abdut the time he re.achcil his majoritv engaged 
in merchandising in the town of Reading, that 
State. On the 20tli day of March, 1842, he was 
united in marriage with ^^ss Nancy Williams, a 
native of Chester, N't., and daughter of Rufus Wil- 
liams, of that i)lace. Their union wiis blesse<l with 



=2 f! 



three children, two daughters and one son, all of 
whom are yet living. Enun:i. tlic oldest daughter, 
married D. J. Minor, of .lanesviile, a dealer in 
boots and shoes; Abbie married O. C. Kord, also of 
.lanesviile, and who is engaged in milling in that 
city; Ceorge W., married Miss Minnie Greaves, 
and now resides in Chicago, where ho is cugafcd in 
the merchant tailoring businesss. 

Closing out his mercantile bLisiness in Re.ading, 
Mr. Davis went to Windsor, A't., where he engaged 
in the hotel business, which he conducted but a 
short time. Helicving th:il the oppoitiinitv for 
securing a competence was far better in the West 
than in the Eas'. Mr. Davis concluded that he 
would emigrate to the new State of Wisconsin. 
Accordingly in the spring of I81il, he landed at 
Janesville, but ;it once purchased a farm in Plv- 
mouth Township, to which he removed and for the 
next twu years eng.aged in its improvement. He 
then returned to .lanesviile. and [(urchased the 
••St.age House," that stood near the corner of East 
Milwaukee and Main streets, where the Myers 
House now stands. This hotel he managed for 
two yeais and then engaged in general merchan- 
dising for the ne.xt three or four years. Closino- 
out his store, he engaged in the produce business, 
in which he continned tiflccn years, and returned 
once more to hotel life, man.aging the Commercial 
House foi- some \ ears. This house he subsequently 
leased and it was burned down in December, 1887. 
while occupied by a tenant. 

In 18(;8, ,Mr. Davis was called upon to mourn 
the <lcath of his wife. She was a most estimable 
woman and had a large circle of warm hearlcil 
friends. In 1872. he went Ea.st, and i.n the 27th 
d.ay of .luiic of that year, he was again united In 
m.arriage, choosing as a companion Mr.s. Minnie 
Davis, the widow of his brother. Mrs. Davis, who 
isanati\cof Brandon, \'t.. h.ad lieen twice marrierl. 
Her first husband wasO. G. Hillings, by whom she 
had one daughter, Gertie Helle, who died at the 
age of seven years. 

Kelurning to .lanesvdie with his bride, Mr. Da- 
vis has since made this his home. One child has 
been born to them. Edward (i.. who vet remains at 
loinc with his parents. ^Mrs. Davis, in her new 



home. luLs surrounded herself with many friends, 






i:?^-:*-^ 



•►-11^^ 



4- 



•240 



ROCK COUNTY. 



anil is univt'isally esteemed l)y all. A member of 
Triiiity Episcopal C'liurfli, she takes si)ecial inter- 
est in tiic work of tii.it society. Mr. Davis is not 
a mcmlier of any cliiircli, but is an ardent Odd Fel- 
low, a member of the Janesville City Lodge, No. 
1)0. and <inc who in his life endeavors fully to carry 
out tlic motto of tlie order, "Fiiendship, Love and 
Truth." 

Since coming to Rock Countj', Mr. Davis lias 
been fairly pros])erous. He is the owner of some 
valuable property on West Milwaukee street, witli 
a frontage of 21 "2 feet, on which stands a frame 
iiouse on the corner, a three-story brick, twenty- 
four feet front, an<l a two-story frame, twenty-four 
feet fi'out, <in the site of tiie olil iiotel. A Repub- 
lican in politics, he has never so\ight i>olitical oflice, 
preferring the (piiet life of :i citizen. .\s he nears his 
three score years and ten, he can look back ui)on a 
life well spent, with the satisfaction of knowing 
that friends he has manv and enemies few. 



#-# 



-}— 



< 



-r 



^^LARAMONT S. .lACKMAN, President of 
I If ^^_ the Hock County National Hank, of Janes- 
^^5'' ville, was born in that city on the 20th of 
November, 1846. His parents, Timothy and Mar- 
cia 'Smith) J.ackmau, were among the early settlers 
of this ct)unty, and their sketch will be found else- 
where in this volume. Our subject w.as educated 
in the .lanesville High School, and in August, 18G."5, 
when in his seventeenth year, enlisted in the 12th 
Wisconsin Battery, and served until the close of 
the war. Ho was at the l>attle of Missionary Riflge, 
Chattanooga, the engagements in front of Savan- 
nah, and was with (Jen. Sherman in his celebrated 
march through Georgia to the sea, and served un- 
til after the close of hostilities. 

On his return from the war, ftlr. Jackman, then 
but twenty years of age, joined his brother Hiram 
in the purch.a-se of the Farmer's Mill at Janesville, 
but continued in that business only one year, when 
he went to Montana Territory, where he spent the 
succeeding twelve months engaged in mining, re- 
turning home in the early part of the year 18G7. 
On the 1st of July, following, he entered the Rock 
County National Bank as messenger, subsequently 



became assistant cashier, was promoted to the posi- 
tion of cashier Aug. 17, 1880, and on the 17th of 
January, 1887, was elected President. A historj' 
of the Hock County National I'ank is given else- 
where in this work. He is a stock-holder in the 
New McLean Manufacturing Company, of which 
he is a Director and Treasurer, and is the owner of 
an undivided half-interest in a farm of .'500 acres 
near the city, which is operated under his direc- 
tion. In ])olitics, Mr. Jackman is a Republican, 
but has never desired or sought public odice. pre- 
ferring to devote his undivi<led attention to the 
various business interests with which he is con- 
nected. Socially, he is a member of ( )riental Lodge 
No. 22, K. of P. 

Mr. Jackman, on the 10th of ^Vfarch, 1869, was 
united in marriage with Miss Clara .1. Hanchett, 
who was born in Oneida County, N. Y., and is a 
daughter of J. i\I. Hanchett, of Chicago. The lad\- 
is a member of the I'uitarian Church, and by their 
union one child has been born, Frank II., horn at 
Janesville, J.an. 10, 1.S70. Although a young man 
for the position, when elected President of theliank, 
Mr. J.'icknian has proved to be a safe and com|)e- 
tent oflicer. He possesses good executive and linan- 
cial ability, and is conscientious in the faithful dis- 
charge of duty. 



-3i«*-: 



eLAHKNCK W. JACKMAN. of the firm ol 
H. Huchholz & Co., of .lanesville, was born 
in this cilj' on the 27th day of .Inly. 1 8.5.S, 
and is the youngest son of Timothy .lackman. 
In 1874, before he was twenty-one \ears of age. 
he eng.aged in the livery business at Janesvil'e, 
which he carried on till the fall of 188.'). In I le 
following May, he bought into the business, in 
which he is now engaged. 

In .lanesville, on the .">d day of August, 1874, 
Mr. .lackm.an was united in marriage with Miss 
Leahretta McDougall. a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., 
and a daughter of Alfred McDougall. She is a 
member of Trinity Episcopal Church. One <'hild 
has been born of their union, Ralph W.. b(u-n at 
.lanesville. Dec, 31, 187.'). .Mr. Jackman is a mem- 



■r 




^ m 



^^ ^J. 



i?->— c^^x^- 




ROCK COUNTY. 



243 



ber of Oriental Lodge. No. 22, K. of P., and also a 
member of Olive Hranch Lodge, No. 36, A. O. U. 
W. He is one of the eiitcrpising young business 
men of .lanesville, and is idenlilied with the grow- 
ing and prosperous industries of the city. 



County, and a leading business man of the 
Slate, is a native of Jlaine and was born in 



'^l^ ON. .\LLEN V. LOVK.IOY of .lanesville, 
1) Wis., the present .Senator from Kock 

i ' ■ 

the lown of W.ayne, Kennebec County, on tlie 20th 
diiy of Mareli, 182;). His parents were Natlian 
and Tempeianee (AVing) Lovejoy. The Lovejoy 
family is of English I'uritan origin, and boasts 
among its members some of the most noted char- 
acters in American liistory. Klijali and Owen 
Lovejoy of Illinois, so prominently identified with 
the anti-slavery agitation that preceded the late 
war, were of the same lineage .ts our siil)iect. 

N.'ilhan Lovejoy, a native of New Hampshire, 
was a man of well developed mental f.aculties and 
strong religious convictions, of the strictest integ- 
rity and a higlily honored man of his day. He was 
the son of Capt. .lohii Lovejoy, an active and val- 
i.ant soldier of the licvolutionary War. The whole 
race is noted for courage, perseverance and un- 
swerving fidelity to those |)rinciples of liberty and 
truth whicli distinguished their I'uritan ancestors. 
Temperance Wing, the mother of our subject, and 
the wife of Natiian Lovejoy, a very amiable an<l 
estimable woman, w.as the first white child boi'n in 
W.ayne. and was the daughter of Allen Wing, an 
able and inllnential man, who is well remembered 
in connection with the building of (lie first chnr<h 
in Wayne in which eiileiprisi' he was the chief 
mover. 

Allen r. Lovejoy, the subject of this sketch, was 
reared on a farm, where haliits of industry, frugal- 
ity and self-reliance were inculcated from his eai'liest 
boyhood. His (irimary educatifni was received in 
tlie district-schools, and he later pursued a course of 
study at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent 
Hill, keadficld. JLiine. At the age of seventeen, lie 
commenced to learn the carpenU-r ami joiner's 
trade, at wliici he worked in the summer time. 



while he was engaged in teaching school during 
the winter months, beginning the latter occupation 
when but eighteen years of age. He continued in 
that line of work, alternating teaching and working 
at his tr;ide until 18.')(). when, in the twenty-fifth 
j^ear of his age. he determined to seek his fortune 
in the broader and more promising fields of the 
Gre.at West. He reached Milwaukee, Wis., in the 
early summerof IHOO. From there he jourueved 
to .lanesville, then a thrifty village of 2,000 in- 
habitants, making the journey on foot, and landed 
at his destination with only a limited quantitv 
of this world's goods, but rich in energ}', pluck 
and enterprise. He at once secured work at his 
trade in .Lanesville, at which he continued for 
ne.arly two years. Li 1851, he went to Beloit, 
where he was connected with a lumber firm, first as 
an employe and later, having an interest in the 
busine.ss. In 18rj3. he returned to Jancsvillc 
and resumed business as carpenter and buildei-. 
Being a first-class mechanic and a clear-headed 
business man, he soon actpiired capital with which 
in IMCid, he o|)ene(l a lumber-yard in this city. He 
continueil building, however, until 1803, when he 
devoted his whole time to the lumber business. 
In 1870, Mr. Lovejoy formed a partnership with .1. 
Richards in the same line at Oregon. Wis., ami in 
succeedingyears.they opened yards at l!iookl\ n. .Ml. 
Horeli, Dodgeville, Blue Mounds, Barnevelt. 
Stonghton, New (!larus an<l Argyle. The.se sev- 
eral yards are conducte<l under the firm name of 
Lovejoy & Uichai-ds. 

About 18(!8, Mr. Lovejoy l)egan investing in 
pine lands, and since then, in company with others 
he h:is engaged in logging on th(! \Volf. Chippewa, 
and Wisconsin rivers. This business they have 
carried on successfully, having cut the p.ast sea.son 
over 30.000.000 feet of logs. Later, they bought 
a sawmill on the Chippewa, and subsequently pur- 
chased another mill at Merrill, Wis., where tin- past 
seas<m they cut 22,000,000 feel of lumber. Mr. 
Lovejov is .also interested in manufactures. He is 
qnile an extensive stock-holder in the Harris Man- 
facturing Company of .lanesville, of which he has 
been president since 1875; is a sttK'k-holdcr in the 
.lanesville Cotton Manufacturing Company; vice- 
president of the .lanesville Machine Company ; presi- 




244 



ROCK COUNTY. 



dent of the New McLean Manufacturing Company ; 
and proprietor of tlie Monterey Flouring Mill. He 
is also director in llie First National llank; director 
in the State Lmuber {'on]|)any ; and vice-president 
of the Merrill Lumber Company. He has a part- 
nership in several I'nrms in Rock. Dane, and Cliip- 
|)cwa counties. 

Mr. Lovejoy is a Repuliiican in politics, lint is not 
■A politicinn in theordinary acceptation of the term, 
although he has borne a more or less conspicuous 
jiart in local politics. In 1.S78, he was chosen to 
represent his district in the State Assemlily liy one 
of the largest majorities ever given to a candidate 
forthat office. In 1K8 1, he was elected Mayor of 
■lanesville by a sm;ill m.ajority, running against a 
verj' popular fellow citizen. In 1881), he was elected 
to the State Senate by a vcr\ llallcring m:iiorit\-. 
running several hundred votes ahead of his ticket. 
His able and faithful discharge of duty in all these 
positions hiis justitied the confidence repo.sed in 
him by his fellow citizens. 

The most important and interesting event in Mr. 
Lovejoy's life occurred at New Haven, Conn., on 
the -.^ath day of Ma,\', 1880, when he was united in 
marriage with Miss Julia I. Stowe, a daughter of 
Henry Stowe of that city, and a highly intelligent, 
accomplished and lovely lady. Mrs. Lovejoy's 
father h:us been an lionored member ami deacon of 
the Baptist Church for over fifty years. He is 
still a resident of New Haven and has reached the 
ripe old .age i>f eighty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lovejoy have three interesting children, two sons 
and a daughter — Allen 1'., the eldest, w.as born .Ian. 
k;, 1882; Henry S., Nov. 2. 1885; and .Iuli;i, Sept. 
21, 1888. 

Mr. Lovejoy is essentially a self-made man and 
h;us achieved success within the recollection of 
the surviving early .settlers of Rock County. 
Thirty -eight years ago he began at .lanesville bare- 
handed. His first start was made with earnings 
while employed as a carpenter, and his progress 
ami prosperity since have been stead\ ;ind sure. 
iMiergy. industry, and integrity have marked his 
course from the beginning, and success has crowned 
his efforts in a marked degree. He wouM lie rec- 
ognized in any con)mnnily as a man of gieat ac- 
tivity and power. He is UUl and well-proportioned. 



muscular and callable of much endurance. The mold 
of his countenance and shape of his head clearly 
indicate self-reliance and unyielding will, and fixed- 
ness of purpose not ea.sily disturbed. His move- 
ments aie slow but with precision anil forethought. 
He is logical in all his methods and has no convic- 
tions that have not been reached by a process of 
rc.-isoning. His mind is comprehensive, and he 
rarely troulilcs himself with details. With proper 
training he would do well at the head of an army, 
but would make a poor corporal or even captain. 
In early life his mind was much exercised on the 
suliject of religion, he considering areligiouslife the 
chief blessing and duty of man. IJut not satisfied 
with any of the current theories of standard au- 
thorities on that sulijccl. iie strove hard and long 
for a rule or creed on whicli to lean and follow, and 
finally adopted one pecidlar to himself, more after 
the Unitarian model than any other, but he con- 
tributes to the support .and occasionally attends the 
churches of other denoniinatious. 

A fine .steel engraving of Mr. Lovejoy is shown 
upon another page. 



FKRI IT BOSrWICK, residing on section 
I, Turtle Township, is one of the ))romi- 
l\ nent citizens and honored pioneers of Rock 
County, who dates his residence in this 
community from 1838. He has witnessed the 
growth of the entire county, for on his arrival it 
was .almost in its primitive condition. The prairies 
were uncultivated, the trees were still standing, 
and where now are prosperous and thriving towns 
not a cabin marked the site. He has witnessed the 
rapid strides and progress made by the advance- 
ment of civilization, has seen the wonderful growth 
of town and city, the transformation of the waste 
lands into beautiful homes and farms, and has 
borne a prominent jiart in this great work. 

Mr. Bostwick w.os born in Susquehanna County, 
I'a., on the 8ih day of .lauuary, 1817, and is a son 
of I'hilo and Charlotte (Slone) Bostwick, who were 
natives of Middletown, Conn. In an e.arly d,ay 
they removed to Fenn.sylvania, .and Mi-. Bostwick 
gave the name of his native citv to the new town 




*t=^ 






-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



21 



^h^ 



of I'eiinsylvanin, He was one of the first settlers 
in Middlelowii. l';i., ;in(l in liis house the elections 
were helil until his dentii, wjiicli occurrecl ulioul 
the year IK.'il. llprijiht and honorahlc in all his 
dealini;s, he rceeivcd the respect of all wiio knew 
him, and was one of the proiniuenl ami ieadini; 
citizens of the county in which he made his home. 
For many years he lield the ollice of the .lustiee of 
the Peace, was Sheriff for se\'eral years, and in tlie 
Baptist Chiircli, of wiiich he was a faithfid and eon- 
si>,tent incrnlicf. lie acted in the capacity of Deacon, 
Mr. and Mrs. liostwick were the parents of live 
children — I'hiehe A., hecanu' the wife of Z. F. 
Doty, and l)()tliari' now deceased; Madison died in 
Pennsylvania; Perry died in Rock C'ountv in 
1S70; llonier departed this life in low.a; .and Mer- 
ritt completes the family. After the death of her 
first husli.inil, Mrs. IJostwick liecame the wife of 
Willi:im L.'iwrence. ami in 1 S.Si;. emigrated to Rock 
County, sett lint; in IJcloit Township, where she 
m.'ide her home until licr death in IStiO. .She, also 
w.as a menilicr of the llaptist Church. 

The early education of oiM' suhjeet was rei^ejifed 
in his native county, and supplemented by a course 
in the schools of Heloit, after the emigration fpf the 
famil\- to NN'isconsin. When a young man he 
h'arneil the trade of .a carpenter and joiner, which 
occup:itit)n he followed at inliav.als for .a period of 
Iweiity-Hve years. On the Hth day of .Iainiiir\, 
IS 10, he was united in marriage with Aliss Diauth.a 
Nash, their union being celelirated in TurtleTowu- 
ship. The lady was horn in VVatertown, .leffer.son 
Co., N. v.. March :i, l.Sl<». and is the daughter of 
'I'iinothy and F'.ctsy (WoodanI) N.ash, the father 
a native of Deertield, .Mass.. and the mother of 
.Mliany. N. Y. On their removal from the Kast, 
they located in I.enawee County. .Mich., when tliir- 
teen families eompi-i>eil the population of that, 
county. The death of .Mrs. Nash, who was a mem- 
her of the liaplist Church. o<curred in .lonesvilK'. 
Mich., in ISI.'i. I Icr husli.and engaged in the oc- 
cupation of fanning in that State until he too was 
called to his tin.al rest, rntothem were born seven 
eliildren. but oidy two are now living — Mr.s. Bo.st- 
wick and Hiram II.. a resident of Los Angeles, Cal. 
Marrii'l becanu' the wife of .lon.athan Clark, who is 
now deceased, and her death oceured in Iowa at 



the .age of eighty years; Fannie wedded William 
Smith, a pioneer settler of Beloit, and both are now 
deceased; Jefferson, who has also p.assed awa\-; 
Kliza, deceased wife of (Joorge Campbell, of Hills- 
dale. Mich; Ivsther .M. married .lanns Hampton, 
of Michigan, and both are now dead. 

.Vfter his mairiagc, Mr. Hostwick worked at his 
trade in Beloit until \><:>0. when he |)urchased the 
old homestead, comprising eighty-six acres of laud 
on section I, Turtle 'I'ownship. This wa.s in an un- 
impro\ed comlition. but he immediately began its 
cultivation and development, and made for him- 
self a good home, where for thirty-nine years lie 
has continiu'd to resiile. His farm is stocked with 
a line grade of horses, cattle and hogs, and the im- 
provenienls which have been ma<le, place the farm 
vu a par with any in Tuitle Township. Though 
his business interests have been quite e.vlensive, 
Mr. Btistwick in all his life has never had a law- 
suit or felt the need of an ;ittorney only when dr.aw- 
ing a deed. He believes in settling all dilliciilies 
by arbitration rather than law, and desires to live 
in peace wilh his fellow men. He is well informed 
on all the leading issues of the day, and has alw.ays 
identified himself with the social, educational 
and moral interests of the county, and was for 
thirty-f)ne consecutive 3'ears Treasiner of the 
School r.oaril. Mrs. Bostwick. au iulelligent and 
highly educated lady, is a firm believer in the doc- 
trine of S|)iritualism .and is ontsi)oken in behalf of 
her religions f.iith. 

Tin's worthy couple arc the parents of two chil- 
dren — Frances, who fov six years w:is a successful 
tca(;lier in the schools and also of music, is now the 
the wife of Henry .1. Biekwith, a native of London, 
England, now residing in Chicago; I'hilo, a lead- 
ing farmer of Turtle Township, wedded Miss Ella 
Sweet, daughter of Henry Sweet, a prominent 
citi/.en of Shopiere. Wis., and to them have been 
born four chlldieu — Nellie, an .accomplished yoiMig 
lady an<l .a brilliant writer, many of whose literary 
productions have been publishccl. receiving com- 
mendations from the press; Hcnr}', Martli,a, and 
Gertrude, who are .all intelligent children and hid 
fair to become useful and honored eitzens. 

Mr. r.ostwick is one of the oldest pioneers now 
livinii in Rock County. He h.as filled various 



•^h-^ 



-i- 



•246 



ROCK COUNTY. 



township and county offices, disclinrging the fUities 
of the various positions with promptness and lidt-l- 
ity. and for six years was a niemtjcr of the town- 
ship Board of Supervisors. His honorable, upriglit 
course of lifeduring tlie fifty-three years in which lie 
has been numbered among Rock County's citizens, 
has won him hosts of friends, anil by all he is helil 
in the highest regard and e.«tecm. 

_>, ^^ ^ 




-t 



^BIATHAR JOFINSOX. (me of the pioneer 
WS'/Lil settlers of this county, now residing on 
section 4. Johnstown Townshi]), is a native 
of New York, born in Bethany, Genesee 
County, on the 3d of .Tune, 1817, and is the son of 
Isaac and Ruth (Brown) Juhnscm. The family of 
twelve children of which he was a member now 
numbers but four among the living. Wintlirop, 
the eldest, w:is born in 1S()2. and is now living 
in K.asl Randolph, N. Y.; Seriel and Oliver are 
now deceased; Miranda w:is the wife of Nathan 
Reed; Anna is also deceased; Abialliar was the 
fifth in order of liirtli; William, who for forty 
years was a minister of the Kreevviil Baptist Church, 
is now engaged in farming in Chautauqua County, 
X. Y.; IJavid, a minister of the Baptist Church, is 
living near Agra, in IMiilli|)s County, Kan.; and 
four children died in infancy. .Jeremiah Baldwin, a 
half-brother of our subject, died in 1H7H. 

When Mr. .Johnson w.as a litttle l.ail of seven 
years, the death of his f.ather occurre<l, .and he 
went to live with his uncle, Ileman Brown, a farmer 
of Genesee County, N. Y., remaining an inmate of 
ills home until having attained his twenty-first 
year. lie received such educational advantages as 
were afforded by the subscription schools, and in 
18:57 began w(jrking on a farm near Byron, N. Y., 
in the employ of Curtis Bennem, with whom he re- 
mained for five years. At the expiration of that 
time his m.arriage took place, and later he re- 
moved to Chautauqua County, N. Y., where, in 
connection with his brother, he owjied and operat^-d 
a farm of eighty acres. He, however, sold his in- 
terest in 1844, and in .June of that year emigrated 
to the West, landing in Milwaukee. Wis. lie then 
continued his journey l)y wagon until he reached 



Rfick County, where he has since made his home. 
The farm on which lie first located is the one where 
he yet resides, having there witnessed the growth 
and progress of the county, enduring the trials and 
hardships of pioneer days, and witnessing the de- 
velopment which has placed Rock County on a 
par with any in this great communwealth. His 
original f.arm comprised Ull acres, only twenty of 
which was Ijroken at the time of his purchase, while 
the only improvement consisteil of a rude log 
cabin. He has since disposed of a i)art of it. his 
farm now comprising only sixt3--one acres. 

On the 2 4 til day of October, 1842, our subject 
led to the marriage altar Miss Louisa Shnmwax-. 
daughter of lolijah and Anna .'Shiimway. She was 
the fourth in order of birth in a family of six chil- 
ilren, but three of whom are now living: Caroline 
married Curtis Bennein; Elijah is an old pioneer 
settler, residing in .Johnstown Township; Rev. 
Willard is a minister of the Christian Cluiich. and 
is living in Rccdsburg, Wis.; Louisa was next in 
order nf birth; Kinily liecame the wife of Ephraim 
Caiy, and (lii'cl in .January, 1872; Elvira married 
T. P. Barker, who died Eeb. 14. 1878, and her 
death oiciirred on the 20th day of October, 188(1. 

To Mr. and Mrs. .Johnson the following chil- 
dren have been born, four of whom yet suryive: 
Carrie R. is at home with her father; she was 
a student of Milton Academy, but on account 
of ill health was forced to abandon her studies be- 
fore compleling the collide. Miranda Ann is the 
wife of W. W. .lanes, a resident of Lima, and to 
them has been born one child, NinaL.; Orlando A. 
died Oct. 24, 1861; Willard .M. is eng.agcd in op- 
erating the home farm, and is the husband of 
Laura Carter, daughter of Thora.os and Arvilla 
Carter, who are natives of Chautauqua County, 
N. Y.. bill niiw reside in Rock County; Alice M. 
is living at Lima with her sister; David L. died at 
the home of his father, M.ay 23. 1878. The mother 
of these children was called to her final rest Sept. 29, 
1884, at the age of sixty-five years. She was a 
loving and considerate wife and mother, and was 
held in high esteem by her many frien<ls. 

In political .sentiment, in early life. Mr. .Johnson 
was a supporter of the Whig party, and cast his 
first presiflential vote for the hero of Tippecanoe. 



^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



247 , , 



At the organizatiun of the KepuWicaii party, hi' 
jiiiiii'd its ranks, and cast his last ballot for the 
giaiiilson of that (General, who is now our chief 
executive. Religiously, he is a meuiliir of the 
Freewill llaplist Church of North .lohnstown. I'or 
forty-five ^ears he has been a resident of this 
county, gaining tlie love and respect of all by iiis 
iionorable. upright life, and among Roek County's 
best citizens he is found iu the foremost rank. 



--'V^-'<Ji£i?-*^^^^- 



©s-a.OTw»<»'w^" 





THOMAS K. STKVKNS.anixtiiisivc farmer, 
and one of the representative citizens of 
Porter Township, residing on section ;3o, 
was born in Rockingham Co., N. II., April 11. 
1821. and is a son of .Iose[ih and I'ho'be (Kast- 
mau) .Stevens, the former a native of .Massachu- 
setts, and the latter of New Hampshire. In con- 
nection with farming, which occupation he fol- 
lowed during the greater part of his life, Joseph 
.Stevens engaged in the lumber trade near Lowell, 
Mass.. as a member of the firm of Stevens Hros. 
They did an extensive business in tiiat line, and 
were very successful. 

To Joseph ami Phfvbe .Stevens were born ten 
children, but of that once numerous family, only 
three are living, namely : Serena. Williiim and 
Thomas of this sketch. He and his wife were 
members of the Presbyterian Church, ami took a 
very active part in the work of that org.anization. 
and were libei\il in their support of the can.se. In 
the services of the church. IMr. Stevens aided ma- 
terially by his singing, having an t'Xcelleul voice. 
and he was often iicnrd in speccii. ple;iding with 
others to accept that |)ardon extended to .'dl who 
believe and obey. No man in the connnunit^- was 
held in higher respect or was more deserving of the 
love and confidence of his friends. lie was called 
to his final rest in 1M;50, and his excellent wife 
pa.ssed away on the I'ith d.ay of December, 1878, 
at the advanced age of ninety-three years, and. 
was buried iu the beautiful cemetery in I'orter 
Township. 

The education of our subject was received in the 
common schools. At the early age of eight years 
he was deprived of the father's loving, watchful 



care, and went to li\e with an uncle, of whose 
home he remained an inmate until eighteen years 
of age. At that time lie started out in life for 
himself, beginning his business career .as a farm 
hand, lie worked at various employments until 
1812, when he decided to cast his lot with the pio- 
neer .settlers of Rock County, and located in Porter 
Township, where he imrchased a farm of 40 acres 
with money saved from his w.ages as a day 
laborer, lie built a little log cabin, and imme- 
diately began the improvement of the land, which 
was then in a wild and uncultivated condition. 
The following year be purchased another tr.act of 
100 acres in Turtle Townshi|). which, after cultiva- 
ting three years, he sold, lie then bought and sold 
various farms, and at length traded land in Dane 
County for 120 acres, comprising a part of his 
present farm. 

Mr. Stevens was united in marriage with Miss 
Annie Webb, on the 2;id d.\v of November, 1844, 
and of their union a family of eight children have 
been Ijorii; Martha .lane, the eldest, born Nov. 23, 
1845; .SusMunali, deceased; Bertha C, born March 
1. 18.51; .\nna 1!., June l:{, 18.5.3; Eugene 
T., Se|)l. 2."i. IS.-,.-); W infield, Aia-il 13. 1858; 
Charles. .lul\ 12, 1860; and Lillie, the youngest. 
Nov. 27, 1863. Annie Webb, the wife of Mr. Ste- 
vens, was born in Connecticut, and is a daughter 
.b>shua and Annie Webb, who were both natives of 
that State, and came West to Rock County in 1843, 
where they spent the remainder of their d.i^s. 

When Mr. Stevens started out in life, his capital 
consisted onlj' of a young man's bright hope of the 
future, together with a deterniiuatiou to succeed. 
C(nnl)ining energy and perseverance witli his natu- 
ral business ability, he has overcome all obstacles, 
and is now one of the wealthy farmers of Rock 
County. A line farm of 520 acres of the most fer- 
tile land in Porter Township. |)ays a golden trilnite 
to his care and cultivation. He raisesagood grade 
of horses, cattle and hogs, h.as all the necessary 
machinery of the latest improved styles, and his 
home is an ideal one. Mr. Stevens h.as borne no 
inconsiderable part in the upbuilding of the coun- 
ty, and is one of its honored pioneers. For almost 
half a century he has lived in this community-, has 
witnessed the rapid growth of town ami city, has 

■» 



f 



248 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-^K-l. 



aided in the work of tiansfoimatioii wiiicli has 
been steadily eanied forward, converting its wihl 
lands into well ciiltivaled farms, and has been a 
supporter of all public- enterprises calculated to be 
a benefit to the pulilic Mr. Stevens and bis wife 
arc both members of I lie United Brethren Church, 
and are earnest and untiring workers in tlie Mas- 
ter's service. He is a Republican in politics, and is 
very enthusiastic in support of the principles of 
that organization. He is well informed on all 
matters of general interest, and is an intelligent 
and valued citizen. He is now an old man. but 
can look back over his past life with no regrets, 
and forward to the future with no fears. The res- 
pect which is rendered him by all is well merited, 
and his sketch deserves an honored pl.ice in the 
history of his adopted county. 



RANK B. CIIILIJ, who is one of the early 
ir-\\ai» settlers of Rock County, and is engaged in 
./l^ farming on section 1, La I'rairie Township, 

was born in Deering, N. H., in 183."!. His parents 
were Rev. Eber and Nancy (Tyler) Child, the for- 
mer a native of Vermont, and the latter of New 
Hampshire. The Child family is of English de- 
scent, it having been founded by ancestors who 
came from England to this country in the days of 
its early liistor\-. 

In the autumn of IM-Jy the Rev. Mr. Child, ac- 
companied by his wife and children, emigrated to the 
West and located in Emerald Grove, Rock County, 
where he remained but a few months. At the ex- 
piration of that lime he purcliased eighty acres of 
unimproved land in Lii Prairie Township, and in 
connection with his farming interests preached for 
the Congregational Churches at Emerald Grove 
and at Mount Zion, in Harmony Township. His 
death occurred in 18-19, at the age of forty-nine 
years, but his wife survived him until 1880. dying 
at the age of eighty years. They were the parents 
of six children — Mary E., who died when eighteen 
years old; William H.. died in infancy; Henry, 
who engaged in mercantile pursuits and afterwards 
served as a Major in the Confederate Array, died 
at Natchez; >nss. ; Erank B., was the third in order 



of birth; Charles died in childhood; Frederick is 
now engaged in farming in Dakota; and Ellen is 
the wife of Col. Ward, of Benton Harbor, Mich. 

The subject of this skelcli spent his earl>- life 
tipim Ills father's farm. At thi> age of sixteen 
years, he was apprenticed to a carpenter at .lanes- 
ville, and woiUccl at his trade until 1 HC 1 . when lu- 
res|)onilecl id his count ly's call fur troops, and en- 
listed in the niontli of Se|ilember, as a member of 
the 1 3lh Wisconsin Infantry. He partici|mted in 
the battles of Ricket's Hill, the second battle of 
Donelson, together with numerous other skirm- 
ishes. When the regiment returned home on 
a furlough in 1863, Mr. Child was detailed at Gen. 
Grant's headiinarters as a mechanic and was sent to 
Nashville, Tenn., where he was engaged in making 
desks and other furnilure. and also made a saddle- 
box for the General, under whose personal super- 
vision he worked. He was at the heail(|uarlers 
when Sherman took command and remained with 
that (ieneralas carpi'Uter until the march to the 
sea. He Ihcn formed one of a (Quartermaster's 
guard under Capt. Ison, for ihe defense of Nash- 
ville, and was comniissioneil Lieutenant, in which 
capacity he served until mustered <^ut in Novem- 
ber, 18f)t. When at Gen. (Grant's heailquarlcrs, 
he received a furlough, the paper permitting his 
leave of absence bearing the General's signature. 

After the close of the war, INIr. Child returned 
to Rock County, making his home in .Tanesville 
until 18()8, when he removed to Bates County, 
Mo., where he purchased a farm of 200 acres. 
Upon that land he tniilt a residence and also began 
its improvement anil cultivation, but only a few 
months had p.assed when a fire broke out, his home 
was burnt'd to the ground and he lost nearly all 
that he had. Once more returning to ,lanesville, 
he worked at his trade for some time, but after- 
wards purchased thirty-two acres of land on sec- 
tion 1, La I'rairie Townshii), comprising a part of 
his present farm. He has since added to the orig- 
inal purchase until he now owns eighty acres, 
which is under a high state of cultivation. 

In 1857, the marriage of Frank B. Child and 
Fannie Chesebro. was happily celebrated. The 
ladv is a native of Oswego County, N. Y.. and a 
daughter of E. D, Chtjsebro, wliose sketch appears 



4~ 



=fcf-* 



ROCK COUNTY. 






249 



clsewlicrc in this volume. Tiiey are tlie parents of 
Olio cliilil. CmiI \'., who married Carrie Sherman, a 

(laiiuhtcr of Adclinan Shi-rnian. and is now cnsa<,a'(l 
ill fainiinir in I. a I'r.aiiii' 'rowiisliip. Socially. Mr. 
Chilli Is M iiHMulicr of \\w Masonic fraternity, while 
in Ills political \iews, he is an advocate of the Hc- 
piililican party, lie i.s well infuriiicil on all the 
leadini; issues of the day and has served his dis- 
trict a.s School Treasurer for the period of fifteen 
years. Since 184.'). he has heeii a resident of Rock 
(oiiiity. On his arrival the coundy was in a wild 
iiiicultivalcd state, its |)rairies were nniniproved, 
many of its towns and vlllai^cs had not vet been 
founded, and the settlements were indeed few. 
IJke all pioneers he was forced to endure the trials 
and liai(lslii|)s incident to frontier life. 



•€♦*- 



\fr^K\'. NORMAN BROWN, pjwtorof the Free- 
lit*^' will liaptist Church at N'orlh .lohsntown, 
'i\y^\ Wis., is a native of Colerain. Fr.-inklin 
^)'County, Mass.. and w:is horn Feb. l.'i, is;i3. 
lie is a son of .lolin and Miner\a (Kdsen) Iiiowii, 
who were jiareuts of eiulit children, four of whom 
are now living — Alexander, the eldest, is now de- 
ceased; Horace and Harriet were twins, .and the 
latter died in infancy: Mar\' is a resident of Tama 
County, Iowa; Noiinan of this sketch, is the next 
in order of lilrtli; Kdwin died in Illinois; Harriet 
is now a resident of .Micliiij.'iu. and the yoiinu;est 
child died in infancy. The mother of our subject 
w.as called to her linal rest in IHKiand after her 
death his father was auain married and one child 
was born of his second union. 

The e.irh' life of our subject was spent in the 
Empire State, and on the lOtli day of December. 
Is.'iT, he was iinitcil in iiiarrlaLic with Miss Juliet 
Holmes, a daughter of John and l.ydi.-i (Sweet- 
land) Holmes. Her parents had a family of eight 
children, six of whom are living — Avalinda, the 
eldest, is a resident of New York; Sidney, who is 
married and has three children, makes his home in 
Wyoming County', N. Y.; Windsor is also a resi- 
dent of the Knipirc Slate; Mercy is living in Onon- 
daga County. X. Y.; Ada died in ( )noiidaga 
County, in infancy; Juliet, wife of our subject, is 

■4« 



next in order of liirth; Ann Kliza is the widow of 
H. I>. Darling; .lohn, who is living in Onondaga 
County. N. Y., is married and has live children, 
three yet living. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Brown three children were born, two of whom are 
still living — John .1., who was born on the 22nd 
of November. IH.'iK, died in infancy; Frederick, 
lioni June 1. ISIKt. is a missionaiy now in India. 
He received his literary education in Tompkins 
County, N. Y., as a student in the Union School, 
and his theological studies were pursued in the 
Hillsdale Theological College, from which he grad- 
uated in June. 1HH8. He then became [lastor of 
the Freewill Baptist Church at North Johnstown, 
but the same year was sent by that denomination 
to India. On the ;id day of November, he sailed 
fioiu Boston Harbor on the steamer ■ Pavonia " to 
Liverpool, from thence b}' the steamer " City of 
Venice,'" to Calcutta. .1. Holmes, the third child, is 
engaged in hoi-tlcullural pursuits in Moravia, 
Cayuga County, N. Y. 

Rev. Mr. Brown has devoted aluiosl liisentiie life 
to the service of the Master. At the early age of sev- 
enteen years, in Sept<>mber, 1 8.")0. he began preaching 
the word of (Jod, his first sermon being delivered 
in Fowler. .St. Lawrence County, N. Y., after which 
he attended the Seminary at Whitcstown, ( )neida 
County, N. Y., for about two years, during which 
time he preached occasionally. He then went to 
Spafford. Onondaga County, where he had charge 
of the church of that place for five years. His ne.xt 
field of labor was at Baldwin Church, then called 
Barton Church, in Chemung County, and he was pa.s- 
tor of that church for thirteen \ears. four 3'ears of 
which he preached half the time in I'ennsj'Ivania. 
From Cheniuiig County he went to Summer Hill. 
Cavuga Co.. N. Y., having charge of the church 
at that place for nine years; two years of the 
time he preached for the Congregational Church 
of that place, having the service in the morning. 
Ills own church being out in the country- a few 
miles, and he conducted services therein the after- 
noon. From there he went to West Oneonta, Ot- 
sego County, in the same State, and spent about 
two years, after which he spent nearly two 3-ears at 
Burlington Flats, in the same county, when owing 
to failing health he went South to Long Beach. 

>» 



f 



250 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ 




Miss., anrl spent a few months ami lliencaine Xortli 
to Iowa. In the fall of ISSC. lie leiuoved to Hills- 
dale. Rlicii.. where he resided Init a few months, 
when he accepted a call to Hedfonl Church, Mon- 
roe County, Mich.; there lie remained a year and a 
half, and then resii;ned to take his son's |)l.ace ;is 
p.'istor of the church at Johnstown, Wis. 

\1*^ EACUN ANDHUS MUNGEK is one of 
the representative men of Union Town- 
shii), and resides on section 21. He is a 
native of (Jenesec County, N. Y., born 
Nov. 10, 1H24, and his parents, Klam and Eunice 
(Andrus) Munger, were natives of Massachusetts. 
The father followeil the occupation of farming, 
and in 1808, shortly after his marriage, removed to 
New York, settling on the Holland Purchase, where 
he bought 110 acres of land, and in the midst of 
the forest develoi)ed a farm, making it his home 
until his death. That farm is still in possession of 
a member of the Munger family. The children 
born on the old homestead were: Abigail, who was 
born in 1812, and died when quite young; Cyrus, 
who was born in isii.and died in 188G; ivuev, 
who was born in 1816, became the wife of Chaneey 
(Jodfrey, and both are n<jw deceased. They had 
one son, Loran, who enlisted in a Penn.sylvania 
regiment, and was killed during the service while 
all of the family have now jjasscd away, with the 
exception of Mrs. Hoyt; Waldo, who was born in 
1 SI '.I. .iixl is now living on the old homestead, 
wedded Esther Nichols, and to them were born 
two children, Frank, ami Cynthia, who wedded a 
Mr. McHay, and died, leaving two daughters; 
Eunice, who was born in 1820, became the wife of 
a Mr. Lindsay, and both are now deceased; Fowler, 
born in 1822, is a resident of New York; Audrus is 
the next in order of birth; Annis. born in 1827, 
died in ISoT; Wise, born in 1821(, died in early 
childhood; Lavisa, who w.as born in 1831, died in 
infancy; Darius, born in 18;M, is a mechanic, and 
resides in Varysburg, N. Y. The father of this 
family died in Genesee County. N. Y.. on the 2d 
of December, 1867, and his wife departed this life 
Ann. 6. 1862. Both were devoted members of the 



4^ 



Baptist Church, and were highly respected by all 
who knew them. 

The subject of this sketch received his educa- 
cation in his native county, and was reare<l to 
manhood upon his father's farm. Remaining under 
the paiental roof until the age of twenty- four 
years, he then began learning the trade of a car- 
penter find joiner, and for some time engaged in 
coutr.neling and buihling for a livelihood. < hi the 
(Itli of August. 18.")1, he was uniteil in marriage 
with Miss Alice Hodges, a native of Wyoming 
County, N. Y.. and a daughter of Oliver and Abi- 
gail (Chamberlain) Hodges. Their union was 
blessed with a family of six children. l)ut of that 
number onl}' three are now living: Myrta. wife of 
Charles Ilidl. a resident farmer of Wilson County, 
Kan.; Roy. born Dec. 23, 1870, in Rock County; 
and Thedie. who was born Aug. ir>. 1873, anil is 
now attending school. Those deceased are Kosa, 
Lillian, and one child who died in infancy. The 
members of the family to which Mrs. Munger be- 
longed who are yet living are: Marietta, now Mrs. 
Scoville. of Attica, N. Y.; Gerry, who is living in 
Batavia, (.Jenesee Co., N. Y'. ; and Leonard, a resi- 
dent of Western Minnesota. 

Shortly after marriage, Mr. Munger and his \()ung 
bride removed to Attica, N. Y., where he engaged 
in carpentering and building until 18ij3, when he 
became a resident of Green County, Wis. For fif- 
teen years he made his home in that county, when, 
in 1868, he came to Rock County, where he has 
since resided. Turning his attention to farming, 
he puichased 130 acres of partly improved l.-uid 
on section 21, Uni<»n Township, wlieie he has since 
continued to reside. He inunediately l)egan the 
further develoi)ment of his lands, and has made 
many tine imi)rovements, placing his farm on a par 
with aay in the county. In connection with agri- 
cultural pursuits, for many years lie continued to 
work at his trade, and has built many of the best 
buildings in this vicinity. He is one of the self- 
made men of Rock County, having by his own 
efforts of industry aiul economy become one of the 
well-to-do citizens, notwithstanding the fact that 
he began life in limited circumstances. In politics 
he is a sui)porter of the Republican jjartj'. and his 
wife is a great worker in th? Women's Christian 

0^ 




^•^'byTGJ^nan^ ^- ' 




cn^*' 




h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•253 



Tiunpcrancc I'liioii. IJotli Mr. ami Mrs. Miiniier 
are members of the Baptist Church, in whicli lie 
liolds llic oHicc of Deacon, while he is known as 
Deacon Mung'er throughout the county. His jiiliors 
in hehalf of the temperance cause and the church 
are unceasing, lie gives liberally of his lime and 
means to the advancement of the chiucii interests, 
is always found in the foremost rank in all moral 
and religious enterprises, and has been a faithful 
worker in his Master's vinej-ard for many years. 
Ills spotless character and unquestioned integrity 
have won him the confidence and respect of all. and 
he is held in the highest esteem wherever known. 



APT. PLINY NORCROSS, attorney-at-law 
of Janesville, and a prominent business man 
~^«/ of that city, was born in the town of Tem- 
pleton. Worcester Co., Mass., on the IGth of No- 
vember. 1838. His father, Franklin Norcross, was a 
descendant of Jeremiah Norcross, one of four 
broliicrs who emigrated from England and settled 
at Boston, Mass., in IGSfi. His mother. Lydia 
(Powers) Norcross, is of the seventh generation 
from Walter Powers, who was born near Boston, 
in li:;>'.l. 

Franklin Norcross and Lydia Powers were mar- 
ried at I'hillipston, Mass.. on the 17th of August, 
1836, and in the fall of 18.-,2 left the B.-iy State, 
and, with four of their cliildren — Plinv, Freclcrick, 
Ellen and Louisa — settled in La (irange, Walworth 
County. Wis. The eldest child, Lauson, joined 
the family a few years later. 

With the exception of one winter s|)ent as a 
student at Milton Academy and one at .VIbioii 
Academy, our subject remained on the farm in La 
.<; range, until the fall of 1853, when he left home 
and entered Milton Academy, there coutinuing for 
two years. In the fall of 18fiO he entered the Stale 
University of Wisconsin, pursuing his studies in 
that institution until the Kith of the following 
April, -when he joined the Governor's Ouards, at 
Madison, in response to the call of President Lin- 
coln for 75,000 troops to serve three months. He 



claims to be the first to enlist from the University, 
and also from l»o(;k County, in the War for the 
Union. In the organ! /.at ion of the 1st Wisconsin 
Infantry, the (JoviMiior's (Juards bi'came Company 
K, and were commanded by Capt. Lucius Fair- 
child. Young Norcross was appointed Corporal in 
compliance with the rc(iuest of the squad of Uni- 
versity boys in the ciinipany. This regiment saw 
no fighting, .save at the battle of Falling Waters. 
Md. Among the famous battles of the Kebellion 
this one would hardly be worthy of mention were 
it not for the fact that it was there that the Wiscon- 
sin troops were first engaged, and there George 
Drake, of Milwaukee, was killed — the first Wiscon- 
sin man to lose his life in the great struggle for 
N.atioiial existence. This three months' service 
was an exciting, patriotic outburst of loyal senti- 
ment. It was the [)oetr_\- of the war; the serious 
part came later. 

Mr. Norcross returned to the University in the 
early fall of 18GI. but all attempts to study were 
useless. Livy's brilliant description of Hannibal's 
march across the Alps and his contest with the 
Poman legions seemcfl tame indeed, to the actual, 
living [iresence of war in support of the Hcpulilic. 
The whole country was ablaze. The air was filled 
with patriotic impulse; lliousands were rushing to 
the recruiting stations; uniforms were seen at all 
points; the red. white :inil blue were displayed 
ever3-where — on the buildings and streets, on the 
tables and in the drawing-rooms. Ladies vied 
with each other in wearing the symbolic colors. 
The |)ress gave no news except the war; the warl 
It was impossible to stud}' in such an atmosphere. 
Mr. Norcross went to Milton, an<l there raised the 
company known in the war records as Company 
K, 13tli ^^■isconsin Infantry, of which he was 
unanimously elected Captain. The 13th Regiment 
went into camp in what is now known as the Fair 
(i rounds, in the cil^' of .lauesville, and in .lanuar}', 
1862, left for the South, remaining in active serv- 
ice until the close of the war. Capt. Norcross was 
with his company most of the time until the ex- 
piration of his three years' enlistment. Frequently 
he w.is on special dutj'. being for several weeks de- 
tailed upon court martial at Leavenworth. Kan. In 
the winter of 1863-64 he was in command of a 



t. 



-4^ 

254 



-•»• 



U 



ROCK COUNTY. 



special (letacliinent, and liad cliargc of tlie ord- 
nance stores in Naslivillp. liaviiig his headquarters 
in the office of tiic al)scnt Mayor. His time of 
service exiiiring in Novenibei', IHIil, he returned 
to liis home. 

On the 4tli of .lanuary. 1HG5, ('apt. Norcross 
was married to Pha-bc (Aliin) I'oole, a former 
schoolmate at Milton Academy. She was the only 
daughter of .lolm II. aii<l Mlizalietli Poole, resi- 
dents of the town of Turtle in Rock t'ouiity. In 
the spring of 1^65 the newly-married CGU|>le com- 
menced housekeeping on Millim avenue, in .lanes- 
ville, where their lirst chikl, Fred V. was horn, 
Dec. i. 1865. 

Mr. Norcross commenced the study of law with 
the late II. K. Whiton, Esq., and snlisecpicntl^-, 
upon the removal of Mr. Whiton to Chicago, read 
in the office of Willard Merrill. Ks(i. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar Feb. 15. 18G(;, and in the fall of 
the same 3'ear formed a partnership with .Tohn R. 
ISennett, Ksq., now Judge of the First .ludicial 
Circuit. That connection continued until 1873, 
when he l)ecame a partner of A. A. Jackson, Esq., 
remaining with him a year, after which he practiced 
law- alone until July, 1 877. when the lirm of Norcross 
<i: Duuwiddie was established. That firm continued 
business until the spring of 1883, when Mr. Nor- 
cross relinquished the practice of law. and went to 
Hrooklyji, N. Y., where he organized the Inter- 
national Tile Companj', of which he was elected 
President. The other active members of the com- 
pany were J. W. Ivery 'and Henry Huhver, who 
came from England for the pur|>ose of manufac- 
turing encaustic and ornamental tile. A large fac- 
tory was erected, mainly with English capital. In 
August, 188;i, Mr, Norcross withdrew from the 
business and returned to Janesvllle, purchasing a 
large part of block No, 174, Smith, Bailey, it Sterne's 
addition, including Farmers' Mills, then located on 
the present site of the Pluebus Block, together 
with the water p<jwer belonging to the same. 

In the fall of 1883 our subject erected the Nor- 
cross Block, on River street, and in 1884 removed 
the Farmers' Mills to the foot of Dodge street and 
erected the Pluebus Block on Milwaukee street. 
In the spring of 1885 he \>u{ in an electric light 
plant, and in the summer of 1887 erected the 



present library building. He utilized the water- 
power of his original purchase by running the 
Farmers' Mills, the electric light plant, and by fur- 
nishing power for the shoe shop of Richardson A- 
Marzluff in the three-story building of the Nor- 
cross Block, also for the liean-der Printing Com- 
pany, the steam laundry, the bindery of II. J. 
].,awreiice. the Chrnnlcle. and other purposes. In 
the fall of IWISS. uiion the dissolution of the lirm 
of Ri(li:u<is<iii iVr Marzluff. he formed a partuer- 
slii|i with Mr. Richardson, and, with him still con- 
tinues the manufacture of ladies' fine shoes. 

In the full of 18G(), when in his twenty -eiglith 
year. Mi. Norcross was elected to the Legislature 
from the .lanesviile District, was an active member 
of that body, and was appointed Chairnuui of the 
Committee on State Affairs, He served .as Dis- 
trict Attorney of Rock County fiom 1871 to 1875, 
when he declined to again be a candidate. He was 
City Attorney for two terms, during the j'ears 
1875 and 187(), was M.ayor of the city in 1877 and 
1878, and w:is also a member of the Board of 
Trustees of the Institute for the Bliiul for scveial 
years, and served on Gov, Smith's staff as aide de 
camp. In 1885 he w.-is again a mcndjcr of the 
Legislature, and was Chairman of the' Judiciary 
Committee. The same year, upon the organiza- 
tion of the Business Men's Association, he was 
elected as its first President, and in the 3-ear 1887 
wa.s one of seven to purchase the pro|>erty known 
.as Forest Park, which was then a large pasture 
ground. He built his present home thereon in 
188!t. 

In politics Mr. Norcross has always lieen a Re- 
publican. He is not a member of any church, but 
is a regular attenilant upon the Episcopal service. 
Four children, Fred Franklin, John Vandcipool, 
Elizabeth Leavitt and Edward Powers, with their 
parents and gr.andmolher, make up the family. 

Capt. Norcross has proved an enterprising, |)rac- 
tical business man, .and, in addition to the various 
business coiu-erns before mentioned with which he 
is interested, has been identified with numy of the 
industries and corporations of Janesville, He was 
one of the original incorporators of the Merchants' 
and Mechanics' Savings Bank, the Badger State 
Works, the Janesville Pickle Factory, the Janes- 



u 



ROCK COUNTY. 



••► 



255 



ville Matliine Company, tlie Cotton Mills and Bas- 
ket Factory. 

Ill mainior, ('apt. Norcross is uiiassumiuii. affahk; 
Mild ctimteoii.'*, liln'ial and broad in Ills views, and 
I'Vor read}' to aid any public enterprise that is cal- 
ciilalod to lii'iu'fit the citj' or county where lie has 
niaiU- Ills lioinc. That he is a man of good execu- 
tive aliility and not lackiiii; in nerve, the various 
hiisiness enterpri'Ses wliich li<' has successfully con- 
dnctetl, leslifi^. while ills integrity and high moral 
character coram.tiid the resiiuct and confidence of 
his fellow-citizens. 

A fine steel cngraviiiii of Capt. Norcross is 
shown on another pauc. 





pvKTKU ALLEK, Superintendent of the 
County Kaiin of Rock County, is a native 
of New .Icrsey, horn Marcii IH, 1SI7, and 
is the son of William and Mary (Dal- 
rymple) Allen, l"ith of whom were also natives of 
the same Stale, and who were tiie parents of eight 
eiiildren. Peter lieing fourth in order of liirth. 
.le.sse. the eldest, whose sketch appears elsewhere in 
this volume, is now living in I'nion Township, Roek 
County; Sarah .\iin. who married .lames Moore, 
die<l in \xs[; Ilaniiah. wiio became tiie wife of 
William Mamiiug, is li\ ing in Hunterdon County, 
N. -I. , .loliii died at liis home in Mitchell County, 
Iowa, in 18H0; Esther, who departed this life in 
l.S,">."i. was the wife of Thomas Wardell. who is now 
living in Mitchell County, Iowa; William, who re- 
sides in Washington, is engaged in the occupation 
of farming; David is a resi<lent of California. 

In l»\6 the family removed from New Jersey 
to Bedford County, Pa., where our subject grew to 
nianhoo<l and received the greater part of his 
education in the suhscriplitm schools, supplemented 
hy two years attendance in the district schools, 
which were organized hut a few years before he 
attaine<l his majority. Like the great majority of 
the boys in his da}-, he was early initiated into the 
mysteries of farm life, and hail to do his share of 
labor u|H(n the home farm. In the spring of 1«4() 
he left the parental roof, and turning his face West- 






ward, traveled until reaching Southern Indiana, 
where he engaged in farming forahout six monllis. 
lie then came to Rock County and located in Inion 
Township, where he iiurchased NO acres of govern- 
ment land :uid at once commenced its improve- 
ment. 

After erecting his cabin, he realized that it 
would be a lonely life indeed to occup\ it without 
a loving helpmate, so on the 28th day of .March, 
1811, ho was united in inaiiiage with Miss Kleanor 
Temple, a native of Maine and daughter of Elicii- 
ezerand Hannah (Stabard) Temple. She was one 
of a family of six children, as follows: Albert, 
now deceased; Eleanor, wife of our subject; Will- 
iam, who died in AVasliiiigtoii ; J.-imes, a resident of 
Mitchell County. Iowa, engaged in farming; Mary, 
who is single .and resides in Washington; Elmira, 
who became the wife of (Icorge Cummings, also a 
resident of Washington. The wedding ceremony 
that united the destinies of I'eier Aller and Eleanor 
Temple was the first celebrated in Cnion Township. 
The ceremony was performed by a .fustice of the 
Peace, as at that time there was no minister of the 
Gospel within convenient distance. 

In the s|)ring of 1811 Mr. Aller broke twelve 
acres of his land, [ilanting it in corn, which yielded 
a good harvest. As time passed the remainiii" 
land was put under cultivation, other improvements 
were made, and in a few short years he had one of 
the best farms in his section of country. In 1814 
the village of I'nion was laid out by Mr. Temple 
and Mr. Aller .sold twenty acres of his farm to 
Samuel Lewis, wlio laid a part of it out in town 
lots as part of that village. The country was now 
being steadily settled up and the county was organ- 
ized into townslii|)s. In 1854 Mr. Aller was first 
elected as chairman of the town board, and at 
various times has since served in that position for 
twenty years. 

On the 24tli d.ay of October, 18(i0, Mr. Aller 
w.as calleil u|)on to mourn the death of his wife, 
who died leaving two children. The eldest, Han- 
nah Maria, born Aug. 25, 1842, married William 
Rol)erts, a farmer of Mitchell County, Iowa, and 
to them have lieen born five children: Claude, 
Clair, Nellie, P^stcUa and Maud. The second child, 
Jennie E. became the wife of Hiram Cross, a Bap- 



256 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•*^^k-^ 



4 



tisl clergyman, and died Aug. 2, 1877. Mis. 
A Hit was a woman dearly loved hy all who knew 
lier. 

In 1863 Mr. AUer removed to Evansvilk-, wluie 
for the succeeding throe years he resided and was 
engaged in the drug business. On the 2d day of 
Decemlier, 1863, he was again married. Miss X.aney 
M. Smith, a native of Montpclier, Vt., becoming 
Ills wife. She is a daughter of Stephen .ind Sarah 
(liean) Smith, the former a native of Vermont and 
the latter of New IIami)shire. Their family num- 
bered eight children, of whom Kancy, born .lune 
I.'J,1H2'J. is the eldest; Samuel C, when l.ast heard 
from, was residing in California; J>ouisa died in 
infancy ; Eilna L. died in May, 1870; J. L. departed 
this life in February, 1887, and the others died in 
infancy. One child has gr.aced the union of Mr. 
Aller and Nancy M. Smith, Arthur 1'., l)orn Nov. 
27. 1865. For about live yesirs he was a student 
of the high school of Evansville. and also attended 
the seminary in that place. He is now a resident 
of .loluistown and engatred .as Assistant Superin- 
tciiilcnt of the County- farm. 

In ]><()() Mr. Aller returned to his farm, where 
he remained three years, when he again moved to 
Kvansville and for a time lived a retired life. In 
1871 he wasapijointed Deputy Sheriff by R.T. Pem- 
ber, and served :tssuch during the term of the latter. 
He w.as also appointed to the same position by S. 
.1. I'utnam. and served from l)S7.'{till 1877, when 
he was elected Chairman of the County l.oanl of 
Supervisors, a position which he continued to till 
for the succeeding ten years. In the fall of IX.SC, 
at a special meeting called for that purpose, he was 
elected as Superintendent of the Rock County 
Alms Ilonse, and .Tan. 1. 18.S7. ent«'red upon the 
dist'harge of the duties of that otlice. That he is 
well qualitied for the position is not doubted by a 
single person, for he has proved his ability in that 
direction to the satisfaction of one and all. The 
aver.age nunil)er of inmates is al>out 1 Id, while the 
cost of con<lucting the farm is about :J;|n,()0() an- 
nually. The farm consists of 222 acies of land, 
and is operated by Mr. Aller, with the assistance 
of the inmates. 

For almost one-half century .Mr. .Viler has been 
a resident of Rock County. The otHcial positions 



^5^ 



which he has held have brought him in contact with 
thousands of its best citizens, and he is held in the 
highest esteem bv all. No inan in the country is 
better known or has more warm friends. Politic- 
ally, he has been a consistent lke[)ul)lican since the 
organization of the party. IJeligiousl}', he is 
identilieil with the Congregationalists. 



■^yj ESSE D. ALLER, a successful and promi- 
nent farmer of Union township, residing on 
section 25, was born in Susse.\ County, N. 
.1., on the 1st day' of December, 181 1, and 
is numbered among the pioneers of Rock County, 
of 1841. His parents. William and Mary .Viler, 
were also natives of New Jersey, ancl the Aller 
family were numbered among the representative 
citizens of that State. Our subject is one of a 
family of eight children, four of whom aie now 
living. Peter, a prominent farmer, now has charge 
of the County farm, situated in Johnstown town- 
ship; Hannah, the only daughter, is the wife of 
William Manning, of New Jersey; Williams, whose 
place of residence is not known, and our sub- 
ject. Those who have passed aw.ay are Esther, 
who wedded Thomas Wardell, of .Alitchell County. 
Iowa; Sarah A., who became the wife of .lames 
Moore, who is also now deceased; David, who 
went to California at the time of the gold dis- 
covery in that State, is supposed to have died on 
the Pacific slope; .lolin. who diiMl in Mitchell 
County, Iowa. 

When our subject was a lad, the family removed 
from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, where the}- con- 
tinued to reside until 1840, at which lime they be- 
came icsidenlsof Ripley County. Ind. After speiid- 
ingfour years in that State, Mr. Aller coutiuucd his 
jtjurney to Wisconsin, and located near the village 
of Union in Rock County, where lie made his home 
until III' became a resident of Evansville, where he 
died in June, 1874, .at the age of eighty -eight 
years. His excellent wife dcpartc<l this life in 
1865. Both were members of the Freewill Baptist 
Church, and took an active |iart in advancing the 
interests of that body. 

t)ur sid)ject began his education in his native 



"^- 



tive ± 



-4»- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



257 



State, and completed his studies in tlie public 
scliools of IVnnsyl vania. He has followed the oc- 
cupation of fanning through aluiosl his entire life, 
with the exception of four years, when, returning 
to New .lersc'v, he worked at thi' carpenter's trade 
with an uncle. His experience in that line lias 
proven of niucli Ixinelil to him, eualiling him to 
plan and su[)erintend the erection of ids own 
huildings. He removed with the family to In- 
diana in 1840, Init the following \ear his brother 
and himself decided to cast their lot with the pio- 
neer settlers of Wisconsin, and suiting tlie action 
to the word, came to IJock County in the spring of 
that year. The lanil was then in its primitive 
condition, deer and othei- kinds <if wild game were 
to be found in abundance, and the settlements 
v^re few and far between. The spring after their 
arrival, onr suliject lented a farm and planted a 
crop, and in the spring of 1842 he built a little log- 
cabin on section 25, Union Township, where he 
made his home for one year. He th(>n entered 40 
acres of laml on section 25, situated on the Old 
Territorial Road, between Janesville and Madison, 
and in a short time increased his landed posses- 
sions by the purchase of another 40 acre tract. 
There were then but two houses between his homo 
and Janesville, and, in making a trip to I>eIoit to 
mill, he could drive directly .across the prairie, 
there lieing no fences or buihlings to intercept the 
way. Oxen were used in lireaking jirairie and for 
hauling the produce to market, and the farming 
implements were very crude. 

Before his emigration to Wisconsin, IMr. A Her 
was joined in wedlock on the 13th day of October, 
lH;:i(!, with Aliss Nanc}' Owens, a native of Bed- 
ford County, Pa., and a daughter of ,Iohn and 
Mary ((i.arrison) Owens, who were also born in the 
Keystone State, where the father's death oeenrrcd. 
The mother departed this life in Ohio, to which 
.Stale she removed with her family. Before the 
enngration of the young couple, three chihli'eu 
were born to them, two liorn in Pennsylvania and 
one in Indiana, and in the pioneer home of Rock 
County, the family circle w.as increased to ten. 
Six of the children are now living; Mary E., widow 
of James Courtier, resides with her parents; Wil- 
' liam, who enlisted in the ranks of the 47th Wiscon- 



sin Infantry wsis taken sick while in the service, 
and died soon after his return; John, who also 
served throughout the entire war, wa.-> a member 
of the Kith Wisconsin lufantrj', and was 
with Sherman <iti tlic celcbi;itcd march to the 
sea. No truer oi- braver soldier followed the old 
flag. He faithfully performed his duty, murmur- 
ing not at the hardships, and when the cause of 
freedom had conquered ho w.as honorably dis- 
charged. He is now engaged in farming in .San- 
liorn County, Dakota. Esther is now the wife of 
Orlando Sea lies, a resident farmer of Moody 
County, Dakota; Sarah wedded David Jones, of 
Evansville, but is now deceased ; Joseph O. died at 
the age of three years; Marilla has also passed 
away; David 1). is engaged at clerking at Lomali, 
in Monroe County, Wis.; Ransom R. is a farmer in 
Dickson County, Neb.; Henry P. is a machinist of 
Evansville. 

For the long peiiod of liftv-thi-ee years Mr. and 
Mrs. .Viler have traveled lifi''s jonrney together, 
sharing the trials and blessings, the sorrows and 
joys which checkered the pathway of each. Their 
long residence in this county has endeared them 
to many friends, by whom they are held in highest 
regard. In their declining years they can look 
back over a life well spent, with no regret for the 
past or fears for the future. During his earlier 
years Mr. AUer was a supporter of the Whig par- 
ty, and in 1840 cast his first presidential vote for 
(ien. William Heniy Harrison. His views being in 
accordance with the principles of the Republican 
party, he joiuetl it.s ranks at tlie time of its organ- 
ization, and h.as remained a faithful adherent to 
this da^'. He cast his last presidential ballot for 
I'.cnjamiii Ilarri.son, who is now chief magistrate of 
our nation, and the ln>nored grandson of the Ti|)- 
pecanoe hero, for whom he proudly deposited his 
first vote. He has always been found in the fore- 
most rank of the temperance movement, earnesllv 
advocating the suppression of the li(pior traflic. 
both by precept and prai-tice. For forty-four 
years he and his wife have been members of the 
Freewill Bajjtist Church, are liberal in the support 
of that organization, and :irc untiring workers in 
their Master's vineyanl. In his business career 
Mr AUer has been ver\- successful. The little 



h 




4 



4 



258 



-•^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ 



liomestead of forty acres has been increased to a 
fine farm of 160 acres, with all the modern im- 
provements, fine buildinirs. well cultivated fields 
and the best grades of all kinds of stock. The lit- 
tle log cabin was replaced by a commodious two- 
story residence in 1870. the rude farming imple- 
ments have given way before the improved culti- 
vators, threshers and self-binders, and the work of 
progress and development has been ste.adily carried 
forward until the farm is one of the finest in the 
county. AVHien Mr. .Mler first settled where he 
now resides, there was no forest, with the exception 
of a few straggling burr oaks; the lieautiful timber 
now standing on a part of his farm was then small 
switches, suitable only for riding whii)S, so that he 
has not only witnessed the growth and develop- 
ment of the country, but has also seen the growth 
of the beautiful forest in the ncighbc^rhood. All 
the greater is Mr. Aller's success, when we know 
that he started in life with no capital, |X)Ssessing 
only a good constitution, a hopeful disposition and 
a strong determination to make his way in the 
world. The respect which he receives from all is 
richly merited, and we are pleased to record the 
sketch of one who has been so prominent a factor 
in the history of Rock County for almost half a 
century. 



f^s^ ,\MUKL CLKIy.VNI), a prominent farmer 
^^^ of Center Township, living on section 36, 
1tl/l| is a native of New York, and was born in 
^~-^^ Orange County, October ■2.'5, 1828. His 
parents, Samuel and .lane (Martin) Clcland, who 
were born in County Down, Ireland, had a family 
of nine children of which he w.as the sixth in order 
of birth, only seven of whom are now living, 
namely: Eliza, wife of .1. Gowdy, of J.ancsville; 
George, who settled in Center Township in184G, 
but afterwards removed to Janes ville, died in 
March, IH8G, leaving a family; Jame.^^, who emi- 
grated to Rock County in 1 842, is married and 
makes his home in .lanesville; Jane, now Mrs. 
Ross, is living in Newburgh, Orange County, N. Y.; 
John is married an<l makes his home in California, 
where he is engage<l in the mercantile business; 
Samuel, of this sketch, is the next in order of 



-'i- 



birth; Davi<l is married and engaged in sheep 
raising in Lake County, Oregon. The other two 
died in York State. 

The father of this family was a farmer by occu- 
jiation. In 1810 he first crossed the Atlantic to 
America and became a resident of Orange County, 
N. Y., where he was numbered among the pit)neers. 
After two years he returned to his native land and 
in 181. '5 was united in marriage with Jane Martin. 
The following year he once more came to America, 
and settled permanently in Orange County, where 
for twenty-eight years, he engaged in tiie cultiva- 
tion of the same farm. In ix/ix he came to Rock 
County, Wis., and in connection with .1. (iowdy 
])urcliased a farm on sec-tion 28, .lanesville Town- 
ship, where he passed the remainder of his life, 
dying in 187;!, at the age of eighth-four years. 
His wife died in .lanesville in 1.S7",>, at the age of 
eighty-seven years. They were people highly re- 
spected throughout the community where they 
resiiU-d. 

( )ur suljject was reared to manhood In his native 
county, a,nd there receivecl his education in the 
district scliools. though it has been largely supple- 
mente<l by subsequent reading and observation. 
While residing in the Empire State, he began farm- 
ing for himself, and in 1 8;').">, in Orange Couutv, 
w.as united in marriage with Miss Mary A. McCart- 
ney, one of the fair daughters of that county. 
Her i)areuts, .lames and Mary (Shaw) McCartney, 
were also natives of Orange County, but were born 
of Irish descent. Her father was a farmer and 
p.as.sed his entire life on the old homestead in New- 
York. The young couple began their domestic life 
upon a farm in that State, but at the end of two 
3'ears emigrated to the West. Desiring to m.ake 
'their future home in Wisconsin, they located in 
Rock Count}' in 18.56, and took up their residence 
on tin; farm in Center Township which still con- 
tinues to be their home. .Mr. Clcland pnrcluised 
eighty acres of land, upon which was a small house 
and barn and immediately began its cultivation. 
Many improvements have since been made, until 
his farm is now regarded as one of the best in the 
townshi|>. and comi>rises I (!0 acres of land under a 
high sUite of cultiv.'ition. After a few years had 
passed away, he erected a fine farm house, but had 



'4 



■♦- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



259 



the misfortune to have it destroyed l\v fire. With 
clinriicterislie energ}-, iiowever, lie soon rei>l!i('e(l it 
by another fine dwelling. His barns and outbuild- 
ings are models of convenience and his land is 
stocked with a good grade of Norman and Clydes- 
dale horses and Shorthoin cattle. lie does not take 
a very active part in political affairs, hut casts his 
ballot with the Democratic partj'. In 185.') lie 
made a trip to California and returned home by 
way of Oregon. lie has ever taken a deep interest 
in the cause of education and for the past twenty- 
live years ha.s been treasurer of the School Hoard. 
He and his wife are members of the Congregational 
Church at Center, in which he has held the oHice 
of Deacon for many years. Financially he is a 
self-made man, for by ids own efforts of industry, 
perseverance and good management, he has gained 
a comfortable competency and is reganled as one 
of the leading, progressive farmers of Rock County. 
15y the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cleland eight 
children have been born — Elizabeth, who has l)een 
a successful teacher in this county for several 
years, being now employed at Edgerton; Mary 
lane, now Mrs. Oliver, formerly of Spring Valley, 
Wis., is now a resi<lent of Elk County, Kansas; 
Harriet and Emma, twins, the former being now 
the wife of C. H. Fisher of Center, while tire latter 
is tcadiiug her third year in the [lulilic schools of 
Minneapolis, Minn.; Anna has also entered upon 
her third year as leachei- in the Minnenpolis 
schools; Helen is following the same [yrofessinn at 
Menomonee Falls; Miuia is at lunne; and Eliza is 
attending the Normal Institute at White Water, 
Wis. All of the children have leceived splendid 
advantages for securing an education, having taken 
a thorough course at the White AVater N<irnia! 
College, and all are iiilelligent and honorable 
women. 



...^ I.KUEI) DEWEY, an honored 
fl Jane 



pioneer of 
sville. of May, 1!S12, was born in 
~W% Deerfield, Oneida Co.. N. Y., on the 11th 
day of Ajtril, isi'.i. and is ji son of Zen.os 
and Prudence (Smith) Dewey. His father was a 
native of Connecticut, and the family is of English 
origin, but d.ites il^ residence in Auieiica to a 



i* 



time prior to the War of the Revolution. The 
mother was descended from an early New Jersey 
family, and rcMnoved from that State to New York 
about 1800. The marriage of Mr. Dewey and Miss 
Smith w.as celebrated in the Empire St.ate, where 
they continued to reside until death. Zenas 
Dewey was the father of ten children, ei>,dit of 
whom were by his first marriage, and two bv his 
second. Of the first family of children, but two 
are now living — Alfred and his eldest brother 
Martin, who is now a resident of the Soldier's 
Home at (iuincy. III., and who was born on the 
14th day of December, 1H12, and came to Jai.es- 
ville in 1844, working at the trade of a carpenter 
and joiner, until he enlisted in the late war in an Illi- 
nois regiment, serving more than three years. Of 
the second marriage, Amamla, now the wife of 
David Shaver, of Ottawa, III., is the only one now- 
living. 

Alfred Dewey, the subject, of this sketch, yrew 
to manhood in liisuati\(? county, and there learned 
the business of ganlening with his father, who was 
a horticulturist. In the fall of l.SKi he went to 
Galena. III., that legion of the counlrv then beiuir 
greatly noted for its lead mining interests. From 
Galena he went to Slnillsburg, and in the spring 
of 1841 went to the town of Exeter, in Green 
County, Wis., and engaged in iniuing until the 
spring of 1842, when he came to Janes ville, reach- 
ing this city on the tenth day <)f .Mav. since which 
time he has continued to make it his home. Tims 
for the long period of forty-seven years, he h.as 
been a resident of this community. At the time 
of his arrival there was not :i single house tm the 
west side of Rock River, in what is now tlie cit\- of 
Janesville. and fui the eiust side was a little village. 
cr)nlaiuing about 150 inhabitants. ( )iilv a short 
time elapsed wiien Mr. Dewey engaged in carpen- 
tering, and since that, time he has made that trade 
his chief occupation, tliougli for a number of years 
he devoted cousider.able attention to gardening. 
He has always taken great interest in the :iilvance. 
ment of the comniunily. and in 184 7. while Wis- 
consin was yet a territory, he served as deputy- 
sheriff of Rock County. 

On the 17th day of March, 1847, .Mr. Dewey 
was united in marriage with .Miss Elmira II. Stiles, 



-•► 



f 



i 



-4»- 



•«► 



260 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-f 



a (laughter of Joseph and Rachel { Morse) Stiles, 
who were natives of Vermont. Her father died in 
tiie Oreen Mountain .State, when she was hut 
twelve years of age, after which she went to live 
willi tlic family of a relative. Deacon IJenjamin 
Morrill, (now deceased) witli whom .she came to 
.lancsville, in 1844. hut the liealth of Mrs. Morrill 
lieing poor, the family returned to Vermont in 
184C, but the lady did not survive the return jour- 
ney, dying somewhere in the state of New York. 
Though not long a resident of this city. Deacon 
Morrill is well rememliered by the pioneers of this 
town, and w.as one of the organizers of the First 
Congregational Church of Janesville. There is 
now but one of the organizers of this Church liv- 
inu in .lauesville — Mrs. Dewey. The deacon was 
for many years a resident of Orfordville, N. II., 
where his death occurred in March, 1889. The 
mother of Mrs. Dewey died at the home of her 
son in Michigan, Feb. 26, 1880. She reared a 
familv of seven children, all of whom are living, 
with the exception of one. 

Ml-, and Mrs. Dewey have three children, one 
son and two daughters, and two others died in 
childhood — Rosa A., who filed at the age of six- 
teen years, and Horace, who died while yet an in- 
fant. Minnie is still at home with her i)arents; 
Dr. Charles A. is a successful and prosperous I'hy- 
sician of Chicago, lie was bom in Janesville, 
Oct. 2;!, 1H5(), and received his literary education 
in the city schools, after which he studied medi- 
cine with Dr. (^)uiiicy O. Siillierl;iiid. He took his 
first course of lectures at the Hahnemann Medical 
College, of I'hiladelphia. and graduated at the 
Hahnemann College, of Chicago, in 1880. On the 
completion of his studies he was apjiointed resi- 
dent physician of Hahnemann Hospital, m Chicago, 
where he remained one yeai', and then located in 
that city, his ollici' being at No. '201. Thirty-first 
street. He h.is already att.ainod to considerable 
distinction in his prof&ssion, and gives promise of 
a still broader field of usefulness. Myra, the 
vt)unger davighter of Mr. and .Mrs. Dewey, is the 
wife of Chester II. Tiitlle. of Janesville. 

As will he seen from the above dates, our sub- 
ject and his wife are among the early settlers of 
Rock Connt\ who are still living, and are num- 




bered among its most highly esteemed citizens. 
The lady, as already stated, was one of the org.an- 
izers of the First Congregational Church, and has 
ever been a worthy, active and consistent member 
of that ilenomination. Mr. Dewej' has been con- 
nected with the Church since 1865. Politically, 
he is a stalwart Reiiublican, but was a Whig in 
earl^- life. He is the only living charter member 
of Wisconsin Lodge No. 14. I. O. O. F. of Janes- 
ville, which he helped organize in 1847. 

||Z_^ OMER BRADLEY DeL(JNG, dealer in leaf 
fi tobacco, established his present business in 
1871, and is tt^-day the oldest dealer in that 
line, in point of service, in the city of 
Janesville. While usually doing an extensive busi- 
ness, his tr.ade varies according to the season. For 
the year 1888 he handled 1000 cases, or over 
300,000 pounds. 

Mr. DeLong is a native of Hardwick, Otsego 
Co., N. Y., born Aug. 12, 18.32, and is the >on 
of James and Mary (Stewart) DeLong, the former 
a native of Fr.ance, an<l the latter of New York. 
Her father, .Stephen Stewart, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War. Theearl3' life of our subject 
was spent in Walertown, N. Y., where the familv 
moved at an early d.ay. Choosing the trade of a 
mason, he served an apprenticeship and then as a 
journeyman until 1«;>4. when he came to Janes- 
ville, and as a builder and contr.aetor, erected a large 
number of the most substantial buildings in the 
city. He followed that occupation until 1.S71. 
when he eugjiged in the sewing machine business, 
and in liuying and shi|)ping tobacco. Until lH7o he 
carried on both lines of business, but since that 
time he has engaged exclusively in the tobacco 
tr.ade. 

Mr. DeLong was married in .lancsville. .luly 1. 
1855, to Miss Ellen Child, a native of I'ittsfield. 
Vt., and daughter of I'enual Child. Four children 
have been born to them, three daughters and one 
son. Isora is now the wife of Wallace M. Carrier, 
of Janesville; Lillian ('.. Flossy H. and (ilenn J. 
are yet inmates of the paternal home. 

Stirred by a patriotic impulse, in 1864, Mr. De- 



-t- 



'?-f.'<^ 



■ *■■ ''^'^ '.sr'J^r';' 



4t 
^1 



':'«fe. 





a 

z 

o 






Ul 



o 

X 




o 

z 

o 

•2 
S 

< 

Ul 

_i 
o 

vi 

or 



4 



J^ 



" ^1 1 < » 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•203 



Long returned east !i 11(1 enlisted in Company C. 10th 
NewYork Ilea vyArtilli'i\ .. '11111 served until theclosi? 
of the war, when he returned to .laiiesville. and lias 
here since made his home and heen actively en- 
jjaged in husiness. Carinir notliing for oflice, or 
th{^ lioiiors aoiiuiivd liy ollicial title, he yet takes 
that interest in |>olitii-Mi matters that every Ameri- 
can cili/.eii should take, and casts his vote with the 
Repnhlican party. Socially he is a memlier of 
Wisconsin Lodge, No. 1 1, L O. O. F.. and of \V. 
\V. .Saiiieiit Post, No. 20, C. A. 1{. lie .attends 
the Unitarian Church, the doctrines t)f which are 
most coiL^onant with his views of moral and Chris- 
tian life. As a citizen he is enterprising and for 
every nieasiire calciil;iteil for the i)iil)ric good which 
meets his .■ipproval. he is willing to do his part. A 
resi<lencc of more than a thircl of a ccnturj' in 
Iloek County has made him many friends. Mr. I)e- 
I-ong (>rected the (irst tobacco warehouse in .lanes- 
ville. Olliers followed his lead until novvthereare 
twenty-three in the city. lie was the first to em- 
ploy girls to sort and put up toh.acco in the eastern 
style. The (Irst season he employed twenty-six; 
ahout (ifly are now eiiiplo^'ed dining the season. 
When he started in luisiness. W . IL I'omeroy, who 
has since left the luisiness, was the oldest dealer in 
toliacco here. Mr. DeLong now has that honor. 



OLMKS II.ViMMONI), a prominent pioneer 
of this county of .Iiine 1H|:5, and a highly 
respected citizen of Clinton, is a native of 
(^) the (Jreeii Mountain State, his birth having 
occurred in Windsor im the ITtli day of .January, 
I SOT. His parents were .labcz IL and Mary (Kowe) 
Hammond, who were of New England descent, and 
who after their marriage .settled in AVindsfir. where 
the following children were born unto them, 
namely: Cecilia, the eldest, died at the ageof six- 
teen years; Kaunce wedded Miss Mary 'I'liompson, 
and died in Craftsbur^', N't.; Calvin became the 
husband of Miss Lucy McGrath, and died in Wind- 
sor; Stephen marrie<l Lavina McCJrath.and dieij in 
Kock County. Wis.; Jabez departed this life at the 
age of lifteen years; .lerry. whose death occurred 



in Windsor, w.as the husband of Huldah Davis; 
James married and died in Rock C'ount\-, Wis.; 
Elon was twice married, and his dealli occurred in 
V^urmont; Daniel, who died in Windsor, w;is united 
ill m;irri;ige with Mary Sawins; .labcz niariieij 
Adalinc Clark, and is now living in iMassachusells. 
.labez II. Ilaiiimoiid was a shoemaker by trade, .'ind 
followed that occupation for a livelihood during 
his entire life. lie .-111(1 his wife were members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were greatly 
respected in the (•omniunity where llu?y resided. 

When our subject was seven \eais of age, he 
was placed in the family of Calvin Cliapin, a mason, 
with whom he rcmaiiu'cl until attaining his majorit}'. 
lie learneil the trade with Mr. Chapin. and after 
leaving the home of that gentleman lemained in 
his employ for one y<\ar. He thoroiighl}' mastered 
the trade of masonry, and became an expert work- 
man, whom few c(;uld excel. In 18."i2 he was united 
in the hol\ bonds of matrimony with Miss S:ir:ili 
Marcy. wluj was born in Windsor. \'t., in \xo'>. 
and was a daughter of Prosper Marcy. The y(jiing 
couple began their domestic life in the .State which 
had always been their home, and there coiitiniied 
to reside until 181;!, when they started for the 
West. Going by team to Troy, N. V., thej- there 
boarded a canal boat for IhilTalo, and while making 
the journey to that city, Mr. Hammond first saw a 
railro.ad train. On landing at HutTalo, accompanied 
by his family he embarked on a steamer bound for 
Milwaukee, which was wrecked on the return voy- 
age. The journey was then continued with teams, 
the company' slopping the first night at Vernon. 
Waukesha County. On arrivingat the Fox River 
it was found that the water was so high that tlie\ 
could not proceed farther, and were obliged to wait 
until the following morning when it h.ad somewhat 
subsided. Mr. Hammond then hired a man who 
took the women across on liorses, while he carried 
the youngest daughter on his back. Finally suc- 
ceeding in getting cv(!r3'tliing across, they continued 
on their w.ay until reaching the home of an ac- 
(|uaiiitance, Royal 15iley, with whom they spent a 
few weeks. In the meantime our subject had pur- 
chased a farm of 210 acres on which a little log 
eal)in had lieen built, while twenty-live acres had 
been broken and lifty fenced. Into that little 
•^ 



J. 



204 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



lioine he moved with his family, anrl there con- 
tinued to reside for fifteen years. He ininiedialely 
began tiie development of his hinil, cariyinsi- on 
the work of cultivation an<l iniprovcmcMt until 
1855, when he sold out and |)urchased another farm 
near Eagle. Two years later he came to Rock 
County and located in Clinton, where he erected 
the home in which he still resides. 

Mr. and iMrs. Hammond became the parents of 
three children — Caroline, wife of Thomas Williams, 
who is located in Milwaukee; Martha, wife of A. 
\V. Baldwin, an atlorney-at-law of Milton, Wis,; 
and Kmma, who became the wife of .1. W. Harts- 
horn, of Clinton, and died at the iige of twenty- 
nine years. The death of Mrs. Hammonil occurred 
at Janesville in 187;$. and the husliand was again 
married in 1874, when Caroline W. Winkler, a 
native of Livingston County, N. Y., born July 7, 
18'20, became his wife. Her parents were John and 
.lulia .V. (Greene) Winkler, who luul a family of 
twelve children, ten of whom grew t<> manhood and 
womanhood — Calista B. niai'ried ( )rman<l llayden, 
of Waterloo, Wis.; Kdwiii U. is living in Boone 
County, 111.; Corydon is a resident of New York; 
Caroline is the honored wife (jf our subject. John 
is living in New J..isbon. Wis.; Mary wedded Isaac 
llinton, \vhf>se home is in Blue Earth, Minn.; and 
Sarah is the wife of William Law; she is a resident of 

i; ic County. III. Mr. and Mrs. Winkler emigrated 

to the West in 184(1, settling in Boone County, 
III., where both passed away. They were active 
anc) consistent members of the Baptist Church, and 
at their death the comniuuity lost two valued citi- 
zens. 

Politically. Mr. Hammond is a Republican ;Hid 
in early life cast his ballot with the Whig part}'. 
In is 10. he voted for (len. William Ilcjiry Il.arri- 
son. and in 1888 voted for lienjamiu Harrison, our 
present Executive and the grandson of the Tippe- 
canoe hero. None stand higher in the conimnnity 
than Mr. llaiuuHiuil. \vlii> has for so iiiany long 
years been idcnliliccl with the growth and progress 
of Rock County, and has witnessed almost its en- 
tire development. To those pioneers who h.-ive 
borne the liardships and trials of frontier life is 
due a debt of gratitude whii'li can never be repaid, 
but we can honor them in life, and when they shalj 



have passed away hold their memory in loving re- 
gard. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hammond aie strong believers in 
spiritualism, as was iil.so his frst wife. The present 
Mrs. Hammonri is recognized as a clairvoyant and 
magnetic healer. As a medium she professes power 
to communicate with the departed. When Mr. 
Hammond came to Clinton, he coidd .scarcely get a 
pl.ace in which to hold a .seance, and therefore, in 
1 858, erected a hall to be used for that pnipo.se. 
lie is now cight\ twu years of ai^e. hale and 
hearty, and with the noble lady, who is a true com- 
panion to him, p:usses along the journey of life with 
no fears for the great future. The reader's atten- 
tion is called to the excellent portraits which ac- 
company this sketch. 



^ifp^ZRA HEXNISOX CHESEBRO. a farmer 
^ who resided on section 12. in La Prairie 
, ' — ^ Township, wasanativeof Connecticut, hav- 
ing been born in Stoningtou. on the Kith of A|.)ril. 
1814. He was a son of Henry and Sarah (Will- 
iams) Chesebro. His mother was a <laughler of 
Col. Isaac Williams, who .served with distinction 
during the Revolutionary War. He was desceinled 
from an old New England family, whose founder-. 
William Chesebro, came to America in 1620, lo- 
cating in Stonington, Conn. His mother was of 
English descent, and w.as descended from a famil\- 
who came to America in Colonial d.ays. « 

Henry Chesebro. the father of our subject, fol- 
lowed the sea for many years, and was the owner 
of a vessel. He also engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, but when the War of 1812 broke <nit, he 
abandoned business and entered into the service, 
holding the rank of Adjutant. He was a shrewd, 
enterprising, yet thoroughly honest business man, 
being (|uite successful in his various enterprises, 
ami for many years bouulit proiluee wliicli lie ti'.-ms- 
portcd by his own ship to Charleston or olhei' 
southern ports. In 1834 he removed with his fam- 
ily to New York, purchasing a farm ne.-ir Syracuse, 
upon which he resided for al)ont two years. He 
then sold out and removed to Cayuga County, 
N. Y., where lie purchased a l.aiire farm, making it 



^If 



\ 



-4«- 



ROCK COUNTY. 




■2 Co 



his home until 1843. The f.all of tiie following 
year he came to Rock Count3\ Wis., and bought 
forty .lores of hind at Milton, wlicrc he rcniaini'd a 
siioit time, but later c.inie to La I'rairie 'I'ownship, 
settling on section 1. Pre-eni])ting 400 acres of 
raw land, he eontinucd to reside thereon until IHoO, 
when he became a resident of Janesville. Only a 
short time had passo.l when he returned to the faiiii. 
hut in 1S,")4 he went to Columlius. Wis., where his 
death occurred in IHCT, at tue age of eighty-si.x 
years. 

Mrs. Cliesebro departed this life in 1.S78, when 
eighty-live years of age. The\- were members of 
tiie Congregational Church, took great interest in 
its advancement and were instrumental in the erec- 
tion of a house of worshii) at Emeiald Grove. .Mr. 
Cliesebro was ever a liberal eontriliutor to public 
institutions, and was a man of prominence, receiv- 
ing the respe<-t of all. They were the parents of 
five children, of wlioiii Kzra was the eldest; Martha 
wedded (iillicrl A. Woods, and resides in Oswego 
County, N. v.; Luke, who was a drayman In San 
l-raiii-isco, Cal., died in 1 8."i I ; Ileiiry •!. died in 
cliililhooil; Frances, who wedded Christ Dfan.dieil 
in Connecticut in 1887. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood 
on a farm, and received his primary education in 
the common schools, which was su|)plemented bv a 
three-montlis course at an academy. With the 
family he removed to New Vork iii 1834. ami the 
following year wedded Mary Eldredge. who was 
born in Connecticut in 1811. She is :t daughter of 
.losliua and I'.ridgct (Short) Eldredge, the t'oiincr 
of Englisii origin, the Latter of Irish paieiilai'e. 
Five children graced the union of Mi-, and Mrs. 
Cliesebro: Elizabeth, wife of |)a\id Cuiiiiiiiiigs, 
who is engaged in farming in .lohiiston 'I'Dwiiship; 
Frances, wife of Frank Cliilds, a resident fanner of 
l.a I'rairie Township; William II.. a traveling sales- 
man residing in Chicago; Esther, wife of ha I'. 
Nye. an attorney-at-law of Eureka. Kan. 

After his marriage Mr. ClieselMo rented a farm 
in New York, and eng.aged in its cultivation for 
two years, when lie moved to his fatlicr's farm in 
Cayuga County, that State. The succeeding live 
years were spent in the dairy business, and he then 
went to Oswego County, N. Y.. where for live years 



he made his home upon a rented farm. In 1848, 
resolving to cast his lot with the pioneers of the 
West, he emigrated to Rock County, Wis., settling 
on section 12, Ea Prairie Township, where he pur- 
chased ICO acres of land, upon which he contiiuied 
to reside until his death, which occurred in M.ay, 
1889. .Vt that time it was wild and uncultiv.ated. 
but immediately beginning the work of develop- 
ment he soon had one of the finest farms in the 
vicinity. Many beautiful and useful improvements 
were m.ade, including the residence now occupied 
by his widow. whi<-h he erected at a cost of !5!3,000. 
Mr. Cliesebro always took a deep interest in po- 
litical affairs, and did all in his power to advance 
the party to which he gave his support. In early 
life he cast his ballot with the Whig party, and 
first voted for Henry Clay, later he cast his ballot 
for William Henry Harrison, and in 1888 vote<l 
for Benjamin Harrison, the illustrious grandson of 
the Tippecanoe hero. At the organization of the 
Republican party he enlisted in its ranks and val- 
iaiitl3' defended its banner. A successful and en- 
ter|)risiug business man, a worthy citizen and a 
leading farmer he li.as the respect of all who know 
him. Mrs. Cliesebro. who is a most estimable lady, 
li:us been a member of the Congregational Church 
for half a century. 



Ijr-^^ ( )RERT R( )SSITER. a practical and progress- 
|L^ ive farmer who is living on section 21, 
Spring X'alley Township, is of English 
^^^ liirth. Ill- was born in Lincolnshire, near 
Hoston, England, on the 27tli of April, 1 824, and 
is a son of William and Martha (l.uiid) Rossiter. 
the former a native of Lincolnshire and the latter 
bfU'u in the city of Lincoln. Our subject passed 
the days of his boyhooil au<l youth in his native 
land, receiving his education in the public schools, 
and when nineteen years of age. in 1X43. sailed for 
.\merica. .\rriviiig safely at the harlior of New 
York he took up his residence in Monroe Countv, 
in the iMiipire State, where ln' |)asseil the succeed- 
ing five years employed as a farm haiul. ,Vt the 
end of that time he contiiiueil his jnurnej' west- 
ward until arriving in Rock Coiintw where he has 




H 



.t 



2(56 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



since continued to reside. In connection with his 
hrotheis SlierwooiJ and Edmund Hossiter lie en- 
gaged ill farming on the siiares for aliout one year, 
wlien he piircliased eighty acres of land in Spring 
A'alley 'rownship about a mile and a lialf east of 
his present liome. At tlie expiration of a year he 
l)egan the development of the farm on wiiicli he 
now resides, and to ids indcfatigalile efforts are due 
the many fine improvements ami the high c\iltiva- 
lion under which the huxl has been placed. Tiie 
farm was then in its primitive condition, the land 
being partl\ timljer and partly prairie land. 

Mr. Rossiter cut rails for fencers, liewed the trees 
whicli furnished the logs for the house, and the 
following year, 1851,erect(.'d the little cabin which 
remained his liome until 186:^. He continued to 
live alone, keeping bachelor's hall and devoting his 
time exclusively to agricultural pursuits until April 
7. 1857. wlien he was united in marriage in .lancs- 
ville, with Miss .leinima Klizabelh Helm. Mrs. 
Rossiter was born in Sclniylcr. IlciUinier Co.. N. V., 
April 1, I8:V2. and is a daugliter of .lohn and Mary 
(Wisten) Helm, the former.-i native of Lin<'olnshire, 
England, born on the banks of the river Indier, 
while the latter was born in DcnlicM. ( )nei"l:i Co.. 
N. Y. 

Mrs. Rossiter was duly installed as mistress of 
tlie pioneer home, and seven children were born to 
the happy couple: John, the eldest, whose birth 
occurred .Inne 1, 18i')8, married Florence P.atten. a 
native of Wisconsin. Oct. '.i. 1887, and they now 
reside in Spring \'alley Township, where one child, 
Wesley Watson, w.as born to them; Rolx-rt R., born 
AuLT. 7. 18.50. is engaged in farming on the old 
homestead; David II., born Aug. 21. 18{;;5, wedded 
Katie Roberts, of Magnolia 'I'ownship, by whom he 
lias one child. Clyde, and now resides in Decatur, 
Green Co., Wis., where he carries on fanning and 
well-drilling; Warren Hcber, born ( )rl. :!1, isfi,'), 
is still with his parents. 

Mr. Rossiter is one of the leading fanners of the 
township in which he resides, and is a worthy and 
valueil citizen. He has extended the boundaries 
of his farm by subsequeiil iiurchase until it now 
com|)rises 160 acres of fine arable land under a 
high state of cultivation, the first sixty of which 
he deareil without assistance. He has been an in- 



defatigable laborer, and while preparing a home for 
his family he seemed so restless and untiring in his 
efforts that his neighliors called him the wilil man. 
His home and entire surroundings indicate thrift 
and refinement, and all the improvements necessary 
to the model farm of the I'.ltli century have been 
made. For a long period of forty-five years he has 
residi'd in this county. He has not only witnessed 
the rapid changes wliicli have been made but has 
been an active participant in the work of develop- 
iiiciil of progress which has placed Rock on a par 
with any county in this great conimonweallli. His 
pioneer experience will never be forgotten. He 
recalls well the time when he broke his first land, 
and the time sjient in marketing his grain. From 
his first crop a barrel of his red winter-wheat Hour 
found its way to (^iieeu \'ictoria. 

To those early pioneers who shared in the hard- 
ships of frontier life and develoi)cd the wild land 
into farms of rich fertility, the county owes a debt 
of gratitude wliich can iic\er be repaid, but their 
memory will be cherished liy coming generations 
who are benefited by the arduous labors of the 
early settlers. Mr. Rossiter ami his estimalde wife 
are meinViers f)f the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and in political sentiment he is a faithful adherent 
of the Rei)ublican (lartv. This worthy couple are 
numbered among the highly respected citizens of 
the community where they reside, and arc greatly 
esteemed by their many friends. 

\I7_^ ON. A.MOS 1'. RRICHARD, late .ludge of 
Ji the County Court of Rock County, Wis., 
was born in IJradford, Orange Co., \t.. on 
the 20ili of M;iy. 1827, and w.as a son of 
Oeorge W. and Elizabeth (I'ear.son) Prichard. At 
the University of Vermont, he received his educa- 
tion, graduating from that institution, and at once 
entered upon a course of law studies at the Cam- 
bridge Law School of Harvard. After completing 
his ct)ur.se at Camljridge, he pursued his studies 
with .lohn (Jregory Smith, of St. Albans, Vt.. 
until 1 8.')0, when he came to .lanesville. Wis., and 
was admitted to pr.actice in the courts of this State 
during that year. He formed a partnership with 



1 'i 

i 



.1 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^^•►Hh-^ 



2(;7 



his brotlior, Moses S. Prichard and Judge David 
N<)}rj;li'. mikUt the (iiiii name of Noggle, Pricliiird 
and I'l iiliMnl. Mild ImUt, the firiii hecaiiK" Nougle, 
l'iiih;iid A- Bciiy. He was I'leckwi Cilv Clerk, 
which dlhi'i' he hchl se\i'r:il yi"us. Miid in l.s.")7 was 
I'lei-ted Couiily .hidge of Rock County, entering 
ti|i<in his duties .Ian. 1, 18.58. Tlie alile manner in 
which lie discharged his duties led In his re-election 
at each suciceding election until his death, wliit^li 
occurred Sept. 1."), lS8(i. making a. continuous ser- 
vice ill lh;il ollice of 1 weiity-eight years. 

.ludgc I'richard was married on the ITilli of 
.Se|)teml)er, IS.) I, to Miss Augusta Dearliorn, daugh- 
ter of Lyman Dearborn. The lady is a native of 
Concord, N. II.. and four children were born of 
their union, one son and three daughters, — Char- 
lotte, l,yiii.-in D., AMiic and Helen M. Mrs. I'rich- 
ard survives her husband, and with her children 
resides at ■fancsville. 

.Judge I'riehard w;is a Reimblican in politics, 
and with his family attended All Souls Church. He 
was of a kindly, genial nature, gracious and .-itfable 
to ail, upright and hoimiable in :\ markeil degree, 
and enjoyed the good opinion and conlidence of 
those with wiioni business or soei.al relations iirought 
him ill contact. 

-J^^J- 



IJKDKKICK Ci.AU'K I'KKUY. one of the 
iiitial and respecterl citizens of Heloit. 




4 



was born in X'ictor, Ontario County, X. Y., 
on the L'd of .Inly, IMl 1. ||i> parents, .lames and 
Sally (Arniild) I'erry, were descended from old 
New England families, and became lesidents of the 
Umpire State in 178(1. .lames I'erry w.as a .soldier 
of the War of 1S12. and was wounded while en- 
gaged in the battle of I'liiffalo. He ami his wife 
had a family i>f eight children, four sons and foiii' 
daughters, six of whom lived to m.atiirity: .Sally. 
the eldest, married .laeob ISiirlisoii, who settled at 
Kast Blooniliehi. N. V.. where Imth died: Frederick 
C. is the ne.\t in order of birth; .I.ames is a resident 
of Michigan; Betsy is the wife of Francis Young, 
of Hillsdale County, Mich. ; Marietta became the 
wife of .lohn Shelters, a resident of Michigan, 
where she died in 1878; Peter, the yomigesl resiiles 
near Benton Harbor, AHch. The death of Mr. 



Perry occurred in 1830. Politically, he was a 
Democrat, and was always well informed on all 
matters of pnbli<- interest. JSIrs. Perry, who was a 
sincci-e Christian wuinan and a most estimable lady, 
died in 18;i.O. 

Our subject passed the days of his childhood 
and \(iuth in his native connt^'. and his education 
was received at the district schools. Being the 
oldest sou of the family, on the death of his father, 
the whole responsibility of caring and proviiling 
U)\- his younger brothers and sisters fell iipun him. 
but he nobly discharged his arduous duties. 'J imes 
were hard and many a cord of word has he cut and 
s|iiit for lwenl\-li\e cents per cord, cutting from 
two to three cords per da^'. He was offered a po- 
sition in a cooper's shop l>y a man who lived in the 
neighborhood, who agreed, as soon as he could 
make four barrels, which was a day's work, to pay 
him day wages. In three days after entering the 
service he had so far masterecl the trade as to make 
the four barri'ls per da\ . This shows what a young 
m;in of energy and enterprise can accom()lish when 
put to the test. In 1 8.>8 Mr. Perry emigrated to 
the West, locating in Oakland County. Mich., where 
he engaged in business until 181(1. when he removed 
to Commerce, where he followed his trade for six 
years. 

In the nth of Novenjber, 1812, he led to the 

marriage altar Miss Asenalh Howard, a daughter 
of Cheney and Asenatli Howard, of Herkimer 
County, N. ^^ In November, of 18;'(.'!, he came 
to I'.eloil. where he has since resided. The follow- 
ing year he erected the home in which he still re- 
sides, but which was at that time on the prairie, 
being siirronndcil by only a few houses on the west 
side of the river. P'ive chililren were born of the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. I'lMiy. two sons and three 
daughters: Il:irriet. wife of Thomas Purvis, a 
prominent business ni;in of Heloit; Delia, a gradu- 
ate of the Meloit .Seminary; Albert, who was a sol- 
dier in the late Rebellion, in the 42d Wisconsin 
Inf.antry, and is a cooi)er in this city; Stella, wife 
of Alvin .Spaulding. of .Vlbion, Neb.; and Fred, 
of Beloit. Mrs. Perry, who was a most estimable 
lady and was loved by all who knew her. <lied in 
Beloit, in .March, 187(!. In his political sentiments. 
.Mr. Perry is a staunch supporter of the Repubji- 



r 



268 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^-i^H* 



can |)arty. In 1840 he voted for Willi.-mi Ik'iiiv 
Harrison, and in 1888 cast his l)allot for Beiijuniin 
Harrison, his grandson. For Ihirt^'-five 3'ears he 
lias been identified with the iiistorv of Beloit, and 
ills lionorahh'. ujjright course tiirt)Ugh all these 
years lias won him maii^' friends, by whom lie is 
lield in iiigh esteem. 



*' l * ^ ' l ' > ' l '* ' 



/^\\H.\RI,KS IMILIyEI!, who is extensively en- 
Ill n o"''e<''' '" farming and stock-raising, is one 
^^^' of liock County's leading and enter|)rising 
business men. .'ind is numbered among the pioneers 
of 18-41. His home is now on section 7, in the 
liie town of Porter, where he h;is resifleil for many 
years. He was born in Monroe County, Pa., on 
the 4th of October. 1823. and is a son of Amos and 
Klizabelh (Huston) Miller, both of whom were na- 
tives of RIonroe County, the father born of Irish 
parentage, while the mother was of Welsh origin. 
During his early life Amos RHller was engaged in 
mccli.'iiiical pursuits and learned the tr.ade of wagon 
making, which he followed until thirty years of 
age. He then turned his attention to farming, and 
in 1852 removed from Monroe Couiit\-, I'a.. to 
Rock County, Wis., where the eight succeeding 
years were i)asscd. In 18G() he became a resident of 
Daiu' County, Wis., where he purchased a small 
farin. which he made his home until his death in 
I8(!.'i, when in the seventy -seventh year of his agt'. 
I lis (|uiet and un:issuming manner won him many 
friends, and his fair ai>d iioncst dealings through- 
out life secured him a reputation of which any 
might be proud. His excellent wife had, long ^-ears 
previous, departed this life, her death occurring in 
liS2(). There were six children born of their union, 
four sous and two daughters, and the family circle 
is yet unbroken : John, the eldest, an attorney-:it- 
\a\\. has been engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession in Steubcnvillc. Ohio, for the past fifty 
years, and for several terms h.as served as District 
■)u<lge of Jefferson County. He is a man tif prom- 
inence in the State, and is now seventy -six 3'ears of 
.age; (leorge, who is yet residing in the town where 
he was born, followed farming for many years, but 
is nov engaged in merchandising; Rebecca is the 



wife of .S. D. Butts, a resident of Clear Lake Iowa, 
who was nundjered among the very earliest settlers 
of Rock County, d.ating his residence from 1 S'.ib, and 
is said to have turned the first furrow on its broad 
prairies; Jose|»li is also a resident of Clear l^ake. 
Iowa; Charles, of this sketch, is next in order of 
birth; .Mary B., widow of Austin Freeman, is a resi- 
dent of Denver. Colo. 

After the death of his first wife Amos .Miller wiis 
asecondtime married, the lady of his choice being 
Susan Shuck, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
Northampton County. Six children gr.aced their 
union as follows: .S.iniuel. who is engaged in fann- 
ing near Kansas City, Mo: Catherine J., wife of 
Robert J. Bntts. of Pipestone C^ounty, Minn.; 
Amos, who enlisteil in the ranks of the l.'Uh Wis- 
consin Regiment, died while in the service at Ft- 
Scott. Kan.; Lewis is engaged in farming in Floyd 
County, Iowa; Ella M.. widow of John Jackson, 
makes her home in Osage. Iowa ; Thomas is li\iuo in 
Duluth, Minn., and is the youngest of the famil\. 
Mrs. .Miller departed this life in Osage County, 
Iowa, in July, 1888, at the very advanced r.ge of 
eighty nine years. 

At the early age of three \ears our subject was 
deprived of a mother's care. The d.nys of his li()\-- 
hood and youth were pa.ssed in his native county, 
and his i-ducation was received in the common 
schools. Remaining under tlu' paiental roof until 
attaining his twentieth year he then left home, buy- 
ing his time for §150. and began working as :\ farm 
hand, receiving as a compensation for his services 
¥ I. ■( per month. He worked through the summer 
and in the winter of 181 1-45 went to what is known 
as the Jefferson Woods near Jeiferson, Wis., where 
he procured timl)er, which he rafted down the 
river to Janesville, .and there sold it for buildiu"' 
l)urposes. He also traded some timber for oxen, 
and the following siiring began breaking l;uid in 
Milton Township, using seven yoke of oxen and a 
36-inch breaking-plow. He continued to break prai- 
rie until the harvest seasfm drew near, when pro- 
curing a cradle he engaged in harvesting for lifty- 
three days at ijil per d.a}'. He then traded his 
ox-team for a lun-se, and operated a tread-m.achine 
used in threshing grain. .Vbout the year 1846 he 
made his first purchase of land, comprising 320 



i 



-•► 



^u 



ROCK COUNTY. 



269 



acrt's. for wliidi lie paid $00 in cash. The laiiil 
w;is situated on Jug Prairie, in wlial is now I'nion 
'rownsliip, and was in a wild and nncullivale(l con- 
dition, l)ul he at once bejjan its ciillivalidn, and in 
the course of time developed a tine farm, which 
served as a nucleus of his laryc landed po.ssessions. 
(tu the 1st of .lauuary, 1852, in Rock County, 
Wis., Mr. Miller was united in the hol\ bonds of 
matrimony with Miss Catherine J. Butts, a nati\e 
of Northampton, Pa., and a daughter of Mich- 
ael Hutts, who was an early settler of this county. 
The young couple hesjan their domestic life in a 
little log cabin, which had been erected on his pur- 
cliast', an<l he began in earnest the development of 
tiic wild lands, which his care, cultivation and 
and imi)rovements soon transformed into a tine 
farm. Prosi)erity atten(Jed his efforts, and he was 
enaliled to extend the boundaries of his land until 
his farm on .lug Prnirie comprised Ifio acres. In 
IH()7 he left the pioneer home, placing his farm 
under the management of his sou Willis, and pur- 
chased 11)0 acres on section 7, Porter Township, 
where he has since continued to reside. .Ml the 
necessarv liuildings for the care and shelter of his 
sl(i<'k have been erected, and all the improvements 
necessary to a well regulated farm have been made, 
lie has given much attention to the breeding fif 
cattle, and now ships about 300 head of stock an- 
nually. 

15y the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller twelve 
chililren have been born, and except one daugh- 
ter all grew to nKinhoo<l and womanhood. .John, 
the eldest, is operating a farm of 440 acres in Dane 
County. Wis.; Pearlina Is the wife of J. E. Coul- 
ton. who resides in Minnehaha County, D.'iU., where 
he is opiMating 1110 acres of fine land; Willis, who 
wedde<l Miss Maria Altermoss, is farming 400 acres 
of land In I'lilou Townshl|>; .Vnrora l>. is the wife 
of William Moore, who Is the owner of a line farm 
of Gtiti acies In Columbia County, Wis.; Stanton 
weddeil Miss Minnie Moss, and is now ojieratlng 
.■i80 acres of lan<l in Dane County; I'ly-s.-^es was 
joined In weillock with Miss'iraee Lunim, and Is 
engaged in agricultiual pursuits in the town of 
Porter, Rock County ; Chester married Inez Max- 
son, and is operating an exten,-ive farm of 1.000 
acres in Green County; Charles, .Ir., is engaged in 



•►lh-4^ 



farming in connection with .Mr. Moore on 666 acres 
of land In Columliia (bounty; Katie is still with her 
parents; Rettle died .'it the age of fourteen 3ears: 
l^rnest and Fred are also still under the parental roof. 
The children havt, all receive(l good educational 
advantages and are well fitted for the responsible 
positions which they occupy. They have become 
res|)ccted men and women In the various comnuin- 
itles where they reside, and are an honor to the 
family name. 

As before stated Mr. Miller started out in life 
foi' himself at the age of twenty j'cars, paying iJl.jO 
for his time. When he came to Rock County his 
cash capital consisted of only ^14, which he spent 
in looking about for a location. Dependent upon 
his own resources, his money all gone, such a pros- 
pect would not seem bright to many, but nothing 
daunteil he set to work to gain a livelihooil. After 
working at da^-'s labor for some time he found that 
he had accumulated ijiGG, and with this sum made a 
partial payment on his first i)urch.'use of land. He 
has passed through the trials and hardships of pio- 
neer life, but with Indomltnljle energy, persever- 
ance and Industry has labored on, and Is now one 
of the wealthy men of Rock County. He and his 
sons are operating the largest landed interest in the 
State of W^isconsin. the total aggregating 4,756 
acres. Upon each f.-irm will be found a fine resi- 
dence and barn, the latest improved machinery, the 
l)cst grades of stock, and everything necessary 
toward the operation of :\ model farm. They feed 
annuall}' about l.ftOO head of stock, whicli yields a 
good Income. 

The siu-cess to which Mr. Miller has attained has 
not Ihcu a(ri(leul:il. Iiul has been brought about 
by hard lal)or, untiring Industry and fair dealing. 
His honest, upright life has won the confidence of 
all au<l secured him many friends. In politics he 
is a stalwart Republican, firm in support of the 
party princl[)les, and tliough he has often been so- 
licited to accept public honor lias steadily refused 
to fill any but minor positions. His judgment and 
counsel are often sought, and many men has he 
tided over adversity. He has promptly and gener- 
ously responded to all calls to aid In public enter- 
prises, is generous and charitable, and tf) him many 
are intlcbted for favors shown in time of need. 



f 



270 



ROCK COUNTY. 



From tlif tiiiK' of eiitoriim- "pi'n liis Imsiiiess farmer 
lit; Imil nevur buuii alisent fioiii lii.s Inisiiu'ss <hitics 
for a fiinyle day until the wiiikT of 18X8-8'.). when 
he was fonlim-d to his home by ill health, hut has 
now .sullleienlly recovered to he onee more at the 
head of his large interests. 






PKI'-I) BARRETT is numbered among the 
> lionored pioneers of Rock County, dating 
his residence fronij 1841. and is now en- 
g.aged in farming on section 14, Magnolia Town- 
ship. He was born in Dutchess County, N. V., on 
the ISth day of Oclol>er, 1821). and is a son of 
Abijah K. and i.ydia (Robinson) liarrett. His par- 
ents were both natives of Dutchess County, where 
their marriage was celebrated. The family was 
established in America during the early days of 
New Yorlv. and is supposed to be of Irish ancestry. 
The maternal grandfather wjis a soldiei- in the war 
of the Revolution. 

The family of Abijah and I.ydia I'.arrett nnm- 
lierecl eleven children, and, with the exception of 
one, all attained to mature years. They are as fol- 
lows: Ogilen, who is now a coal and wood dealer, 
of Siou.\ Falls, Dak.; Clarke, who remained at home 
until the age of twenty years, then eidiste<l as a 
.seam.an, and is supposed to have been lost, being 
last heard of many years ago in Liverpool just be- 
fore the ves.sel .sailed for New York City ; Meliza 
became the wife of .Moses Barrett, a cousin, and 
both are MOW deceased; Fred, of this sketch, is the 
fourth in order of birth; Oliver died in Rock 
County; I'eter and Robins<m. (twins) are now en- 
gaged in farming, the former in .Magnolia Town- 
ship, the latter in Dakota; Emily, widow of Will- 
ie"" "•■iiiii '1- makes her home in Na[)pa City, 

Cal.; I'lnebe, widow of I'eter Edwards, is a resi 
dent of Kvansville. Rock County; I.saiah is a re- 
lireil farmer living in .Siou.x Falls, Dak.; and \'an. 
ness died at the age of about five years. 

In l.s;j|, oiu- subject removed with his father's 
f.-unily lo Tioga County, N. Y., where his education 
was begun in the public schools. Residing in that 
county until 1845, the family removed to Rock 
County. Wis. The i)revious year, the father had 
-^» — ^ 



made a trip to the West and being pleased with this 
community had entered .about G40 acres of land on 
what is now section 14, in the town of M.agnolia. 
His selection proved a wise one, the land beini; of 
the greatest fertility and now comi)riscs one of the 
best farms in the township. In the earlv sining 
of 1845, Fred came to Rock County, going to the 
claim in order to prevent it from being taken by 
"junipers". Going to the land-otiiee at Milwaukee, 
he made a partial [layinent, and a few months 
later the remainder of the family came lo the new 
home, making the journey by water from Buffalo 
to Milwaukee, where they purchased teams, pro- 
ceeding on their way until reaching their destina- 
tion. At that time only seven or eight families 
had located in the township and the new life on 
a western frontici- proved a strange ex|)erience to 
our travelers reareil in the East. The entire family, 
including parents and nine children, moved into a 
little log-cabin ten feet scpiare, which they made 
their home until a more suitable residence could 
be erected. In a short time the new dwelling, 
which w.as one of the first frame houses built in the 
settTement, was complete, and the occupants in- 
stalled in their new home. In those days a carpen- 
ter received 15 per d.ay, and as means were rather 
limited our subject was initiated into carpenter 
work, having to complete the house. As there 
weie no mills in the vicinily, the lumber had to be 
hauled from Milwaukee, a distance of eightv miles. 
•Vbijah liarrett became the leading citizen of 
the township, and though always refusing to ac- 
cept public ollice himself, his advice is often sought 
in the selection of men to fill the various oflices. 
In early life he was an anient supporter of the 
Whig parly, and a great a.lmirer of William 
Henry Harrison, but when the Republican party 
was organized, he joined its ranks and supported 
it by his ballot until his death. He died in 1881, 
at the advanced age of eighty-one years, and the 
death of his wife occurred March 9. 1884. Both 
were members of the Baptist Church, bntafter their 
removal lo Rock Couiit\-. as there was no organ- 
ization of that denomination, they attended the 
Methodist Church, giving liberally of their time 
and means to its support. The wife, in particular, 
was known for her earnest etTorts to advance the 






-*^. •^. 




^:, 




"^ 






J^ 



u 



ROCK COUNTY. 



273 



tlie cause of llic cliiiicli mik] was a lU'voli'il Cliiis- 
tiaii lady. In tlie death of this wuilhy e()iii)le llie 
county lost two of its best citizens, who were lii,i;hly 
respected by till. 

Witli the exception of one year spent in Kansas, 
our subject has [)assed his entire life since 18 1.'), in 
Rock County, a period of forty-fonr years. lie was 
united in marriage with Mrs. Harriet liiidlong, {iK'e 
Andrew) a native of New York, and .i daughter of 
David and .Vnn;i (Sever) .Vndrew. To them 
have been bctrn two children — Jlattie A. born Dee. 
2;!, 18G2; Warreu 1)., June .!, IMCH. Mr. I5arrett 
has been (jne of the leading men of the county 
since the days of his settlement and has been iden- 
tified with the public interests in various ways. In 
politics, he is a Republican, and socially, is a mem- 
ber of the A. F. i^- A. M., Union Lodge, No. 32, of 
Kvansville. His farm, which is one of the best in 
the county, comprises 120 acres (jf land, highly 
cultivated and improved, and upon it may be found 
a fine gr.adc of all kind of stock. He is regarded 
as one of the leading farmers of the township, and 
is a progressive, public spirited man. Since 1845. 
he has participated in the growth and develoi)- 
ment of the county, has seen the bro.ad prairie land 
transformed into fertile farms, elegant riisidences 
have replaced the little cabins, and where once was 
Init a few settlements on a western frontier are now 
the numerous dwellings of a prosperous and intel- 
ligent people. Though sharing the trials and hard- 
ships of pioneer life, he h.as lived to see Rock 
County take a foremost place in the State, and 
may well feel proud that he has been one of tiu' 
facltns in bringing about that residt. 



^ ^-*-^- ^ 



^I';()I,'(;K K. ANDKRSON, for many years a 
well-known conductor on the Chic:igo & 
Noithweslern Railroad, was born iii St. Jo- 
seph County. Micii.. on the 8th day of December, 
IHl',!, anil is the son of William an<l Marv (Clip- 
fell) Anderson. His father is deceased, while his 
mother is yet living and resides at Arlington 
lleiirhts. III. 

Our subject received a common school educa- 
tion, anil when nineteen years of age began rail- 



roading as brakcmnn on the Chicago A Northwest- 
ern Railroad. Three years later, in 1873, he was 
given his first train .as conductor, and served .as 
conductor of freight trains until November, 1881, 
when he was given charge of a passenger train. 
His run w;is generally in the Wisconsin division. 
He continued to serve as passenger conductor until 
Jan. 3, 188;», when he left the road. 

On the 10th day of May, 1873, Mr. An<lerson 
and Mary O'liricn, a daughter of Thomas O'Brien, 
were united in marriage at Janesville. 

Since his marriage, Mr. Anderson has continued 
to make his home in Janesville, and is well known 
by nearly every citizen. He was a po|iular con- 
ductor, and was a favorite with tlie traveling pub- 
lic. In |)()litics he is a Republican, and takes that 
interest in politics that every American citizen 
should manifest, but he has nevei- been an oflice 
seeker. He is a ineml)er of Janesville Division, 
No. 113, Order of R.-iilway Condnctors. 



IDSON C. r.ARKKU. residing on section 
10. town ()!' Clinton, is one of tlie [ironii. 
nen farmers and stock-raisers of this county. 
He was boi-n in Ilani|nlcii County. Mass.. on 
the 17th day of February, 183:t. and when a little 
lad of five years, came with his parent-s to the Ter- 
ritory of Wisconsin, where he has since continued 
to reside. He has lieen an eye witness of the won- 
derful growtli and |)rogress of Rock County, has 
seen its wild i)rairies transformed into beautiful 
homes and farms, its little villages converted into 
large anil thrivini; cities and has ai(le(| lar<>-ely in 
the work of development. He was reared to man- 
hood on his father's farm and received his primary 
education in the common schools, which w:w sup- 
plemented by .a partial course at .Vllen's Grove 
Academy. His boyhood days were passed in the 
usual mani' r of farmers' sons, assisting in the work 
of cultivating and improving the land and since 
attaining to mature yeais, he has followed the same 
occu|)ation. 

On the 31st day of M.ay. ISdC. .Mr. Barker cele- 
brated his marriage. .Miss Diana .lones becoming his 
wife. She is a daughter of Samuel Jones, one of 



r 



-•► 



274 



ROCK COUNTY. 



the pioneer settlers of Rock County, where their 
wedding was celebrated. Tnto tlicni were Ijoni 
two children, but only one is now livin<>; — Frank, 
a most promising .young man, who is now com- 
l)lcting his education at Beloit College. 

Mr. Barker is one of the extensive land owners 
of Roi-k County, his lieautiful farm comprising 
366 acres of arable land under a high state of cul- 
tivation; he lias made many improvements, his barns 
and outbuildings are models of convenience, and 
he li.is ;ill Ihe latest machinery. In connection 
with the care and cultivation of his land, he gives 
considerable attention to the raising of stock of 
the best grades, in which line he has been very suc- 
cessful, lie is energetic and enterprising, attending 
c;irefully to all the details of his business and is a 
representative and VMlued citizen. He is well 
known throughout the coiiiniumity and is held in 
high regard. In his political alHIiations he is a 
Republican. 

It is with pleasure we present the [lortraitsof Mr. 
and Mrs. Barker to the readers of the Ai.uim. 



W^dLMAM OLIVKW. a general farmer and 
' stock-raiser residing on section 8. Siiring 
\ alley Township, has been a resident of 
Rock County since 1844, and has endured the trials 
and liMnlships incident to life on the frontier. He 
was liorn in Uocksburg, Parish of Morebattle. Scot- 
land, on the Ith day of June, 1816, and is a son of 
.lames ami Kli/.abeth (Scott) Oliver. The days of 
his boyhood were p.assed in his native land, where 
he received a liberal education. In the year IS.'iO. 
in company with his parents, he crossed the broad 
ocean to America and became a resident of Otsego 
County, N. Y.. where his parents passed the re- 
inaiiKler of their lives and were there laid to rest. 
Kemaining a resident of the Kmpire State until 
1844, Mr. Oliver decided to try his fortune in the 
West, and acting upon that decision came to Wis- 
consin. He was employed through the f(jllowing 
winter and suninier by Messrs. Easterly ik Bantie, 
and in the Fall of 184.') iiurchased 160 acres of 
land on seetifm 8, in the town of Spring \'alley his 
^ present home. He at once Ijegan to clear the land, 



cutting rails for the fences and preparing the logs 
with which he erected a little cabin in the spring 
of 1H47. In that pioneer home he resided for 
more than twenty 3'ears and there passed many 
happy d.a^s. His early life was one of industry. 
He cleared 200 acres of land, which he cultivated 
with scarcely any a.ssistance for about twenty years, 
since which time the boys have taken [lart in the 
improvement of the farm. During those early 
da\^s when the countr3' wa,s unsettled and the land 
uncultivated. Mr. (Jliver would load his wheat and 
pork into w.agons and take it to market at Milwau- 
kee. The grist was usually ground at Beloit, where 
was located the only mill for miles around with the 
exception of a small mill at Sugar Hi ver Diggings, 
now called Exeter. The crop first raised upon his 
farm was about seven acres of wheat which had 
been planted by a Mr. Cochrane, who was at that 
time employed in one of the mills at Beloit, and 
from whom Mr. Oliver |iurchased the claim. He 
afterwards eng.aged quite extensively in raising 
wheat which he hauled to Janesville, where it was 
ground into flour, when he took it to Stevens 
Point, selling it to the •■ loggers." His p.ayment 
was part in cash and part in shingles, which he 
used in building his house. The distance between 
his home and the Point was about 1.5(1 miles, and 
driving an ox team about three weeks were con- 
sumed in making the journey. The enterprise was 
however a protitable one. and he also found a good 
market for tlour at Mineral Point, after the discov- 
ery of the lead mines at that place. 

On the 22d d.ay of .lime. 1841. Mr. Oliver led to 
the marriage altar Miss Elizabeth Alexander, who 
was also born in Kocksburg, Scotland, and in 18.'i('), 
came with her parents to America. Pnto them 
have been born seven children, two of whom died 
in infaiuy — lames, the eldest of the family, who 
was born April 6, 1842, m.arried .Miss Elizabclh 
Oliver, a cousin, when on a visit to Central New 
York. They now reside on a f.arm on sectit)n !». 
.Spring \'alley Township adjoining the home of his 
father, and one cliild has blessed their union. 
Helen, who was born Dec. 21, 1813, became the 
wife of William Lang, a native of New York, born 
of Englisli descent, and they have now two sons. 
Elizabeth, born .Jan. 25, 1841). married .John .Vrni- 



u, 



n 



•4^ 



-k. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



275 



^ 



stniiiu. ;i n;Uivc of Oliin of ScoU'li uriniii, :iii(l to 
tlu'in li;is licHMi lioin ;i ilauylitci-. who is ix'sklint; 
witli luT ii.'iri'iits ill Dt'.s Moines, louii, wlicic Mr. 
Annstroiijj w:is for some jears foreiii.-in in (lie 
Leader ollice. 'I'lioaiiis A., was born April 1. 
18.'>2, inariieil Miss Snrali Ilaiii^limaii, a native of 
Iowa, liv whom lie has two cliiklrcn, and they now 
reside on a farm in Kansas, where tliey liave made 
their home for about eiglit years. William .1., who 
was born on the 10th day of .June, l.So4, was joined 
in wedlock with Miss .Jennie Cleland, of Center 
Townslii|i, a daui;hter of Samuel Cleland, whose 
sketeli appears on another (lage of this work, and 
of their union one child has been l)orn, a .sou. 

Mr. Oliver is now engaged iu faruiing and stock- 
raising on his line farm on section 8, Spring N'alley 
Township, where he has one of the most pleasant 
homes in the coinmunit}'. Since becoming a resi- 
dent of the county, he has been prominently iden- 
tified with the promotion of social, moral and 
religious interests and is a warm friend of educa- 
tion! His children have all received good advan- 
tages, such as would tit them for the practical 
duties of life and all with the exception of the 
eldest have snp[)lemented the course in the district 
school by terms of study in higher departments. 
In political sentiment, Mr. Oliver is a Republican, 
ami strongly favors prohibition principles. He 
and his wife, who is a most estimable lady, are 
members of the Scotch United Presbyterian Church, 
and are highly respected people, who hold an en- 
viable place in the hearts of their many friends 
throughout the county. 



"*>*^=''^-C!0j'^^*-'«^- 



(i. LOVI). It can be said 



but few citi- 



j) zens of Rock County that their entire lives 
'■S}^ have been spent upon one farm, but such is 
i^) the case with our subject, who was born, 
reared, and still resides on section 2, La I'rairie 
Township, llis parents, William and .Martha (.loncs) 
l.oyd. were both natives of New York. The father 
was born in Syracuse, of Welsh parentage, was 
reaieil to farm life, received his education in the 
district schools, and was a farmer by occupation. 
About the year \.>m, desiring to cast his lot with 



the pioneers of the West, he ciiiigraled to Rock 
County, Wis., settling on section 2, La Prairie 
'J'owiiship, where he entered a claim of ICO acres of 
raw land. From the wild pijiirie he developed a 
fine farm, making it his home until his death, which 
occurretl in October, 1«7(), at the age of sixty-five 
years. His wife died about the year 1850. I'.ut 
one child was bom to them, II. (J., of this sketch. 
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Loyd wedded 
Nancy Ransom, and by the second union six chil- 
dren were born — Kli B., who is now in Dakota; 
Klbcrt O., a ranch man, resides in the State of 
California; Mary K., who died in the <1ays of 
her girlhood; Paulina J., who wedded S. S. Iligby, 
a merchant of Milwaukee; Maranda, who is living 
in Milwaukee; and Martha, deceased. In 1860 Mr. 
Loyd was called upon to mourn the loss of his 
second wife, and being left with a family of six 
small children who needed a mother's care, lie wed- 
ded Mrs. Electa II. Hoskins, whose maiden name 
was Hlood, on the I(5th day of September, 1861. 
On the ITtli day of October, 1876, Mr. Loyd was 
called to his rest, and Sept. 7, 1886, Mrs. Loyd 
passed from earth. He was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church of Emerald Grove, and was 
prominently identified with that organization as 
one of its leading members and workers, liavin<>' 
served both as Class-Leader ami Steward. He also 
took a deep interest in political affairs, and w.is a 
strong anti-slavcrj' man when it was dangerous to 
express his views on the subject. When the Re- 
publican party sprang into existence, having for its 
object the iK>n-extension of slavery, he joined its 
ranks and continued to be one of its earnest sup- 
porters until his death. He was an energetic though 
careful business man, and took great interest in the 
cause of education, always cnde.-ivoring to furnish 
his children with such advantages for instruction as 
would enable them to creditably fill any position. 
Although (•ominencing life as a poor bo\-, at the 
time of his death he was the owner of a line farm 
and possessed of such a competence as would en- 
able his widow to live in ct>mfortablc circuni- 
stiinces. 

»II. (i. Loyd, the subject of this sketch, was 
reared to farm life. In the district schools of Rock 
County, he received liis education, which was snp- 






.^1^^ 



276 



ROCK COUNTY. 



'""^ 



*t 



plemented by several terms attendance at Milton's 
College. With tlic exception of one year spent as 
a traveling salesman in northern Wisconsin, he has 
cnuaged in agiicnituial pursuits througliout his en- 
tire life, and now operates a fine farm of 160 acres. 
In Felirnary, 1870, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Eliza Jones, wlio was born at Emerald Grove, 
and is a daughter of i)avi<l and Margaret (^Gillies) 
.lones. ller fatlier was a native of Wales, and 
emigrated to this country in 1810, while her mother, 
who was born in Scotland, crossed the Atlantic to 
this country in 1.S17. Her father is now engaged 
ill fanning in Bradford Townshii), and botli parents 
arc nicmlicrs of the iSIethodi.st Episcopal Church. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. I>oyd have been born a family 
of si.\ cliildrcn— Estella .M.. Willie E.. Elleura P., 
(HJhcrt 1.. P'rank II. .ind .lessie O., the latter being 
deceased. Since attaining to mature years, Mr. 
I^ovd has held various local offices of trust. 
For live years he served as Township Trustee, 
has iicld the ollice of lioail Supervisor, and is at 
present a member of the School Board. In earlier 
years he supported the llepublican party, but now 
casts his baUot willi the Trohibition party. In con- 
nection with general fuiining. he operates a dairy, 
and llironghout the county is Unosvii as one of the 
leading ami enter|)rising citizens. He is liehl in 
high respect by all who know him. and holds an 
enviable position in the esteem of his friends. 



jll\ M. DAVENl'OUTE. a practical and enter- 
prising farmer residing on section !), in the 
|1\ town of I'nion. was liorn In Albany County, 
X. v.. Feb. 2:i, 18:!1, and is a son of William 1). 
and I'liiebe ('.( Marshall ) Davenporte. Both pa- 
rents were born in West Chester County, N. Y., 
and there their mariiage was celebrated. William 
I). Davenporte wa.s a blacksmith by tr.-ide, follow- 
ing that occu|)ati(,ii until about forty-eight yeais of 
age. He located in Alb;uiy County about ten 
years after his mairiage and there made his home 
for many years, on the farm which is still in pos- 
session c)f the f.amily. He and his wife were the 
parents of seven children, and with the exci'iition 
of one who die<l in infanc}' all allained to mature 



years. David SI. died on Long Island in 1881; 
Lydia C. wedded Ilebion Briggs, and lioth are now 
deceased, having left a famil3- of two childien, 
Flnebc C. and Charles A., the latter having since 
died; Marilla K. wetliled C. Rnshmore. a resident 
of Albany County, N. Y., and to them have been 
liorn two children — Florence and Willie — the latter 
being dead; Sanuiel I!., who resides on the old 
lionK^stead in Albau\ County, is married and has two 
cliildrcn, Elisha and .Mary; Mar}' T. is the wife of 
Horace Carpenter.a resident farmer of LaSalle (.'oun- 
ty. 111.; Elizabeth, who is living in Brooklyn. N. ^'., 
is the widow of Henry Miller, b^^ whom she had one 
child, Carrie. Mr. and INIrs. Davenporte have both 
passed away. The death of the former occurred 
March 3, 187G, at the age of eighty-six years, and 
his wife deparleil this life at the age of seventy-six. 
Both were members of the Society of Friends, ami 
were honored and respected people. In politics 
the husband was a Whig until the organization of 
the Bepulilican party, when he joined its ranks. 

The subject of this sketch received his primary 
education in the common district school of his .na- 
tive county, after which he attended a select school 
for several terms. He was reared to manhood 
upon his father's farm, and under the [jarental roof 
remained until twenty-two years of age. In IH.j3 
he went to New Yoik City and for two years en- 
gaged in carting in that great metropolis. He 
there becone .actpiainted with Miss Annie E. Car- 
penter, and on the 1 tth day of February, 1H,")5, 
they were married. The l.ady was born in West 
Chester County, N. Y., .and is a <laughter of Enoch 
and Seviah(Laue) Car|)enter. who were also natives 
of the Empire State. The death of the father oc- 
cnrreil Nov. '21. 1831, and his wife died on the .'id 
<lav of .March, 18G0. They were also membeis of 
the Society t>f Friends, and hail a family of four 
children, three of whom are yet living — .lames, who 
was for a nnnd)er of years in the I'niti'd .States 
(^uarteiinaster's Department, is a prominent citizen 
of Omaha. Neb.; David is eugagetl in merchan- 
dising in Omaha; and Emor died in West Chester 
County, March 7, i812. 

On the 8th of September, ISoo. Mr. and Mrs. 
Davenporte left New York and nnjved to Richland 
County. Wis., where the hu>baud purehasetl 12't 



"T 



-^•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■*^ 



277 



f 



acres of wild Innd making it liis liome until 18(j0, 
HJifii lie li'.-idcd llial f;ii'ni t'lirniio in Dniu' C'lumly. 
Wis., also ciiiiiiirisiny 120 acres, lie placcil liolh 
fartiis under a high slate of cultivation, and in 
1S7II liouglit 1'26^ acres of land on sections ',) and 
!(!, lliiion Townshij). Rock County, taking up his 
residence thereon in 1S71. He has made many 
fine iniproN cincnts U|Min the I'lnd.auil in connection 
with the develo|inient of the farm has been engaged 
extensively in raising stock for some years. He 
lias also been engaged fur some time in the dair}' 
liusincss, keeping at first short-horn calllc for this 
l)urposc. Iiut finding that the .Jersey bi'ccd was liet- 
ler for the daiiy. he dis|iosed of the former stock, 
entirely rephu'ing them 'villi the latler. His shee|) 
are of the best grades and in limes past he has kept 
.•IS high as from 200 to 100 head per ye.ar His 
hogs are of the roland-China slock, and he frc- 
(luenlly sells as high as sevenly-fi\e head annually, 
receiving the highest market price. ( )f later years 
lie has also given consideraljle attention to the 
breeding of horses, keeping on hand Normans, 
Clydesdales and roadsters. 

Mr. and Mrs. Davenporte have a family of four 
children— William II.. born Feb. 20. l.SoCin Rich- 
land County, Wis., wedded Miss Nellie h'rancis of 
Union 'I'ownship, a daughter of I)avi<l Franc'is. who 
is now residing in Dakota, anil unto them was born 
•Sept. 17, 1H83, a son, Lesley C. : Knoch Franklin, 
who was born in Richlancl County, Dec. IS, ISAO, 
and is engaged in fa.-ming near Marshalllown, Iowa, 
married .AHs.s Mil}' Lyons of LaSalle County. III., 
nw\ they have two children, I.,eroy and Alice; 
Charles 15., who was born in the town of Oregon, 
D.anc County, June 19, 181)2, was united in mar- 
riage Jan. I. IHH;),with Miss Kctlic I'iercc, a native 
of I'nion Township, and is now residing in Clinton, 
Iowa; Mary T., liorn in D.iiie Count}', Wis., Jul\- 
30. 18GL .\ddie M.. born .Ian. 21, I .s7 I . died .lime 
■2\. 1872. 

Mr. I)a\ cnportc is a progressive and energetic 
farmer, and though eiglitceii years have p.asscd 
siiH'c he became a resident of Rock County, his 
iionorable, upright life has won him the confidence 
of .all with whom business or pleasure have brought 
him in conUact. while by his many friends he is 
held in the highest regard. He anrl his wife are 



members of the Society of Friends, and are earnest 
workers for their .Master. They have given their 
children good educational advantages and all are 
Well qualified to fill lesponsible positions. Politi- 
cally. Mr. D.nvenporte is a Republican, hiit has 
never sought or desired public odice. He h.'is al- 
ways given his aid and inlluence in bi-h.alf of tlic 
social and moral development of the eoniily.and is 
a worth}- and lo\al citizen. 



<| jfelLKFRT B. RICHARDS, a farmer an,l 
\aj// stock-raiser, residing on .section 35, Center 
W^ Township, was born on llie 7th day of 
Jniie, 18tl, in Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn., and 
has been a resident of Rock County since 1845, 
when he came with his |)arenls, Knos F. and .Sarah 
(Roberts) Richards, both of whom were natives of 
Connecticut. The fauiily of which he was a member 
nninbered six children — IIenr\- R., the eldest, born 
M.ay K;. 1831, was united in marriage in October, 
1869, with Miss Sarah Hawk, a native of I'ennsvl- 
vania, and resides in Center Township, and to them 
were bom three children — Willi.am Iv ;ni<I Karl IL, 
both living at home, while one died in infancy. 
Ilobart A., who was born Aug. 7, 1837, is unmar- 
ried, and is engageil in the practice of law at Ot- 
tawa, Krtii. Wilbert I!., Lhe subject of this sketch, 
in the next in order of birth. Emma K., became 
the wife of Norman L. .Alaxson. Dec. 31, 18G(), and 
eight children hiive been born of their union — Ar- 
thur, Ilobart Albeitns. Cora 1... Thadijeus, a babe 
yet unnamed and three children who died in in- 
fancy. Charles L., is the husband of .Martha Hawk, 
and resides with bis f:imil\ of lliiee children in 
Center Township. 

Our subject was reared to manhnod upon his fa- 
ther's far?n in this county, and received his educa- 
tion in the public schools. He remained under the 
parental roof until the breaking out of the late war, 
when promptcfl by patriotic- impulses he responded 
to his country's call for troops to put down the re- 
bellion, and enlisted with the boys in blue of the 
13tli Wisconsin Infantry. He was mustered in Oct. 
8, 18(>l, as a member ol Company F, and .after par- 
ticipating in many hard fought battles was mus- 



» 



i 



•278 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



w int 



tered out at the end of three years on the 26th day 
of January. 1864, but veteranized with his old 
comrades of the 13th regiment. He tlien received 
a veteran furlough and returned to his home where 
he was married Feb. 28, 1864. Leaving his young 
bride he again returned to the South and faithfully 
served his country until the close of hostilities, 
when he was mustered out of service. 

As lief ore stated. Mr. Richards w.is married dur- 
ing his leave of alisence. Miss Austa 1. Wallihan 
becoming his wife. Mrs. Uichards is a daughter 
of I'ieree and Lucy (Hower) W.allihan, both na- 
tives of Ohio. They h.od a family of eleven chil- 
dren, nine of whom grew to man and womanhood 
— Orlando F., who was born Dec. 29, 18.S.3, at 
Hrookfield. Ohio, married Miss Currencc Johnson, 
also a native of that State, .and seven children 
were born of their \inion, two of whom died in in- 
fancy. Rosa, the second child, became the wife of 
Wright McFarland, of Hartford, Ohio, where they 
are still residing. Samuel S. wedded Maria L. He- 
mis, of F.vansville, Wis., who died leaving four 
children, after which he again married, his second 
wife being Helen M. Wethciby, by whom he has 
two children. Maria K.. who is single, makes her 
home in Cleveland, Ohio. Sylvia F.. who became 
the wife of J. M. Owen, of Footville. Wis., died in 
November, 186.3. Austa I., wife of our subject, 
is the fifth in order of birth. Sylv.anus F., was 
joined in wedlock with Mi.ss Jane Ilammel, a na- 
tive of I'ennsylvania, and they have six children, 
all resiiling in Center Township. Edward die<l at 
the age of nineteen years. Seymour died when 
nine years of age. George I*., who is living in 
I'ortland. Oregon, wedded Miss Ella Travis, of St. 
Louis, Mo., and they have one child jet living. 
Charles K., who w.as married and resided at Green- 
wood. Neb., died in 1887. leaving a widow and one 
child. «iio ai'c now residents of Lincoln, Neb. 
Allen G.. the youngest of the Wallihan family, 
married Mrs. Augusta Faridiam, a native of Wis- 
consin, and the first white girl linrn in Milwaukee; 
Ihey now reside in Colorado. 

The union of Mr. and Mis. liuliards is blessed 
with four children — Gertrmle K.. who w.as born 
Feb. 21. 1868; Edward F.. born May 2, 1870. died 
in the fall of 1871; Franklin F.. who was born on 



the 23d day of May. 1874, and Harold, who w.as 
born on the 4tli day of September. 187'.». The 
el^lest was born in Center Township, the second in 
Kansas, and the other two in Colorado. 

Since liis return from the war. Mr. Richards h.-u! 
devoted his altentron to agricultural pursuits, and 
is a leading farmer of Center Township. He is 
now operating eighty acres of land on section 34. 
He is a man held in high esteem in the neighbor 
hood where he resides, and is a worthy citizen. 
Mr. Richards is a stalwart Republican, and has 
served his township .as Assessor and Treasurer, 
though he is not an aspirant for political distinc- 
tion. Though reared under the religious intluences 
of the -Methodist CInirch. he is liberal in his views, 
while Mrs. Richards is a memlier of the Congrega- 
tional Church. 



OSEPH ALW'O, a retired farmer and repre- 
sentative citizen of . Cooksville, was born in 
Gloucester, Engl.and, on the 11th d.ay of 

.luiie. 1H21. and is a son of Thomas and Al- 
ice (Wallen) .Mayo, who were also natives of that 
country. His father was a farmer by occupation, 
and resided near (iloucester until his death, which 
occurred at the advanced age of ninety-three j'ears. 
three months and sixteen ilays. His good wife 
died at the age of eighty-four years, on the farm 
where she was born and spent her entire life. They 
were a worthy and highly respected couple, and 
they bad many warm friends in the community 
where they resided. Their familv numbered nine 
children, five of whom are yet living — Elizabeth, 
widow of Thomas Hrown is a resident of England; 
William is now deceased; James is living near 
Gloucester, England; Thomas. George and John 
have all departed this life; Maria is the wife of 
William Uyless, who is living in England ; .loseph. 
of this sketeli. is the eighth in order of birth; and 
Alice, the youngest of the family, is also a resident 
of England. 

The early life of our subject w:is spent upon his 
father's farm until attaining the age of eighteen 
yeai-s. His e<hication was received in the common 
schools of his native country', and about the year 



># 
* 



■♦- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



279 



1842 he bade good-bye to his parents, friends and 
everything thnt lie held dear, and started out to 
win his way in the world, to struggle against its 
hardships and overcome itsdillieulties. For several 
years he followed a seafaring life, embarking on 
a sailing vessel which made trips between England, 
Ireland and Wales. After enduring many trials 
incident to life on the ocean, he at length abandoned 
that occupation after twelve ^'ears, and in 1855 
saileil from Liverpool to New York with the inten- 
tion of making his home in America. Having 
been advised by some acrpiaintances, made during 
his voy.age. to go to Mineral Point, Wis., where it 
wa.s said tliat he could obtain good work and good 
wages in the lead mines, he at once acted upon that 
.advice after landing in New York, but on reaching 
his destination found that already there were many 
more laborers than were needed. Knowing that he 
must find employment, he at once began searching 
for work and soon hired out as a farm hand for one 
year, receiving $12 per month. At the expiration 
of that time he oi)erated land on shares for three 
years, when he purchased forty acres in section 10, 
Porter Township, which had been but partially im- 
proved. After six years spent iir the cultivation 
of that tract he added to it seventy acres, operat- 
ing the whole for fifteen 3'ears, when he sold out. 
Purchasing a farm of 185 acres of Kdward (tilly, 
he madi- his home thereon for about nine years, 
when he dispo.sed of his projierty and removed to 
Cooksville, on account of his wife's failing health, 
and has there since made his home. 

iMr. Mayo has been twice married, his first nnion 
being with Miss Mary Drnmniond, and was cele- 
brated on the 29th d.ay of April, 185G. She died 
Feb. 11, 1887, at the age of seventy-two years. 
She was a member of the Congregational Church, 
an earnest and sincere Christian and devoted to the 
cause which she advocated. After the death of his 
former wife, Mr. M.iyo w.as united in marriage 
with Hvelyn .Seaver, who is a native of New York, 
and her parents were numbered among the early 
.settlers of Wisconsin of IHIG. Her father was a 
farmer, and followed that occupation until called 
from this life at the age of ninety years. Mrs. 
Mayo, who is a most estimable l;iily. sjient the 
greater part, of her life in earing for and adminis- 



tering to the wants of her aged parents until their 
death, when she left her home and went to Illinois 
and Kans.-w, where visiting relatives and friends she 
tried to forget her sorrow and grief. Hidurning to 
her home after three years absence, she was married 
to Mr. M.ayo, jis above stated. 

Energetic and progressive, ftlr. Mayo has ever 
taken a deep interest in the advancernenl of |)ublie 
enterprises, an<l is liberal in his support of any object 
for the welfare of the community. In political 
sentiment he is a Hepublican, having supported that 
|)arty since its organization. Beginning life in a 
humble position, he has worked his way up to one 
of eminence, and by his perseverance, prudence and 
industry has secured a comfortable competency 
which enables him to pass his declining years in re- 
tirement from active work, lie is a man well 
known throughout, the county, having made it his 
home for thirty-four years, and is held in high re- 
gard l)y all. 



\1^RAXCISPENXY(()()K.. an enterprising and 
progressive farmer, residing on section r,, 
.Iancs\ille Township, was liorn in Scoilund, 
April !(, 18;!5. His parents, .lames an<l Agnes 
(Stark) Pennycook. who were also natives of Seot- 
land, h:id a family of four chililren. of which he 
was the youngest. His father was a sliepherd. and 
resided in his native land until his death, which oc- 
curred in 185G, at the age of s-venty-five years. 
His wife, who w.as a most estimable lady, died in 
184:!, at the age of forty-five ycais. Both weic 
members of the Prcsliyteri.'in Church. 

'J"he subject of this sketch received a common 
school education in his native land, and .as his 
father was in limited circumstances. w:i.s earh' 
forced to begin life's battle for himself. Hearinj^ 
of the opiiortnnilies afToided young men in the 
New World, he resolvil to try his fortune in 
America, and in company with his brother Adam, 
when sixteen _\ears of .age, he started for this 
country. The journey was made on the sailing vessel 
'•Ohio," which he boarded at the port of (Glas- 
gow in the spring of 1851. The p.assage w.as ex- 
ceedingly rough, and nine weeks were spent in 



•-Hl;^ 



4^ 

4 



4 



<^ 



280 



■•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



making the trip. Landing at New York, he w- 
niainod in the eastern part of the Empire State for 
a year, working .as a farm hand near Troy, lli.s 
brother remained with him Imt a sliort time and 
then went to New York City, and in 1S.')2 started 
for the golil mines of California, luit on reaching 
the l.^tlinuis of Panama, lie was stricken with tiie 
fever and died. After working as a farm hand for 
a year, Francis went to Long Island, where he en- 
gjiged in gardening for a i)eriod of three and a half 
years, at the end of wliich time he emigrated to 
the West, locating near Fort Atkinson. Wis., where 
he was again employed at farm labor. 

When the Civil War broke out Mr. Pennycook 
was a resident of Sumner, Jefferson Co., Wis., l)ut 
he soon came to Kock County, and on the 28lh 
d.ay of Novcnd)er, l.S(!l , enlisted at Janesville for 
three years' service. He was assigned to Com- 
pany C, of the rjTth Regiment, Jliinois In- 
fantry, after whicii lie was stationed at (amp 
Douglas, Chicago, from whence he pioceeded to 
Cairo and onward to the front. He participated in 
the liattle <if Fort Henry, tiien e(>ntinue<l his jour- 
neys to Paducaii, and later joineil the .Vrmy of the 
Tennessee. He suiiported the Cliieago Liglit Ar- 
tillery at Pittsburg Landing oti April (! and 7, and 
was tired on at Clifton while proceeding up the 
river. This engagement was followed by the siege 
of Corinth, the battle of I'.ooneville, Miss., the 
battle of Corinth on the 3d day of Oetolter, and 
the raid after Gen. Forrest through Tennessee. 
He next participated in the battle at Barton Station, 
Hig Hear Creek, Town Creek, in Alabama, and the 
Atlanta campaign, being wiih Sherman on the 
memorable march to the sea, and was honorably 
discharged at Savannali, ( ia., on the 2'Jtli of Sep- 
tember, 18(M. 

After the close of hostilities, Mr. Pennycook re- 
turned to Poek County, Wis.. an<i later went to 
liiiseyville, .lefferson County, lie soon returned to 
Koek County, however, and purch.ased eighty acres 
of partly improved land situated on section 3, 
Janesville Township. ^\ little log cabin was upon 
the lancl, and into this he moved with his family. 
Immediately begiuiung the work of improvement 
and cidtivation, he soon transformed the wild prai- 
rie into a fine farm, whiih now comprises I6G acres 



of arable land in a high state of cultivation. He 
raises a good grade of stock, and everything about 
the place denotes thrift and industry. Politically 
he easts his ballot with the Republican party, lie 
takes a deep interest in educational matters, doing 
all in his power to advance the standard of public 
schools, .and h.as ever given his influence and sup- 
])ort to those entei|)rises which tend to build up 
the comnuinity. Allho\igh starting out in life 
without caiiital, he h.as bj' industry, perseverance 
and frugality gained a comfortable competence. 

In the month of February. 18GI, the union of 
Mr. Penn3'cook and Miss Jeannette W.atson. a native 
of Scotland, was celebrated. Tlie lady is a daugh- 
ter of Ceorge and Laura (Prown) Watson, who 
were also born in the same country. Her father 
followed agricultural jiursuits in his native land, 
but in 1«54 emigrated to America, settling in 
Canada, where he remained for four years. From 
thence he removed to Rock County. Wis., .'uid 
bo\iglil an improved farm, \ipon which he resided 
until his death, which occurred in 1804. Mrs. 
Watson died in .Seotl:ind pre\ious to the emigiation 
of her husband to America. By the union of .Air. 
and Mrs. Pennycook two children have been born 
— Janu's :ind Isabel, now Mrs. Situinons, of .l.ines- 
ville Township. 



/^.KOROK W. RUSSELL, an enterprising 
III g— , farmer and stock-r.aiser residing on section 
^^41 20, Turtle Township, was born in Hartford, 
Washington County, N. Y., May 8, 1840, and is 
the son of Col. Jose|)li Russell, whose .sketch is 
given on another page of this volume. ( )ur subject 
received his education in his native county, and 
his early life was spent upon his father's farm, he 
remaining under the parental roof until twenty-two 
years of age. Possessing natural aliilit\- for me- 
chanical work he consequently turned his attention 
in that direction 'ind in 18tl.s he bi-gan to le.arn the 
trade of a carpenter ami joiner in (Jlen Falls, N. Y., 
under the direction of Darius Noicross of that 
place. He at length became a trusted and skilled 
mechanic and in connection with general carpenter 
work engaged in sl:iir building. He remaineil with 

•► 



-4»- 



ROCK COUMTY. 



28;J 



his first employer for ten years, or until 1878, when 
believing that the opportunities afforded by the 
West were greater than those of the East, he came 
to IJeloit, Wis., and in the same year purchased 
Ills present {■.inn of fifty-two acres on section 20, 
Turtle 'I'ownship and h.is since eng.aged in its culti- 
vation and <k'vcU)pinent. still continuing his trade 
during tiie summer mouths. As he is a skilled 
workman there is mucli demand f<:)r his labor and 
his work gives general salisfaclion. 

The wife of Mr. Russell was in her maidenhood. 
Jliss Margaret (iourlay. She was born in Glen 
Falls, N. Y., and is a daughter of Andrew and Jane 
(.lack* (iourlay, who were natives of Scotland, but 
became residents of Warren Coiintj', N. Y., in M.av 
1842. Her father departed this life in that county 
bill her mother is still living in (ilen l'"alls. N. Y., 
am' is a member of the .Society of Friends. 

Mr. and Mrs. Russell are the pariMits of three 
chililren — Heri'v. biun March Ti, IHIJ'.t; Teresa, 
Nov. 7. I87t; and Uoy, May IG, 1877. They 
ha\c had good opportunities for obtaining an edu- 
cation .'iikI bill fair to lieconu^ useful men and 
women. The parents are both nii>mliers of the 
.Second Congregational Church of lieloit. Mr. 
Russell is a Demociiit in |)olitics, and has been 
identified with the piil)lic interests of this commu- 
nity since becoming a resident of Uock County. 



||/j_^ ALVOR II. nrSEMON. Numbered among 
the l(>adiiig farmers and early settlers of 
Hock County, is the subject of this sketch, 
who resides on section 12. Newark 'I'owii- 
liip. The history of his life will be read by his 
many frieuils with interest, lie was born in Noi'- 
way. on the Htli day of October, 1 833, and is a son 
of Hans anil liergitli (llalverson) Ihisemon. His 
parents were also natives of Norw.ay. In his na- 
tive land the lather followed the occupation of 
farming and shoe making and in that countrv mar- 
ried Miss llalverson in IS.'iO. ISefore their emigra- 
tion to America, five children were liorn unto them, 
three of whom accomp.anied their parents to the 
United States, the oilier two having died in infancy. 
Their first child iliiil when an infant; Ilalvor was | 



the second in order of birth; Carrie came with her 
parents to America, and is now the wife of Ilaiis 
1*. (iaarder, a farmer of Worth County, low.i; 
Itergith died at the .age of ten years; Annie died 
while crossing the ocean. Afteillic family reached 
Rock County, another daughter w^a,s l)orn, whom 
they also named Annie, and who is now llu' wife of 
O. P. Gaarder, a resident farmer of Spring Valley 
Tovvnship: Ilalvor, Jr., the next child, died in in- 
fancy; Bessie is now at home; and Ellen also died 
in infancy. 

Immediately after the landing of the family in 
New York, they contiiuied their travels to the Ter- 
ritory of Wisconsin and for two months made their 
home in the town of lieloit. I'lirchasing I 2') acres 
f>f land on sections 11, 12 and 11, Mr. llusemoii in 
184(1 built a log cabin, and into this the family 
moved — their first home in their adopted country. 
The land was in a wild and uncultivated state, but 
with the aid of his sons, he at once began the work 
of develoinneul and improvement, .and the raw 
|)rairie was soon transformeil into a fine farm, hi 
l.S.')2 the pioneer house was replaced li\- a more 
c(mimodions frame dwelling, which is still the home 
of the old people, though it is owned by our sub- 
ject with whom they reside. The father is now 
eighty-three 3'ears t)f age, having been born June 
21, ISOi;, and can well remember the great war in 
the old country in 1S14. The mother is now 
eighty years of .'igc. Roth :ii'e members of the 
Norwegian Lutheran Churi'h, and are highly re- 
spected by their iii:ui\ friends and neighbors. 

Until twelve years of age, Ilalvor Ilnsemon re- 
mained in his native laud, but at that time, 184;'), 
an important event in his life trans|)ired — his emi- 
gr:itit)n to America. His primary education was 
received in Norw.a}', anil sup|)leiiiented by a course 
in the schools of Rock County. He assisted his 
father in the development of the new farm, and 
since that time has given his undivided attention to 
agricultural pursuits. In ISTi'.t he became the pos- 
sessor of the old homestead, which at that time 
contained l'.hl acres. The many improvements 
which he has made show that his life has not been 
an idle one, while everything about the |>lace de- 
notes the til rift and enterprise of the owner. Though 
commencing life in limited circumstances, he has 



f 



J^ 



,t 



4«- 
284 



ROCK COUNTY. 



accnmulated a comfortable property, and is regarded 
as one of tlie leading farmers of ^Newark Town- 
sliip. I)) (•(uniection with his other Int^M'ests he 
operates; a clairy. keeping sixteen eows for this pur- 
pose, and his farm is also stocked with a good 
grade of horses and hogs. 

On the •24th d.ay of M.ay. 1862 Mr. Iliiscmon 
was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Thon. who 
was horn in Norway, in April. 1827, and is a 
d.'uighter of Christian and Sarah Tlum. Her pa- 
rents both died in their native land, and her two 
sisters came to America in 184(>. .Alargaret. the 
eldest, is the deceased wife of O. N.ass, a resident 
of Litchfield. Minn.; F.niily is the wife of Thomas 
Anrlerson. whose home is in Allamakee County, 
Iowa. Two children have been born of the union 
<if ^Ir. and Mrs. Husenion — liessic. horn Sept. 12, 
1864; and Charles, born .^inll I.j. 1871. The lat- 
ter is now atteniling .school at Beloit. 

Mr. Ilusemon has been liouored h3' his fellow 
citizens with several local ottices. He was one of 
the fiist Norwegians elect<'d to the position of side- 
supervisor in the town of Newark, and was also 
the first Norwegian who served upon the petit jury 
of Rock County. In political sentiment he is a 
stalwart supporter of the Hepiililican party, having 
been numl)ered among its ailhercnt-s since the time 
he cast his first presidential vote for .John C. Fre- 
mont. He lia-i liecM iilentified with the educational 
interests of the county and for twelve yeais served 
as a member of the school lioard. lie is well in- 
formed on all the leading topics of the day, both 
lK)litical and otherwise, and although born on for- 
eign soil Rock County has no citizen more true or 
loyal. He and his family are members of the 
Lutheran Church. The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. 
Ilusemon are shown upon another page. 



— ^ 



^•^ 



-i- 



^, OSEPH OOCKSTADER, a prominent farmer 
I and stock-rai.ser. residing on section l!4. La 
I'rairie Township, was horn in Mcmtgom- 
cry County, N. Y.. on the 24tli day of June, 
182.'). and is a .son of .Jacob F. and Coinelia ( Balcli) 
Dockstader. His father was a native of New York, 
his mother of Connecticut. Thinking that the 



afh^antages of the West were better than those 
afforded by the older states of the East, in 1 845 
Jacob Dockstader, accompanied by his family, 
emigrated to Rock County, Wis., locating in Sho- 
piere, then the village of Waterloo. His first pur- 
chase of land consisted of 2(10 .acres of timber, 
but to this by subsequent purchase he added 4 10 
acres, making a total of 640 acres, situated in 'I'ur- 
tle and La Prairie Townships. He became one of 
the leading business men of Shopiere, and w:is one 
of the original owners and builders of the first 
flouring and grist mills erected in that place. Ho 
was a recognized leader in all matters pert4tining to 
the welfare of the community, iniludiug the religi- 
ous, educational and .social interests in which he 
l)ore a prominent part. He was a faithful and con- 
sistent member of the Congregational Church, to 
which his wife also belonged. The death of Mrs. 
Dockstader occurred in Januar}-. 18(33, and Mr. 
Dockstader departed this life on the 22d d.ay of No- 
vember. 18G7. Both were interred in the beautiful 
cemetery at .Shopiere. Mr. Dockstader. however, 
was again married after the death of his first wife, 
his second union being with Mrs. Mary Wells, who 
is also deceased. 

By the first union the following children were 
born, all of whom are living with the exception of 
Jacob A'., who died at the age of eight years and 
eiglit months. Maria, the eldest, wedded Jacob 
Dunn, a resident of Iowa Falls. Iowa; Sarah .\. be- 
came the wife of Alonzo Turner of Iowa; Joseph 
is the lliiiil in order of birth; Cornelia, wife of 
.lonathan Dole, is living on the old homestead in 
La I'rairie Township; Catherine liecanie tliewifeof 
Dennis Jacobs, and emigrated to Dakota, where 
they still make their home; Caroline marrieil Will- 
iam Cardner. a retired farmer now residins in 
Janesville; Jacob makes his home in Chatfield. 
Minn., and Frederick is livin"; in or near Superior 
City. Wis. 

Our suliject [)assed the days o( his boyhood and 
youth upon his father's farm, assisting in the culti- 
vation of the Land during the summer months, 
while during the winter he attended the district 
schools. He remained under the parental roof 
until 18G."{, when he was united in marri.age with 
Miss Sarah J. Chamberlain, the wedding being 



-\ 



-4^ 




ROCK COUNTY. 



285 



eclclirated on the 12tli tlay of .Iiily. The lady is 
a native of Conncctiotit. born in ilartfoni, July 
1"), 1 8."?"). ami is a (lau^liti-r of James and Maiia 
(Jackson) Cliamhcilain, whose skolch ai)ppais in 
that of James A. Chamberlain on another page of 
this work. By the nnion of Mr. and Mrs. Dock- 
stader funr children have been born: Jessie, vvho 
died in infancy; Cora. Gcors^e and Addie, all of 
wlioni have received good edncational advantages, 
well (jnalifying them for useful and responsible 
positions in life. 

.\fter their marriage, onr subject and his young 
bride took jiossession of the farm (jn which they 
still ('(inlinuc to reside. At that time it was a wild 
and unbri)ken |iraiiie. but Mr. Dockstader at once 
turned his nltention to the cultivation and improve- 
ment of his land, from which, by industry, cntei-- 
prise and skill, he has evolved loveliness, beauty 
and order, his f.irni being one of the finest in the 
township. lie is now operating 17.5 acres, which 
he h.as placed under a high state of cultivation. 
Ills stock consisting of horses, cattle, sheep and 
hog-, is of the best grades, and the barns and out- 
iiiiildings for their protection are models of con- 
venience. The surroundings of his home are most 
pleasant, indicating the thrift and refinement of 
the lady who presides as mistress. Among the 
reiJresentative farmers and respecte<l citizens of 
Rock County, none stan<l higher in the esteem of 
all than does Mr. Dockstader. and we are jileased 
to record the sketch of so prominent a gentleman. 



^E^- 



4 



t-^^^ON. WILLIAM A. LAWRENCE, .-in early 
)ji settler and proniiueni business man of 
^ Janesville, Wis., was born in I'erkinsville, 
_ Windsor Co., VL.on the 2(;tli d;iy of M.arch, 
1822. His parents were Jonathan .'nid Betsey 
(Martin) Lawrence. His father was descended 
from I'uriUin ancestry, and was born in Ashby, 
Mass., Jan. 17, 17112. The Lawrence family in 
America is descended from John Lawrence, who 
was born at Wisset, England, in October, IfiOS, 
and emigrated from England to America in lC:i2, 
twelve years after the advent of the Puritans on 
these sliorcs. He settled at what is now Water- 
<• 



town, Mass., and his descendants have since scat- 
tered throughout the United States. Abbott Law- 
rence, when Minister to England, searched for the 
ancestry of the family, and traced the family line 
back to the time of the Crusaders, among whom 
was Sir Robert Lawrence, who w.as knighted by 
great King Richard, known as Richard Couir de 
Lion. The subject of this sketch, however, is 
content to ignore the history of the family in the 
old world, .and tr.ace his genealogy by certain well 
established lines from his earliest ancestor in Amer- 
ica. His particidar branch of the family is des- 
cended in the following described order: Nathaniel, 
son of John Lawrence, was born in October, Ifi.'^i); 
John, son of Nathaniel, was born .luly 29, KJfw; 
Jonathan, son of John, was born Feb. l.'L I70G; 
his son, the second Jonathan, was born in 17.'53; 
Jonathan, the third of that name, was born at 
Ashby, Mass., in 1758, while his son Jonathan, the 
fourth, the father of the subject of this sketch, was 
born in 1 7'.)2. 

The subject of this sketch received his early 
education at the district schools, which was sup- 
plemented by one term at an .academy. From the 
age of fifteen to twenty-two years he w:is employed 
in a general store at Springfield, Vt., and in his 
native town. In June. ISll. his father came to 
Wisconsin and located on a farm in Dane Co'inty. 
and the following October, William A., accompa- 
nied by his mother and sister, also came to this 
State. After a year spent as a merchant's clerk in 
Janesville, he embarked in business for himself 
with Luke Stoughton, and soon afterward they were 
joineil by .lohn 1). Chambers, the firm name then 
becoming Stoughton, Lawrence & Co. In addition 
to their business at Janesville, they oi>ened a branch 
store at Cooksville. Rock County, which was con- 
ducted by Mr. Chambers. Mr. Lawrence contin- 
ued his connection with these gentlemen until 
1817, when they dissolved partnership, and he en- 
tered into a similar business relation with ^'olnev 
Atwood. and Elibu 11. Strong, under the firm 
name of Lawrence. Strong k Co., dealers in general 
mercliandise. In 1852 Mr. .Strong withdrew, and 
the business was continued under the firm name of 
Lawrence k Atwood, the firm yel being in exist- 
ence, covering a period of thirty-seven years. In 



'A 



,t 



286 



ROCK COUNTY. 



the meantime they have been engager! in various 
enterprises l)oth mercantile and manufacturing, 
some of wliich hMve proveil sticcrssfiil. others the 
reverse. 

In 18;')! Mr. Lawrence helped to organize the 
"Rock River Valley Union Railway Company," 
which has since hecome tbe Chicago <fc Northwest- 
ern Railroad, of which company he was a director 
and Secretary. In lS.'».i lie aided in the organiza- 
tion of the Central Bank of Wisconsin, uf which he 
was cashier one j'ear and director until 1859. In 
1874 lie joined other citizens of Janesville in the 
organization of the .lanesville Cotton Manufactur- 
ing Company, of which he was elected a member 
of the Board of Directors, and was chosen Secre- 
tary. Two years later he was elected President, 
serving in that cap.aeity until 1S8G when the coin- 
l)any was re-organized, and .as the old company 
li.as not yet ceased to exist, he is nominally its 
President. In 1859 the firm of Lawrence & 
Attwood added coal, lime and cement to their 
other lines of business, and have carried on the 
trade for many j'ears. and since the same year have 
engaged in the stove, tin .•ind hardware business. 
Ill 187'.) the firm formed a iiartnership witli E. W. 
Lowell in the hardware business on Milwaukee 
street, and soon afterward took Feniier Kimball 
into the business, .selling out to the latter gentle- 
man in 1883. Mr. Lawience was one of the organ- 
izers and a member of the first Board of Directors 
of the Wisconsin Shoe Com|)any, which was or- 
ganized Feb. 5, 1878. This proved to be one of 
the important manufacturing industries of the city. 
He was also connected with the former company, 
from which this sprang, and which was establislie<l 
in 1874. He was President of the new company 
until February, 1887. The latter company ce.i.sed 
to do business in 1888. In 1879 Mr. Lawience 
and his partner Mr. Atwood. engaged in the manu- 
facture of woolen goods and machine knittiiiir, 
carrying on the industry until 1885. They also 
established a hardware business on .Milwaukee 
street, which w.is operated by W. S. Bennett, and 
is now the property of Melcalf iS: tiowdy. I'rom 
18.S2 until 1887 he was connected with Charles 
Atwood. as dealers in lime, coal and building 
materials. Mr. Lawrence was one of the jiroject- 






ors of the Janesville JIntual Life Insurance Com- 
pany, established in 1858, of which he was a di- 
rector, but sold out at the end of a year, after hav- 
ing gotten the business well under way. The 
company' was changed to the Northwestern Mutual 
Insurance Company, was later moved to Milwau- 
kee, and is now one of the great insurance compa- 
ines of the West. In 1881 he heliied to organize 
the .lanesville IMachine Company, of which he was 
a director until 188G. and which is one of the suc- 
cessful manuf.acturing industries of the city. 

Mr. Lawrence is a Prohibitionist in jiolitics. and 
has held various oflicial positions of honor and 
trust. In 1847 he was elected Town Clerk, and 
tbe same year was chosen Count}' Treasurer, w.as 
re-elected, serving three 3'e.ars as principal and one 
as deputy. In 1851 he was elected to the General 
Assembly as a Whig, and was defeated for the 
same office tlie following year by only fifteen votes, 
when there w.as 1,200 average majority in the dis- 
trict for the opposite part}'. He served as a dele- 
gate to the last National Whig Convention, where 
Scott and Graham were nominated for the Presi- 
dency and Vice Presidency, helped to organize the 
Republican party in Wisconsin in 1854. and in 
1858 was elected Mayor of Janesville. In the fall 
of 1 80 1 he wat- elected to the State Senate, was re- 
electeil. and served from 18(32 until 18G(;, inclusive 
After the celebrated so-called '•Salary (irab." he 
joined the opposition and helped defeat Senatt)r 
Carpenter for a second term in the United Slates 
Senate, lie was an independent candidate for the 
State Senate in 1874. but Wiis defeated. In 1866 
he was eleeteil a member of the Janesville Board of 
Education, and served as a member of that body 
until 1874, being President of the Board for four 
years. Of late years he has alliliateil with the 
Prohibition party. 

On the 17tli day of March. 1847. in the town of 
Bradford. Rock County, Mr. Lawrence was united 
in marriage with Miss Martha Jane Allen, a daugh- 
ter of Harvey Allen. Esq. Two children were 
born of their union: Frank A., born Nov. .'50, 
1847. wedded Miss Mary Heller, and was associated 
with his fatlur in business until his death, which 
occurred June 12, 1884; Mary Estella died in 
18G0 at the age of four years, and the mothei' de- 

•► 



t 



-4*- 



ROCK COUNTY, 



2.S7 



parted this life in Soptemljcr, 18G0. Mr. Lawrence 
was again married RLw 3, 1865, at Madison. Wis., 
his sceund union heinjf with Mrs. Sarah K. Hoys, 
wi<li)W of the Hon. Samuel II. IJoys, aiul :\ daugh- 
ter of Kleazer Knierson. Mrs. Lawrence was liorii 
in Warner, N. II., .•nid had tliree cliildren by her 
former marriage: Wellington, the eldest, died in 
childhood; Hufus II. married Miss Kate Loveland, 
of Last Saginaw, Mich.; Nancy Lois is the wife 
of Malcolm (J. Jeffries, of Janesville. 

Mr. Lawrence has been prominently identified 
with the more im])ortant business enterprises that 
have led to the improvement .ind development of 
Janesville as a manufacturing and commercial 
city. Liberality and public spirit have marked 
his course from the earliest day in her history to 
the present. That he has not been more success- 
ful in retaining a larger share of the legitimate re- 
sults of his enteri)rise and energy, is more his mis- 
fortune than his fault. He has always been noted 
for his generosity to those in trouble, and many a 
young man has reason to remember with gratitude 
the kindly sympathy and substantial aid of William 
A. Lawrence, when disaster and difticnlties threat- 
ened to overwhelm him. In all these years of resi- 
dence in Janesville, Mr. Lawrence has maintained 
and enjoyed the fullest icspect, confidence and 
esteem of his fellow citizens. 

'LI.IAIl lil'LLOCK. a representative farnici-. 
residing on section 20, Union Township, 
i^ IS one of the self-made men of Kock 
County having started out in life for himself when 
but thirteen years of age. He began working at ^;5 
per m<mth and his success i;i life is the ri'sidt of his 
unaided etTorts, showing what can be accomplished 
by determined energy, perseverance, industry and 
fair dealing. He was born in Dutchess County N. 
Y., April 2, 1 HI 8, and is the son of Josejih and 
Chloe (Canfield) Bullock, who were also natives of 
Dntchejs County, where their nianiage was cele- 
brated. The family is of Knglish origin, having 
been founded in .Vracrica by two brothers, who 
emigrated from Knglanfl to this country during 
the early colonial days. In 1824, Joseph liullock. 



?iccompanieil by his family, removed to Hroome 
County, N. Y. lie was a soldier of the war of 
1812, and in early life engaged in the profession 
of teaching, but later devoted his time and atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits. For many years he 
was a sufferer for consumption, but at length death 
ended his pains, he departing this life in Broome 
County, in 1836. His wife continued to reside in 
that county until 1839, when she too passed away. 
They were the parents of nine children, only two 
of whom are living — Elijah, who was second in 
order of birth; and Emiline, the youngest of the 
family, who became the wife of Henry Beveer. a 
resident farmer of the town of LTnion. 

The education of our subject was received in 
Broome County. N. Y., and in 1836, he went to 
Chenango County, where he workeil at the carpenter 
trade. During his residence in that community, 
lie formed the acquaintance of Miss Nancy Mead, 
who afterwards became his wife, their marriage 
being celebrated on the Kith d;i\ of .lune, 1845. 
Mrs. Bullock was a native of Chenango County, 
and a daughter of Stephen Jlead. The young 
couple began their domestic life in her native 
county, but later moved to Broome County, yet 
sul)sequently again became residents of Chenango 
County, where they continued U> reside until 1853. 
That year witnessed their arrival in liock County, 
AVis., and the same year Mr. Bullock rented a farm 
in (Ireen County, where his residence wa.s short 
however, as in 1854, he purchased his present 
home of his brothers. Samuel M. and Reuben W.. 
who reniove<l to Iowa, where bolh have siiii-c<lied. 
On rcuioviug to his farm, he at once began the de- 
velopenienl of the wihi laud, which was then in its 
primitive condition. A sm:dl caliin had previ- 
ously biH-n l)uill, .■nid into this the family moved, 
making it their home for a number of vears. 

Five children graced the union of .Mr. and Mrs. 
Bullock as follows: Kdsoii, the eldest, who is now 
deceased; .Alfred, who was a soldier during the 
late war, and married Miss Lucy Martin, by whom 
he hail four children. Flora F., ALaliel May., Ira M. 
and Ad;i May, who died in infancy; Elijah E. and 
Nancy E. are deceased; .and George M. is engaged 
in farming on the old homestead. In 1864, the 
mother of this fainilv was called to her linal rest. 



-4^ 



-•► 



"► m M i' 



288 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4^ 



and Mr. Hiillock was again married, Mrs. Emily 
Hartley, widow of (icoruc 11. Ilartloy, bei-oiiiiiig 
his wife. By lu-r former union two children were 
born — Allierl II. and Frank K., who is now en- 
gaged in l':uniiiig in Dane Connty, Wis. Mr.s. 
BiiUoek was horn in the town of P^irnam. Provinee 
of (Quebec. Canada, .lune 12. 1841, and when eight 
years of age. in 1 X III, her father's death (jeenrred in 
that plaee. Her mother afterwards became the wife 
of Samuel Pinkliam. and is now residing in Rock 
County. Tlnie children have been born of the 
second union of Mv. and Mrs. Bullock, all sons — 
James H.. born Nov. I'.l, I8(i".l; Lewis K., April 19 
1872; Clarence, April 22, 1873. 

The first i)nrehasc of laml made by Mr. Bullock in 
Rock County, comprised eighty-live acres, to which 
he has since addcil until now it is 1(15 acres in ex- 
tent. The many line improvements testify to the 
progressive spirit of the owner, while the pleasant 
I'.ome anil its cheerful surKjundings indicate thrift 
and relineiiient. His honorable, upright course of 
life has won him the conlidence of all with whom 
business or pleasure liaxc brought him in contact, 
and he is held iii high regartl b\- a large circle of 
acquaintances. In early life he allilialed with the 
Whig party, easting his first presidential vote for 
Gen. William Henry Harrison, .and taking a promi- 
nent part in the exciting scenes of that campaign. 
On the organization of the Uepublican iiarty. he 
enlisted under its banner, and from that time has 
regularly deposited his ballot for its candidates, 
while exerting his inllucnce in its behalf. 



LBKRT K. .SKLLKCK, a poinilar engineer 
(&J/\l ,,|, {^in. Chicago iV Xoith western Railroad, 
resides in .lanesville, was born in tiie town 
of Locke, Cayug.'i County, N. Y., on the 
22nd day of December, 1837, and is the son of 
Thomas and Mary A. (Cory) Selleck. The father 
was born in Connecticut and the mother in Herki- 
mer County, N. Y. The death of Thomas tSelleek 
occurred on the 4th d.ay of Noveiubcr, 1881, while 
his wife still survives him and is residing with her 
sou in Harrington, III. 

C)n the 22nd day of February, 18()3. our subject 




was married in Broadliead, Wis., Miss Georgie 
Foss, a daughter of Alpheus Foss, and a native of 
Boston. Mass.. Iteconiing his wife. One child graces 
the union of this worthy couple — Fr;ink. who was 
born in August. 18Go. in Janesvillc. and is now 
cashier for the American Express Compan\ at 
Dearborn Station in Chicago. 

Albert Selleck has s|icnt his whole business career 
in the employ of what is now the Chicago A- Xorth- 
westeru Railroad. He began with the Rock River 
\'alley Road, then s') called, in the month of April, 
\H.'iU, serving as fireman, but after running in that 
capacity for a year was promoted, in Jlay, IMCO, to 
the position of engineer, remaining with the road 
in that capacil\ continuously since. S'nce becom- 
ing an engineer, not a single month has passed that 
he has not been on the pa\ roll. For twenty-live 
years he has now hud charge of a |)assenger engine 
having been the greater part of the time on the 
Chicago clivislon, and he now draws the Janesville 
accommodation and the Fort Howard mail. He isan 
etlicient workman, is a trusted employe of the com- 
pany, and is a worth\' citizen of the community in 
which he resiiles. 



««AA.xve2Cfi;©^^ 



^f,3*OT7» ." 'vx'v. 



HARLES A. ROTTER, ticket .agent of the 
hicago & Northwestern Railroad Com- 



(C'"- - 

^^^ p:iuy. at -lanesville, has been engage(( in 
railroad work for thirty-two years, almost one-third 
of a century. He was born in Fjlmira, N. Y., 
March 2(), 18,39, and is the son of Hiram and Irene 
(l)unsmore) Rotter, both of whom were natives of 
Brown Count}' in the same State. In l,sri4 the 
family came to Rock County, locating at .lanes- 
ville, where his parents died some years since. .Vt 
the time of their arrival in Rock County, our sub- 
ject w.ns fifteen years of age. Two j'ears later, he 
learneil telegraphy, and opened the first otlice for 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railro.ad In 
.lanesville. In 1858, he went to Clinton as operator 
and clerk for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad 
Company. He remained at Clinton one j'ear, and 
wiis then transferred to Milton Junction where he 
w.as joint agent for the Chic;igo & Northwestern 
and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Companies for 



<^ 





ROCK COUNTY. 



"v 



I'iglit years, wlicn lie was sent to Evansville. After 
reiii:iiiiiii<i' at the latter place one year, he was as- 
signed to the Janesville office, where he has since 
lieen en<;a<;e(l, a period of twenty two years. 

Ill ISCiO. Mr. Potter was united in marriafje with 
Miss Kstelle Harrere. daughter of Felix I'.arrere. 
She w.as horn in Johnstown, Rock County. Wis., 
her parents htiiii,^ anionjj' the earliest settlers of tliat 
town. Two children were horn of their union — 
Fannie, now the wife of W. P. Brown, Superinten- 
dent of flails of Los Angeles, Cal.: and Kdward 
H.. now in the employ of the .\tchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Railroad Com|)any, at Xewlon, Kas. 

Mr. Potter is a memljer of Wisconsin Lodge, 
No. It. L O. O. F., and of Oriental Lodge No. 22, 
Kniglits of Pythias. His wife is a inemher of 
'I'riiiity Episcopal Churcii. i'he long continuous 
service of Mr. P(jtter in the employ of one com- 
pany speaks well for his faithfulness in the dis- 
charge of every duty. The position which lie so 
acceptalily lills is a trying one. Daily lirought in 
contract wilh scores, and often hundreds of men 
and woTucn. it requires one of even temper to hear 
wilh th(^ whims and fancies, both of the ri'gular 
traveler, and those unaccustomed to travel. That 
.Mr. Potter possesses the traits of character neces- 
sary for the proper discharge of his duty is attested 
hy the many friends that he has made during his 
long period of service and who ever wish liiin well. 



-s*>*>*^>!a> 



<^*c-»«tf!«-k 



4 



yj^KOllGE IL AUSTIN, a representative and 
III (— -. progressive farmer of Magnolia 'I'ownship. 
^^J! and one of its self-made men. h.as liccn a 
resident of Rock County since the nn)nth of May, 
lH.")."i, aufl has liccn idculiticd with the upbuilding 
and pronuition of the leading interests of the com- 
niunity. lie was horn in Fraid<fort. Herkimer Co., 
N. Y., May 27. 182«. and his parents. Henry and 
Margaret ( l-ee) Austin, there reside<l for many 
years. They were natives of Rhode Island, how- 
ever, and descendetl from English ancestry. The 
Austin family w.as founded in America by three 
brothers who emigrated from Fnglaml to this 
countr)' during the early colonial days. Henry 
Austin, on arriving at man's estate, was united in 



marriage, in Herkimer County, N. Y., with AHss 
Margaret Lee. He was born at Schuyler, Feb. 2, 
I.S02, and is yet residing in Frankfort, at the ripe 
old age of eiglity-seven years. His wife, who was 
born at Frankfort in 1804, died at that place on the 
5th day of November, 1H7G. For many years she 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
to which Mr. Austin also belongs. They were the 
jjarents of twelve children, eight sons and four 
<l:uighters, all born in Herkimer County — James K. 
is now station agent in Rupert. \'t.; Elizabeth is 
the wife of (ieorge Curtis, who served in the re- 
liellion in the 14(ithNew York Infantry, and is now 
a resident of Rome, N. Y. ; (Ieorge H.. of this sketch, 
is the third in order of birth; Freeborn L., who 
served in the late war in the 11th Regiment' 
Wisconsin liifanlry. is a resident farmer of Lyon 
County, Minn.; Charles S. i.s living in Cattaraugus 
County, N. Y.; Alpheus H., who was in government 
employ during the late war as wagonmaster, and was 
for many years a merchant, died about the year 
ISSO; Helen L.. who became the wife of Peter 
Dedrick. Jr.. and died in Magnolia. .Inly l(j, IS.')?- 
leaving a daughter, Ella L., who is now a lesident 
of Itica. N. Y.; Margaret A., widow of Abram 
Barnes, makes her home with our subject; Lucius, 
who served as a member of B:ite>' Battery in the 
late war. is living on the old homestead near Frank- 
fort. N. ^'.. which has been in possession of the 
•Austin family for fifty-one years; ^Villiam S., who 
was also a member of liates Battery, is a resident 
of Evansville. Wis.; Nancy J. is the wife of 
J;imes Hulserof I'tica, N. V.; Stephen T.. of Com- 
pany I)., 121st New York Iiifautr}, died in the 
capit.al city of our nation while serving in" the late 
war. 

Ezekiel Chapni.in. the great-great-grandf.ithcr of 
Mr. Austin, was .i manufacturer of firearms for the 
(iovernment at the time of the Revolutionary War, 
and was the first man in America to discover the 
art of molding cast steel. Freeborn Austin, the 
grandfather of our sid)ject, served as a soldier in 
the War of 1H12. Margaret Lee was descended 
from English ancestors, who settled in America in 
in colonial days, and was a distant relative of Robert 
E. Lee. the distinguished Confederate (ieneral. 

George H. Austin was educated in his native 



f 



■<*• 



290 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-f 



coiinty. where lie made liis home until 1854. Dur- 
ing early lifo he eiigagcci in In siting on the Erie 
Canal from Buffalo to New York City, following 
this occnpatiun until the year above mentioned, 
when desiring to turn his attention to agricultural 
pursuits, he folhiwed the course of human emigra- 
tion westward, and located in Rock County, Wis., 
where he rented a farm on section 1 I. in the town 
of Magnolia. In connection with the care of the 
farm, he also worked at the car|)enter"s trade. Re- 
turning to his home in New ^'ork, in the month of 
December, l^o.j, Mr. Austin spent the winter in 
his native county, and on the 21lth <layof Februaiy, 
18.")(>, married Miss Maria lUirton, who w.as born in 
I'tica, ()nei<la County, March 8, 18;51. Her pai-ents, 
l>akfi>nl and Mary { Welstead ) IJurton. were natives 
of Kent County. Eugl.and. and emigrated to this 
c'.)untry about 18.'5(l, and became residents of Rock 
County in I8(j(). Mr. 15urton now makes his home 
with Mr. and Mrs. Austin, and though in his eigh- 
tieth year, is still hale ami hoart^'. His wife was 
called to her final rest Sept. 10, 187!l,at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-one years. 

I>y the union of our subject and his wife one 
chilli has been born, Henr\- L., born in Magnolia, 
.luly 21. 18(10. He has received the best educa- 
tional advantages, thereby fitting himself in life for 
any (losition which he might be called upon to fill, 
but he now resides with his parents on the farm. 
Ill March, 18.')(;, Mr. Austin with his young bride 
returned to Rock County, renting a farm of eighty 
acres on section 1 4, Magnolia Township, of which 
he is now the owner. The home is a model of 
neatness, and the entire surroundings indicate thrift 
and refinement. For many years he has filled 
various township offices, to which he h:us been 
elected b^' the Republicaii party, of which organi- 
zation he is a faithful aclherent. In the work of 
reform, and in the advancement of social and re- 
ligious interests he has always been found in the 
front ranks. He is heartily in sympathy with the 
temperance movement, never using spirituous liqu- 
ors in any form, but doing all in his power to pre- 
vent the use and manufacture of intoxicating drinks 
by others. For many years he has been a member 
of the (iood Templars Lodge, an organization for 
he promotion of temperance principles. His in- 



fluenee and support are alw.ays given on the side of 
right, and his hoiioiable. upright life is well 
worthy of emulation. Honored and respected he 
is held in the highest esteem by all, and his history 
ileservesa prominent place in the i)ermanent records 
of Rock Count}'. 

^4 #5-^'^ «— 



¥^ i^dLLIAM S. JJOFFRIS, cashier of the Mer- 
chant's and Mechanic's Savings IJank- of 
.lanesville. Wis., and a son of David and 
Grace (Mouat) .leflfris. is a native of this city and 
was born on the 1 Itli day of March, 18,")7. His 
father is a prominent business man and an early set- 
tler of .lanesville. [See his sketch elsewhere in this 
work.] Our subject received his primaiy educa- 
tion in the |iublic .schools of his native city, but 
became a student of Beloil College and graduated 
in the class of 1871). lie taught the Portage City 
high school one year .'ind traveled the same length 
of time, after which he entered the Merchants' and 
Mechanics' Savings Bank of .lanesville as book- 
keeper, which (losition he held for three years, fol- 
lowing which he was in business at l{ee Heights, 
Dakota, a short time, and then returne<l to .lani'S- 
villc. In .luly, 1883, he was chosen cashier of the 
bank, which position he has held continually since. 
In 1884 and 1885 he and his brother erected the 
block on the north side of Milwaukee street at the 
west end of the bridge, known as the .leffris' block, 
the lower front of which is occupied by the Mer- 
chants' and Mechanics' Savings Bank. The 
building is twenty-four feet front on Milwau- 
kee street and 108 feet deei), being three stor- 
ies high and substantially built of lirick and 
stone. The Knights of Pythias occupy a section 
of this building as a lodge room, while the hank, 
printing offices and law oflices complete the occu- 
pancy of the building. [See history of the bank.] 
Mr. JetTris was married on the 17th day of Octo- 
ber, 1888. to Miss Jeannette K. Baldwin, daughter 
of the Rev. C. C. Baldwin of Oberlin. ()hio. Mrs. 
.leffris was born in Ohio and is a graihiate of 
Oberlin College, of the class of 188G. .Mr. .leffris 
and his wife are members of the Congregational 
Church of Janes ville. He is also a member of the 



J 





^ 





I 



I 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-•► 



293 



""it* 



society known as the C'alerlonians. and is a Repub- 
lican in politics. As a business man be is known 
to be exact and con.servative. and in tlie discharjre 
of his ('utios as cashier of the bank for the past 
six years, he iins shown iiinisclf to lie competent 
iiml fHiliifni. 



(^=^AYIA)U SWAN, a farmer of .Sprinjr VMlley 
nf^^ Tovvnsiiip, residing' on section 20, was bmn 
^^^' in Ciieshire, England, on the 2S)lh (biy of 
Septend)er. 1822. He is the second in order (if 
liiitli uf tlie following children, whose jjarents 
.Samuel and .S;\rali (Haiber) Swan, were also natives 
of Kngland : Ann. the eldest child, married .lohn 
(ioodanl in her native land, where she also died; 
Taylor is the next of the faniil\ ; .Slephen was mar- 
ried to Isabella Taylor, who was born in New Yoik 
of Scotch p;irentage: .Samuel fell from a lo;id of luiy 
upon a pitchfork', the prongs piercing his bowels, 
ami he <lie<l from the wounds; Mary, who became 
the wife of a Mr. .loscph Cord, of Milwaukee, Wis., 
emigiated with her husband to California; John, 
a native of Kngland, is now deceasecl; .bunes, also 
lioin in Kngland. married Ann Winder, of Spring 
\alley Township, where he was then living, but 
has since rcTuoved to iNlissouri; Sarah, who became 
the wifeof I'riah Sawyer, of Brod head, died in that 
town in 1H87. 

Our subject was rearetl to manhood in his native 
lanil, and there rec<'ived his education. In l.si.") 
he came with his Ijrother Ste|)lien to America, lo- 
cating in Rock County, the parents following the 
next year. He pre-empted the same year 1 CO acres 
of lanil, which was known as Burr Oak Opening. 
With characteristic energy he began the develop- 
ment of the land, which he cleared, plowed, planted 
and improved, and in the course of time transformed 
the raw tindjer land into a good farm. At various 
intervals he added to his original purch.-vse, bu3'ing 
in the meantime the interest of his father .and 
brother, until he became the owner of .")2(( acres of 
land. He has since deeded eighty acres to his son 
Taylor, but the remaimler is still in his pos.session. 
The many tine improvements, that make it one of 
the best farms in the county, have all been made 



by Mr. Swan, and are testimonials of his tlirift and 
industry. He has never attempted to raise any 
fancy grades of stock, but ,Mlwa3's keeps on hand 
good grades of horses, cattle, sheei) and hogs. 
During his pioneer days in this county his nearest 
markets were lieloil. .lanesville and IMilwaukee. he 
having to go to the latter I'ity if he wished cash in 
exchange for his produce. On his tii|)s to Milwau- 
kee, like others, he loade<l bedding, cooking utensils 
and provisions into his wagon, and at night slept 
under the wagon. The trips were usually made 
during the warm weather. an<l it icquired from 
eight to ten days to go .and retinn from that city. 
Many were the inconveniences of those pioneer 
days — the land all had to be cleared, the farming 
implements were rude, and money was ver\' scarce; 
but wild game of all kinds was plenty', and in the 
cour.se of time, as the country became moie settled, 
railroads wi're built through the .State, manufac- 
toi'ies were introcluciMl, .nil the various industries 
established, and now every luxury known to the 
East finds its way to the West. 

In the month of February, 184',), Mr. Swan 
formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Isabella 
Smith, a native of Scotland, and a resident of 
Spring Valley Township. They began their do- 
mestic life upon the farm, and three children came 
to gladden the home with their piesence: Kllen, 
the first binn. whose birth occurred April il. 185.3, 
is now the wife of J'hili|) Woodward, a native of 
London, Cau.ada, who is now working at his trade 
of carpentering in Brodhea<l, Oreen Co., Wis., 
where they now reside; Taylor, born .Ian. .'), ISo."), 
is engaged in farming, .'uid is still living on the 
old homestead; Archibald, born .lune 21, 1858, 
married Miss llattie Woodward, who was born in 
.Spring \"alley Township; one child graces their 
union — a little daughter, Isabella, now in her sixth 
year. In 187(1 .Mr. Swan was called npi>n to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died on the 10th day of 
Ma}-. Her remains were laid to rest in the ceme- 
tery at .Spring Valley, known as the .Scotch Ceme- 
tery. She w;is a member of the I'resbyterian 
Church, and died in the lio|>e of a resurrection. 
Mr. Swan in earh' life united with the Wesleyan 
Methodists. He is a man of sterling worth, is a 
worthy and valued citizen, and has won many 



t. 



294 



.•►H|--#> 



ROCK COUNTY. 



friends since becoming a resident of Rock County. 
In ills presence, and wliile enjoyinij his hospitidity, 
one feels entirely at home. Politically, he is a Re- 
iniblican, having: east his ballot with that party 
since its birth. For six years he served as Assessor, 
has been a member and Chairman of the Board of 
Supervisors, and also School Director. On another 
page will lie found the portrait of this worthy man. 
together willi that of his wife. 



^^^ 



-<<~ 



n 



^MUKOSE C. POWERS. The interesting 
points in the history of this representative 
j A citizen of Beloit Township, who resides on 
f/ section 2, are essentially as follows. He 

was born in Toronto, Caiiad:i, on the 7th of Seji- 
tember, IJSIO, and is the son of Samuel and Maria 
IM. (Moulton) Powers. The family is descended 
from French and (Jcrrnan ancestry, who, prior to 
the Revolutionary war, located in America. The 
name was spelled Powars by the founders of the 
family, iml in late years has been changed to the 
present mode of spelling. 

Samuel Powers, tlie fathci' of our subject was 
born in Monroe County, near Rochester. X. V.. in 
IHIO, and when about nineteen j'ears of age, re- 
moved with his parents to Toronto, Canada. His 
education was received partly in his native Slate 
and partl3- in Can.ada, where he was united in 
marriage with JHss Maria ISFonlton. While res- 
idents of that city, our subject was born to that 
worthy couple, and the following year they re- 
moved with their young son to Illinois, locating 
near llcl vidcre. In 1S4H, they became residents 
of Hock County, Mr. Powers purchasing 1 fiO acres 
of raw, unbroken laud, on section 10, Newark 
Township. Hardly a hou.se was then in sight, 
while in every direction as far a.s the eye could 
reach, slret( lied wild prairies covered with grass. 
Mr. Powers began the improvement of his lain), 
whicli in the course of time he developed into a 
fine farm, making his home thereon until his death, 
whi<-h occurred Feb. 1(1. 1873. He was a man 
greatly attached to his family and he lived an ex- 
emplary life. 'I"he highest resjiect was tendered 
him by all, and he and his wife were members of 

.^m : : 



the Methodist E]>iseopal Church. The lady is still 
living and resides with her children in this county. 
Their family numbered besides our subject, five 
daughters, all born in Newark Township. Ade- 
line, the eldest, born Dec. 10,1852, became the 
wife of E. D. Conner, conductor on the Chicago it 
Northwestern Railroad, and died Feb. 20, 1888; 
Jnlia. born Dec. 23, 1850, is the wife of Elmer E. 
Nye, a telegraph operator of Los Angeles Cal.; 
Mary, born March 2, 18511, wedded Jerome Terwil- 
liger, who is engaged in farming in Walworth 
County, Wis.; Pollen and Nellie, twins, were born 
Jan. 17. 18(>(i. The former is the wife of (ieorge 
Cator, a railroad employee residing in Springfield, 
Mo., and Nellie weddeil E. II. Hills, yard master 
<if the Chicago i^- Milwaukee Railroad at Chilli- 
cothe. Mo., 

Our subject was educated in the common schools 
of this county, and for one term attended the 
school at Burlington, Wis. Throughout his entire 
life he has followed the occupation of farming, 
and on the death of his father, being the only 
son of the family, he assumed the management 
of the home farm. On the 21st day of March, 
1872. he was united in marriage with Miss .Mary 
.1. Connor, who was born in Ln/.erne County. Pa.. 
July '.I, 1852, and is a daughter of William and 
Elizabeth (Kocher) Connor. Her father was a 
native of Philadelphia, and her mother of Luzerne 
County, Pa., and with their family of four I'hild- 
ren they removed to Clinton, Iowa, in 185!), where 
Mr. Connor ilied in ISdl, his death the result of 
typhoid fever. His wife is still living, and resides 
in Newaik Township. Their .son. James, died at 
the age of seven; and llorti'use. their daughter, is 
the wife of James Kilmer, a faniu'r of Rock 
Comity. 

After his marriage. Mr. Powers engaged in farm- 
ing on rented land in Rock Township for several 
\ ears, and at the expiration of that time i)urclia>ed 
fifty acres located on sections 15. 21 and 22, of the 
same township. I'ntil March, 1887, he there re- 
sided, his farm being one of the finest in that vicin- 
ity. Selling out in the year mentioned he bought 
1()0 acres on section 2, lieloit Township, which in a 
short time bv the care ami labor which he bestows 
upon it, will III' ccpial if not sui)erior to the ele- 

■ » 



in 



i 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



—9^ 

295 



gaiit home wliicli ho owned in Koek Townsliip. 
Mr. Powers also devotes considerable attention to 
public affairs, and takes a prominent part in politics. 
From IMSO until I 887, he served as Clerk of Hock 
Townshii), beinfj elected b}- an overwhelming ma- 
jority, which is a high testimonial to the ability 
and promptness with which lie discharged his du- 
ties. He has ever been a faithful adherent and 
supporter of tin' Republican [larl^', which he feels 
has yet a grand mission to perforin. Socially, he 
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the cause of temperance linds in him an 
earnest advocate. 

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rowers, an inter- 
esting family of three children have been born — 
May Agnes, born Aug. 13, 187 4; .lennie Irene, 
born Dec. 16, 1880; and Samuel IJurton, born 
March 27, 188;"). This worthy couple have the 
respect and esteem of all who know them, and dur- 
ing the many years of their residence in this county 
they have gained a large circle of friends. 



IIARLES J. I'LAYTER. a leading young 
farmer resitling on section 21, Bradford 
Townshiii, was born in that township Sept. 
20, 1858. He is the son of (ieorge anil Janelte 
(Smith) Playter, the former a native of Canada, 
and the latter of New York. 

(George Playter was born in the town of York, 
rpper Canada, in 1824, and came to Wisconsin in 
181(!, and settled in Bradford Township on sec- 
tions l(i and 21. Soon after his arrival he formed 
the acquaintance of Miss Janette Smith, and in 
1853 they were united in marriage. She was a 
native of New York, and came with her parents 
to Hock Count\- in 1812. They .settled in La 
I'rairie Township, where Mr. Smith engaged in 
farming. There were four children in the family 
— Janette, the mother of our subject; Barrett II., 
who married Miss Harriet Hose, and now resides 
in La Prairie Township; Albert C. and William, 
who reside in Nebraska. To George and .larjctte 
Playter live children were born — .Mice, born in 
.\pril. 1851. is now the wife of N. 15. Inman. of 
Clinton, Wis.; Emma, born Dec. 20, 1855, dieil 





Feb. 1, 18()0; Charles, of whom we write; Eda, 
born .March 15. LSCl, is the wife of Fred Scott, 
of Bradford Township; Lewis, born .Inne 5, 18G3, 
is now in California. (Icorge Playter was a man 
of recognized ability, and served his township in 
several local offices, including those of Assessor and 
a member of and Chairman of the Board of 
Supervisors. In 18(;i he enlisted in the lOtli \\is- 
consin Infantry, and with his regiment pro- 
ceeded to Memphis, Tenn., where he coiitr.acted 
disease from exposure, which resulteil in his deaih 
Aug. 15, 1864. His body was brought back and 
interred in the cemetery in Bradford Townshii). 

Our subject received his primary education in 
the common schools, which was siijiplenieiited by 
two terms attendance at the commercial school in 
.lanesville, and also a course at the Wavland Ini- 
versity. In the month of August, 1881. Ik; started 
for Dakota, with the intention of locating a claim. 
.Vrriving in Sprink County, he remained there 
three weeks, when he iiroeeedeil to Watertown, 
and thence by stage to Hastings. He at 
length entered a claim of 160 acres, and in order 
to secure the lumber to build the shanty which 
is reijuired by law, had to drive the distance of 
twenty miles. He erected a little cabin 8x10 feet, 
and returned to his home in Wise(jnsin. On the 
15lh of February. 1882, he again went to his claim, 
residing there for seven months. It luid now be- 
come his, and in 1884 he sold the homestead, 
realizing*!, 000 on the investment. The land was 
not far from :i mine, and :i party of five youu" 
men made their lioiiie with Mr. Pla\ ter and at- 
tended to the household affairs, cooking and other 
duties, which we presume were not veiy elaborate. 
One day the inmates of the little cabin had an 
Indian scare, the re|>ort reaching them that Indians 
had been seen in the vicinity. They immediately 
sent to Fort Sully for troops, and to Huron for 
guns an<l ammunition, resolving to be prepared 
should an attack come. An editor n.amed Mills and 
another man were .sent out to see if the Indians 
were near, and seeing a party of surveyoi-s, thought 
they were the dreaded red men. The scare origin- 
ated in the following manner: A (Jerman, who 
was working with a party of surveyors, fell over a 
mound, and his brother, thinking that he had been 



f 



t 



296 



•t^ 



ROCK COUNTY, 



shot by the Indians, starterl for a distant village, 
running several miles. He was utterly exliaiisteil 
on reaching the village, hnt raised the cry of "In- 
dians," which spread consteinalion through the 
eoniinunitj'. 

Mr. Playtcr was united in marriage in .Tanesville. 
on (he 20111 day of .hinc, IHHH. with Miss Kmina 
Kelni, daughter of August Kiliii. The young 
couple began Iheir domestic life on the farm on 
section 21, Hradford rownshi|), where Mr. Playter 
engaged in general farming. 'I'hey are respected 
liy all who know them, and liohl a high position in 
the social world. Politically he is a st.'uich Kepub- 
licau, and is a member of the 1. (). O. F. and Sons 
of X'eterans. Mrs. Playter was brought u|) in the 
liUtheran faith, while .Mr. Playter was reared in the 
Congregational faith. 






fvyjLNEY .VTWOOl), of the lirm of Lawrence 
'^ iV Atwood of .lanesville, Wis., is a native of 
(he Creen Mountain State, having been born 
111 Franklin County-, on the 28th day of Fel)ruary, 
I. SI 2. His parents were Levi and Lucretia ( Water- 
man) Atwood, vvho were born in Connecticut. 
When four years old, having lost his father while 
an infant, our subject went to Johnson, \'t., where 
he made his home with his grandfather, residing in 
that town until the spring of 18."U), when he returned 
to his native farm. In May. 1«3 7, he started for 
the then far West. In the month of .Inly he 
reached .lanesville, then a little village composed of 
a few log houses. Not a store or pl.ace of business 
was to be found in the town with the exception of 
a log tavern kept by Charles Stevens, and the post 
office, which had lieen started the spring before. 
Ileni'}' F. .lanes w.as the first postmaster. About 
four miles northeast of the town Mr. Atwood made 
a claim, cultivating .and iin|)roving it .as he could, 
and when the land came into market purchased it 
of the (Government. In 181."!, he l)ought a public 
house situ.'iled on the jiresent site of the Court 
Street Methodist Church. Previous to this time, 
he had held the office of Deputy Sheriff of l{ock 
County, and in 1844, w.as elected to the position of 
Sheriff, acting in that cap.acity during the years of 



184.5 and 1846. In 1847. he was elected Register 
of Deeds, and during the same year he formed a 
partnership with Mr. Lawrence, (o eng.age in the 
mercantile business. That firm has condtiued 
business until the |iresciit time, covering a period 
of forty two years. It is one of (he ohlest firms in 
the county and has gained a wide reputation. In 
18IS he was appointed Deputy Assessor for the city 
of .lanesville. 

On (he Silth d:iy of .luiie. I.sl7. Mi-. .Uwood anil 
Miss Catherine A. lb>lines were united in m:irriage 
their wedding being celebraled in .lanesville. She 
is the <laughter of AVilliimi lb)lines, who located in 
this city March 9, 18:16. his two sons, Thomas A., 
and Willi.'un Holmes, having settled in the county 
the year [>revif>iis. Mrs. Atwood is now the oldest 
of the living early settlers of Hock County. .Six 
children were born of their union, three of whom 
are now living. Volne^'. the eldest, dii'd at the 
age (»f one year: Charles i\iarrieil Alta Doty, a 
daughter of FIlis P. Doty, and is now engaged in 
the ice business in .bniesville, as a member of (he 
lirm of Atwood it Tall; Mary L.. is now the wife 
of K. V. Whiton, of .lanesville; the ne.vt children 
were twin girls who died at the age of eighteen 
months; and Annie Iv, who is living at home, com- 
pletes the family. 

Mrs. Atwood and her daughter arc members of 
the Trinity Episcopal Church, of Janesville. Mr. 
Atwood, who entertain very liberal religious views, 
is now a Republican in polities and piior to the 
organization of that party cast his ballot with the 
Whigs. Socially, he is a member of Wiscimsin 
Lodge No. 14, I. O. O. F.. and is a valued citizen of 
this community. He is well known throughout the 
county where he has made his home for more than 
half a century, and his sterling worth and upright 
life have secured him m.any friends. 



^^SLKXANDFR IL CALDWFLL, a promi- 
(^(LUl nent and progressive fanner of .lanesville 
Township residing on section .'i, was born 
in .Scotland (m the 12tli day of April. 1819. 
He is the youngest in a family of seven 
children who were born to John and Catlic- 



-4^ 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 






V 
i 



riiu' (Telford) Caldwell, who were also na- 
tives of the same country. His fatlier fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming tlirougliotit lii.s 
life, his death occurring in Scotlan<l in 182G, when 
aliont thirty years of age. His excellent wife 
survive<l him manj- years and sometime :if(er the 
death of iier linshand, came to America anil made 
her home wilii her children. She departed this life in 
Rock County in September. '847, at the advanced 
age of seventy years. The children liorn to Mr. 
••md Mrs. Caldwell were David, who married 
and resided in Rock Cimnty until 1878, when his 
death nccnrred ; William always resided in his na- 
tive land whei'e he died al)out twenty years ago; 
.James was married anil settled on the farm adjoin- 
ing that of our subject, where he died in 18(>8, 
while his widow still resides in .lanesville ; John 
<lied in Scotland in 1840; Andrew died in child- 
hood; Helen, now Mrs Stafanski. is living in New 
Jersey. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his nati\e 
land and in the common schools of Scotland re- 
ceived his education. In his youth he learned the 
shoemaker's trade, which he followed for several 
years in the old country. In 1840 he w.as united 
in niairiage with Miss Helen Ilislop, their union 
bi'iiig celebrated at Dalkeath, Scotl.and, of which 
country she was a native. Her parents, Robert and 
Jeannette (Caldwell) Ilisloj), were also boin in 
Scotland, and in that country her father eng.'iged 
in farming. .\ec(>mpanied bj* his family he came 
to America in 18 12, settling on section 34, Janes- 
ville Township, where he resided for several years. 
In 18(;ri. he continued his j()urney westward to 
Minnesota and made his home in Illue Kartli 
County. His wife died in Rock Count\' in IHii). 
when eighty years of age. and was laid to rest iij 
the beautiful ((inetery at .laucsvilli'. About two 
years later. Ml'. Ilislop dei)arted this life, his de;ilh 
tjccurring in 18C7. at the advanceil .age o^eighty- 
live years. The following named children were 
born unto them: Thomas, who is nuirricd and now 
resides in .Minnesota; .lane, widow of .lames Ro- 
chester, who makes her home in Rockfoid, III.; 
and .Mrs. Caldwell. 

After his niariiage, Mr. Caldwell worked :it his 
trade of shoenuiking until 1^42. wluii. tliinking 

4* 



that the new world would furni>li a better field for 
his labors, he emigrated to America. Hoarding a 
sailing vessel at tila.sgow. after a voyage of two 
nionths on the broad Atlantic he i-eached the new 
world, .and then |>i'oceeding by the Great Lakes to 
Chicago, he continued his journey overland to 
.lanesville which was then but a sni.all village. 
Purchasing land of the government on section ,"54, 
Janesville Township, he began the improvement of 
the farm, but after two years h.ad passed purchased 
a timber claim which now forms his present fine 
farm. He immediately began to clear the land, to 
improve ;uid cultivate, until now eighty broad 
acres pay tribute to the care and cultivation which 
he bestows ui)on it. Many Hni)rovements he has 
made since those early days and his farm is stocked 
with a good grade of horses and cattle. Mr. Cald- 
well takes an active interest in political affairs, sup- 
porting the Republican party both by his iuHuence 
and ballot, and has been honored by his fellovv-cit- 
izens with various local otiices of trust. For sev- 
eral years he held the position of School District 
Treasurer, and was also elected and served as Dis- 
trict Clerk, In 1852 he made the perilous journey 
across the plains to California, and at length reach- 
ing his destination engaged in mining. After seven 
years spent on the Pacific sloi)e, he returned to 
Wisconsin in 18.')'.), anil again resumed farnnng, 
which occupation he has since followed without in- 
terruption. 

By the union of Mr. and Mis. Caldwell eight 
chililreu have been born, but only three are now 
living — Caroline, widow of Cornelius Kettell, is 
living in Rock County; Jeannette, wife of William 
.hide is living on Bluff street, iu the city of Janes- 
ville; Helen is at home \vith her parents; Robert 
died in .Inly, 1847, when an infant; another child 
ilied in infancy, as did also Elizabeth; and Lavena 
died .March 14. 18.'')."). Mr. Caldwell is numbered 
among the honored pioneers of Rock County. 
Nearly forty-tive years have pas.sed aw.ay since his 
arrival in the county, which was then an almost 
unbroken wilderness. He luis shared the trials and 
privations which form a part of the life of every 
earlv settler and has borne no inconsiderable part 
in the development of the county. Tlu^ugli many 
were the inconveniences to be endiircMl, the obsla- 



4 



a 



-•► 



298 



ROCK COUNTY. 




cles to be overcome, those early days also brought 
their pleasures. Almost every home was ti>e abode 
of hosi)itality, and as wild game of all kinds 
abounded, the taste for hunting couhl lie freely in- 
dulged. Living a life of eeonoray and industry 
during his earlier years. Mr. Caldwell can now en- 
joy the fruits of his labor and rest from the more 
active duties of this life. 



AKTIN DIXON is a leading farmer of 
Union Township, residing on section 2(». 
In recording the history of his life we 
give a sketch of one of the honored pio- 
neers of Rock County, who by his upright life and 
genial manner has won the confidence ami esteem 
of ail with whom business or pleasure has brought 
him in contact. He came to Wisconsin in 1846, 
has shared in the trials and hardships incident to 
frontier life, and has always taken a deep interest 
in the welfare of the community. He was born on 
the 23d day of October, l!S21, in (ireene County, 
Pa., and is the son of Searight and Sarah (Keckler) 
Dixon, who were al.so natives of Greene County. 
His paternal grandparents, Martin and Jane (Hun- 
ter) Dixon, were natives of the Kmerald Isle, but 
in earlv life they left their island home and came 
to America, settling in Greene County, where Sea- 
right Dixon was born. He was also reared to man- 
hood in that county, and about the 3'ear 1818 
\ve<l(led Siuali Keckler. Their children, eight in 
numl)er, were also born in (Greene County, and with 
the exception of two all grew to manhood and 
wuuuuiIiimmI. Martin, of this sketch, is the eldest; 
l)a\id is a n'>i(lent farmer of Bureau Couutj', 111.; 
Andrew is engaged in farming in (ireene County, 
Pa.; .lames became a resident of Bureau County. 
III., where his death occurred in 1851; Ambrose is 
also cngagi'il in agricultural pursuits in Ringgold 
County, Iowa; Lara, who enlisted in the 8.')th 
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, died in the ser- 
vice' of his country, and now sleeps ()n a battle- 
tiild in the sunny South; Margaret A. and Sarah, 
the two youngest children, died of scarlet fever in 
Greene County, Pa. 

Mr. auti Mrs. Dixon remained residents of their 



native county until about the 3-ear 1871, when 
they removed to Green County, Wis., making 
their homo with our subject until llie fall of 
1 870, when the mother w.as called to her linal 
rest. She w.as a consistent and devoted mem- 
ber of the Methfxlist P^pi.scopal Church, highly 
esteemed for her many excellent qualities, and 
died at the .advanced .age of seventv-nine years. 
Her remains were interred in the Dawson Church 
burying ground in Green County. For two 
years after the death of his wife Jlr. Dixon 
continued to make his home with our subject, 
when he returned to his native county, and 
passed the remainder of his life in the home of his 
son Andrew, his death occurring in 1882, at the 
age of eighty-seven years. 

Martin Dixon received his education in the com- 
mon schools of Greene County. Pa., w.as reared to 
farm life and remained under the parental roof 
until eighteen years of age, when he started out in 
life for himself. Learning the trade of a wheel- 
wright and millwright, he pursued that avocation 
for two and a half years, receiving 18 per month. 
From that meager compensation he saved some 
money, which became the foundation of his pres- 
ent comfortable competence. He was next em- 
ploj'cd in a gristmill at ii^9 per month for two 
years. On the 27th day of October, 1844, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Patience Anderson, 
who was also a native of (ireene County, Pa., born 
Feb. 5, 1826. Her parents, James and Rachel 
( Worthington) Ander.son. were born in Greene 
County, where they both p.assed away many years 
ago, when Mrs. Dixon was a young child. They 
left a familj' of ten children, nine of whom had 
attained to mature years. Six of that number are 
yet living. Tliree brothers are residing in Illinois, 
namely: James, who is living in Hancock County, 
and William and Simon, who are residents of 
Peoria County. Pluebe and Sarah J., her two sur- 
viving sisters, are slill living in llie Keystone 
State. 

After his mairlagc Mr. Dixon rented a grist- 
mill in Greene County, Pa., which he operated for 
some time, when, having acquired by that metuis 
and by his former labors, a small sum of money, he 
resolved to follow Greeley's advice and started for 



•T^ 



-,^0Mt 



i 



ROCK COUNTY. 



••»• 



299 



i 



the West. His destination was liie Teriitoiv of 
Wisconsin, hut while en route he was Uii<en with 
the nieash'S at Galena, 111., and iiis siekness soon 
consumed iiis little store of money. His heallli 
wa.s so poor during the summer that he was unalile 
to do scarcely any work. In the spring of 181G 
he continued his journey, however, until reaching 
Monroe. Green County, where he was f()rced to 
hegin work liy the day in order to gain a liveli- 
hood for his family. The following fall and 
winter he was again taken sick and his siuall .sav- 
ings were again consumed, hut regaining his health 
in the spring of 1847, he began hewing logs for 
block houses. He was an expert at the business, 
and his labors were constantly in demand. Many 
a pioneer house is still standing built of llie logs 
which are of his handiwork. During the season of 
1817 and 1848 he followed his tr.ade, and the fol- 
lowing winter made arrangements for the purchase 
of a farm of forty acres in .lelTerson Townshii). 
The money was advanced to him by Mr. Phelps, 
ho paying 2.') per cent, interest, and in the follow- 
ing spring he turned his attention to agricultural 
pursuits. He built a log cabin, into which the 
family moved in 18.50. and at once beg.an the de- 
velopment of his land, which he soon placed under 
a high state of cultivation. Success crowned his 
efforts, his crops yielded an abundant harvest, and 
in the course of time he was enabled to increase 
his farm to 120 acres, which lie continued to o))er- 
alc until about 1851 or 1852, when receiving an 
opportunity to sell at an advantage, he disposed of 
his property. He next purchased 220 acres of land 
on Jordan I'rairie in Green County, where he con- 
tinued to make his home for fourteen years^ 
making many line improvements and otiierwise in' 
creasing the value of the land, which he at length 
sold for*10,000. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Dixon 
became the owner of 211 acres of land on section 
21 Union Township, and in the spring of 1880 
purchased 130 .icres on section 20, and another 
20-acre tract on section 21, making a total of 373 
broad acres which pay tribute to his care and cul- 
tivation. His farm is one of the best improved in 
the township, and Mr. Dixon may well feel proud 
of being its owner, knowing that it has been ob- 
tained b\ Iiis own efl'orts of inclustrv, cconuniv. 



perseverance and good management. Upon it will 
be found the best grades of ajl kinds of stock, to- 
gether with the latest improveil niachinerv and all 
that goes to make up the model farm of the nine- 
teenth century. 

The union of Mr. and Mis. Dixon has been 
blessed with eight childicii. .laiiios T., the eldest, 
died shortly after the family had started to Wis- 
consin, and w;ui buried in the cemetery at Titts- 
biirg. Pa. Ellen K. is now the wife of .lames 
Myers, a resident farmer of Story Countv, Iowa, 
and unto them have been born two childicn, Luella 
and Chester. Margaret A. wedded Adam Fleek, 
who is engaged in farming in Green County, and 
they have a family of four children. Faiuiie. Louie, 
Adam and Daisy. David is still at home. Francis 
M., who is eng.iy^cd in fanning in Union Township, 
married Miss Hannah Hroughton, by whom he h.as 
two children, Louie and Jesse. Amanda became 
the wife of Aniza Coville, of Green County, and 
unto them has been born a daughter, Cora M. 
Alice J. wedded William Frazee, a f.armer of 
Cherokee County, Iowa, and they have two chil- 
dren, Nettie and Francis. Alliert, who wedded 
Miss Lulu Devereaux, is engaged in the creamery 
business. The children have all received gooil 
educational advantages, fitting them for useful and 
responsible positions in life, and are now respected 
men and women of the several coniiuunitics in 
which they reside. 

Mr. Dixon is one of the lca<ling citizens of 
Union Township, an<l is a iii;ui well informed on 
all topics of general interest, both political and 
otherwise. In early life he was a Jackson Demo- 
crat, bat joined the lle|)ublican party at its orga- 
nization, and is now a liberal Democrat, advocating 
the principle of low taritl. He h.as given liberallv 
of his means and also by his inlluence and example 
has supported the temperance movement, earnestly 
working for the suppression of the liquor trallic. 
Mrs. Dixon is a member of the Baptist Church, 
and wdiilc Mr. Dixon does not hold membership 
with any religious body, he has responded liberallv 
to the calls of the ditTerenl churches. His sketch 
deserves a prominent place in the history of his 
adopted count)', for he is one of its honored pio- 
neers and self-made men. While sick in (iaieiia he 



h 



■*#" 



i 



J, 



••► 



300 



ROCK COUNTY. 



would have returnetl to his Eastern home had not 
liis funds given out, but it is an ill wind that blows 
no one good, for by his being forced to remain in 
the West, Wisconsin gained a valued and worths- 
citizen. 



/p^EORGE BALLARD, residing on section 24, 
III ^— ^ L'nion Township, is numbered among the 
^^5) earlj' settlers of the county, and is one of 
the leading agriculturists. He is a native of New 
York, having been born in Monroe County, on the 
10th of December. 1819. His parents were James 
and Electa (Powell) Ballard, the former born in 
Rhode Island and the latter in Massachusetts. Their 
marriage was celebrateil in IJutland County. Vt., 
where they had previously removed, and their do- 
mestic life was begun upon a farm in that county, 
where two children were born to them. The}' later 
removed to Monroe County. N. Y., where the fam- 
ily circle was increased by the birth of five sons 
and one daughter. Argalus, the elilest. now de- 
ceased, w;ls for many years a Deacon in the Free- 
Will Baptist Church, and died at liis home in 
Evansville. 1885 ; Janette is also deceased; Ange- 
linc is the widow of Charles Whaley. and makes 
her home in Evansville; Oeorge, of this sketch, is 
the fourth in order of birth; l>evi makes his home 
with our subject; James is a resident of Evansville; 
John is living in Batavia. X. Y., and Miles is lo- 
cated in Allegany County. N. Y. The death of 
the father occurred at his home in Monroe County, 
in 1882, at the advanced age of nearly ninety -six 
years. His wife |ireceile<l him to her final rest, dy- 
ing in isso :ii the age of eighty-eight 3-ears. 
During the greater part of their lives Mr. and Mrs. 
Ballanl were faithful and consistent members of 
the Kree-Will Baptist Church, and were active 
workers in its Inleresl. 

Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon schools of his native State, and his early life 
was si)ent upon his fathers farm. At the age of 
twenty years he left the parental roof and went to 
work by the month, continuing to eniploj' his time 
at various occupations for five )'ears. At the ex- 
piration of that lime, in 18 1;"). he was joined in 
wedlock with Jliss .lane Francisco, a native of Jef- 



ferson County. N. Y., and a daughter of Garrett and 
Nanc3' (Phillips) Francisco. Her m<jtlier was born 
in Montgomery County, and her father was a na- 
tive of Schenectad}-, N. 1'. In an early da}' the 
family removed to Monroe County, where the mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Ballard was celebrated. Her 
father, when a young man. followed a sea-faring 
life for three years, but afterward followed farming, 
and about 1853 removed to Mason, Ingham Co., 
Mich., where he and his wife passed to their final 
rest some years later. 

The same j'ear of their marriage our subject and 
hisyoung wife removed to Allegany County, N. Y'., 
where he made his first purchase of land, consisting 
of fifty acres. He there laid the foundation for his 
future success. After residing upon that farm un- 
til June, 1850, he sold the same and following the 
course of human emigration, which w:is steadily 
drifting westward, landed in Hock Count3% Wis. He 
located near the city of Janesville, and the first 
year after his arrival engaged with his l)rother Ar- 
galusin running a threshing machine. They located 
land in Fnion Township, which they operated in 
partnership in 1852. when George purchased 120 
acres on section 24, in that township, comprising a 
part of his present farm. The land was then in a 
wild and uncultivated condition, and the onl}' iin- 
provenient consisted of a little log cabin, into which 
the family moved. With that energy which char- 
acterizes all his undertakings he began without de- 
lay the work of development, the family continu- 
ing to reside in the pioneer home until fortune hav- 
ing favored his industry he erected a two-stor}' 
frame building, the dimensions of which were 1 8x 
2(i feet, with an L also 18x26 feet. Many other 
useful and beautiful improvements have been made; 
orchards containing fruit trees of all kinds have 
been planted, and the farm is now one of the best 
in the township. It comprises 200 acres of valuable 
land, .and each year increases its productiveness. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Ballard had been 
blessed with eight children: (ieorge A., who was 
born in .\llegany County. N. Y.. married Miss 
Maria Riddle, and they have a family of five chil- 
dren, namely: Harley, Lewellyn, Forest. Claude and 
Lloyd. George is now farming in Magnolia Town- 
ship; J:iuies died at the age of two years. The 






s 






^^-^'•■. 




Jt (U'^^Ws-i 



r ' 




■<^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



303 



following ohildren were born in Rock Count}-: 
Adora, who became tiie wife of Joseph Runey, a 
fiiiiner of Rutland Township, Dane County, lias 
three children liy her marriage; StaTiley, Madge 
and (iarreU; I'.y run died in infancy; Frank died at 
the age of two years; Benjanjin. who is engaged in 
hlacksinithing in Milton. Hock County, weilded 
Miss Delia Allen, a native of Ohio, anil they have 
two children living, Kthel and Lily, while KUa and 
Lottie are deceased; Eddie weddeil Miss Nettie 
Marker, of Rock County, April 18, 1889, and resides 
with his parents; Clarence, who is operating a part 
of the home farm, on section 24, Tnion Township, 
is the husband of Mamie Roberts, a native of the 
town of Magnolia. The chihlren have all received 
good educational advantages, such as would fit 
tlieni for the practical duties of life. 

In |)ulitical sentiments Mr. Ballard is an ardent 
supporter of the Republican party, and has served 
as a menibor of the School Board for many years. 
He has given liberally to the support of the church. 
Iiiis been prtuninently identified with the educa- 
tional and social advancement of the community, 
and is a piogressive and public-sijirited citizen. 
Not only h:is he been an eye witness of the many 
great changes that have taken place during the past 
forty years, but he has nobly borne his part in the 
work of transformation, which has placed Rock 
County ou a par with any in the State. His genial, 
cordial manner has made him a favorite, and he is 
highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances. 



V 



^i( LEXANDKR CASE RP:SSEGUIE, of 
< @j/u| Janesville. is a jjioneer of Wisconsin. He 
li\ was born at Northampton, then in Mont- 
gomery County, now in Fulton County. 
N. Y.. .Sept. 13, 1809. He is descended from 
Huguenot ancestors, who left France on account 
of religious persecution. His great-great-grand- 
father, whose name was also Alexander Resseguie, 
married Sarah Bontieon and both were representa- 
tives of prominent Huguenot families. 

The father of our subject, David Resseguie, was 
a native of New Haven. Conn., and married Mary 
Case, who was born at Taunton. Mass. Their 

m*- 



union was celebrated in Northampton, N. Y., 
whore they had removed with their parents. David 
Resseguie was a farmer by occupation and owned a 
large farm in the town of Northampton, on which 
he resided until his death, which occurred at the 
advanced age of ninety-eight years, while over 
ninety years of his life were passed in the town in 
which he died. His wife died at the age of eighty- 
eight years. They were the parents of eight chil- 
dren, four sons and four daughter.s. The family- 
is remarkable for the great age to which many of 
its members have attained. Of the eight children 
above mentioned seven are still living in 1889, 
and no death has occurred in the family for over 
sixty-five years, with the exception of that of the 
parents, while the only death among the children 
was that of Maria, a twin sister of Miranda. They 
were the eldest and their birth occurred Aug. 2. 
1806; John, who was born Feb. 8, 1808, in North- 
ampton, still resides in that place; Alexander C. is 
the next in age; Rufus. who was born Feb. 23, 
1811, is a wealthy lumber merchant of Brooklyn, 
N. X.\ Mary, born Feb. 17. 1813. wedded Fibenezer 
(iiflford, and is living in Boone County. 111.; 
Hiram, born June 13, 1815. is living at Belleville. 
Wis.; Hannah, born July 3, 1821, is the youngest 
member of this remarkable family and resides on 
the old homestead in the State of New York, where 
she was born. 

Until attaining his majority, our subject remained 
under the parental roof and during the winter season 
attended the district schools. In 1833, he went 
witli an uncle. Jacob Resseguie, to Pen Yan, N. Y., 
where his uncle was engaged as a eontr.ictor in the 
construction of the Crooked Lake Canal, and was 
employed by him as book-keeper until the fall of 
that year. He then engaged as clerk at Pen Yan, 
in the hardware store of Morgan A- .Smith, until 
the following spring, when he entered the Yates 
County Academy as a student. In the fall of the 
same year, he eng.aged in teaching and the following 
spring returned to school, continuing thus to teach 
and attend school alternately for about three years. 
In the fall of 1837 he went to Seneca County. Ohio. 
.and engaged in teaching, but returned to New York 
in the following spring, and again entered the ser- 
vice of his uncle as book-keeper, the latter being 






304 



ROCK COUNTY 



4 



tlieu engager! on the construction of the flenesee 
Valley Canal. A short time after our siiliji'Ct iii- 
tered llie engineering (ie|)!irtment where he re- 
nuiined until the canal wn.s nearl}' conipleled. when 
he was given the contract to finish section 22 
which duty he iierfornied in a manner satisfactory 
to his employers and profitahle to himself. He 
realized quite a sum from this contract and regards 
this as tlie foundation of whatever success he m.ay 
have attained in life, as it was not only protitiible 
in a Qnancial sense, but his success in so responsible 
an undertaking gave him confidence that rendered 
him self-reliant, without which no marked degree 
of success can be attained. His services in the 
construction of the canal had been so efficient that 
on its completion he wa.s appointed to the position 
of assistant superintemient of the same, in which 
capacity he served until the change in the political 
management of the canal occurred, when he re- 
turned with his wife to his father's Ikuuc :;nd 
remained on the farm for one year. In the spring 
of 1843, he removed to I'errv, ^^■y()ming Co.. 
N. Y.. and remained on the farm until 184G. 

In that year Mr. Hesseguie had fully decided to 
come West, and on the 1st day of May, reached 
Clinton, Rock Co.. Wis., where he purchased 
laud and developed a beautifid home. In the 
spring of 185(5. the first year of the organized ex- 
istence of the Republican party in Rock County-, 
he was elected clerk of the court for two years, and 
conseiiuently removed to .lanesville. His ailminis- 
tration of tlie affairs of this office w.as highly satis- 
factory, and on the election of his successor. Levi 
-Vlden. Mr. Resseguie, l)eing familiar with the work 
of that department was made deputy clerk and con- 
tinued to keep the records of the county during 
the term of Mr. Alden. In 1864. Mr. Resseguie 
again entered upon agricultural pursuits, but the 
following year sold his farm and once nioie re- 
turned to Janesville. that he might .secure better 
advantages of education for his children. In the 
same j'ear he purchased his present home on Benton 
Avenue, which is plea.^antly situated on a beautiful 
plat of ground of thirty-two acres. 

On the 22d of February. 18.3i). Mr. Resseguie 
was united in marriage with Miss Jeruslia Norton, 
who was born in the town of Benton, near Pen 



Yan, N. Y., June 10, 1816, and is a daughter of 
William and Amy Norton, early settlers of Benton. 
In 1847. her ])arentscame to Wisconsin and localeil 
near Belleville, in Oreen County, where they re- 
sided until called from this world by death. Tlic\- 
were the parents of eight children, four of whom 
are living — Jerusha. wife of our subject; Rachel. 
who is a resilient of Rhode Island; lolin, who owns 
and Occupies the old homestead in (Jreen County; 
and Mrs. Jane E. Hills, of .lanesville. The de- 
ceased members of the family were Kstella Ann. 
Samuel B., Caroline and Ceorge W. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Re.sseguie have had four children. 
three of whom are living. Their eldest. Dr. Rufus 
R., graduated at the Janesville High School in 
1864, and also pni'sued the study of medicine with 
Dr. Treat, while a student at the High .School. 
Immediately after completing his course in the 
public schfiols. with his entire cl.'iss he enlisted in 
the one hundifcl (hn' service of the I iiinn Army, 
tiiough his real service exceeded the term of en- 
listment. After his discharge, he resnme(l his med- 
ical studies with Dr. Ticat. and in the sprinir of 
1866. graduated from the Chicago .Medic.-d Collcsic. 
after which he received the ap|)ointment as phvsi 
cian m Mercy Hospital, Chicago, where he remained 
for several months, ami then became a.ssociatcd 
with Dr. Spencer at .Mount \'ernou. Ind.. with 
whom he continued in |jractice for .a numlier of 
years. He has now given u|) the practice of his 
profession and is at present traveling auditor for 
the Chicago. Burlington A' (^uincy Railroad Coni- 
jiany. being connected with the Iowa Division, with 
head-(|uarlcrs at Ottumwa. 

Charles F.. the second son of .Mr. and Mis. Res- 
seguie. has had large experience in railro.ading and 
has occupied several injportant positions in that 
connection. He began at the lowest round of the 
ladder, having fille<l the positions of teletrraph 
operator, station agent, ticket agent, etc.. for the 
Northwestern Road, and also acted .a.s chief clerk 
both for Thomas J. RoUer and Mi-. Stone, (iencral 
Superintendent and (ieneral .Manager for theChie.ago, 
Burlington it t^uincy Rt>ad, anil subsequently was 
su|)erintendent of the Illinois lines of this road 
with head-quarters .at (ialesburg. Later he w.-is 
made superintendent of the Irlaho Division of the 




-4*- 



UOCK CCJIXTV. 



.■!(I5 , i 



I'liioii Pacific Railroad and is now superintendent 
of llic Nebraska Division of the Union Pacific 
Uoad. with lioadquartors at Omaha. The nlhcr 
cliihl. .lessie Fl<jicnce. sjrailuated from the .laiics- 
\ illc Iliirli School at the age of eioliteen years, and 
is now a siicccssliil teacher in the pulilic schools of 
that city. 

In polilics. Mr. Ressegiiie is a Kepiibliean. His 
first presiileiillal vote was east for Andrew Jackson 
in lH;i2, l.Uei' he became a Whij);, and since the 
organization of the l!e|)nbliean party has alliliated 
with that political body. Beside the office of clerk 
of Llie court, already referred to, he served .is 
township clerk, holdiiii;- that position when elected 
to tlie first mentioned office, and was also a.ssessor 
of the city of .lanesville in 1876. He is a man of 
iiuich force of character, of varied and extensive 
re.iiling, possesses an excellent memoiv and is well 
inf<M-med on the general topics of the day. For 
more than foity years he has l)een a resident of 
Hock Coiiutv. anil has ever possessed the respect 
and esteem of his fellow i-it izens. See portrait 
upon another page. 



OUKIM' WAl.L.VCK KING, senior partner 



Itsi^ of the linn < 






>f King & Skelly. liookseller? 
'^\\\ !i'i'' stationers. No. 20 West Milwaukee 
^^) street, was born in .binesxille, Sept. N, 
IM17. and is the son of .lohn and Margaret (Mc- 
Kay) King, whose sketch .appears elsewhere in this 
work, lie was reared in his native citv, and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools, lie be- 
gan his business career as clerk for Echlin it Foole, 
clothiers of .lanesville, and remained with that firm 
two years. In the month of August. 1862. he en- 
listed in the late I'ivil War. as a member of Com- 
pany !•',. 22il Wisconsin Infantrj', when but foui-- 
teen years of age. He was commissioned drum- 
mer, and served three years. During the battle of 
I'.renlwood he was captured with his company bv 
the Confederates. March l.j. 1863. and was taken 
to Libby I'risoii. where he was held a prisoner un- 
til exchanged a few weeks later. After the battle 
of Spring Hill he engaged with his company in 
guarding lailroads against destruction by Forrest's 

<•— 



Cavalry; later was with Sherman on his march to 
the sea, in the battles incident thereto, the capture 
of Atlanta, etc., ending with the battle of Benton- 
ville. He took |)art in the grand I'eview of the 
army at Washington, at the close of the war. and 
was mustered out near that city in .lune. IHCo, 
after two and a half \eais of hard service. 

On his return to Jamesville he took his old 
l>lace in the store of Echlin it Foote, where he re- 
mained two and a half years. He then joined his 
brother in iiinning a news stand in the old post- 
office, and about l.S7(! opened a book and station- 
ery store, which he has continued up to the |)resent 
time. He was also interested with J. H. Oateley 
in the wood an<l ice l)usiness for about fifteen 
months. On the 2;!d of April. 1888. he formed 
the existing partiu'rship with William .1. Skelly. 
this linn carrying a full line of books, stationery, 
wall paper and blank books, together with iieriodi- 
cals, papers, etc. 

Mr. King was married, on the iMth da\- of Oc- 
tober, IHdi). to Miss Fannie Putnam, daughter of 
ex-Sheriff S. .1. M. I'utnam. now warden of the 
Asylum for the Insane at Madison. Wis. Mrs. 
King was born at Watertown, X. Y. The\ have 
three children living: John D., aged nineteen; 
Fred P.. seventeen, and FraTik JI., thirteen. They 
have lost one child, a son. IJewcllyn, who died in 
infancy. Mrs. King is a member of All Souls 
Chuich. Mr. King is an earnest Uepublican, but has • 
nevei- sought or desired an3' political prominence. 
He is an enterprising an<l successful business man, 
has made his own way in the world, and in a quiet 
way comniands the respect and liest wishes of those 
who have known him from boyhood. 

k^ OREN FINCH, residing on section 1.]. La 
Prairie Township, is numbered among the 
) pioneer settlers of Rock County, of 1X44. 

His i)arents were -\lvah and Pho-be Finch, who were 
natives of Cayuga County. N. V. His father was 
descended from an old Xew England family, while 
his mother was born of Welsh parentage, but both 
are now decea.seil, the former having died in Xew 
Y(uk. Nov. 16, IH.SI. after which Mrs. Finch came 



me W 



J. 



306 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^^ 



to Rock Count}-, Wis., wht-re lier dontli occuirerl 
April 20, 18GK. 

The siibji'ot of this slcetch w:is oikm)!" .i fiimily of 
eisihl ciiiidicii, Imt onl}' foui- arc now liviiiir: W:i- 
tilda. ilec'oasi'd wifu fif Thoni.'is I'arkcr. r>f .lanes- 
villo; Hiram. \vh<i t'ov iiiniiy .years was a leatriiiii: 
farmer of tliis coiinly. (liod in 1 Sis2 ; our snliject; 
Nelson who <lied in liiis county; Belliinel was 
drowned in Hock Hi\( r, in IHC.'?; P. .M.. a carpen- 
ter, of .lanesville; L;uii:i J., wife of Mollis Holly, 
of Dane County, Wis.; PlKphe. w-idow of J>ewis 
Thompson. 'I'hc parents of tliis family were hotli 
metnliers of the IJaptist Churcii. Tiie father served 
his country throughout llie War of LSI 2. and was 
a man who took an active part in pulilic .-itTairs. 

Our subject was born June 2'.*, ls21,.'ind the 
earlier years of iiis life were spent in the iMopire 
State. The death of his father oi-curicd when lie 
was about twelve years of age, and the care of the 
family devolved u[)on himself .-.nd his brother 
Hiram, they supporting tlieir widowed iiiotlier .ind 
six younger children, and managiuii' the small farm 
which had lieen k-ft liy the father. Nobly did 
Loren pei'foi'm his share of the work, remaininii' at 
home until the fall of 1841. when he determined 
to cast his lot with tlie pioneei's of the West, and 
making the trip by lake landed in lioek County, 
Wis. For a perio<l of two years he rented land in 
Harmony Township. Init in the nieanlinic. in con- 
nection with his brother Hiram, purchased 320 
acres of land on sections 13 and 14, L,a Prairie 
Township, for which they paid $3 per acre. But 
seven acres had been broken, and the land was 
almost entirely in an uncultivated condition, but 
immediately beginning to improve it he soon de- 
veli>ped a fine farm. From that time, a period of 
over forty-two years, he has resided on section 13. 
and is regarded as one of the leading men of the 
township. He has extended the boundaries of his 
farm until it now comprises 28C acres in the home 
place, beside lo acres in the town of Harmony. 
Among the beautiful and useful improvements 
which he has made may be mentioned the elegant 
brick resilience, which he erected in 18(i7. at a 
cost of ^G.OOO. 

May 3, 185G, Mr. Finch was united in marriage 
with Nancy .1. Wilcox, a native of New York, and 



a daughter of .Tose])h D. Wilcox. Her father was 
one of the early settlers of the county, having lo- 
cated in ftHlton Township in 1843, where he re- 
sided until his death. During the trying times of 
the rebellion Mr. F'iuch served as Chairman of the 
I'loard of .^npervisois f<ii' three years, and for 
foniteen years has held the oflice of Justice of the 
Peace, being the present incumbent. In early life 
he supported the Whig p:u'ty. but when the Re- 
publican party sprang into existenc(; he joiueil its 
raid<s. and has since been numbered among its 
earliest supporters. His wife is a member of the 
Methodist Kpiscopal Church. Mr. Finch is unni- 
licred among the self-made men of the county, .'ind 
has witnessed almost its entire gronlh. Since his 
coming the wild, uncultivated prairies have been 
transfornu'd into beautiful homes and farms; the 
lillle log cabins hax'c given pl'sce to elegant resi- 
dences, cilies and villages have sprung up. and the 
county has been settled In a well contented and 
intelligent people. 



Sj, ORNFLIUS S. DKCKFR. a farmer residing 
(ii „ on section !), Rock Townshii), was born in 



e 



r Orange County, N. Y., in the year 1821), 
and is a son of Levi and Mary (Dickinson) De(;ker. 
both of whom were natives of I'lster County, N. Y. 
On the paternal side be is of Dutch descent, his 
grandfather, Peter Decker, h.aving been a native of 
Holland, but who i niii;raleil to this country prior to 
the Revolntionar\- War in which he served. The ma- 
ternal grandfather. \\'illiam Dickinson, w'as a na- 
tive of (icrmany. and also emigr.-ited to this coun- 
try in early colonial days. 

Levi DeckcM-, the father of our subject, folloived 
the occupation of farming throughout his life, and 
remained a resident of the Kniiiire State until called 
to his linal home at the age of ninety-four. His 
wife, who was a meudier of the Dutch Refinined 
Church, died at the age of eighty years. They 
reared a family of seven children, all of whom lived 
to adult age — Peter, who was a miller by trade, died 
in Orange County. N. V.. in his seventy-lifth year; 
William is a resident fai-nu'r of Orange County; 
Cornelius S., is the next in order of birth; Jacob 



d. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



307 




nnd Levi, wlio were twins, hotli ilii'il in Oriiiigc 
County. X. V. A iialf brotlier, (ieorge WoIUt. is 
iHi.v onj;;isi'i'il in fiuiniiig in the same county. 

Wlun a lail of lifleen years, our sulijeet left tlie 
parental roof, and Iiegan life's battles for himself. 
He served an apprentieesliip of two years to the 
cabinet maker's trade, but after having attained 
proticiency in that line wa.s forced to abandon it on 
account of failing health. Thinking that perhaj)* 
outdoor exercise would be of benefit to hitn. he se- 
cured employment as a farm hand, following that 
employment live years. ( >n the 27th day of Octo- 
ber, lull, lie w;is united in marriage witli .lane I',. 
Ashb^-. who was born in Orange County. N. Y.. 
and is the ilaughterof .lohn M. and Roena (Mould) 
Ashby. Her father was a native of Dutchess 
County. N. v.. liorn of Knglish parentage, while 
her motliei- was born in Orange County, tliat .State, 
and was descended from (ierman ancestry. I'nto 
them have been born a family of ten children, 
.seven of whom lived to niaturit3'. naniel\' : .loiia- 
than M., a resilient farmer of Harmony Townshij); 
Francis, who is engaged in farming in Thayer 
County, Neb. ; Willie, who follows the same occu- 
pation in Harmony Township; Theodore, a farmer 
of Illinois; .lohn, a tobacco dealer of .lanesville; 
.\nna. wife of David .Mt)uld. an attorney at law of 
.Sioux City, Iowa; and C. .S., Jr., who is at home. 

After his marriage, Mr. Decker engaged in the 
cultivation of a rented farm for twenty years, until 
18.')a, when he emigrated to Rock County. Wis., 
settling on section 7, Janesvillt! T(nvnshl|i. and 
purchasing 1 100 acres of land. This land was but 
partially improved, but he itnmediately liegan its 
cultivation, making it his home for the lung period 
of twenty-one years, when he sold out and removed 
to Rock 'I'ownsliip. pun-hasing 10 .acres on section 
1). where he still continues to reside. He is one of 
the self-made men of the comity, having made his 
own way in the worlil since (ifteen years of age. 
lie is now nnnibrrrd .■iniong the leading, enterpris- 
ing and well-to-do farmers of this coniniuuitv, and 
has the entire respect of all. For live years he 
served his <-ounty as Chairni.in of iho J',o;ird of 
County Supervisors, and has always been a liberal 
contributor to all church, social or educational in- 
terests. Both Mr. Decker and his wife are mem- 



bers of the Presbyterian Church. They have en- 
deavored to give their children such educational 
ailvantages as would tit them for any position in 
life which the\ might l)e called u|)on to fdl, and 
have lived to see them become respectable men and 
women in the several communities where they re- 
side. 



Ir^-i T. PEMBER, ex-sheriff of Rock County, 
jWj and a leading farmer residing on section 28, 
3i\\\ .lohnstown Township, was born on the loth 
P day of August. 1S20. He was the third 
in order of biitli in a fan)il\- of six children^ 
whose parents were .loseph and .Mary (Thompson) 
Pember. Three of the family arc still living — 
.Ic)hn B.. who is engaged in farming in Fayette 
County. Iowa, is marrieil and h.is three children ; 
Clarissa, who wmldcd .John .Scolield, a farmer of 
.lohnstown Township, by whom she had six chil- 
dren, two sons and four daughteis, died on the 
• id <lay of .September, l!S77; R. T.. of this sketch, 
is the next in or<ler of birth; Mary, who wedded 
Wesley Stevens, a merchant of Marysville, Cal., 
dieil in that city in 1 8.J8, leaving two childien; 
l.ydia is the wife of Walter Newbury, a resident 
farmer of Butler ('ount3-, Kansas, and to them 
have been born eight children, all of whom are 
living. In 18;VI. .Joseph I'emlier. the father of 
this familj', died. and the nn)ther was again mairied, 
her second union being with Daniel P. Fornham. 
1 nlo them were born three children — Moses, who 
for twelve years engaged in school -teaching, is a 
local preacher of Colusa County, Cal.. where he 
also operates a farm; .Sar.ali is the wife of Edward 
Everett, a i-esidcnt of .Sioux City, Iowa, and unto 
them have been born six chilflren, all of whom are 
living; Melvina. wife of Uobcrt Tomjikins died at 
Iron Mountain, Mo., in l.s7s. leaving three chd- 
dreii. one son and two daughters. 

The sulijccl of this sketch spent his earl\- life in 
Chautampi.'i County'. N. Y., receiving his education 
in the district schools, and in 1844. at the age of 
eighteen years, he accompanied the family to Wis- 
consin. Tlie^- traveled by land, leaving New Y'ork 
on the 7tli day of .May, and on the 3d day of June 
arrived at their destination, havina traveled GOO 



■*► 



, , 308 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



miles. The first home of the family was in a log- 
house, which now stands on the farm of Mi'. Pick- 
ett, anfl its inmates nunihered thirty peoi)le. In 
the fall of the year, .Mr. I'eniber's .step-father pur- 
chaseil what is known as part of the Helle Farm, 
and the family removed to their new home. 

Two years after the arrival of our subject in 
Rock County-, he commenced working hy the month 
for Shuhal Farr, and continued at farm labor 
through the summer of 1846. The following win- 
ter he attended school for abdiit two months, which 
completed his education. On the 18th da_y of 
March, 1817. he led to the marriage altar Miss 
Delilah, a daughter of Stephen and Esther (Turner) 
Newbury a former resident of Chantaurpia County. 
X. V. In 184."), she cmigr.ated with her parents to 
Rock County, Wis., where they passed the leniain- 
dei- of their d lys. tiio father's death occurring Oct. 
15, 1880, ami the mother departing this life in 
I8«5. Tiiey were the parenl.s of live cliildien, 
three of whom are yet living — Walter, who is en- 
gaged in farming in Mutler County, Kan.; .Soresta, 
widow of Benjamin Gitt'onl. is living in Chanlau- 
i|Ua County, N. Y., and has tivo children, both 
living: Delilah, wife of our subject, is the next in 
order of birth: Sally A., wife of .loshua Flint, a 
resident of (ireen County. Wis., lias become the 
mot her of four children : Franklin, who wedded .Mar- 
garet I'icketl, died in IST'J. leaving his wiil.iw and 
two children, ;i daughter and son, who now reside 
in the town of Milton. Rock County. 

After his marria;;e. Mr. Fernber piurhased the 
farm now owne<l by .1. Iladden on the "middle 
road", and for thirteen years continued its cultiva- 
tion ; haxing in the meantime purchiised 120 acres 
from his brother, thus giving him a farm of 400 
.acres. .Selling this farm inl8(J0. he moved with 
his family to Johnstown Center, near his present 
farm on section 2«, where he resided until .Ian. 1. 
18i;o. In the |)ievioiis fall he had been elected 
sheritT of \iovk County on the Republican ticket, 
and on the 1st day of .lanuary, entered upon the 
duties of that ollice, serving a term of two ycai-s. 
He then engaged in the livery business in J;ines- 
ville, iiiilil 1S70, when he w.as re-elected to the po- 
sition of Sheriff, serving another term. In 1873, 
he returned to his farm, where he has since made 

4* 



his home, with the exception of one year. He has 
de.alt quite extensively in real estate, having at 
different times owned 2r)00 .acres of land besides con- 
siderable property in .lanesville. His farm now 
comjirises 400 acres, which is under a fine state of 
cultivation, and pays a golden tribute to the care 
and labor which he bestows upon it. The improve- 
ments are many and are all that are necessary to 
the model farm of the Nineteenth century. His 
farm has been reduced in size by the gift of land 
to his three sons, the total value of which is about 
$20,000. 

Five children have been born of the union of Mr. 
Mrs. Pember, and four of that iiuinber are yet 
living — Rosette, who was born .Jan. 23. 1850, is 
the wife of .lames Fitzgibbons, a machinist of 
Janesville. and unto them have been born three 
children — Nellie, who is now deceased; Frank and 
Fetlie .1. Frank, who was born Dec. 12. 1858, is a 
leading physician of .lanesville. whose sketch will be 
found elsewheie in this work. He graduated from 
the Chicago Medic.'d College in the class of 18,S3, 
after which he spent one year in the hospit:il, and 
later enguged in the practice of his profession at 
the Northern Insane Asylum near Oskosli for two 
years, after which he s|)ent one year in Chicago, 
ami then removed to Hinsdale. Minn, where he was 
engaged as a physician for the Minnesota (Granite 
Company for one j'car. after which he located at 
.lanesville. He married Miss A<la llumphiey; 
Walter wediled Miss .Julia Morse, a resident of 
.Johnstown Center; William, who was born Dec 5, 
18(30, is unmarried. 

During the dark days of the Rebellion Mr. I'em- 
ber did iiuicli for his country in the wa}' of en- 
couraging enlistments. Frevented from entering 
the service himself on account of the loss of the 
sight of his right eye, he was one of two to put a 
man in the field. The old soldier always found in 
him a true friend. I'olitieally, he is an ardent 
Republican, his first Presidential vote being cast 
for .lohn C. Fremont, in 1851), and his last for 
Benjamin Harrison in 18.S8. 

Mr. Pemher is (me of the leading citizens of 
Rock County. He is a man of fin<! business .ability, 
energetic and enterprising, and has made his own 
way in the world. He has been identified with the 




ROCK COUNTY. 



309 k\ 



■^ 



IcMiliui,' iiituiesls of tlic cminly lor iii.anv yc!irs,and 
h.is witiK'ssoil almost its enliic growth from the 
cl;i\,sof its oarly history'. In luliiitioii to the otfltc 
of Shurirt', hv h;is scrvod liis ft'llow-citizciis :is Sup- 
t'rvisor for two _yc!irs, ;md at different times he hiis 
liocii a Mi'inlifr of llic School Board. In all his 
olliciai jiositioiis lie has discharged his duties with 
promptness and fidelitv, reHeeting ci'eilit upon him- 
self Mild his eonstituenls. He is now l'resi<leiil of 
tiie IJock County Au'rieulturai .Society, which posi- 
tion he has held for eight years, and holds the same 
otliee in the .lohnstown Kire Insur.ance Company. 
The honiiralile and upright course which he has i)\ir- 
sueil in both piihlic and private life has won hin) 
the respect and confidence of all with whom busi- 
ness ov pleasure have bnjughl him in contact, and 
by his ninn\' friends he is held in Wtv hiuhcsl reuard. 



jI/,^EIsl{Y PRATT, a well-known cili/cn and 
jjl )jj re|)resentative farmer, residing on .section .'i, 
ikvii^ Porter Town.sliii3. was born in Scotland in 



l.s;j(). and is a son of Arthur and Jane 
(Lumsden) Pratt, both of whom were also natives 
of th.'it country. The father was a farmer, and 
folhiwed that occu|)ation during the greater part of 
hi> life. His death occurred on the .'^Ist day of 
Decendier, 1809. surviving his wife but a few short 
nninths, she having been called to her final rest on 
the 8th ilay of .Inly previous. There were ten 
chihlren born to this woitliy couple, four of whom 
are yet living: Williair., who resides in Stoughton. 
Wis,; Alexan<ler and .lessie. who are still living in 
their natix'e land, and Henry, the subject of this 
sketch. 

The early boyhood days of Henry Pratt were 
spent under the parental roof, ;issisting in tlie 
labors of the farm and attending the common 
schools until the age of fourteen years, when bid- 
ding goodbye to home and parents, he started out 
to battle with the world and gain his own liveli- 
hood, (ioing to Southern .Scotland, he secured 
employment on the railroad and served as an a,ssist- 
!int on an engine, until having thoroughly learned 
the mechanism and the workings of the iron horse, 
he became an engineer. He had charge of a train 



in his native land until I.s.tU. when, resolving to 
try his fortune in the land beyond the sea, he em- 
baiked for America and for two years engaged in 
fnrming in this country. That period of time 
having elapsed, he determined to return to Scot- 
land, but on reaching Chicago changed his mind 
.and secured a position as a railroad employe. He 
liiially oi)taincd the position of baggage master at 
the Wells street depot in Chicago, where he re- 
mained until the autumn of 18()7. He then again 
determined to resume farming, which he had pre- 
viously followed for about two years, and coming 
to l\ock County purchased 103 .acres of land in 
Porter Township, where he has since made his home. 
Clearing away the biusli, he made man3' improve- 
ments, built fences, barns, etc., cultivated the land, 
and in the course of time his labors lirought their 
reward in bounteous crops, while his farm is con- 
sidered one of the best in the vicinity. 

The maiden name of Mrs. Pratt, wife of our 
subject, was .Mary Allen, and their marriage was 
celebrated on the 4th day of >«'oveniber, 1867. 
The lad}' is the youngest daughter of William 
Allen, vvho resitles in Dunkirk Townshi|), Dane 
County. The union of this worth}' couple has 
been blessed with the birth of si.x children, three 
sons and three daughters, five of whom are now 
living, as follows: W'illiani, who was liorn July 7, 
18()9; Agnes, Aug, 13, 1871; Henry James, 
Nov. 23, 1873; Christina, who is now deceased; 
Elizabeth, born Oct. M. 1878, and Arthur Dec. 19. 
1882. 

Like many of the early si'ltlers, Mr. i'ratt started 
out in life a poor boy, but by industry, untiring 
labor and economy, has gained a comfortable com- 
petence, which will enable him to pass his declining 
years in ease and quiet. In his social relations, he 
is a member of the .Masonic Fraternit\'. and he and 
his wife are members of the Congregational Church, 
and take an active interest in the growth and .ad- 
vancement of that denomination. They give 
liberally to the support of the gospel, and in all 
enterprises for the public good feel a deep interest. 
Politically. Mr. Pratt is now a Prohibitionist, but 
up to 1888 voted with the Republican party. He 
is well known throughout the coniniunity as an 
honoralile. upright citizen, and by his many friends 



4^ 



•^•- 



-t^ 



.310 



ROCK COUNTY. 



is held in tlie highest renrard. The fact that he is 
a self-made man testifies to his Imsiiiess ability. In 
connection with his general farming interests, he 
has engaged in the cultivation of tobacco for the 
])ast eighteen years, and has done ranch toward 
improving the quality of that product. 



-^^^1 



S7 lElT. SAMIEL W. BAKH. a member of 
I (^ the firm of Lidstcr it Barr. dealers in agri- 
il'— ^ vs cultural implements at Beloit. Wis., was 
born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., on the 26th 
day of March. 1^28, and is a son of .Samuel W. and 
Susan (Shepard) Barr, the former a native of Con- 
necticut, and the latter (jf Chautauqua County, 
N. \. His father's family numbered eleven chil- 
dren as follows: Lucy, now the wife of B. H. Kel- 
lar, of M.anchester, Iowa; Samuel, who is second 
in order of birth; Hannah M., wife of Edward 
Rutlidge, of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; Henry M., 
whose sketch appears f)n another page of this 
work; Susan E., who wedded Edward Kawley, a 
resident of Warren, .lo Daviess Co., 111.; Adelaide, 
wife of Cyrus B. Morse of Evansville. Wis.; Ed- 
ward L. whose home is in Chip|>cwa Falls, Wis.; 
Catherine H. wife of .lames Younl. of Topeka, 
Kan.; Frank E. and Leroy of Boone t ounty. 111.; 
and one child who died in infancy. 

In earl^' life .'Mr. Barr was a supporter of the 
Whig parly, but on the organization of the Re|)ub- 
licaii party he joined its ranks ;ind affiliated with 
it until his death, wliiiii occurred in Beloit, in 1868. 
He had previously removed to that city in 1865, 
and his wife, who still survives liim, resides there. 
Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon schools, and in the year 18.^5. came to the 
West, locating in Beloit. He is an excellent ma- 
chinist and soon after his arrival secured employ- 
ment in the plow-shops, where he remained until 
l«(;i, when he enlisted in the 47th Wisconsin Infan- 
try and w.as assigned to Company II. After being 
mustered in at Madison, he was ordered to Louis- 
ville. Ky., and from there to Edgefield, where he 
received a commission as Orderly-Sergeant. While 
in Chicago he had charge of the companj' as its 
Captain. From Edgefield the regiment was sent to 
4* 



Tullahoma, Tenn., where Mr. Barr was commis- 
sioned Second-Lieutenant. The regiment in which 
he served was principally engaged in guerrilla war- 
fare. It was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn. 
Sept. It. 1865, and discharged at Madison, Wis. 

After returning iiome, Lieut. Barr was again en- 
gaged in the plow-shops for a short time, when he 
purch.ased a farm and followed agricultural pu - 
suits until 1886. when in company with Mr. Lid- 
ster he established the firm of Lidster & Barr. 
They carry a full line of agricultural implements, 
and b}' fair dealing and an earnest desire to 
please their customers have built up a good trade. 
In 1850, in Steuben County, N. Y.. Mr. Barr led to 
the marriage altar Miss Rachel Towsley. and by 
their union two children have been horn, Charles 
II. and Edgar F. Socially, he is a member of the 
G. A. R. Post, of Beloit, in which lie now holds 
the office of Commander, while politically, he is a 
stanch and faithful supporter of the Republican 
party. 



-eJgj] — «- 



ik^ ALCOLM <;. .lEFFRIS. of the law (inn of 
//' ll' I'P'-hers, .Icffris iV Fifield. was born in the 
I I" lt)wn of .lanesville, Rock County, Wis., 
* Aug 18, 1862, and is the .^on of David an<i 

( Jrace ( Mount) .leffris. pioneers nf Ruck County 
(of whom see sketch elsewhere in this work). Mal- 
colm was cdncatcd in the private schools and by a 
private tutor. In IHHd lie began studying law 
with A. A. ilackson, of .lanesville, and subsequently 
pursued his studies with tlic law firm of Winaus <fe 
Fethers. He was admittecl to the bar on his twenty- 
first birthday, the 18th of August. I88.i. and on 
the same day entered into partnership with the fiini 
in whose office he studied, the firm name being 
changed to Winans. Fethers & .leffris. That connec- 
tion continued until August, 1885, when the part- 
nership was dis.solved. and Messrs. Pothers, .leffris 
and II. C. Smith organized a law firm, under the title 
of Fethers, .leffris <fe Smith. The latter withdrew in 
.\ugust, 1888, and Charles I,. Fifield became a 
member of the firm, which is now Fct.jiers, .leffris tV 
Fifield, and is acknowledged to be one of the lead- 
itig law firms of Southern Wisconsin. » 

Mr. Jeffris wfi§ married on the 22d daj' of Janu 



!^^ 



1 



— ■ < • 



ROCK COUNTY. 



313 



!\rv. 1885. at .T.ancsville, to Miss Naiinio Hoys, a 
ilaiiiiiitcr of S:iimiel H. Ho3's, and slep-ilaujiliter of 
the Hon. William A. Lawrence, of tjii.s citv. Mrs. 
J<?ffris was born at Madison. Inil lias lieen a resi- 
dent of Jancsville for many years. One son has 
blessed their nnion — Malcolm Koys — who was born 
on the 2;kl day of Augnst, 1886. 

Mr. Jefi'ris is a Republican in politics, and is a 
[jroniinenl member of the IvTiighls of Pythias, of 
which he is the present (irand Chancellor of Wis- 
consin. Althouuli comparatively a young man, he 
has already won prominence in the Circuit and 
Snpreme courts. He was described lo llie writer 
by an eminent .ludgo now on the bench as "a man 
of strong, vigorous and comprehensive intellect; 
industrious, persistent ami clear-headed, never 
losing sight of the main point in the case; a strong 
lawyer — one who is bound to win distinction .as a 
member of the bar." 



►*-|^ 



■A IfelLLIAM LKPPEH, one of the very oldest 
\/\//l •'*"'' most faithful employes of the Chi- 
W^ cago it Northwestern Railway Company in 
Wisconsin, and for thirty years a machinist in the 
company's shops at .Tanesville, was born at Little 
Falls, Herkimer Co., N. Y., o!i the Ithday of Janu- 
ary, 1831. His parents, John and Catharine (CJar- 
lock) Lepper, were born in Herkimer County, and 
were descended from Holland emigrants who .set- 
tled in that region in the early coloni.al days. Bf)th 
grandfathers of our subject were soldiers in the 
War of the Revolution, and the paternal grand- 
father also served his country in the War of 1812, 
and died from the effects of an arcidcnt when ninety- 
nine years old. 

Mr. Le|)per's father was killed by an accident 
wliile employeil on the New York Central Railroad. 
His mother, now very aged, resides in the village 
of Herkimer in her native county. 

When sixteen years of age, William Lepper be- 
gan work in the I'tiea Cotton Mills, and learned 
the carding traile. at wliich he was emploj'cd for 
several yeai-s. He also learned the machinist's 
trade. w(.>rking at the same in a lock factory for a 
^ ' tOrm of vears. While still residing in the East, he 



-^ 



w;is united in marriage, on the 28th day of Decom- 
liei-. IS.')!, with .Aliss .\nn Dolan, a native of 
CoMiity Anlrlni, Ireland, who came to America with 
her p:ireiils in cliiliUKKid. .Mr. .•lud .Mrs. Lepper 
were blessed wjlli live children, two sons .and three 
daughters: Mary A., the eldest, is the wife of Wil- 
liam Houmiel. n wood-hnin i by trade, now resid- 
ing in Cliicago. John D. is a loi'omotive engineer, 
residing at Chicago, and is now in the employ of 
the Chicago <fe Northwestern Railroad Company, 
having been in the service of that company from 
boyhood; his wife was .^^ss Mary Johnson. Kmma 
is now the wife of Charles Card, a resident farmer 
of llolyoke, Logan Co.. Col. Hattie is the wife of 
Hart Roscoe, a conductor on the St. Paul, JHnnea- 
polis & Manitoba Railroad, residing at .St. Paul. 
William, the youngest, is single and a lirakeman on 
the same road. 

In !«.')(■) .Mr. Leppi'r came with his family to 
Janesville. making his home near where the Insti- 
tute for the Blind now stands. The Hrst winter 
after his arrival lie was employed in the stone 
cpiarry, and the following 3car, 1857, long to l)e 
remembered on account of the hard times caused 
by the great financial troubles of that year, made 
it necessary for him to seek such emiiloj'raent as he 
conhl find, by whicli to support his family. He 
husked corn, and did such farm work .a-s he coidd 
get to keep the wolf from the door. In 1858, he 
secured employment with the Chicago iV North- 
western Railroad Conii)any as wood sawyer, and 
two months later was assigned to dut}' wi[)iug en- 
gines at the old temporary shops south of the river. 
When the new shops on the north side were 
completed, he was among the first to be employed 
in the same, where he soon secured the position of 
machinist and where he has since continued to 
woiU without interruption. At that lime the com- 
pany l)oasted only four engines an<l but few em- 
ployes, but now their engines number more than 
eight hundred, and their employes are counted by 
the thou-sands. Of all the original hands of the 
company, who began with liini when the present 
shops were built, none are left. 

In 1875 Mr. Lepper lost his wife, her death oc- 
curring on the lltth day of October. She was a 
I devout Catholic, a faithful wifeand a kind mother. 



i 



"^•- 



■*-4h-^ 



311 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Mr. Lepper was again iiianieil on tlie 22(1 da}' of 
April, 1870. at .laiu'sviik', liis si-coinl iiiiion being 
with Mrs. lielic Klein, widow of Josepli Klein, 
and a daughter of George and Agnes (Buntiii) 
Boyd, of Toronto, Canada. Mrs. Lepper had 
been married jjrevions to her union with Mr. Klein. 
Her first husband was Allan Walker, who was em- 
ployed in her father's counting house, and the niateh 
was a romanlie one, having been niaile in oi)i>o.si- 
tion to her parents' wishes — in faet, was a runaway 
mateh. The young eouiile settled at Jeft'ersonville, 
Ind., and subseipiently removed to I^ouisville, 
where Mr. Walker held a government olHce. Two 
ehildren were born of their union, both daughters, 
nainely: Agnes, who is now the wife of .lohn 
Noonan. a resident of (innett, Ind.; ami Mary 
who is still single. In 1«('>1) Mrs. Walker lost her 
husband, whose death oeeiirred on the 2Hlh day of 
August, of that year. .She was again married in 
1«72. to .losepli Klein, and a daughter. Sar.ih, was 
born to them, who was left fatherless by the death 
of iMr. Klein in August. 1H77. The marriage with 
Mr. Lepper has been blesseil by llie birlli of a 
(humliler. (ieorgie Belle, "the pel of the household 
and the joy of all." 

Mrs. Lepper's parents still reside in Toronto, 
Canada, where they are highly respected. They are 
consistent nn/mbers of the I'resbvlerian Church, in 
which creed they were reared in the old country. 
Mr. Boyd, her lather, was a ruling elder in his 
church in Scotland many years, and now holds that 
position in the church at Toronto. He and his 
wife have liecn in the enjoyment of wedded life 
more than (ifty-five years, and arc both yet hale 
and hearty. For many years Mr. Boyd has been a 
(M-ominent wholesale merchant of Toronto, and has 
accuMiulati'd a large fortune. His sons have fol- 
lowed in his fool-Steps, and are idso wealth}' whole- 
sale merchants of Canada. .Mr. Buntin, the mater- 
nal grandfather of Mrs. I.eppcr, is the well-known 
ship owner so prominently idenlitied with Ihe mer- 
chant marine of Cana<la. 

Mr. Lepper is a Hepublic:in in polili<s on national 
questions, but independent in local alTairs. He has 
never sought oi desired public otlice, but has been 
contented to faithfully and cheerfully perform the 
duly of a thorough jnarhinist, and his long term 



of service with one company proves that he is a 
master of his trade and perfectly reliable. He is 
domestic in habits, and is devoted to his family, 
uhllc his genial, kindly manner h;is won him warm 
friends among all who know him. See [lortrait 
upon another page. 



) h 



■► B^ 



r/AMKS 1'. FARNSWOKTH. a retired farnu-r 
and prominent citizen of Beloit, was born 
in New England, in the Stale of Maine, his 
)irtli occurring in Surry, Hancock County, 
.May 10, 181b. His i)arents were John and .Sally 
(Patten) Farnsworth, the former a native of Stod- 
dard, N. IL, the latter of Hancock County, Maine. 
The family on both sides was probably of Scottish 
origin, with the exception of the great-grandmother 
Wasson, who came from the north of Ireland. The 
paternal great-grandfather of our subject was a 
soldier in the French and Indian War. and was 
captured by the Indians, but made his escape, trav- 
eling b}' night and many times without food until 
death was threatened by starvation. Samuel Farns- 
worth, the paternal grandfather, served as a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War. 

In the winter of 1811 the Farnsworth family ic- 
moved fro:n their home in Maine to Katon, in the 
Province of t^uebec, then called Lt)wer Canada, 
and there five children were born, our subject, who 
was the oldest of the family, having been born in 
Maine the year previous. IMary A., the second 
child is the widow of Dr. Moses C. Kellogg, who 
at one time was a prominent physician of 'i'homp- 
Son. N. v., and seixed as surgeon during the late 
war. Charlotte V. is the decea.sed wife of Josepli 
M. llolden, of (Jreen Oak. Mich.; Sarah !•>. died in 
Michigan, in 181(1; Knnice wedded Dr. Nichols 
Hard, of Aurora. 111., and both are now deceased; 
.K)hn F., who is a itrominent attorney of the city of 
W\asliington, and for fourteen years served as a 
member of Congress from the Fourth District of 
Illinois. He was also employed at the National 
Capital in various departments, and during the 
War of the Rebellion served with distinction. He 
first held the rank of Colonel of the 8th Illinois 
Cavalry, but his bravery and meritorious conduct 



-U 



ROCK COUNTY. 



315 



1- 



on [\\i.- Hold of liMtlle led Id liis |)i<>lii«)li<)ii to 
I5ivv<a BriiradiiT (;ciier;il. In IH.M t.lie fjitlier of 
tliesf t'liildion icniovod willi llic fnniily lo I.iv- 
iiii,''slon County. .Mi(li.. locatint;- in (ui'on ( »;il<, 
wln'ie lie iMii^agcd in survcvini;: for seveiiil years. 
He l:ii<l onl and piattod Ihc village, and hecanip a 
|iri>iMincni riti/cn in lliat community, lie was 
nolfil for Ids fine iiiM)nianslii|). and was frequonlly 
calioii n|)on lo write i)etitions and other public 
doennu'iits to he sent to the < Jovernnieiil of Can- 
ada. His death oeeurred while on a visit to his 
(langiiter in Wiset)nsin. though his home at that 
time was in INIiehigan an<l his remains were laid to 
rest in the eenietery at St. Charles, III. Ilis wife 
(lied in IS.j-l. and was interrcil in the same burial 
place. Both weic nieniliers of the Congregational 
Church, and were held in the highest estei-m by 
their uianj' friends. 

The early education of our subject was received 
in Lower Canada, and during his younger years he 
had clcirge of his f;ither's tari'i in lh;it country. In 
1 S;! I he came with the family to .Micliigan. where he 
again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, 
making his home in that St;ite uulil 1 8.') 1, when he 
removed to Rockton. \\innel)ago Co., III. I'nr- 
eh.asing a farm of eighty acres he engaged in its 
cultivation, in connection willi sheep raising, until 
IKdS. when 1k' exchanged that land for 4fi() acres in 
the town of Newark, Rock Co., Wis. The .same 
year he removeil to this county, and settled on .sec- 
tion 27, Newark Township, where he engaged in 
farming and in stock raising. 

Mr. Fariiswortli h:is been twice married, his lirst 
union being with Miss Aclisah Hudson, a native of 
Lower Canada, and a daughter of Robert and Ach- 
sah (Chaddwick) Hudson. Two children wer.; born 
unto them: Robert .1.. who died in ^lichigan at an 
early age, his death occurring Dec, 2."). 1H52. The 
other child, Klon .1.. enlisted in the 8th Illinois 
Cavalry, na (Quartermaster, with the rank of Major, 
and in a short time was elected Captain of Com- 
pany K. His history appears on another page of 
this work. The mother of this gallant soldiev died 
in Rockton. in 1H,")I. She was a devoted member 
of the Episcopal Church, and a lady highly es- 
teemed for her manj- excellencies of character. 

On the 2!Uh d;\v of March, 18.05, in Ann Arbor, 



Mich., Mr. l-"arnswortli was united in marriage with 
Mrs. .Vmclia M. Ilallock. Her maiden name was 
Clough, and she was the widow of .lames .M. Ilal- 
lock, who died in Northlield. .Mich., in 1,S50. He 
was a farmer by (xcu|)alion. and his father was one 
of the elcctoi-s who elected .lames Madison. IJy her 
former marriage Mrs. Farnsworth was the mother 
of three children: William IL. of Brighton. .Mich.; 
.lames M., of Molly. Oakland Co.. Mich.; and Eli, 
of Chicago; all of whom are holding responsible 
positions. By the second union was born one son. 
.lubus .M.. who was born April 20, 1850, and is now 
a resident of Chicago. In 1 8^2, wishing to retire 
from the more active duties of life, Mr. and Mrs. 
Farnsworth decided to leave their okl home and 

'e ve to the city of Beloit, where they have since 

resided. I5y their labors in former years they have 
gained a comi)etency, which will enable them to 
pass the remainder of their lives in ease and quiet, 
Beloit contains no citizens more highly respected, 
foi- they have gained the contidence, love and es- 
teem of all who know them, Mrs. Farnsworth is a 
member of the B:iptist Church. For the p.ast few 
years she has been an invalid, but she bears her 
atilictions with true Christian fortitude, never com- 
plaining of her trouble, but resting in the assurance 
that all will yet be well. Some of the noted phy- 
sicians of the country have been called upon to 
attend her. while from her devoted husband and 
from many friends she receives the most watchful 
care and kind attention. 

A portrait of Mr. Farnsworth is shown upon an- 
other p:ige. 

-SS^^- 

1^^ AMI EL S. .111)1). MA)., decciised, was a 

^^^ native of Connecticut, born in Bethel, 

\^M Fairlield County, March. 1. 182;i. The 

branch of the Judd family to which our 

subject belonged was descended from Thomas 

.ludd, who came from England in 1634. and settled 

in Cambridge, Mass.. wiiere ff>r twenty-two years 

he held a seat in the Colonial Chamber of Dejjuties. 

The father of our sidjject, .Sanuiel .Tudd, was a 

carpenter and joiner by trade, but in middle life 

turned his attention to farming, at which he was 

quite successful. He was a man of sterling worth 



-4•- 

316 



-•► 



ROCK COUNXr. 



and great amiability of cliaracter, and gave all bis 
fhildrcn good educational advantages. lie was a 
member and active worker in the Protestant Epis- 
copal C'liiireli, and reared his family in that faith, 
lie filled many ofHces of local trust, and was highly 
esteemed as a citizen. Ilis wife, wlio in her mai- 
denhood wa.s .Vnna Barniim, w:is a native of Biidge- 
port. Conn., .and a consin of the cclclHated show- 
man, V. T. Barnum. 

The subject of our sketch attended the district 
school until twelve years of age, when he was sent 
to an academy at Col<l Springs, near West Point, 
N. v., where lie remained two years, boarding with 
his maternal uncle, Starr Barnum. lie later went 
to Bridgeport Conn., where he spent several years 
as a student of an academy and collegiate institute, 
clerking in the store of a cousin in the morning 
and evening to i)ay for his board and lodging. On 
the 1st of September, 1 816, he repaired to Green- 
ville. Pa., and entered the otflce of an older brother. 
Dr. F. II. .Tudd, with whom he studied medicine, 
remaining with him until tlie winter of 1848, when 
he attended a couise of lectures at the Medical 
College of Cincinnati. Oliitt. The following spring 
he went to Wellsville. Va., where he engaged in 
teaching In order to secure the means to enable him 
to continue his medical studies. In October of the 
same vear ( 184!») he entei'ed the office of Dr. Will- 
iam Pavne, of Warren. Ohio, as a student, and 
soon after became a partner of the doctor, with 
whom he continued until August, 1S.')2. He had 
now become [iroficient in medical studies, and pos- 
s;'ssed supeilor acquirements .'us a physician. Re- 
turning to West (ircenville, Mercer Co., Pa., he 
foirncd a partnership nitli his brother, Dr. 1'. II. 
.ludd. Though now well-versed in the sclem-e of 
medicine, and already ;ichle\iiig a re[)Utatlon as a 
physician, he had not yet received the medicrd 
degree, which with many is a matter of m.)rc im- 
portance than actual endowments. lie accordingly 
sold out his interest in Greenville, and removed to 
Oustavus. Olilo, where he opened .Mn office and 
attain attended lectures In Cincinnati, being gradu- 
ated on the 7th day of February. 1857, ranking 
first in order of merit in a class of 130. He con- 
tinued his practice at Gustavus. and soon gained a 
leading rank in the profession. At the beginning 



of the Civil War he was elected and commissioned 
Surgeon of the 2d Ohio Cavalry, but was nnable to 
accompany the regiment to the field on account of 
his health, which had broken down under the strain 
of professional work. 

Dr. .ludd was soon compelled to give attention to 
the restoration of Ills health. Previous to that 
time he had visited Janesvilie, and was much liii- 
[iressed by the beauty of its location, together with 
the salubrity of its climate, and now resolved to 
make it his home. On the 1st of September. 18G4, 
he removeil to this city. purch.ased a residence, 
and opened an oHice in the spring of 1865. He 
entered at once upon a lucrative practice, and 
became one of the foremost physicians of this 
region. He took part in public affairs, being twice 
elected Alderman of the 2d Ward, held the rank of 
Master Mason, and passed all the chairs <if Odd 
Fellowsiiip. He was also a stockholder In the 
Cotton Manufacturing Company, and in the Boot 
and Shoe Company' of Janesvilie. He was in- 
defatigable in business, prospering in whatever he 
undertook, and religiously, was a communicant of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church. 

A biographical notice of Dr. Judd. in the •■Trans- 
actions of the National Eclectic Medical Associa- 
tion," says of hini: "Dr. Judd w.as an organizer. 
Such are wanted wherever an enterprise Is under- 
taken. Being an Eclectic from conviction, he en- 
gaged activel}' in tlie establishment and mainte- 
nance of societies and institutions whose object it 
was to promote the interests of th.it school. Until 
the day of his death, he was a Trustee of the Ben- 
nett College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgei'i' of 
Chicago, and took a lively interest in its prosper- 
ity, lie was. however, dlllident and unassuming, 
and though repeatedly solicited to accept a pro- 
fessorship in a medical institution, alw.ays declined. 
In 1877 he procured a charter for the Wisconsin 
Eclectic Society, which was organized In June of 
that year with five members. lie was elected its 
first President, and continued to occupy that place 
for four years. This society' li;is now become one 
of the most effective State medical organizations in 
thernion. In 1880 Dr. Judd attended the annual 
meeting of the National Association held in Chi- 
cago, and became a member of that boily. in tlio 






ROCK COUNTY. 






1= 



next year he was elected its Vice President, in St. 
Loiii.s, and no subsequent meetin<jof tlieas.sociation. 
until tlie time of liis deatli. did lie fail to attend." 
The Doctor was quite an extensive traveler, and 
saw nuicli of tiie world. In 1877, acconiiianied by 
.liidLfo II. S. Conger, lie nindc a trip to tlic West 
Indies ami to South America, and in Fehruar3', 
1887, with the desire of benefiting his failing 
hcnltii by an ocean voyage and a change of climate, 
crossed the Atlantic, accomiianied bj' William 
Hadden. of Janesville. He visited England, Ire- 
land, Scotland, and France, spending some time in 
Paris, and returned home in April. In June of 
that year the Wisconsin Eclectic Medical Society 
met at Waukesha, and its leading members resolved 
to press the name of Dr. .ludd foi' the Presidency 
of the National Association. The suggestion was cor- 
dially received, and the Doctor was elected bj' a flat- 
tering majority. II is speech of acceptance waschar- 
.icteristically modest and effective, and the coi-dialit\- 
extended to him he felt to be of itself no common 
testimonial. Me resolved he would reciprocate by 
earnest labor for the prosperity of the National 
Association. 11 had been his .'imbition to serve 
acceptal)ly in the ranks, and let others, whom he 
deemed more rleserving and capalile. occupy tiie 
official positions; but since he had been elevateil t<i 
this position of honor and trust, he determined 
that his utmost ability should ln' given toward the 
ailvMiicement of the best interests of the great body 
over which he had been calleil upon to preside. 
His last ollicial act was the approval of the journal 
of the meeting. lie died at his home in .lanesvillc, 
on the ;iOth day of August. ly.s7, the immediate 
cause of his death being hemorrhage of the stoni- 
acli. On his decease a local paper paid lilin the 
following triluite: '• He was a man of relincd manners 
and prepossessing a|)pearance. liis social (pialities 
were of the highest order. His read}- and enter- 
taining conversational powers m.-ide him a welcome 
gue.-l. He possessed not only the hajijiy faculty of 
making friends, hut the rarer one of retaining them, 
(lenerous and tolerant of the views of others, he 
was positive an<l fixed in his own opinions. Not- 
withstanding his nattering success and popularity, 
lie was modest and unassumiig. acknowledging and 
appreciating the talents of ^>thers. Me was a keen 



observer of human nature, a close analyzer, a logi- 
cal and incisive reasoner, and in every sense a suc- 
cessful and eminent physician." 

Dr. -ludd was twice married. On the Cth d.ay of 
August. 18;")0, he wedded Miss Juliet C. Young, a 
daughter of Warren Vomig. Esq.. a prominent 
citizen of Warren, Ohio. liy tiiis marriage three 
children n-ere born, Iwc) of whom survive — Dr. 
William Henry and Clara A., the latter born in 
Gustavus, Trumbull Co., Ohio. His second mar- 
riage, which was celebrated Feb. 1, 1870, was with 
Mi.ss Helen M. Doiand, of Rushford, N. Y., a lady 
of superior accomplishments, and especially note<l 
as an artist. F'or several years she was the pro- 
fessor of drawing and painting in an eastern acad- 
emy, and her paintings possess superior merit. 

Dr. William Henry Judd, the only son of Dr. 
Samuels. Judd, was born in Orecnville, Pa., on the 
29th day of November, is.j;}, and was about eleven 
years of age when he came to this city with his 
father. He w;is educated in the public schools of 
Janesville, and in l.s7'.i he began the study of 
medicine with his father, later lieing graduated 
from the Rennett .Medical College of Chicago, in 
March. 188:5. During the f(jllowing April he be- 
came associated with his father in the practice of 
medicine, that, contiiuiiiig until the time of the 
hitter's death, when lie succeeded to the business of 
the firm. In 1877 he led to the marriage altar 
Miss Mary L. Hansford, a daughter of James Hans- 
ford, of Carthage. 111. She was born in that town, 
July 4. I8ri8, and died July2(;, 1883. Their only 
child. .Iniiies Starr, who was bom M:iy ,'), 187!l. 
died May 2;'), 1880. The Doctor was the second 
time married, .Ian. 27. 1885, this union being with 
Miss Belle ('. Holmes, a daught<'r of W. C. Holmes, 
of Janesville, in whi<;h city the lady was born Mav 
l.'i. 18()2. She is a graduate of the Janesville High 
.School, and is a cultured and socially popular lady. 
One child blesses their union. William .Starr, bom 
July 12, 1887. 

Dr. Judd owns and occupies the same offices as 
did he and his father. This consists of a suite of 
rooms, well-ai r.anged and conveniently adapted to 
the various neetls of the profession. These pleasant 
an<l neatly furnished rooms contain many object? 
of interest. |)laccd there ]»\ him wlio has now passed 

■ •► 



k 



••► 



318 



ROCK COUNTY. 



away, and are treasured by li is son as sacred to the 1832; Mary B.. born May 26. 1826. at Pontiac, 

Mich., died Sept. 1.5, 1827; Albert C. who wa.s 
lidiii on the 25th of November, 1H27, at Ponliac, 
iMiili.. is living at lirodliead. Wis.; Klisha E., l)orn 



memory of his lamented father. Tlie Doctor much 
resenil)les his father. l)olli in manner and personal 
appearance, and as a |)liysician lakes liijili rank in 
his profession. He is energetic, progressive, and 
ever ready to give aid and influence to all enter- 
prises that tend to |)romote the best interests of 



Nov. 1. 182;i, at Pontiac. Mich., died Aug. 27, 
1834, at the same place; Estiier M., born June l.i. 
1833. at Pontiac, Mich., died Aug. 27, 1834, .at the 



Janesvillc. Tn disposition, he is cordial and genial s.ame place, 

which renders him ixipni.ir with all. In politics, he During his youth, in company with his parents, 

is an ardent and consistent Hepuhlican, and has in- our subject left the Emjjire State and emigrated to 

llnencc in the k)cal counsels of his party. Twice | what was then the Far West settling at that time 

lie lias been elected Alderman of the 2d Ward, and j in Michigan. While residing in that State a 

is now (1888) serving in that capacity. He is a preacher came to visit them, and was taken <lown 

member of the National Eclectic Medical Associa- | with the cholera, and all of the familv, with the 

lion, and a prominent Odd Fellow, having passed i exception of the mother, were stiicken down with 

throu'di all the chairs of that order, and is also a that disease. Elon A., then a boy. was sent on 



horseback for the doctor, and while on hit; wav 
was taken sick, having to be lield on his horse 
on the return trip. In order that the disease 
should not spread and infect the whole town, the 
house of Mr. Douglas was burned by the citizens 
and a new one erected for him. Later the familv 
removed to Uock County, settling in Plymouth 
Township. Daxid Douglas was the first perm.ancnt 
resident of the town, and built the first house 
dren. but three of whom are now living. His par- ' wilhin its liorders. At that time not a settlement 
cuts were David and Ilhoda (Phelps) Douglas, the ! had been made between hi> home and the village 



member of the Knights of Pythias. 

■-^ €-i-B ^- 

ELON A. DOUGLAS, an honored pioneer 
and representative citizen resiiling on sec- 
lion 3. Plvmoulh Township, is a native of 
Oneida County, N. V..liorn .Vpril 27, 1.S22. at Mon- 
roe, N. Y., and is one of a family of thirteen chil- 



4 



former born in Middletown, Conn.. Feb. 7, 1785, 
and the latter in Windsor, the same State, Feb. 2, 
1788. They were married at Whitestown. N. '\'., 
March 27, 18(16. Their children, in order of birlh. 
were as follows: Melissa, born Feb. 21. 1807. at 
Whitestown. N. Y.. became Ihe wife of S. H. (hip- 
man, and the mother of two children; Eliza, born 
Sept. 10, 180'.i. at Whitestown, N. Y.. marrie<l 
.Samuel Colby, and died at Brodhead, Wis., Nov. 
19, 1867; Stephen C, born May 31, 1812, married 
Ella Stupper. by whom he had three children; 
Uhoda. born Dec. KS. ISl.'., at Avon. N. Y.. died 
Sept. 8, 1816, at Ontario, N. V.; David 1'., l)orn 
July 6. 1«18, at Sweden, N. V.. is living near .lolm- 
son, Nell., and is the husband of Mary L. Coryell, 
bv whom he ha.s live children — David. Ilall. Cora. 
Arthur, and Annie; Daniel C, born .lune 1«. 
1820, at Genesee, N. Y.. died Aug. 31. 1734; Elon 
A., tlie subject of this sketch; James Sidney, born 
March 26, 1824, at Pontiac, Mich., died Oct. 20, 



of Janesvillc, and the country was almost In its 
primitive condition. Our subject can remember 
seeing herds of four oi- live liundrcd deer. His 
father entered and purchased land to the extent of 
of 88(» acres, which he placed under a high state of 
cultivation. However, as his children grew np. he 
divideil his land between them, retaining only 160 
acres for his own use. He w.as one of the promi- 
nent early settler:- of the community, ami was held 
in high respect by all. David Douglas died at 
Brodhead. Wis.. June 12. 1.S72. Hhoda Douglas 
died at I'.rockporl. N. Y., June I'.i. \X.'>:i. 

In ISP.I Elon A. Douglas was uniteil in marriage 
with Miss Martha Beach, a dnughlcr of Fr.'uicis 
and Maria (Hurd) lieacli, who were the |)aients of 
five children, three of whom are yet living: Hop- 
son, who is a resident of l-"ootville. married Libbv 
Rush, by whom he has two cluhlrcn — Ella and 
Lillie, the foi-mer now the wife of Edward Lytic, 
wlio is living in Alliany, (o-een Ct)iintv, :ind 



t 



■^•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



319 



tlie latter is now the wife of Ernest Parniley; 
Martha, the (icceased wife of our siihject, is the 
next in order of birth; F. 'P., who is livinsjr in La 
t'yifne, Linn Co.. Kan., married Lneinda Davis, 
and to them iiave been born two eiiildren — .Jennie 
and IMinnie; Watson, now deee.i,sed, married Sa- 
beia Piirdy, and their union w.as bles.sed with tiiree 
children — Alexander, Nellie, and Rosa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas were tlie parents of three 
children: Mary, who was born Sept. (!. ISol, is the 
wife of E. W. F'isher, a representative of one of 
the pioneer f:imilies of the county, ancl a leading 
farmer of Rock Township. Unto them have been 
l)<)rn live children, all of wliou) are yet living — 
.John. .Jacob. Harriet. .losepli. and Whitney; II. ().. 
Iiorn Oct. 10. I8.')G. is a resident of Oberlin. Kan. 
He wedded Anna L. Miller, born March 6. 18G4. 
in .\thens County, Ohio. They were tnarried .Ian. 
10. 1883. at Oberlin, Kan., and now have three 
children— Miittie, born Dec. 21, 188'?; Myrrel, M.iy 
8. is«.-); and Hazel. .June 26. 1887. William ()., 
who was born on the 2.')th of .January, 18G(). is en- 
gaged in farming on land .adjoining the old home 
stead, married Ida Ellis, and tn llicm have been 
born one child, Elenie. 

On the 4t.h of May, 1889. Jlrs. Douglas left her 
home to visit Mrs. Be.ach. a sister-in-law, appa- 
rently in good health. The ne.xt day she laid 
down to take a little rest. Mrs. IJeach also laid 
down in an adjoining room and fell .asleep, but w.as 
soi>n awakened by a strange noise in Mrs. Dong- 
las' room. Her sou also heard the noise, ami both 
rushed in, ami. to their horror, found Mrs. Douglas 
dead. ,\ physician was at once called, who jiro- 
uonnced her dead, the cause Ijeing heart disease. 
Three children and a kind and lo\ ini^ hiisliaiid 
were left to mourn hei' loss. 

Mr. Douglas is engaged in general farmiiii;- on 
section 3, Plymouth Township, where he owns a 
fine farm of eighty acres, valued at ^100 |)cr acre. 
Iicinga man of progressive ideius, everything abont 
his place denotes thrift and enterprise. For some 
time he engaged quite extensively in the breeding 
of Durham cattle and graded Norman horses, and 
was very successful in that line of business. He is 
regarded as one of the leading farmers in the town- 
ship, and is oneof the most prominent citizens in the 

^« 



i 



community. Stanch In support of the Republican 
party, he exerts a stronger iuHucuce in iiolitical 
affairs than any man in the town, and has done 
much toward the ad\-anccmcnt of that great organ- 
ization in his ncigliJHJi hoo<l. Althouoh now an 
old man. he took an active part in the campaign of 
1888. Ho has held several official positions, he- 
fore re.aching his majority lieing elected Collector 
and Constable, and for ten consecutive 3-ears served 
in the foi iner office in Plymouth Township. He is 
also a friend to education, believing that to be use- 
ful in life one must be well educated. His sons 
were both graduates of .Silbee's Commercial Col- 
lege, of .lanesville, and his daughter, who was edu- 
cated in the .lanesville College, was a successful 
teacher in the district schools. Mr. Douglas was a 
p.artieipnnl in the pioneer life of Rock Countv. ami 
has been identified with its growth and develop- 
ment for many long yeais. He has won the c(ni- 
fidence and love of all who know him. and we are 
pleased to record his sketch in the permanent his- 
tory of the banner county < if this ureal Common- 
wealth. 

■^ #H# ^ 

lEREMY fS. DAYTON, one of the pioneer 
settlers of Rock County, residing in .lanes- 
ville, was born in Allegany Countv. N. Y., 
(^^'' in the month of .June. 1822. His parents 
were .lustus and Salome (Searls) D.ayton. the for- 
mer a n.ative of Conneeticut and the latter of 
Vermont. The paternal grandfather, .Vbraham 
Dayton, was also a native of Connecticut, but emi- 
grated to New "^Ork about 18(1."). settling near 
Rochester, where he was nnmliered among the pio- 
neers, and in that vii'inity upencd up a farm. On 
that land .lustus Dayton was rearcil to manhoo<l 
and continued a resident of New Yoik until l,s|,'). 
when, accompanied b\ his family, he came to K'ock 
County. Wis., locating on section l.'i. .lanesville 
Township, where he purchased l(!0 acres of law 
land. This he immediately began to improve and 
cultivate, making it his home until his death, 
which occurred in .July. 188.3. at the .age of eiglitv- 
four yeais. The death of his wife occurred in 
1871. He was a thriving and successful business 
man. whether eng.aging in farming or stock-raisin£r, 



_H ^J ■» 



4 



-*•- 



320 



••»> 



ROCK COUNTY. 



and received tlie respect of all. He took a deep in- ' Eight children were born unto them and all are 
lerest in political affairs, voting with the Whig ! yet living — Anna, wife of .lames Koacli, of Mont- 
parly in cirly life, hut at the organization of the gomery County, Iowa; Isaac, who is engaged in 
Hi'piililican parly liecaine one of its supporteis and ' farming in Dane County, Wis.; William, wlio also 
was an eanicsl advocate of that organization until rc-idos in Dane County, engaged in farming; Eliza, 
iiis death. Mr. and Mrs. Justus D.ayton were the \ wife of Henry Chadhourii. of Chicago; Nellie, wife 
parents of two children — .1. S., of this sketch, and of onr subject; Kate, wife of William .Slowson. now 
Sarah L.. the wife of Colos Kenton, of Austin. in Oregon; Sarah, wife of Charles Nutting, of Dane 
Minn. Tiie subject of this sketch was re.ared to County; Clara, who wedded Charles Alberts, of 
farm life and in the common .schools received his ' Dane County. Wis. 



education. He was married in 1880 to Nellie E. 
Bradle\-, who w.as l)orn in Dane County, Wi.-». 
Three children gnice tlieir union — Justus I!.. .1. 
\\'illiam and .M. Clara. 

In 181.'i Mr. Dayton came lo Rock County, 
Wis., locating on section lb. Jnnesville Township, 
where he purchased ten acres of land. For a few 
years he thert' made iiis home, but later liecame 
the owner of eighty acres on section 1 I of the 
same township, which foi-m('<l the nucleus of his 
l)resent farm, which now comprises 200 .acres of 
fine land. His general occupation ha.« been farm- 
ing anil stock-raising, wliicli he carried on until 
his removal to .lanesvillc. Since becoming a resi- 
dent of this county he has served in various olticial 
])ositions, including that of township treasurer and 
.assessor, both of wiiich lie held for sevei'al terms. 
During his earlier years In; cast his ballot with the 
Whig party, but at t!ie organization of the Repub- 



Throughcmt his life Mr. Hrailley followed agri- 
cultural pursuits, and at the time of his death 
owned 3G0 acres of land under a high state of cul- 
tivation in Dane Count}'. He died March 2(i. 
1888, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a 
member of the Catholic Church, and held the 
political view.s of the Democratic party. His wife, 
who is a member of the same church, still lesides 
in Dane Countv. 



JIjdSKl'H 1.. CROFT, a worthy pioneer of 
|| .lanesville. was born in the city of Yoik. 
11 England on the 7lh d.ay of .Vjiril, 1811, and 
fj was a .son of Joseph and Margaiet Croft. 



In early life he served an apprenticeship to the 
carpenter's and builder's trade, and was married on 
the 17tli of .\i)ril. 18;'.'.). to Miss Ann Teakstone. 
ican party he enlisted in its ranks and has since | a daughtei' of William and .Mary Teakstone. In 



-t 



fought under it.s banner. He is numbered among 
the earliest settlers of this county, has witnessed 
almost its entire growth, has a,ssisted in its devel- 
opment, and been an active participant in all en- 
terprises for the public welfare. He is universally 
known and respected, and is a worthy and honor- 
able citizen. 

The [larents of .Mrs. Dayton. \\ illiam anil Maria 
(Shortall) Bradley, were both natives of Ireland. 
On attaining his majority Mr. Hradley. thinking 
that the opportunities afforded in llie new world 
were superior to those in the old I'ountry. crossed 
the broad Atlantic and canie to .Vmerica. For 
several years he worked as a farm hand in the 
.State of New York. In 1818 he was united in 
marriage with .Miss Shortall. after which he removed 
lo Dane County. Wis., where lie made a home. 
^ 



1842, accompanied by his family, he emigrated 
from England to America, and came direct to 
Janesville. where he was at once emi)loyed at his 
trade. He found plenty of demand for his services, 
and was actively engaged as a contractor and 
builder up to the date of his last illness. His death 
occurred on the .■)th .hme, 1876, and proved a .sad 
loss to the community. His good vvife survived 
him several years, departing tliis life July 8, 1884. 
They were the parents of ten children, live of 
whom <lied in early life; the others are still living: 
Thomas T., whose sketch is given elsewhere in this 
work, is the present superintendent of the Janes- 
ville W.ater Company; James, who was orderly- 
sergeant of Comi)any (!., 8th Wisconsin Inf.-mti v, 
is married and resides at Berlin, this State; .losepli 
Louis married .Miss Ella Rowers, and makes his 



4 



"^^ 




ROCK COUNTY. 



323 



home in .Tanesvillc; Kliznbetli and Ella S. reside 
with their eldest brother. Mr. Croft an<l iiis wife 
were nioinhers of the Kpiseopal Cliiiri'h, .'uiil tlie 
ehihireii liehinLT to the same (h'liominat.ion. lie was 
an iniliistrioiis. li;ii(l-worUin£>: man, n|iiijj;ht and 
honoi'al)le in all the alTairs of life, and was very 
highly respected. 



yVILI.IAIM WAI, LACK CHILI), one of the 
/ representative linsiness men of Kdiferton, 
and the oldest and most extensi\'e dealer 
in leaf tobaeeo in Roek Connty. date.^i hi.s resi- 
deiiee in Kdjierton from IKt;;"). For several years 
he was there engaged in general merehaiidisiiig. 
and in 1 8G9 establisiied the Imsiness in which he is 
now engage<l, his warehouse being the first erected 
in Edgerton. In IH84, to give greater capacity to 
his extensive business, he erected the warehouse 
whicli he now otieupies. That structure is a most 
substantial building, its dimensions being 128 x 40 
feet, .and three stories in height. The upper story, 
used exclusively as a storage room, has a cai)acitv 
of 2,o00 I'ases; the second lloor is used as a storage 
room, ofHce, etc., the full cajiacity for storage be- 
ing not le.ss than .'i'lOO cases. The first story or 
workrotmi is a model one of its kind. In that 
liglit. well ventilated and pleasant apartment are 
employed about fifty hands, mostly women, en- 
gaged ill manipulating the tobacco leaf. 'Ihis de- 
partment is a perfect beehive of industry and 
activity. The vvarehou.se. taking into considera- 
tion its capacity, its substantial structure and the 
facility it |)osse.sses for handling merchandise, has 
no superior, if an equal, in the State of Wiscon- 
sin. Mr. Child also still owns the older structure 
that he occupied for ni.iny years. He is also en- 
gaged III wool Iniving, and his ain|)le warehouse 
gives evidence that this is an important feature of 
his business, liis annual purchase of that commcxlity 
being about 7"), 0(10 pounds per year. 

William Wallace Child, whose name heads this 
sketch, is a. native of the (ireeii Mountain State, 
having lieeii born in Kntland Coniitv. in 1821. 
His parents were I'eiuiel and Mary (Hciiry) Child. 
The family Is one of the earliest families of New 



England, and our subject is of the seventh genera- 
tion in direct descent from Benjamin Child, who 
emigrated from England to America and settled at 
Roxbuiy, Mass., in l(i;30, only ten years after the 
landing of the Pilgrim Fathers from the Mayflower 
at IMynioiith Rock. As before slated, Benjamin 
Child is the original ancestor of the family in 
America, he being followed by Benjamin Child, Jr. 
Of the third generation is F^benezer Child, whose 
son w.as also called Ebcuezer; and Penuel Child 
w.as of the fifth generation. His son, Tenuel Child, 
Jr., was the father of our subject, then came Will- 
iam Wallace, followed by his only son, Harold, who 
is of the eighth generation. The above lineal de- 
scent is taken from the genealogy of the Child 
family, a complete and comprehensive work pre- 
pared by the Rev. Elias Child, of Utica, N.Y., a 
kinsman of our subject. The ancestors were lioii- 
orably and prominently' ideutilicd with the earlv 
history of the New F^ngland Colonies. Ebenezer 
Child, Sr., was a soldier in the French and Indian 
War which began in 17.')-!, and fought during that 
struggle under the gallant Rufiis Putnam, who 
afterward became famous in the Revolution. Pen- 
uel Child, Sr., the grandfather of the subject of 
this notice, served for a period of four years in the 
Revolutionary War, and his brother, I'earle, ac- 
companied 'the unfortunate expedition to (Quebec, 
in the early part of that struggle, which resulted 
in the defeat of the American troops and the death 
of the brave Montgomery. 

Penuel Child Jr. and wife were the parents of 
four (rhildren, two sons and two daughters, of 
whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. The 
seeoud, Holliii R., who was born in 1827, is now a 
resident of Mitchell, South Dakota; Mary, the 
elder daughter, was born in 1831, and is now the 
widow of R. R. Brown, who died in California in 
1888; Ellen, born in 183.'), is the wife of H. B. 
DeLong. of .lanesville. Wis. 

William \\'allace Child was rearoti and c(hicatcd 
in his native town, and was the first of his father's 
family to emigrate to the West. In the fail of 
1835 lu' caiiie to the Territory of Wisconsin, and 
located at Kagle. in what is now Waukesha, but 
then formed a part of Milwaukee County. For 
about three years he was engaged in teaching, and 



"^^ 



■•► 



^ 



324 



■•► 



.t 



ROCK COUNTY. 




is numberefl among the piuneers in that ijrofession. 
Later he engaged in the mercantih" Im-iiicss at 
Palmyra and Alltion, from wlience. as above 
stated, lie reimived to Ivigerton in 18()5. 

Previous to tiiis time, in 181H, Mr. ( lilM re- 
turned to Vermont and led to the marriage altar 
Miss K. C. 11. Hateii. a daughter of Orton and 
Permelia (Harrison) Hatch. Her grandfatiier, 
Samuel Harrison, was a graduate of Oxford Univer- 
sity, England, one of the most celebrated institu- 
tions of learning in the world. He afterwards set- 
tled in Chittenden. Rutland County. Vt., and died 
in tiie city of Washington many ^-ears ago. The 
parents of Mr. C'iiild came to Wisconsin in 1853. 
but both iiave since passed away. The father died 
.at the home of ids son, Rollin U.. in Clinton. Sept. 
4,1868, in the seventy-fifth year of his age; the 
mother is still living in 1889 at the adviuiced age 
of eighty-five years. 

By the union of JMr. and .Mrs. Cliild two chil- 
dren have been born, a son and daughter. The 
latter, Florence E., was born in 184 it. and the for- 
mer in November, 1851. Both reside at the 
parental iiome. 

For nearly' forty-five years Mr. Child has been a 
resident of W^isconsin. Conung to tlie Territory 
in the pioneer days from wliat was then far-off 
New England, was (piite a <litTerent event from 
making the same trip at tiie present time of rapid 
transit, (ioing from his \ermont iionie to White- 
iiall, N. Y.. and from thence to Buffalo liy can.al, 
lie there took a lake steamer, by whicli mode of 
conveyance lie reached MiUv.'iukee, then a little 
liamlet, continuing on to liis destination in Wau- 
kesha County on foot. The entire trip, which by 
the present improved methods of traveling, is 
made in forty-eiglit liours, was tlien accom|)lislied 
in about four weeks. Whatever degree of sucee.ss 
in life Mr. Ciiild lias attained, has been due to liis 
own individual efforts. He landed in Milwaukee 
in the autumn of 1845, with but |;58 in his ((ocket 
and $50 of that amount applied as payment on a 
jiiece of land in Waukesha County, which he pur- 
chased at the r.ate of *6 per acre. This was the 
first real estate he ever owned. A year later he 
sold the land for ilO per acre, thus realizing a 
large profit on his investment, which was his first 



experience in speculating. Though never engaged 
practically in farming, he has owned considerable 
land at various times, and now possesses 212 acres, 
twelve of which lies within the city limits of 
Eilgerton. 

As before stated. Mr. Child is one of the jiromi- 
nent and successful business men of Edgerton. 
His success has been accomplished by energy and 
perseverance, ability and industry. In politics, he 
was reared in the old Wing school, witli strong 
abolition tendencies, an<l since the Republican 
parly was fornie<l lias been identifieil with that 
great political organization. Ilis New England 
ancestry, in religious connection, were adheients 
of the Congregational Church and in the faniilv 
were many clergymen of that denomination. He. 
however, is identified with no religious body, but 
strives to be guided by the precepts of the Golden 
Rule. Socially he is a member of Fulton Lodge. 
No. C',». A. F. A- A. M.. and has occupied nearly 
all the chairs of that society, filling the office of 
Worshipful Master in U;7!(. 

Thus we have given a brief sketch of one of 
Wisconsin's pioneer settlers and one of Rock 
County's esteemed citizens. On anotlier page will 
be founfl a fine engraving of the honored gentle- 
man. 

— « #-# ^^ 

i.lj. ^ ENHY M. BARR. a prominent and repre- 
sentative citizen of Beloit, and a g.allaiil 
^ soldier of the late war, was born in the 
Empire State, in Steuben County, April 
23, 1833, .and is a son of Samuel W. and Susan R. 
(Shepherd) Barr. On his father's side he is of 
.Scottish descent, Samuel Harr having been born in 
Scotland. His mother was a native of New York. 
The boyhood days of our subject were spent in his 
native county, where he remained until sixteen 
years of age. his education being received in the 
common school. In 1855 he determined to try his 
fortune in the West, and emigrating to Wisconsin 
located in Beloit, where, with the exception of a 
few years spent upon Southern battle fields, he has 
since resided. 

At the breaking out of the Rebellion, when Presi- 
dent Lincoln made his first call for volunteers to 



1 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 




serve three years, lie at once responded, becoming 
a member of tlie (Uli Wiseon.sin Infantry, and was 
assignee] to Company G. Ills regiment formed one 
of the rcnovviK'd Iron Brigade, which coniprised the 
2d Wisconsin, the lilth iiidiMua. the tlth Wisconsin, 
tlie 24th Michigan and tiie 7th Wisconsin Regi- 
ments. After lu'ing mustered in at Madison tiie 
gaUanl dth was .sent to Washington. D. ('., wliei-e 
the regiment participated in tiie battle of (iains- 
ville. It was next under liic at the second battle 
of Hull Run, which was followed by the engage- 
ment at South .Mountain, where the I)rigade re- 
ceived its name for the valuable services rend- 
ered. This biigade lia\ing used all its amunition 
the men were ordered to lie down, and if aji- 
proached hold the enemy with their liayonets. They 
rein.'iined on the tield all night, and in the morning 
Mr. Harr was ordered to go down the line and wake 
up the men. After ]ierforming this dut3' he re- 
turned to the ]il;i(e where he had lain through the 
night and dis( oveied, as he suppo-sed. one of his 
comrades sleeping: he gave him a light kick to 
awaken him, but the man not stirring he gave him 
a more vigorous one. when the comrade whom he 
supposed he was waking spoke up near by and said 
"That is a dead rebel." Mr. Harr had made a pil- 
low of him all night. 

The next engagement in which the regiment par- 
ticipated was the battle of Antietam. which was 
followed by the battle of Fredericksluirg, under 
Burnsides. Wiien cro.ssing the river .Mr. Harr, on 
landing, jumped out of the boat, and while doing 
so got the muzzle of his gun full of mud and when 
he came to lire it split the barrel from end to end, 
knocking him flat on his back. He was next engiiged 
with tlie command at the b.attle of Chancellorsville, 
whicli was followed by the battle of Gettysburg, 
but in some manner being cut off from his coni|)anv 
Mr. I'.arr did not participate in the latter. He took 
refuge in the court-house iise(l for a hospital by the 
surgeons and from the cupola of that building 
witnessed the movements of both armies, proliably 
no man having a better view, which sight was im- 
pressed indelibly upon his memory. With hisreo-i- 
iiieiit be fought the battle of Laurel Mill, which 
was followed by Spottsylvania, North Ann, Cold 
Harbor, tlie seige of Petersburg. Welden Railroad, 



■■ __ <» _ 



Hatcbie's Run. Grand Run, Five Forks and the 
famous battle of Appomattox. After the close of 
hostilities Mr. Harr returned from the war, having 
been honorably discharged. He still retains in his 
possession a badge which was presented to him by 
Gen. McClellan after the South Mountain fight. 

In 1871 Mr. H.irr w:is united in marriage with 
Mrs. Martha Hrown. whose maiden name was Gretf- 
ory. and two children grace their union — Sam- 
uel W. and Jessie Maud. Socially, our subject 
is a member of the G. A. R. Post, and politically, 
is an ardent supporter of the Republican party and 
a faithful a<llierent to its principles. He was a loyal 
soldier and is a worthy citizen, and receives the re- 
spect of all with whom business or pleasure have 
brought him in contiict. 

fL=- ON. MOSES S. PRICHARI), Justice of the 
» Peace, and ex-County Judge of Rock Coun- 
ty, Wis., has for forty-three years been an 
honored resident of Janesville. Hew.asborn 
in Bradford, Orange Co., Vt., on the 8th day of 
April, 1822, and is a son of (ieorge W. and Kliza- 
beth (Pearson) Prichard. He was educated at the 
rniversity of N'ermont, graduating in the class of 
1841, after which he studied law with Leonard 
Wilcox, of Oxford, N. Y.. and was admitted to 
|)raclice in the courts of Orange County, Vt., in 
1844. The following year he earae to Janesville. 
and entered niion the practice of his profession, 
forming a law partnership, in the fall of 184o. with 
.V. Hyatt Smith. That connection was continued 
until about 1848. when it was dissolved by mutual 
consent, and Mr. Prichard formed a partnership 
with Judge David Noggle. under the firm name of 
Noggle (fc Prichard. Afterward being joined by 
his brother, the late Judge Amos P. Prichard. the 
firm became Noggle, Prichard A- Prichard. .Some- 
time Liter, his partners having been elected to the 
Hencli. he joined with John M. Beriy. late Judge 
of the Supreme Court of Minnesota, under the firm 
name of Prichard it Berry. His next partnership 
was with I. W. I). Parker, and siibseipiently he was 
a member of the firm of Knowlton. Prichard Si 
.lacksoii. These various partnerships resulted from 



■•► 



A. 



4»- 

32G 



ROCK COUNTY. 



the interruptions in practice on the pnrtof our sub- 
ject, caused by his service in various jiublic oHiccs. 
In 1846 lie was elected .liistice of the Peace, and 
served until the spring of 1819. .Vgain. in 1853, 
he was elected to the same i)osition. but after six 
months resisiiicd to accept tiie office of County 
Judge of Rock County, serving in that capacity 
from 18.54 to 1858 inclusive, when lie was suc- 
ceeded by his brother, .\nios P. Prichard. He then 
resumed the practice of law, which he continued 
until he wijs again elected Justice in 1867. filling 
that |)Osition until the spring of 1875. He after- 
ward held the office of Police Justice from April, 
1878, until April. 1880, when he again entered 
upon the pr.actice of lii.s profession, continuing in 
the same until elected Justice in 1881. At cacli 
successive election since to date (188!)) he has been 
re-elected, having served in that otlice twenty-two 
years. 

In Rock Count}', on tlie •27th day of October, 
1847, Judge Prichard led to the mariiage altar 
]Miss Betsy A. True, daughter of Elijah True, one 
of tlie pioneers of this county. Five children were 
liorn of liieir union. Only three are now living: 
Mary E.. who resides in Heloit; George T. lives in 
Chicago; and Anna M. The other children died 
in infanc\'. Mrs. Prichard and daughters are mem- 
bers of Christ's Kpiscopa! (lunch. The .luilge is a 
Democrat in politics, and is a member of Wiscon 
sin Lodge Xo. 14, I. O. O. F., whicli he joined in 
1847. He is also a member of Rock River Camp 
No. ;?, of the same order, and of the Temple of 
Honor. He has won a lirm hold on the confidence 
and regard of the citizens of Jauesville. by Ins 
prompt and impartial discharge of official dutv. 
pure and u[)riglit life, and unblemished integrit}-. 
He is unassuming and courteous <if niaiincr, pos- 
sessing quick perceptive faculties, and ripe in ex- 
perience of legal l)usiuess. in both lower and highi r 
courts. 

ELDEN E. OTIS, a farmer residing on sec- 
tion 10, Rock Township, is a n.ative of 
S.aybrook, Conn., born in 1827. and a son 
of Israel and Darbara ( Balicock) Otis, 
both of whom were natives of Connecticut, and 



-^^ 




were descended from old New England families. 
The father was born of English ancestr}-. while the 
mother was of Welsh descent. He engaged in tin! 
occupation of farming throughout his life, and was 
a man who took great interest in political affairs, 
yet never sought or desired public office. He was 
a supporter of the Democratic party, and his death 
occurred in 1868, at the age of seventy-four years. 
His wife died in 1872, when seveuty-tsvo years of 
age. She was a member of the E|)iscopal Church. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm 
life, anil in the common schools of his native Stale 
received his education. At the age of twenty 
years he left the parental roof and went to Long 
Island, where he took charge of a farm of 500 
acres belonging to Judge S. B. Strong, which he 
managed for a period of two years. At the ex|)ira- 
tion of tliat time he became an agent for the Penn- 
sylvania Coal Company, and for three years was in 
that em|)loyment. with headquarters at New York 
City. In 1855 he made his first trip to the West. 
.•md chose for his future home Rock Couiitw Wis. 
In Harmony Township he rented a farm until 186;{, 
when he purcliased 200 acres of land on sections 
1 1 and 15, of Rock Township, but at the end of the 
year sold out to F. 8. F^Mierl. of whom he reiiled 
lanti for the succeeding twent3'-three years. Durini;' 
that period he conducted a dairy. In the spring of 
1888 he again became the owner of a farm, imrchas- 
ing sixty acres of land located on sections 10 and 
11, Rock Townsliip. where he now carries on gen- 
eral farming. 

In 181'.t Mr. Otis was united in the holy bonds 
of matrimony with Miss Mary Cargill, a native of 
Long Island, and a daugliter of John and Elvira 
(Hart) Cargill. Her father was a native of .Scot- 
land, ami chning most of his life worked at the 
tailor's lra<le. his death occurring in 1845, at the 
age of forty-one years. Her mother is a native of 
the Empire State, and still resides in Long Island. 

Mr. and Mrs. Otis iiave been the parents of seven 
chiklren: .Mary R., who is the wife of John C. Burt, 
Business .Superintendent of the Kankakee Insane 
Hospital; Ceorge .S., a resident farmer of Rock 
Township: Lillian, who wedded Frank C. Eddy, a 
bookkeeper of La Crosse, Wis. ; Jessie E., wife of 
William R. Kilmar, a baker in the eni|)loy of the 

a^ 



f 



-4*" 



•t^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



:J27 



Hospital for the Insane, at Kankakee, 111.; Frank, 
a farmer, residing at home; Harriet N., who is yet 
with her parents; and Charles C. who died in 1867, 
at the atfo of two and one-half years. ]Mr. Otis is 
nnmliered among the leading citizens of Hock 
Township, and has been honored with various 
odiees of trust. Several terms he has served as 
Justice of the Peace; is now for the second time 
occupying the position of Connty Sn|)ervisor, and 
for twenty years was Clerk of the School District. 
In political matters he lias always taken a deep in- 
terest, has heen an ardent supporter of the Repuli- 
lican party since its organization, and is a man 
well informed on all matters of pulilic interest, both 
State and National. He has done nuich tow'ard ad- 
vancing tile cause of education in the community, 
and by his honest and upright course of life lias won 
the confidence of .'dl. and is held in high regard by 
a large circle of friends. 

-^ ^^^ ^ 



•^ 



ANIEL O. CHAPELL, deceased, will be 
iij remembered by many of the early settlers 
ffij^^ and in justice to this worthy pioneer, we 
record the story of his life in the perma- 
nent record of Hock County's history. He was a 
native of New York, and in early life learned the 
iilacksmith's trade, which lie followed for many 
yi'ars. He was married in his Eastern home to 
MissCelestia Lewis, and in the year 1841, emigrated 
with bis family to the Territ<u-3' of Wisconsin, lo- 
cating in Racine Counl}', and in the spring of 1845 
he removed to the village of Unii^n, then a 
thriving little hamlet full of industry and life. 
It was situated on the old stage line, half way l)e- 
Iween .lanesville and Madison, and was the point 
for changing horses, Man}' of the prominent men 
not only of the State but of the Nation, honored 
the little town with tlieii- presence while making a 
trip between the two cities. Mr. Chapell was then 
the village lilacksmitli, and none had more or 
warmer friends than lie. His jovial nature, his 
genial disposition, his kindly manner and cheery 
greeting made him a favorite with all, and his 
hospitable home was the resort of the many trav- 
elers seeking locations in the new West. For sev- 



eral years Union Lodge No. 32, of the Masonic 
Order held its meetings at his home. 

3Ir. Chapell continued to reside in Union until 
1854 when he again removed to a frontier conntiy, 
settling near West Union, Fayette County, lown, 
where after a few years he passed to his final rest. 
Upon the death of her husband, .Mrs. Chapell return- 
ed to Rock County, making iier home with her son. 
Russell O., in Magnolia Township, where her death 
occurred about the ^-ear 1874. This worthv 
couple will long be remembered by their many 
friends, as the\' were highly respected b\' all. They 
were the [nirents of eight children, two sons and 
si.x daughters, but only three are now living. The 
ilangliters may be credited with having taught the 
first schools of Union Township, and many of the 
leading citizens of the community learned the ru- 
diments of knowledge under their direction. 

The surviving children as as follows: Lucretia, 
who is now the wife of Rev. James Lawson, a resi- 
dent of Albany, Green Connty, AVis.: Russell O., 
who is now engaged in farming in Magnolia Town- 
ship; Farrozina, wife of Gilbert Blackman, a resi- 
dent farmer of Hardin County, Iowa. Those who 
have passed away are .Sarah, who wedded Bela 
Beebe, one of the |)ioneer settlers of Rock Connty; 
Mary A., became the wife of Dr. Robert Bell, but 
both are now deceased; Jane married James O'Con- 
nor; Lois was the wife of Dr. William Parker; 
Bruiison was educated for the ministry, and entered 
an Iowa regiment as chaiilain, his death occurring 
while in the service. His wife and daughter, who 
survive him. are resiilinu' in Sioux Citv. Iowa. 



"iflOIlN K1N(;, one of Rock County's early 
and most honored pioneers, became a resi- 
dent of .lanesville in the month of .\pril, 
\xH. The family record shows tluit the 
f>rigin:il ancestors were among the old Covenanters 
of Scotland, some of whom tied to the county of 
Antrim, Ireland, at the time of the persecution, and 
one of the great-grandmothers of our subject was 
born in a cave in Scotland during those trying ilays. 
It is not certainly known when the family was 
founded in America, but it was prior to the Rev 



H^' 



. , 328 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^^►^H* 



oliitionary War, as the grandfatlier of our subject 
served tlie colouies (Uiriii<; tliat struj^irlc. and his 
widow afterwards received a peiisiou from tlie i^ov- 
ernment for his services. 

In tlie year 1770, .lames Matthew King, tlie 
father of .lolin Kiuij, was horn, and in ITHO the 
hirlh of his wife, Nancy King, occurretl. They 
were married in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1801, and 
in 1831, accompanied by some of his children, he 
emigrated to this country and located in Ohio, 
with the intention of having the remainder of the 
family with him the following year, but in 1832, 
before starting for the new borne which her hus- 
band had prepared. Mrs. King died. Siie was a 
lady of great ahilitj-, and is said to liave been a 
very sweet singer. After coming to America, ISFr. 
King was a circuit rider in the .Methodist Church, 
traveling in Northeastern Ohio, but previous to his 
emigration he had been a member of the Presby- 
terian Church. Thinking that he could accomplish 
more good in tiic new and unsettled country as a 
circuit rider, he j<iincd the furnier denomination, 
and w.HS the instrument of much good in that com- 
munity. His death occurred in Triimlnill County, 
Ohio, in 180.5. 

The subject of this sketch. .loliii King, was born 
on the 3d day of March, 1809. on the l).uiks of the 
River Cl3'd(s in (Uasgow, Scotland, and in that 
city was united in marriage with Margaret McKay, 
March :i(i, \h:U',. Mrs. King was also descended 
from some of tiic ol<l and renowned families of 
Scolhuid. .Sjie was a distant relative of the present 
Duke of Argyle. and also of the poet Tliomas 
Campbell. Her father. Gilbert Mcdvay. was l)orn 
in Argyleshire, in the Highlands of Scotland, in 
1783. He was a line specimen of piiysic.al man- 
houd, honest, industrious and (iod-fearing. His 
work w.as that of conil)ining chemicals for jirinting 
fabrics of all kinds, but at last the use of the dif- 
ferent chemicals and the gases which he was forced 
to bi'cathc undei mined his constitution and he died 
in 1830. Ills wife, the mother of IMrs. King, was 
.lanette Campbell, a gran(Maughter of Colin Camp- 
bell, of the Clan Campbell of Argyleshire, where 
she was born in 1785. .She w.as a woman of ster- 
ling worth aiul marked individualit\ of I'haracter 
and moral courage, Siie brought up her large 



family of children to be intelligent, useful mem- 
bers of society, sending her only son, Douglas 
McKay, who died in Janesville in 1849, to the Uni- 
versity at Edinburgh, Scotland. No sacrifice was 
too great for her children, who lived to honor her 
name and memory. 

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. King, they 
removed to .Manchester, England, where he was 
offered a better salary as overseer of a cotton-mill. 
While there residing, two children were born to 
them — .lessie May, who died in her first year, and 
Mrs. Margaret King Hern, who was born Oct. 1, 
1838, and to whom we are indebted for the main 
facts in this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. King remained 
in Manchester for three years, when they returned 
to (ilasgow. Scotland, making that city their home 
until 1840, when they crosse<l the Atlantic and be- 
came residents of Ohio. Mr. King was a fine mu- 
sician, especially a vocalist, and gave lessons and 
concerts both in England and Scotland, and also 
after going to Ohio. He owned a wagon and car- 
riageshopin Eainiington. Ohio, which he operate<l 
until the winter of 1843-1, wiiieh he spent in Ka- 
cine, Wis., where he worked in the carriage-shop 
of his brother. AVallace King. 

The moutli of Apiil. ISIl. found our suliject. 
with his family, in -bujesvillc. whieh was then but 
a mere village. I'he hardships .md ditliiulties of 
pioneci' life were all unknown to him. and inanv 
were the obstacles which he encountered. No lum- 
ber could be purchased in the village, and shortly 
after his arrival, accompanied by his hired man, 
Mr. King wi'iit into the woods norlli of town to cut 
lumber, Init as he had no experience in the art of 
chopping, the ax went through his foot. Then it 
was that the chiuactoristic energy and phuk of the 
Scotch people w;is awakened in Mrs. King. She 
not only cared for her atUicted husb.and, but pro- 
vided for the family, then consisting of the p;iieiits 
and three small children. As there was then no 
bakery in .lanesville. and liirge numbers of emi- 
grants were constantl^y passing through the town, 
Mrs. King procure<l Hour, making over one and a 
half barrels of tlour per week into good bre.ad, 
which she sold to the travelers at a fair profit. In 
adilition to this work, she also kept boarders, and 
thus provided for her family and herself. It was not 

>» 



►Hl^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



329 



i= 



long after when misfortune again visited the home. 
The father having recovered had gone to Grant 
County fur the purpose of getting hiniber with 
whieh to make wagons. This he liauled to Janes- 
ville overland, several yoke of oxen being driven 
to each wagon. In his absence serious trouble oc- 
curred. The house in which the family lived stood 
on what was then called "the public square," and 
near tlie spot now occupied by the fountain in tiie 
Court House park, on .South Main street. This 
house was struck Ijy lightning. Margaret, now 
Mrs. Hern, was then but live years old. Her 
niotlier and her sister diil not awaken, but she saw 
tiic ball of lire pass through the tloor and go up 
through the roof. Her mother and sister had been 
stunned. About noon the following day, a band 
of Winnebago Indians passed, and a squaw coming 
to the window, asked for bread. She saw the 
mother and little daughter lying on the bed, and 
prevailed on Margaret to open the door and let her 
ill. She worked over the mother until she w:is 
restored to consciousness, when they both worked 
over the child, Mary, who at last regained sensi- 
bility, but w.as and is now almost sightless, while 
she has been more or less an invalid ever since. 

Mr, King met with both successes and failures 
in his liusiness, but at last did a flourishing busi- 
ness .as a carriage manufacturer, on the southeast 
corner of Kast Milwaukee and IJluff streets, his suc- 
cessors being Hixlge it Huclihol/.. His death oc- 
curred .Inly 20, 18.")2, from cholera. At that time 
caravans of Norwegians, oftentimes com()osed of 
two or three hundred, accompanied by an interpre- 
ter, would cross the countrj- from New York. One 
of these caravans arrived in .hmesville in .Iul\-, 
isr>2, having two very sick children with them, 'i'he 
interpreter applied to all the different hotels in town, 
I)ut none would admit them. He w.is told that when 
Mr. King returned home he would help him if 
any one would. This proved true. His new stone 
barn w.as emptied and cleaned, and the women and 
sick children took possession. As long .as they re- 
mained (three or four d.iys) Jlr. King at each meal 
took two plates, selected the most tempting viands 
on the table and carried them to the sick children. 
No one knew until afterward that their disease was 
Asiatic ciiolera. but his pit}- and sympathy to for- 



eigners in a strange land led him to those acts of 
kindness which caused his death a few days later. 
Mr. King was a friend to the highest and to the 
lowest. t(j the richest and to the [loorest; a tender, 
loving husband and father, he seemed to have a 
inincl and heart l)road and free enough to find good 
in eveiy one. 

The following lines in memory of her father were 
written by Mrs. Hern, of (lurk. Dak.: 

" While suffering intensesl [lain, 
A voice came stealing o'er my briiiii. 
Which seemed to say, in accents clear, 
■ lie calm, my child, thy Father's near; 
He'll not suffer thee to be dismaj-ed— 
Have courage, for thou hast His aid.' 

" Dear father's voice has long lieen still. 
He sleeps away out at Oak Hill; 
For thirty-three long 3'ears and more 
His voice sounds on the other shore. 
Where, with the ransomed angel band. 
He wakes the music of the Better Land." 

Thus one more of Rock County's pioneers passed 
away. None knew him but to love him, and from 
all he received the highest respect and esteem. 

After the death of her husband, in 1852, Mrs. 
King continued to keep the hotel. " The J.anes- 
ville." now called the -'Highland House." until her 
second marriage, when she became the wife of John 
Hamilton, who died in Libby prison. Sept. 4, IStil, 
he having been captured at the first Iiattle of Bull 
Run. By her former marriage, Mrs. King had 
five children, who are yet living — Margaret. Mary 
.\gnes. Angle Josephine, John Douglas and Robert 
Wallace; and l)y her second marriage she had two 
sons — John C. F. and Robert B. 

After the death of her first husband, sorrow again 
came to the grief-stricken widow. Within fifteen 
days she lost her husliand and two children — Har- 
riet Ellen, the youngest daughter, aged three ye.ars, 
and Franklin Bruce, aged fourteen months. The 
mother seemed broken-hearted and was never again 
the bright and cheerful woman of previous j-ears. 
Unlike her husband, she was not naturally a friend 
to all. but after her friendship was once gained she 
was a friend indeed. She was a staunch believer 
in her Highland Scotch '"blue blood," and her 
friends were mostly among the .Scotch peo()lc. lu 




330 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ii^^ 



licr family she was an afFcctionalt; and tomler wife 
and inolher, doing all in lier power for llu-ir ad- 
vancement and interest. Slie bore her trials witli 
the fortitude and faith of the Christian, was stronj^ 
in defense of what she deemed right, and gave her 
whole mind and might to the duties which lay be- 
fore her. She wa.s born in Carmile. a suburb of 
the city of (Uasgow, Oct. 16. 1H16. and her death 
occurred after a short illness, of |)neuni(ini;i. on the 
6th of Xoveml)er, 1885. 



^i=m=^ - 




-f 



HAIILES JACKSON, a pioneer miller of 
this count}', proprietor of the Turtleville 
grist-mill, is a native of the Kinpire State, 
born in Chenango Coiiiily. April .'), 1823. and is a 
son of John and Betsy (Whiting) Jackson. His fath- 
ei- was born in England.and his mother in New York. 
During his youth. John Jackson learned the miller's 




&HE0DOHK OTTMAX, wiio is engaged in 
farming and who resides on section 12. lioek 
'rownship, was born in Schoharie County, 
N. Y., ;iiid is a son of Henry Ottman, a native of 
the same county and of whom a sketch appears 
elsewhere in this volume. He remained a resident 
of the Empire State until 1856, when in company 
with the family he emigrated to the West, locating 
in Rock County. His parents became lesidents of 
Janesville. and with them he remained for a short 
time, when in eom|)an\' with his brother he bought 
land in La Prairie 'rownship. The succeeding four 
years were spent in the cultivation of that farm, after 
which he purcha.sed seveiit3'-five .acies on section 
7 of the same township, where he continued to re- 
side for four years. Leaving Wisconsin, he then 
removed to Lawrence, Kas., wliere for five years 
he engaged in the real estate business. At length 
returning to Rock County, he i)urcha.sed a farm of 
160 r.cres on section 12, Rock Township, where he 
is now engaged in general farming. He also gives 
some .attention to stock-raising. In his political 
sentiments he is a supporter of the Republican 
party, and is well informed on all matters of public 
interest. 



trade, which he followed until thirty-five years of 
age, when he embarked in the hotel business in the 
town of Smyrna, Chenango Co., N. Y. His death 
occurred in 1878. To him and his wife were born 
four childien. namely: .lames, who is living in 
Madison County, X. Y. ; Angeline, who is living in 
Hamilton. Madison Co.. N. Y.: Charles of this 
sketch; and Eliza, wife of .lolin L. Matiscn, of 
Owego, X. Y. 

In the common .schools of his n.ative county, our 
subject received his e<hication. .and at the .age of 
eighteen ye.ars went to Oneida Count}', X. Y., where 
he learned the miller's traile, following that occu- 
pation for three years. In iJsll he was united 
in marriage to the lady of his choice. Miss Car- 
oline Hudson. Their union was celebrated in 
New H.artford. Oneida Co.. X. Y.. in wliich county 
she was born in 1826. Her father. Thomas Hud- 
son, was a native of Boston. Mass. In 1845, the 
young couple removed to Xorwich. and later be- 
came residents of Smyrna, X. Y.. where they re- 
sided until 184it. when they became residents of 
Walworth County. Wis. On his arrival in that 
county Mr. Jackson took charge of the mill at 
Lyons, on White River, the outlet of Geneva Lake, 
and remained in charge of that mill until 1851, at 
which lime lie went id Geneva .'ind shortly after- 
ward returned to the E.ast. In 1)^52 he .again came 
to Wisconsin, locating at Genoa .hinction. Wal- 
worth County, afterward removing to Eairlield, 
Rock County, where he operated a mill until 1M70, 
at which time he rented the mill at Turtleville. He 
has m.ade many repairs, placing it in the best con- 
dition for doing good work, and li.as also refitted 
and overhauled nian\- mills in the siuronnding 
country. In 1880, in company tvith his son. .John 
F. he went to Roscoe. 111., and bought a mill, which 
he operated successfully until 1888. when selling 
out. he returned to Turtleville, and again took 
charge of the mill at that ])lace. Mr. .lackson h.as 
mastered his trade in every detail, jind is a most 
successful miller. 

He and his wife are the parents of seven chil- 
dren — Charles W., a miller of Stel)binsville, Rock 
County; Angeline, wife of William Budd, of 
Roscoe, III.; Caroline, wife of William Chambers, 
a resident of JelTersou Countv, Wis.; John F.. a 



^>j¥<* 





c^-'?^ 




u 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-•► 



333 



miller of Koscoe; Eliza, wifeofWilliain Corty, who 
is engaged in farming nciir Whittemore, Iowa; 
James who Is clerking in Hcloit; anrl Julia, wife 
of John \V. Shoemaker of Chicago. In 1884 Mr. 
flaekson was called upon to mourn the loss of his 
wife, who died June 12, and was buried in the 
cemetery at lloscoe, 111. In Lis political sentiments, 
he is a supporter of the Democratic party, and Is 
well known throughout the county as one of its 
worthy and esteemed citizens. 



^^5>^ IMON LOCK LORD, a prominent physician 
^^^ of Edgertown, Wis., wa.s horn in Liming- 
lll/_Jr| ton. York County, Maine, on the 8th day of 
March. 1826, and is descended from good 
old Revolutionary stock. His paternal grandfather, 
Ad.Min Lord, who enlisted in the Colonial service, 
dii'<l and was li\nled on the battle Held of Mon- 
mouth. He married Olive Knight, and both were 
of Knglish extraction. His son. Deacon James 
l,t)rd. was the father of our sulij(>ct. and his wife, 
mother of Simon, was Hannah Durell, she being a 
daughter of David and Mary Durell. who were dc- 
scendents of French Huguenot ancestry, while her 
father was also a revolutionary soldier. 

.Simon L. l.,ord, whose name heads this sketch, 
was one of a family of eight children all of whom 
have passed away with the exception of the Doctor 
and one brother. .1. K. Lord, who is now living at 
Stafford Springs, Conn., at the age of cight3' years. 
His boyhood days were spent on a farm until sev- 
enteen years of .age. where he attended the district 
school for six months In the year His .academic 
eilucatlon was received at CorTilsh High School and 
I'arsonlield Seminar}', after which he began readiiiif 
medicine with Dr. Pe.abody, of AV'^est liuxton. 
and Dr. Benjamin Thompson, when nf't attending 
medical lectures. He dcfrayeil his expenses by 
teaching and attended his Brst course of lectures at 
Howdoin College, Maine, in 1850. In the summer of 
th.at year, he attended the Tremont Me<llcal School 
of Uoston.and ran the wardsof Massachusetts (ien- 
eral Hospital under the teachings of the illustrious 



L^ 



siu-geou, John C. Warren, and the no less renowned 



teacher and poet, Oliver Wendell Holmes. He at- 
tended Ills third an<l fourth course of lectures at 
Jefferson .Medical College. Philadelphia, from 
which he graduated. 

In the spring of 18')2. Dr. Lord married Miss 
Emily Elizabeth Knight, ami In 1 8,51, nccomi)an led 
by his young wife removed to Dubuque, Iowa. 
Subsequently he went to Dyersville, Iowa, where 
he practiced medicine and surgerv, and while there 
residing his wife died, her death occurring in M.iy, 
18o6. The following October he buried a little 
son, aged ten months, his family now consisting of 
only himself and another son. Charles H., who was 
born in .Maine. In the month of .Vugust. 1857, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Wright, 
daughter of Ansel and Sarah M. Wright, her father 
bclnga minister of the Methodist Ei)iscopal Church, 
wliile both parents were of English extraction. 
Mrs. Lord was born at Sackett's Harbor, X. Y.. and 
by her union with our subject ha<l nine children, 
live daughters and four sons — Clara I'.elle M.. May 
L., Emily M., lilanehe C, Nellie A.. James A., Wil- 
liam F., Edwin and Fred. The last died at the age 
of four weeks. 

In August 1850, Dr. Lord was nominated 
as the Re|>ublican candidate for Treasurer of Du- 
buque County, and reduce<l the Deuioi'r.-itic major- 
ity of that, stronghold from 1.5(10 to GOO. In April, 
1858, he removed with his family to Edgerton, 
Rock County, where he engaged In the practice of 
medicine until the breaking out of the Civil War, 
when he res|ionded to the country's call for trooi)s. 

The Doctor enterecl the service as Assistant 
Surgeon of the l.'itli \Visconsiu Regiment in Sep- 
tember, 18()1, and went Into camp at Jaiiesville, 
where the regiment remaliu'ij until .bin. is, |,S62, 
when It w:is ordered to the seat of war. He was 
ordi'icd to remain, however, in care of about fort}' 
convalescents, atul further to arrest some deserters 
and enlist recruits for the regiment. In February 
he left Janesvllle for Ft. Scott, Kas., with sixty 
men. but on the morning of his departure, was 
.serve<l with a writ of Imlieas corpus, ordering him 
to appear before a ['nited States Commission with 
the body of a young man whom he had enlisted. 
Rather than be detained, he delivered the minor to 
his father, but the boy escapetl from him, secreted 



»» ti T ^* 



••^ 



334 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



himself in the water tank at the depot and jumped 
aboard as the train passed. Me afterward died in 
the service. Upon the tliird day. the Doc-tor arri- 
ved with his compau}- at St. Josepli, Mo., at 10 
o'clock A. M., and asked the " Secesli " railroad 
agent to allow the men to sleep in the cars, hut wxs 
refused with the churlish reply, "We do not furn- 
ish quarters for Yankee troo|)s." He then took 
possession of the fine passenger depot, and after 
seeing his men well provided for, went with Capt. 
Dooliltle, of Gen. Hunter's staff, to a hotel near by. 
(ioing to the depot early in the morning, ho found 
the ticket office occupied by a hog and her ten pigs. 
(Tiie boys had substituted them for the other hog, 
who had ill-treated them a few hours before.) Soon 
;i train of filthy hog cars were drawn ni) in front of 
ihc depot for the transportation of the Doctor and 
his command to Weston, opposite Ut. Leavenworth. 
Imiuediately he seized the engine, placed two sol- 
diers upon it. and kept pos.sessioii until passenger 
conches were substiluleci for the Others. Arriving 
at Ft. Leavenworth in the afternoon, he was told 
bv the Ceueral t-onunanding, that eighty more men, 
belonging to regiments at Ft. Scott, were waiting 
him at I>f.ivenworth City, that he would be ftirn- 
isheil witli guns and ammunition for HO men and 
three wagons for the transportation of camp and 
I'arrison iMpiipage. and was requested to escort a 
train of fifty wag<jns loaded with commissary stores 
.iiid hound for Ft. Smith. Ark. F"rom Ft. Leaven- 
worth, he miirched that day. tlirough mud knee 
deep, to Lcavenwtjrih City, arriving at 1 1 o'clock at 
nighl without tents or rations. ()|)positc, in a plant- 
er's house he saw a door that he suspected opened 
into a hall. This was forced open and his suspi- 
cions verifietl. Two bales of hay were obtained 
from a quartermaster for bedding, a grocer w.is 
aroused, a supply of crackers, cheese and dried beef 
was ol'taineil. and the men were made comforta- 
ble. Tlie government train, g\ins. ammunition, 
rations, etc., were sent over from the fort, and at 2 
r. M.. the little command took up its march down 
the Missouri border for Ft. Scott. Tlie country 
was infested with guerrillas, but fortun.'itely, after a 
march of seven days they arrived safely at their 
destination. It was during this trip that the battle 
r of Wilson Creek was fought and the border was 



•^ 



-4^ 



tolerably well freed from Rebel troops. The Doc- 
tor has often remarked that his acceptance of that 
command was very foolhardy, as twenty determ- 
ined men might, b}' a surprise have captured the 
entire outfit. 

At Ft. Scott the little band joined the regiment, 
which a few days afterwards, with other troops 
was ordered to New Mexico. A halt of a few days 
was made at l>awrence, Kas., and forty-eight hours 
before the division took up its line of march for the 
frontier, Surgeon Lord was detached from his regi- 
ment and ordered to organize a hospital for the ac- 
commodation of 400 sick and wounded soldiers. As 
he was totally destitute of any thing with which to 
care for this large number of men. Gen. Dietzler, 
commander of the division, issued him a sweeping 
order to seize any suitable buildings and other 
property in Lawrence needed for the comfort nnd 
welfare of the troo|)S. This iirder he carried out in 
the seizure of nine buildings, dry goods, hardware, 
crockery.grticeries. uieats.brcad. fuel, drugs, lumber, 
etc. He received his orders at 12 M. on Saturday, and 
forty-eight hours later, had removed the 100 sick 
men from regimental hospitals and had them in com- 
fortable beds. A large number of the sick ones 
had typho-malarial fever, produced by camping 
upon the Kansas River bottom and using water 
from that stream. The mortality w.as large. 
Great credit was due the generous and patriotic 
women, who as soon as the order was published 
came forward with offers of bedding and delicacies 
for their sick defenders. .Many of them operated 
tln'ir sewing machines two or three days, making 
sheets, pillowc:ises and coverlets for the hosiiital. 
A sanitiiry fund of *;5()0 was raised by them and 
expended under the direction of Surgeon Lord, 
who was the only medii'al oliicer. and upon whom 
devolved the entire care and treatment of these 
soldiers. He was faithfully assisted by .1. K. 
Coakley, now a highly esteemed physician of Mil- 
ton Junction. !is hospital steward. At the end of 
six weeks, the order having been countermanded, 
the troops returned from the frontier and Surgeon 
lyord. worn out by constant work, .asked to be re- 
lieved, that he might rejoin his regiment, which 
was ordered to Corinth. Miss. The troops em- 
liarked at Leavenworth, the Doctor being detailed 



u. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



335 



as Ihig- surgeon by Gen. Mitchell, then in comnL-ind. 
The Meet of steam transports stopped at St. Louis 
on its way down, and the i;3th Wisconsin w.ts 
landed at Cohiinbus, K}'. In .June Dr. Lord was 
detailed as surgeon in charge of tlie 12lii Wisconsin 
Reij:irnent, then at Humboldt, Tenn. lie sent tlic 
two regimental surgeons to Wisconsin, sick, one of 
whom died. Upon the return of the surgeon. Dr. 
L. H. Carey, he returned to his regiment only to 
find that its surgeon, Dr. J. M. Evans, was sick. 
The latter went to Wisconsin on a sick leave and 
liefore his return, .Surgeon Lord was detailed on 
the staff of tien. Hansom, with whom he served 
some time. Afterward he rejoined his regiment, 
witli which he reni.iined until October, 1862, his 
duties calling him again and again from Ft. Donel- 
son to Ft. Henry. 

An incident at the latter fort is worthy to be re- 
lated. Soon after the Emancipation Proclamation 
was issued by President Lincoln, an intelligent col- 
ored boy, of three-fourths white blood, and about 
twelve years of age came to the hospital of the 13lh 
Wisconsin and asked for |>rotcction from a slave 
hunter, who soon made his appearance and dc- 
maixlcd the boy of Surgeon Lord, who refused to 
give him up. The former owner insisteil upon 
having the boy, claiming that Kentucky, whence 
the lad came, was not included in the proc- 
lamation. He obtained an order from the Lieu- 
tenant Colonel commanding the surgeon to surren- 
der the slave, to which the Doctor re|)lied, " I will 
obey no such order; it comes from a coward, and 
is a disgrace to the regiment and the noble .State of 
Wisconsin; it will lake a full brigade of troops to 
take the boy from this regiment, and 1 advise you 
as you value your safety, to get out of camp as 
fast as your mule wdl take you." The Rock 
County boys were getting thick around the Doctor's 
tent, and the planter, who might have been father 
to the boy. fled in a hurry. 

About the middle of October Surgeon Lord re- 
ceived an order from Gen. Grant's headquarters to 
report at Holly Springs. Miss., for duty. The Gen- 
eral was moving to take Vicksburg in the rear, and 
preparations were made to care for his sick and 
wounded at Holly Springs. In accordance with 
the order, the Doctor left Ft. Henry the same 



night, but upon arriving at Columbus, Ky., found 
that the Ohio & Mobile Railro.ad was in the hands 
of the enemy, who had captired and burned Holly 
Springs with the hospitals and an immense amount 
of goyeniment stores for the supply of the army, 
lie was ordered on duty in the Assistant Medical 
Director's Department of Kentucky, as inspector of 
camps and hospitals, A large force was concen- 
trated at Columbus to repel a threatened attack by 
\'an Dorn. By inspection of camps and hospitals, 
he there found 900 men unlit to bear arms, liehind 
fortifications, and transferred them by hospital 
steamer to the Mound City Hospital in Illinois. 
Four weeks after arriving at Columbus, Surgeon 
Lord was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., and in- 
structed to occupy Adams Hlock and convert it 
into a hosi)ital. That immense block, costing 
$2.50.000, wiU5 new, having never been occupied, 
and was so constructed as to be easily converted 
into the finest liosi)ital building on the Mississipjii 
River. He placed some forty carpenters and ma- 
sons at work, putting doors in walls, ventilators in 
the roof, etc.. while |)lumbers placed g.a.s fixtures in 
the entire block, and in ten days from the time he 
received his order, he had (OO sick soldiers in bed. 
Those men were from the hospitals in the rear of 
Jackson and La(;range, Tenn. They were brouiiht 
on two trains, arriving at It) o'clock at night, and 
four hours was occupiecl in moving them from the 
depot to the hosjiitai. A inajorit\ of those [)atients 
had been sick a long time and many were in a dy- 
ing condition, but had to be moved to kee|) them 
fiom falling into the hands of the enemy. Of the 
400. twenty wert- taken to the dead house at sun- 
rise. \\'ithin two weeks he was ordered to provide 
beds for (JOO wounded troops, then on the hospital 
steamer lying at the levee, who were brouirht in 
from the battles of Yazoo and Arkansas Post. 
.\s he had given his ambulances for the use of 
Gen. (irant, who was then with the army at Mem- 
phis, prei)aring to descend the river with the inten- 
tion of capturing Vicksburg, he was compelled to 
transport that large number of wounded in hacks 
and coaches, which he seized b\ the aid of a detail 
of seventy-live soldiers from Provost headquarters, 
this transfer occniiying the entire day. In six 
weeks from the oiiening of Adams' hospital, it had 



■» ,■ 4* 



336 



■i^HK-* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



within it 1.700 sick and wounded, with 160 nurses, 
42 cooks. 11 ward masters, 5 clerks in otHcc. 2 dis- 
pensary clerks. 11 assistant surgeons, and liiO col- 
ored men ami women in the laundr}'. besides .50 
ladies furnished <is helpers by Mrs. Dr. Dix under 
authority of tlie AVar Department. Aflcr an in- 
spection of the ten hospitals of ^Memphis, in .March. 
1863, by a surgeon sent from Washinsiton, he nas 
asked to explain why the mortality in his hospital 
was two and one-half per cent less than in any 
other in the city. He explained the matter to the 
satisf.iclion of the inspector by showing; him his 
kitchen and diet rooms. together with liis supply of 
butter, milk, eggs, chickens, ice, fruits and other 
necessaries for sick and wounded men. In other 
words, he told him lie exi)ended his lios|)ital fund 
for the men to whom itiielonged. It wa.s reported 
to the Surgeon General of the United States that 
Adams' hospital was one of the best on the Missis- 
sippi River. 

Dr. Lord served as .Surgeon-in-C'hief until .Vpril. 
1863. when broken down with har<l and constant 
work, ho succumbed to an attack of illness which 
almost terminated fatall3- and compelled him to 
tender his resignation. A fewd.ays before, he had 
been solicited liy Gen. J. EI. Howe to accept a com- 
mission as surgeon in his regiment, the 32d Wis- 
consin, which he consented to do after a rest of a 
few days with his friend. Col. G. K. Bryant, of the 
12th Wisconsin, then encamped near Memphis. 
Soon after reporting to (Jen. Howe, Oen. BiTant 
was ordered below as a part of a re-enforcement to 
Gen. Grant, then about to complete the investment 
of Vicksburg. .S\irgeon Lord was detailed on his 
staff and remained with him until a few days before 
\'icksburg surrendered. Hearing that both of his 
assistants, whom he left with the regiment, were 
sick, and that the regiment was suffering for med- 
ical aid. he requested to be relieved from duty 
with Gen. Bryant and hurried back to find 200 of 
his command sick in the hospital and in the quar- 
ters He had but a short respite from special 
duty. In a few days, an onler from the .Secretary 
of War placed him with Surgeon A. B. Campbell, 
Medical Director of the Department of Tennessee 
and Surgeon Niglas. of the (!th Illinois Cavalry, on 
a military commission for the examination of such 

^« 



candidates as were seeking appointments as sur- 
geons in colored regiments. These candidates 
were nearly all surgeons or .assistant siu'geons of 
white troops, but expected a life position if the 
colored troops became the standing army of the 
United .States. He served on that medic:)! board 
and with his regiment, until that command was. in 
November, ordered to < irand .luuction, ^liss.. where 
it remained until December with the exception of 
an occasional chase after Forrest. In December. 
1863, (ieu. Howe was placed in command of the 
brigade, and Surgeon Lord, while acting as brigade 
surgeon to him. still ke[)t control of his regiment. 
In the winter and spring of 186-1, that command 
was under (umi. .Sherman in the memorable >Ierid- 
ian raid through Mississipiii and .Mabama. Upon 
the return to Vicksliurg, the divisios! to whi'-h 
Howe's brigade was attached, was ordered to report 
to O. O. Howard, then lighting in front of Kenesaw 
Mountain. Embarking on boats, the force reached 
Cairo, where the troops were transferred to boats of 
less draft and steamed up the Ohio and Tennessee 
rivers to Pittsburg Landing, thence marched to De- 
catur. Ala., where it remained several weeks. In 
the meantime. Surgeon Lord's health had become 
comi)lctcly shattered by exposure and liaril work, 
and by the advice of his medical friends he re- 
signed in .September, 1864. having seived three 
3' ears. 

Soon after his arrival in Wisconsin, Dr. l.oiil rc- 
ceivcfl a petition fnim the line ofliccrs of the 13th 
\\'isconsin, the first regiment to which he was at- 
tached, to accept a commission .as surgeon. 
Dr. J. M. Evans, who had been to the regi- 
niLUt an excellent friend and otHcer, w;is luoken 
down in health and had resigned. The same 
was in every sense, true of Dr. .Smith, who 
took Dr. Lord's place in the regiment when he left 
it. Although the Doctor's health seemed im- 
proved under a change of climate, diet anil freedom 
from care, he did not feel like taking a trip to Cen- 
tral Texas, where the 13tli Regiment was ordered. 
After a long rest he entereil into general practice 
and is much attached to his profession. 

Immediately after settling in his old home in 
186,1, Dr. Lord w.as favored by an extensive prac- 
tice in medicine and suruerv. In 187'.). a deleira- 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



337 ..| 



tioii of leading Republicans waited upon him vvilli 
the request that he allow himself to he placed in 
nomination for the Wisconsin Asseinl>ly. Although 
without political aspirations, he consented, was 
noininate<l and elected liy a very flattering majori- 
ty, receiving 1,711 votes, while the Democratic 
candidate received 562 votes, and in his own town, 
out of a idtal of .')if2, he received 4,17. He served 
in the Assemlily of 18«0, and in 18H-2 was elected 
to the Stale Senate for four years, hy a majoritv of 
1,385 in the district and .■5G3 in his town. In the 
autumn of 188f), he was chosen hy the Northwest- 
ern Tobacco Dealers' and (irowers' Association, to 
represent that organization at Washington in an 
effort to obtain a nioditication of the t-uiff on the 
im|)orted leaf tobacco. Several associations were 
also represented in Washington, but tlii' most th.at 
could be accomplished was a ruling by the Secretary 
of the Treasury-, which partially checked fraudu- 
lent entries at the New York Custom House. After 
several hearings, liefore the Committee of Ways 
and Means, a majority of whom were supporters of 
the Free Trade Policy and opposed to any protec- 
tion of iiiilustry, the Doctor became convinced that 
any relief from the 4!)lh Congress was impossible, 
and he left Washington in disgust, .as did the other 
delegates, lie now, in 1881), resides in Edgerton. 
A flue portrait of the Doctor is here given. 



— ^+f^^=f-'-^ 



eOL. EDWARD INMAN. an early .settler and 
prominent farmer of the town of Bradford, 
was born in Luzerne (.'ounty, Ra., on the 
3d day of December. 1822, and is a son of John 
E. and Mary (llannis) Inman. The father was also 
born in Luzerne County, and w.as descended from 
one of the pioneer families of Pennsylvania. The 
great-grandfather of our subject was born in Con- 
necticut of Hnglish ancestors, and with his seven 
sons emigrated to Wyoming, Pa., in the earlj' settle- 
ment of that valley. P'ive of his sons were killed 
in the Indian Massacre of Wyoming in 1783. The 
maternal grandfather of Mr. Inman was a native 
of Holland, and emigrated to America about 
177(;. 

The sul)ject of this sketch was reared to manhood 



I^^ 



on his father's farm, and on reaching maturity en- 
gaged in merchandising at Wilkes Rarre. While re- 
siding in that city, on the 8lh of Alaich, 1852. he 
led to the marriage altar Miss .Margaret . I. .Muchlcr, 
a daughter of George and Margaret (Santee) Much- 
ler. The lady was born in Luzerne Count3-, Pa., 
in November, 1832. and two children graced their 
union, born to tliera in Wilkes Barre — Jessie E. and 
jNIaggie .1., the latter now the wife of l''lovd D. 
Murdock, of Jancsville. 

Mr. Inman continued merchandising for twelve 
years, at the end of which time he emigrated to 
Rock County, Wis., in 1857, settling in the town 
of Bradford, where lie still resides. He is now the 
owner of 5(j() acres of land in the town of Brad- 
ford, which is in a high state of cultivation, and 
comprises one of the best farms of the township. 
Seven children came to gladden the home in Rock 
County, by their presence — Harry L., who was born 
March 22. 1858, and is now residing on the home 
farm; Hattie, born Nov. 27, 1859, died .Ian. 13, 
18GU; Lola C. w.as born Nov. 17, 18(;2; E. Ray, 
the present Clerk of the Municipal Court of Rock 
County, was born .luly 25, 18G4, and became a 
student at Milton College, which he attended for 
two and a half years, but did not finish the course. 
He then engaged in teaching for a year, after which 
he entered the law office of Erwin iV Benedict, of 
Milwaukee, counsellors at Patent law, and after 
reading in that office for a period of two years, 
came to Janesville, and on the 15th of August, 
1887, was appointed clerk of the ^Municipal Court. 
In politics he is a Republican. Ira Irving, the next 
child, was born Oct. 17, IStiO; Cora Blanche was 
born March 22, 1872, and Roy Clautle wag born 
Jan. 1; 1878. 

Mr. Inman w.as a uieuiber of the .Masonic and 
Odd Fellows' Orders in Wilkes Barre, Pa., and in 
early life was a Whig in politics, taking an active 
part in the supi)ort of his political faith, and w.as 
([uite influential in securing success for his party. 
He received a commission as Colonel from (Jov. 
William F. Johnston after a hard fought political 
campaign, and was assigned to the Governor's Staff. 
Col. Inman is known as one of thesuecessful farm- 
ers of Bradford Township, and is now an earnest 
Repuldican in politics. For twelve years he served 



4 



338 



-•» 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4. 



in the office of Justice of the Peace in Brarlford, 
was a member of the School Board for the same 
length of time, and served several years as a iiiem- 
her of tlie Town Board of Supervisors. 



^^ 





ANIEL M. HOWLEY, now retired, w.as 
for many years a leading business man of 
Kvansville. lie is one of the early and 
well-known settlers of Union Township, 
haviuii located permanently in Rock County in 
1«4». and is a native of the Empire State. He was 
born in Aurora, Erie County, in 1825, and is the 
son of Charles Rowley, who was born in Swanton. 
Franklin County. Vt.. on the 3d d.ay t)f April, 
IT'.x;. The Rowley family in America was founded 
bv three brothers, who settled in this country dur- 
ing the early colonial days. Charles Rowley, when 
a lad of eleven years, left his native state .and 
went to Western New York with his father, who 
continued to reside in that community until his 
death, which occurred at the home of his son, Mil- 
ler Rowley, in Castile, X. V. His wife. Phosbe 
Rowley, had departed this life in Aurora several 
years previous. They wore the parents of six- 
children, five sons and on>' daughter, namely: 
David, Daniel, Charles, Miller, Isaac and Xaomi. 
all of whom have (m-sscd aw.ay. 

The fiilher of our subject was reared to manhood 
in Western New York and served his country dur- 
tlie War of 1812. lie and his brother David were 
among the troops at Buffalo, when that city was 
burned by tlu; British on the 31st day of Decem- 
ber, 1813. The poi)nlation of that time numbered 
but two hundred inhabitants. He followed the 
occupation *>f farming during the greater part of 
his life, and while residing in New York wedded 
Miss Cynthia Harmon, who was born in Washing- 
ton County in 18011. and was the eldest daughter 
of Rev. Elias Harnnin. They began their domestic 
life in their native State, and to them were bom 
four children, three sons and one daughter, all of 
whom are now deceased, with the exception of 
Daniel M. Mrs. Howley deiiarted this life in 1836 
and in 1839 IMr. Rowley was again married, his 
second union being with Harriet Randall, by whom 

4* 



he had two children, Charles Miller and Emma C, 
the latter j'et living. Mr. Rowle3- continued to 
reside in the St.ate of New York until 18;j(i, when 
accomp.anied b^' his family he removed to Rock 
County, Wis., and settled on a farm in Union 
Township, where he resided f*>r several years, when 
he sold out, bought a home in Evansville, and there 
lived until the time of his death, which occurred 
on the 9th daj- of February, 1888. when nearly 
ninety-two years of age. He w.as an upright, hon- 
orable industrious citizen, winning and retaining 
the respect of all who knew him. The soul of 
honor, his word was as good as his bond. He wa.s 
a man of strong religious convictions, for more 
than sixty years was a consistent member of the 
Baptist Church, and was one of the organizers of a 
church of that denomination at Aurora, Erie 
Co., N. Y.. it being the first organized societj- 
of Baptists on the Holland Purchase. His earnest 
Christian life w.as in perfect harmony with his pro- 
fessions and to the end of his d:iys he was a faith- 
ful servant of his Master. 

Daniel M. Rowley, the subject of this sketch. 
and the only surviving son of the family, passed 
the days of his boyhood and youth in New York, 
and after attaining to man's estate, at the age of 
twenty-three years was united in marriage with 
Miss Calista Wells. Not long after, accompanied 
by his young wife, he emigrated to Wisconsin, and 
became a resident of Union Township. He was 
prominently identified with the early educational 
interests of Rock County-, and the years following 
his arrival engaged in teaching. He taught on 
the present site of Evansville many years before 
the town was platted, and successfully pursued that 
profession for many years. 

In the spring of 1849, Mr. Rowley made his first 
purcluise of land in Rock County, consisting of 
eighty acres in Union Township, continuing to re- 
side on that farm until 18.')l. when he removed to 
.lug Prairie, where he made his home until 18(18, 
that year witnessing his arrival in Evansville, .-is 
one of its permanent citizens. For a number of 
years he engageil in the boot and shoe business, 
also engaged in merchandising in other lines, and 
for several years was connected with the l)anking 
interests of Evansville, in connection with L. T. 



■•► 



k 



ROCK COUNTY. 



339 



f 



I'ullen. ()btaiiiiiij»- a charter in 1870, they organ- 
ized u imlioiiMl bank of wliich lie served as cashier 
and for one ycarfiHi'd tin; otlice as president. lie 
is one of the reiirescntative linsiness men of Rocit 
Connty, and lias lioiiie no inconsiderable jiart in 
the promotion of the best interests of the coramn- 
nity in which he has so lonsj resided. He has been 
especially interested in llie cau.M' of education, .and 
for nine years was a meiid)er of the School T5oard 
fif Kvansvilie, serving for a consideralile time as 
chairman of tiiat Imdw In religious attiliations, 
ho is a memt)ci' of the Baptist Church, and has ever 
been a lilieral sui)porler of the gospel, and a sin- 
cere believer in the religion of Christ. In politics 
he is a Republican, ardently supporting the princi- 
l)les of that parly. He has served on the Board of 
Supervisors, was Justice of the Peace for many 
years, and ilischarged his odicial duties with 
promptness and tidclily. 

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rowley one child 
was born, a daughter. Kmma ,].. who is now the 
wife of Alonzo C'oburn (!ray, of Evansville. 



,.,! LKXAXDKR RICHARDSON, of the linn 
( @yLll i of Richardson A' Xorcross, shoe niannfac- 
lurers, of .lanesville. was born in Kdin- 
burgh, Scotl.'inil. on the /Jth of Februarv, 
1847. His parents were Alexander and Klizalieth 
(Witherden) Richardson. The father was born in 
Selkirk, and was a prominent drygoods merchant 
of Kdinburg. He emigrated with his famil\- to 
America, m 1X4',). in a sailing-vessel, landed at 
Boston, and came to Wisconsin the same year, set- 
tling in the town of Porter, Rock Count}', on a 
farm, and was killed, on the Kth of. .lanuary. liS.')3, 
by the upsetting of his wagon on an icy road. He 
was a man of superior intelligence, high moral 
char.acter, and possessed the energetic, thrifty 
habits of his nation. His widow, wlio was born at 
Dover, Kngland. survives her husband, and resides 
at .lanesville. where she is highly esteemed and re- 
spected for her mnny excellencies (>f character. 

The subject of our sketch came to Rock County 
witii ids parents and was reared upon a farm, re- 
ceiving his education iu the district school. At 



4~ 



the age of eighteen he began his business educa- 
tion .IS clerk for George V. Taylor, of Madison, 
Wis., dealer in boots and shoes. He continued 
with him until 1H71, when he came to Janesville 
an<l bought out Kvan Thomas in the same line, 
since which linu< he has carried on that business. 
Mr. Richardson has in.ade a marked success from 
the start, opening branch houses in various eities,and 
besides organized and conducted an extensive shoe 
manufacturing establishment at -lanesville. He has a 
large house at LaCrosse, Wis., under the tirni name 
of Richardson it Frey ; .another at Rockford, 111., 
under the style of Riiharilson iV- ,\rris: am^ still 
another at Xeenali, Wis., under the firm name of 
Richardson A- Lepper; while at Janesville he h.os 
the largest shoe store in the city, under the name 
of the Richardson Shoe Company. In ISK.") Jlr. 
Richardson began manufacturing ladies" line shoes 
at Janesville. whi( h he carrie<l on successfully, and 
later forn\cd the existing partnership with Capt. 
riiny Norcross. Their factory gives employment 
to from sixty to seventy hands, and turns out 
from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-Hve 
pairs of shoes daily. Mr. K'ichardson is the largest 
retail shoe dealer in the State, besides doing an ex- 
tensive manufacturing and jobbing business. In 
addition to the aliove he owns and carries on the 
business of the Empire Cross Spring Company, of 
Janesville, which builds all sorts of ro.ad vehicles, 
and gives employment to over forty men. 

Our subject was married at Cooksville, Rock 
Co., Wis., on the 29tli of November, 1S.S4, to IMiss 
Helen R. Porter, daughter of J. R. and Kliza Por- 
ter. Mrs. Richardson was born in Massachusetts, 
and her family were New England people. Thev 
have one daughter and two sons — Clara Porter, 
born Nov. -Ir,, 188:>: Robert P.. Feb. 2.t. 1887; 
.ind Alexander, in April. 18HiS. 

In polities Mr. Richardson is a Democrat, but 
has little time or inclination to serve in otticial 
capacities. He did, however, serve one term as 
M.'iyor of the city, having been elected on the 
Democratic ticket in the spring of 1884. In the 
fall of the same year he was the candidate of his 
parly for the Assembly, but was defeated, as the 
district was strongl}' Republican. He has fre- 
quently taken an active part in political cara- 



1 



■^•■ 



340 



ROCK COUNTY. 



paigns. and is a popular stump speaker. He is a 
member of the K. of P.. Oriental Lodge, No. 22, 
and. toifether, with his wife, is a member of All 
Souls Cburch. Among the public-spirited, en- 
terprising and suceessful business men of .lancs- 
ville, Mr. Richardson stands in the foremo.st rank. 
As a retail de.aler in his line of goods, he is a 
leader in the .State, while, as manufacturers of fine 
shoes, his firm has won an enviable reputation for 
the qualities of their goods and for fair dealings. 

J'f^^ETVAl ALVIN McGllHK. a prominent 
nj citizen of Janesville, dealer in wood and 
,_ f^ coal, was born in Oswego, N. Y., in the 

I \ 3'ear 1838. and is a son of Matthew and 
Nancy ( Dallon) McGuire. His father was a native 
of Ireland, and was there reared and married. In 
about 1829 he emigrated witli his family to Amer- 
ica, and setlled in ( )swego, N. Y., where, until 1847 
he c(jntinned to reside, when he removed to Racine 
County, Wis. After two years, in 18411, he located 
in the town of Wyocena, Columbia County, where 
his death occurred in 18.58, leaving a wife an<l five 
children. Mrs. McOuire is still living and resides 
at .laiiesvilie with her son. Peter .\. .She is now In 
the one hundreth year of her age, having been born 
Aug. 15. 178'.l, and is probably tlu- oldest |)erson in 
Rock County. 

Our subject remained at home until 18G2. when, 
stirred witli patriotii' impulses, he enlisted in his 
country's service in the montli of February of that 
year, and was assigned to Company D of the 19th 
Wisconsin Infantry. The hardships and exposures 
incident to army life undermined his constitution, 
and after eighteen months' service he w.as dis- 
charge<1 on account of disaliility. He has never 
yet recovered his former health, and will probablj' 
ever be a sufferer from the effects c>f his army ex- 
perience. 

,\fler his return from the war Mr. .McCiuire en- 
gaged in the grain business, and was located at dif- 
ferent places in liiat pursuit. Settling in Winne- 
slieik. Iowa, he went thence to Austin, Minn., and 
three years later liecame a resident of Winneb.ago 
City in the same Stale. Two years subsequent to 



that time he removed to Delavan, Fairbault Co., 
Minn., later to Calmar, Winneshiek Co.. Iowa, and 
and in 1878 went to Lawler. Cliick.asaw County ; 
thence in 1881 to Algona. Kossuth County. The 
year 1884 found him in Phillips County, Kan., and 
in November of that year he came to Janesville 
where he has since engaged in business .as a dealer 
iu wood and coal. He is located at No. 101 North 
Academy street, and succeeiled Messrs. Hlair & 
Gowdey on the Chicago, Milwaukee i^' St. Paul 
Railroad in June, 1887. He has built up a good 
trade, and is well worthy of public patronage. 

At Portage City, Wis., on the 2d of June, 1862, 
Mr. McCxuire was united in marriage with Miss 
Celia E. Potter, a daugliter of David Potter, but in 
1874, while resi<ling in Delevan, Minn., the death 
of the lady occurred. One child of that marriage. 
Glennie, is still living. While engaged in busiuess 
at Calmar, Iowa. Mr. McGuire was again married, 
his second union, on the 25tii of September. 1878. 
being with Miss H.attie K. Church, a daughter of 
James Church, who settled in the town of Hock, 
Rock C'ounty, Wis., iu 185(1. Her father was ajia- 
tive of Luzerne County, Pa., and a well-known citi- 
zen of this community, .\fter residing in the town 
of Rock for about twelve years Mr. Ciiurch came 
to Janesville, and for several 3'ears served as Alder- 
man of the city. His wife's maiden name was Sarah 
Van Antwerp, a daughter of .lohn Xnn Antwerp, a 
pioneer settler of Rock County. Mr. Church died 
in Janesville in 1883, leaving a widow and five 
children, namelj' : Hattie K., Cora, .lames, ( )liver P. 
and Elvira V. 

.lohn \'an Antwerp, the father of Mrs. Church, 
and tile grandfatlier of Mrs. McCinire, was born in 
Montgomery County. N. Y.. Nov. 1. 1805. He 
there grew to manhood and wedded Miss Elizabeth 
Carncri>ft, who was born Sept. 15. 1 80I(, and their 
marriage w.as celebrated in 1828. Mr. \'an .Ant- 
werp learned the trade of a boot and shoemaker in 
his youth. Some lime aftei' his marriage he re- 
mained in his native .State, but at length removed 
with his wife to Allen County, Ohio, and thence to 
Shelby County. In 1843, nine years after his re 
mbval to the Buckeye .Stale he came to Hock 
County, Wis., locating in Rock Townslii|i about 
one mile from Afton. where he began making a 







A^t / 




V 



pi^tM^u^ 



-4•- 



■•►■ 



.L. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



343 



home, lie erected .-i .ssiw-mill. wiiieli lie began op- 
erating anil was attaining to a good degree of suc- 
cess wlien deatli called liiiii from tliis eiirtli, in 
October, 181G. onlj- ahuiit llnoo years after coming 
to Rociv County. He left a wife, and six cliildreu 
between the ages of two and a half anil fifteen years, 
the famil3' conijjrising three sons and three daugh- 
ters, all of whom are living, as follows: Mrs. Cath- 
erine Alger, of Nebraska; LaFayettc, a resident of 
Rock Co\intv; Mrs. S.-irah Church, of Janesville; 
D.'ivid who is living in Nebraska; Lottie and I'^rauk 
nf Monroe, (irccii CO.. Wis. After the deatli of 
her first husband Mrs. \'an Antwerp became the 
wife of ,\brain Halter, a native of Niagara County, 
N. V. lie also (lied many years ago. They had 
one son. William U'.'iftcr of .lauesville. 

Ml', and .Mrs. Metiuire have been the parents of 
two children — IJalph and Herbert Ray. The latter 
dicil ill iufaiii'V. During his residence in Kansas, 
ill ISftl, a sore .•illliction visited Mr. Me(!uirciii 
the li»s of a Sdii. W.-iller Fluyd. uliu died .'il Ihc 
ai,re of lightecn yeais. He was a most pioniising 
\(inng man, had just gi-adiiated from the Cedar 
Kapids liiisiiu'ss College, .'iiid a bright ful ure seemed 
open befiire him. Hi> hiss was a urrat ;illliit idii 
to his father. 

.Mr. Mctiiiire holds a pew in the l!:iptist Clnirch 
of .buiesville. where his family attend. He is a 
dcmitted Mason, and has been associated with the 
I. (). (). I", and C. A. K. 



^d.MoTHV .lACKMAN.an early settler and 
iiilliiciiti.il business man of Janesville. was 
_ liorii ill Oneida County, N. V.. in KSdil, and 
was the son of Stillm.an .lackm;iii. He was reared 
on a farm, and soon after attaining his majority, 
was united in marriage with .Miss Esther Coojier, 
of Saraliig;! County. They made their home at 
lloiiseville, Lewis County, N. Y., where Mr. ,laek- 
iiKiii was engaged in hotel-keeping and fanning. 
Koiir sons and two daughters were born of their 
uuioii. Noyes, the eldest, married Adelaide Locke, 
and is now eng.aged in farming in the town of Har- 
nioiiy. Rock County, Wis. ; Mary J., tlii! eldest 
daughter and second child, is the wife of 'I'homas 



Lappin. a retired merchant of Janesville; Hiram 
wediled Harriet Coatsworth, and resides in Chicago; 
Benjamin, who went to California during the ex- 
citement of the first gold discoveries, died in that 
.State in 1849; John, the yiuingest son, w.^s twice 
married, his first wife being Lorinda Sopher, and 
after her death he wedded .Sarah Roberts; he died 
in Carpentersville, III., in 1K83; Sarah, the young- 
est, died in childhood. 

In 1841 Mr. Jackman lost his wife, whose death 
occurred at llousevilli!, in November of that year, 
and the following year, he was again married, his 
second union being with Marcia M. Smith, daughter 
of Jesse Smith. They became the [lareiits of four 
children. ,m1I sous — Fred, the eldest, married Miss 
Mary McNeal, and became a resident of California, 
where he made his home until his death in 1K«I; 
Clarence and Claicmont S. vvere twins: the former 
died at the age of eight years, and Claremoiit .S.. 
whose ski'lcli appears elsewhere in this volume, is 
now I'ri'sidciit of the Rock County .\:itional Ii:ink 
of .Janesville; Clarence W., the yonngcsl of the 
f;iinily, who was named for his deceased brother, 
was joinc<l ill wedloek with l,e:iliietl:i McDougal, 
and is the junior partner of the lirni of II. IJiicli- 
liolz A' Co.. C!uriai;e iiianiifactMreis of .lanesville. 

In ISJ.'i Mr. .Iackm:ui removed with his family 
to Wisconsin, and locateil at Janesville. He be- 
came the owner of large tracts of laud, of whieh, 
in the Course of lime, he made several line farms. 
After his ariiv;il in this city he also eng.aged in 
hotel-keeping, and for a short time was proprietor 
of the Stage House. He leased and operated the 
I'.ig Mill for a year, and, finding this profitable, he 
with his partner. Shubel W. Smith purchased the 
l-Mnner's Mill, which they f>|)erated for several 
years, .lackman A' Smith also kept a general store, 
and did a large freighting business, by team, be- 
tween Janesville and .Mihvankce. This was before 
the advent of the railioa<1 in this city. Their store 
was the most extensive inerc.'intile establishment in 
the county .at that time. As he accumulated cn])i- 
tal. he associated himself with other parties and 
organized the Hock County I'.ank, now the Rock 
Count}' National Rank, of which he was I'lesident 
during his lifetime. A history of that institnlioii 
ai)[ieais elsewhere in this work. He also built, in 



344 



ROCK roiNTY. 



^ 



i-oinpany witli Mr. Smith, wb:it is now the Jackniaii 
Ulock, one of the largest an(1 finest busini'ss Mocks 
in tlio city, and erocteil what is now llie Hogers 
Ilonso, which was his resilience anil llic olil liomc- 
steatl. Mr. .laiknian came west with i>liick ami 
energy as his means of ailvancement. and while his 
capital was small on his arrival at .lanesvillc. by his 
energetic and well direct<Ml eflforts he soon won a 
foremost pl.ue among the wealthy men of the city. 
I Ic W!is enterprising, yet conservative, and possetised 
remarkable business ability and a genius for seiz- 
ing a tavorable i>p|x>rtunlty and making the most 
of it. In his day there was not his sn|)erior in the 
city, as a tinancier, or one possesse<l of siner con- 
victions on matters of business jHilicy. 
f! In politics. .Mr. .lackman was a Republican and 
an earnest and |>atriotic citizen, yet was never de- 
sirous of holding public ollice. His interest in 
numicipal affairs led him to serve several limes in 
the I'omuinn t'onncil, where his judgment w:vi much 
respected, and his intlueucc always exerted in the 
direction of wholesome legislation. I lis success in 
life was no accident, b\it the result of intelligent 
forethought and untiring energy. r|>right and 
honorable in his intercourse with his fellow-men, 
he commandiHl the confidence and respect of those 
wluKse go<Ml opinion was worth having, and if he 
made enemies, it was among the shallow-minded 
who let their jealousy blind their judgment. Mr 
Jackman passed away on the i:Uh of .\ugusl. 1J<GS. 
in his sixty-eighth year. Ilis wife surviveil him, 
and ditMl at .lanesville on the "i^id day of Novem- 
ber, 1 S8S, at the age of seventy-tive years. An 
excellent portrsiit of this pitmeer business man is 
shown ujK>n another pjige. 



"■• ' 'L ■ i*" 



W!»S 



fJ^^KNRY .V. DOTY, of .lanesville. AV 

)l| )jj born in this city June .'>, 18i;i. :\nd is a son 

i^^ of K/.ra r. ami .Vbbie (.Vustin) Doty. Ilis 

l^^ father was born in l.ockpiirt. N. Y., and his 
mother at Sodis Il;iy, on Lake Ontario, N. Y. Ilis 
parents came to .lanesville in If<4(». Henry w.as 
educated in the city schools, and graduated from 
the t'ommercial College of .lanesville, in the class • 
of 1807. He learned the machinist's trade and be- i 



gan business with his father in the Doty Manufac- 
turing Company's \Vt)rks. of which he wsis Treas- ■ 
nrer ami General Man.-iger from 18f.;) to 187:5. 
He then bought the Doty Mill, which he rebuilt the 
following year, and oiH-ratcd until 1881, when it 
was burned; but he rebuilt again, ami operated un- 
til 1883. In 1884 he established the II. A. Doty's 
15ox Company, which he had the management of 
until he sold «uit in 188*). 

Mr. Doty luis been twice married. On the I'.'ith 
(Lay of .September, 1872, he weddeti Mi.ss Klla .1. 
I.appin, who was lx>rn in .lanesville. and was a 
daughter of Thomas and .Mary .1. (.lackman) Lap- 
pin. Her death in-cnrred Sept. "J 1, 1873, leavinir 
ona child. 'riu>mas II.. wIk> dietl at the age of (uie 
year. He w;is again married Oct. 3(>, 1877, his 
second unitm being with Miss Mary Ksther Lappin, 
a sister of his former wife, who was also born in 
.lanesville. 'riiey have one son, Laurence L., who 
was born Sept. U. 1881. Mr. and .Mrs. Doty are 
members of the Kpiscopal Church. In his |H~>litical 
sentiments, he is a Republican, but has never sought 
or desired public otlice, his interests having een- 
t^M-ed in his business and the building up of the 
manufacturing industries of .lanesville. The llox 
Manufacturing Kstablishmeut, of whii'h he w.-ts the 
founder, has grown to be one of the important in- 
dustries of .lanesville. antl Mr. Di>ly is rei-ogni/.ed 
as a thriving and enterprising business man of the 
citv. as well as one of her most highly respected 
citizens. 




.\. LI 1U5Y. editor of boththc £'(i<«7w/s«' and 
the Tribune.of Kvansville. Wis., is a native 
_ of New Hampshire, born in Oreat Falls 
on the (ilh of Novendicr. 181(;. I'ntll nine years 
of age he resided in his native State, when, in 
IS.'i.J. he came with his parents to Kvansville. Roek 
Co., Wis.. His primary education, received in the 
common sclnH)ls, was supplemented by a course at 
the Kvansville Seminary. When the war broke 
out, it stirred the patriotic feeling slumbering in 
his breast, and, though then too young to enlist, he 
waittnl until 1S('.4. when he enlisteil at Madison .as 
a private in Company D, 40th Wisconsin Infan- 
try, lb' remained in the service until hunorably 






-4*- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Ub 



disi-liarged by reason of expiration of tonu of sir- 
"vice, and durinsj that time rci'eivod a siinstroko 
and I'outracted a olironic disease, which |)einia- 
nontly affected iiis health. 

On the tUh of Xovenilier, I8(!;), Mr. I.ibby w.as 
uniteil in marriage witli Miss ],iicilla Cranihdl, 
wi-.o was born .July l".*, KS.'iO. Dmiiii;- llie sprinjj' 
after their marriage he reiiu)ved with his young 
wife to Kansas, wliere he nia(le ids liome for tliree 
yeare, and at the expiration of that lime returned 
to Kvnnsville, wiiere he lias since continued le re- 
si(1e. Since 1S81 he has been editor and manager 
of tlie Kvansville local papers, the Enterprise and 
the Trihune, and has m.ade a success of that line 
of work. Socially, he is a charter member of '!". 
I,. Sutphen Post. (i. A. K.. of Kvansville, and is a 
respected and worthy citizen. 

The children born to .Mr. and .Mrs. l.ilibv are 
live in number, four sons and one daughter, as fol- 
lows: Fred N.. born Dec. 30, 1871; Mary Alice 
and .Mnion Melvin. twins, .Ian. ID. 1H74; an(1 liurr 
.\ncel. .Vug. IS. ;s,Sl. They lost tlioir youngest 
child, \\o\. who WMs boru ( )cl. '■>. ISSl. :iu(I died 
Aug. ;i, 1S8(!. 

Mrs. I.ibby is a daughter of Daniel (laudiill. 
.me of the pioneer settlers of Uock (duutv. lie 
came to Wisconsin in 1 S I 1, emigrating from (hc- 
naugo < ounty, N. Y.. and settled in the town of 
I'luon. where his death occurred .Vug. ;51, 1802, at 
the age of forty-five years. His widow is now liv- 
ing in Magnolia Township with her brother, Jona- 
than Cook. 




y 



(\1 IVILLIAM H. AN'DRK.a promineiil and iu- 
/' lluenlial farmei', residing on sei'tion 18, 
Turtle Townslnp, and a pioneer of 18-l(!, 
was born .March 17, 183;i, in Wilkesbarre, I'a.. and 
is a son of I'eter and Julia (iVlinich) Andre. His 
parents were both natives of the Keystone SljiU', 
but of (German descent. Peter Andre followed 
the occupation of farming thronghoni his life, aud 
remained a resident of Pennsylvania until aboiit 
the year 18;M, when he removed to Seneca County, 
Ohio, and rented a farm in that then wild and un- 
settled region. lii ISKl he again ch.'uigcd his pl.Mcc 



of residence, this time taking up his abode in Lu- 
cas County, Ohio, which was then on the frontier. 
The eventful and exciting life of a pioneer was 
exactly suited to his nature. In the midst of the 
heavy tindier he erected a little cabin, and de- 
veloped a farm. He always had a great love for 
huuliug, and there had ample opportunity to in- 
dulge his taste, as large numbeis of deer had their 
haunts in that region. Our subject also became an 
expert with the rille, ami brought down many a 
fine animal which furnished them tViod for many 
meals. In islii Mr. .Vndre again selling out, con- 
tinued his journeys Westward, until reaching 
Rock County, Wis., where he purchased the farm 
now known .as the P.urr Robbins place. .Vs the 
l:ind did not pro\ c to be lirst-class, he soM and 
lioughl a farm on the Madison road in Center 
Township, to which lie removed in 1817. but 
hardly had he got settled in his new home, 
when death visited the pitmecr cabin, claiming him 
as the victim; he died in July, 1817. He was 
a quiet, unassuniing man. who leeeived the lespect 
of all who knew him, and though not a member of 
any church, each Sunday nioruiiig found him with 
his r>ible in his iHicket, on his way to the nearest 
house of worship. He also gave liberally to the 
suppt>rt of the gospel, ami performed man^' acts of 
kiiulness which will long be remembered. His ex- 
cellent wife is still living, and has since wedded 
.lohu Rice, a pioneer farmer of Turtle Township. 
liy her first m.arriage she became the mother of two 
children: William H., of this sketch, and Hlr/a- 
betli, wife of S. 1,. Keinmerrer, a resident of Iiide- 
tieudeiue, lowii. 

The early lite of our subject was spent upon the 
frontier, .and his education was begun in the log 
school house of Lucas County, Ohio. Since 1816, 
he has been a resident of this county. .Vfter the 
(U'ath of his fatlie'r in 1847, he began working by 
the month as a farm hand, and for three terms at- 
tended the district school <luring the winter. In 
this county, in 18.')|, he wedded Miss Klenora 
Klorey, who w:is born in Northampton County, 
Pa., and is a daughter of Jacob and Klizabeth 
(Keinmerrer) Florey. Her parents came to this 
county about the year 18 18, and resided in Turtle 
Township until I 88 I. when the cle:ilh of the husband 



r^ 



t 



J. 



34C 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-t 



occurrerl. His wife is now living with our sub- 
ject. By tlie uni(H) of Mr. and Mrs. Andre six 
fliildren were born, four of wliom are living. Ad- 
dison C, born Sep^ 11, 1855, learned the carpen- 
ter's and joine'-'s trade and is now a tine work- 
man ; Albert, May 3, 1857, is a hardware merchant 
of IJeloit; Elsie, Sept. 9. 1864, and Archie. Sept. 
15, 1877, are still with their parents. One child 
died in infancy; and VV'illinin .I..l.i(>rii Oct. •'!, 18(!1. 
died April 28, 1878. 

After his marriage, ftlr. Andre purchased a farm 
of 105 acres of partly improved land, situated on 
section G. Turtle Township. He at once began the 
work of cultivation and impi-ovement, which he 
continued until 1805, when he was forced to aban- 
don agricultural pursuits on .account of failing 
liealth. He then made an extended tri|) through 
the States and Territories of the AN" est, iind at 
length located in Butte City, Mont., wiierc he en- 
oaged extensively in mining. He remained in the 
West until 1871, when, his liealth h:iving been 
fullv restored, he returned to his liome and again 
turned his attention to his farming interests which 
he still continues, lie is now the ownci- of 19:! 
acres of fine land which pay tribute to his c;ue and 
<;ultivalion. In his extensive travels no other lo- 
cation seemed so desirable as liis home in Kock 
County, where he has resided, with the exception 
of the time mentioned, for the p:ust forty-two 
years. Many improvements have been made in 
town and county since then; in fact, nearly the 
whole work of development and progress is em- 
braced wilhiii that pcriocl. On his first visit to 
.lauesville he found a little hamlet comprising one 
drug store owned by Mr. Kdsou. a sm:ill grocery, 
the property of Mr. (lillctt, and a few little c.-ibins. 
Scarcely could he have im:iglne<l the rapid changes 
which have Iransfcuined that little village into 
the manufacturing and commercial nu'liopolis of 
Southern Wisconsin. The lirst election which oc- 
curred after his arrival, the i>eople came Hocking 
from all parts of th.e county, all casting their bal- 
lots at one place. From those earl\ days until the 
present time, Mr. Andre has been identified with 
the history of the county, an<l has borne his part in 
the advancement of its'interests. lie .afliliates with 
the Republican party, and has held varicjus town- 



ship offices, but would never accept more impor- 
tant positions. The honest, upright lives of Mr. 
and Mrs. Andie have won the confidence of all. 
while they are held in thi' highest regard by many 
friends. 

"llJASON B. MILLKR, a prominent and influ- 
ential residentof Porter Township, who makes 
his hf)nie on section 12, was born in the 
j Stale of \ermont. His birth occurred on 
the 14th of March, 1830. ilis parents were Levi 
and I.,ois (Sherman) Miller, the former a native of 
Massachusetts, and the latter of the Green Moun- 
tain State. His father followed the occupation of 
farming throughout his entire life. When cjidte a 
young hid Levi Miller removed with his parents 
to Vermont, and assisted his fatliei- in the develo))- 
ment of a farm. The educational ad\antages which 
he received were those afforded by the common 
schools, and. aflcr attaining his majority, he tuiiied 
his attention to agri<-ultMial pursuits, purciiasiiiij 
140 acres of land, which he opi'rat(M| nntil the fall 
of IS lit, when he sold out, and. with his f.-imih'. 
came t(» the West, settling in I'orler Township, 
Rock County. I'nrchasing forty acres of l:ind, he 
placed it in the hands of his son .lason, who en- 
gaged in its cultivation. He continued with our 
subject, a respected and esteemed citizen, until his 
death. 

The children born to Levi and Lois .Miller were 
seven in number, as follows: Knnly, who is now 
the wife of .lolui Alvis, is a resident of .lanesville; 
.Sherman L. is now living in Oregon; Lucy ni.akes 
her home in Northern Wisconsin ; Laura wedded 
.loscph Pjevens. and resides in Milton .lunetioii; ,1. 
1'. is a citi/.i'ii of AVest Mitchell, Iowa; Jason, of 
this sketch is the sixth in order of birth; Chester 
H., the youngest of the f.-nuily, iii:ikcs his home in 
Faribault, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Le\i Miller were 
meinliers of the Baptist Church, and gained many 
warm friends in the comniimity where they resided. 
In political .sentiments he w.as a Republican, ami 
felt an interest in the welfare and success of th.at 
parly. He passed to his final rest .March 1 1, LSOl!, 
and W!W interred in Fassett Cemeteiy, at Kdger- 
ton. His wife, who w.-is a most estimalile lailv. 



•► 1 1^^ 



KOCK COUNTY. 



347 ' ^ 



4 



survived licr liusliaml until tlie 18tli of Novem1x'i\ 
l.S.s."), wlu'u, she, too, wns callod liimu'. 

( )iii- sulijt'ct is uuMilirii'il aniouii; the early set- 
tlcis of Uocli County, datiiii;' his residence from 
IS 1st, when iiis parents came here with their 
family. For sunie lime he engai^ed in operating 
his father's farm of forty aeres, and in eonneetion 
cultivated a tract of eighty acres, whicOi he pur- 
chased in 1S,')(). In ISC),'! he further extended the 
boundaries of iiis farm liy the purchase of seventj'- 
tive acres, making in all a total of 195 acres, al- 
though he has since disposed of lift^' acres. The 
littler cabin of pioneer da\s was replaced, in l<S!S4. 
by 'I fine two-story residence, which, with other 
useful and beautiful iuipro\enienls, m;ikes his farm 
one of the best to lie found in the vicinity. JMr. 
Miller is one of the self-made men of Rock 
(dunly. When starling out in life, his cash capilal 
consisted of only ^.'>Vi, but he has steadily workeil his 
way upwards to a position of ease and affluence. 
In connection wilh gener.il farming he carries on 
toliaeco raising, and has been very successful in 
that line of business. Ills stock is of the best 
grades, every im[irovenieut necessary to a well- 
regulalt'd farm has been made, and the entire snr- 
ronn<liugs indicate the thrift anil entcrpri.se (f 
owner. Mr. Miller has lilled \;uions oflices, dis- 
charging his duties in a prompt and able manner; 
was Superintendent of Porter Township, filled the 
otiice of Assessor, and, after several terms, at dif- 
ferent iutei'vals has been Chairman of the Hoard of 
Supervisoi's. 

On the l;!lh of October. IKIIO. Mr. Miller was 
united in marriage with Mi.ss Dorcas Barlier, who 
is a native of Chemung County, N. Y. Eight chil- 
dren have been born of the union of this worihy 
couple; Mildred G.. the eldest, who was born Sept. 
2.'5, ISGl, is now the wife of A. 1'. Nichol.son, a 
dentist of Ivlgertfm, AVis.; Flora, born July 27. 
18(;.'5, is now decea.sed; Loie is also deceased; Fan 
nie, born Dec. .'il, 1807; Frank 11.. Nov. 2(1, ISli!); 
Ficd S., March i. 1871; Clifforil P. is now de- 
ceased; and Maud K., born Oct. 10, 1878, is the 
youngest of the fanuly. The children have all re- 
ceived liberal educations, having had the advan- 
tages of college and normal courses, and bid fair 
to become useful and honor.able men and women. 



During his long residence in Pock County Mr. 
Miller has alwa\s luutributed liberally loward (he 
advancement of any enterprise for the public wel- 
faie. lie is well known throughout the comnui- 
nity, is respected by all with whom business or 
pleasure have bi-ought him in contact, and is a 
valued citizen. I'olitically. he is a supporter of 
the K'epublican [larty. 

Mrs. Miller's parents are Augustine .-iiid Frances 
(J. (llayden) llarber, the former a native of Con- 
necticut, and the latter of Pennsylvania, though 
after their marriage they resided in the State of 
New '\'ork until they came west to W^isconsin in 
the year 180G, and are now residing in Fulton, 
Pock Countj'. 

^ or>o . 




4»- 



oCx>' 



A\1D P. MILLER, a settler of Rock 
County of 1856, and proprietor of a livery 
and feed stable in Beloit, was born in 
Colcrain, Franklin Co.. Mass., June 2:?, 
His parents, David and Sally (Patterson) 
were also natives of the same county, and 
family of nine children, six of whom are 
living: Thomas and David P. are residents of 
Beloit; Robert is living in F't. Scott. Kan.; Sarah 
is (he wife of Perry Whipple, of Cheshire, Ma.ss.; 
Jane is the wife of Curtis Cleveland, of Rochelle, 
111.; Eli/abcth wedded David Eddy, a resident of 
North Adams. Mass. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller were nK'uibeis of the Congregational Church. 
Politically, he was an old-line Whig, and a great 
admirer of Henry Clay and Daniel W'ebster. Iiis 
death occurred in Franklin County, Mass., in June, 
1855, and the following year his wife came to Wis- 
consin, and icsided a few years, and then returned 
to the East and wedded a .Mr. Whipple, of Lanes- 
boro, Mass., where she departt'd this life in 1 875. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life 
in his native county, and received a liberal educa- 
tion in the (ireenfield Academy. When fourteen 
yeais of age he was apprenticed to the tailor's 
trade for si.\ years, receiving as compensation his 
board and clothes, until the last eight months of 
his servitude, when he bought the remainder of his 
time, for which he had to pay a lionns of ^200. In 
18:17 he first made a trip to the West, going to 

— •► 



348 



-•^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



U 



4 



Marshall, Mich., in the employ of a Mr. Belding. 
but not lieini: satisfled in that community, he 
returned to Jlassachusetls, and opened a merchant 
tailorinji cstalilii'hmcnt He secured a large and 
valuable trade, and followed thai (lursuit for nine- 
teen years. 

In 1840 Mr. Miller and Miss Mary A. Holmes 
were united in the holy bonds of malrimouy. The 
lady is a native of Franklin County, Mass., born in 
February, 1820, and is a daughter of Capt. Nathan- 
iel Holmes, of New Hampshire. One child was 
born unto them, but die<t in infancy. As before 
stated, Mr Miller settled in Uock County in 185G, 
and soon after his arrival purchased a farm, for 
which he paiil ^^O.OOO. He then engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits for about three years, but for the 
past eighteen years has been engaged in the livery 
business in Heloit. He keeps every accommodation 
in his line for his patrons, and lias built up a good 
business. 

(P^ IHAM W. CATOK, who is numbered among 
W)i, the early settlers of this county, and is a 
1^^' leading farmer residing on section 1 S, Jancs- 
^g) ville 'JViwnship, was born in Dutchess 
County, N. Y., the 1st of Septemlier, 1822. 
His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Drum) 
Calor, who were also natives of Dutcliess 
Counlv. had a family of six children, of which he 
was the youngest. Tiie ileath of the father oc- 
curred in New York, aflcr wliicii the mother re- 
moved with her children to Indiana, where she 
died. 

Our subject was but nine years of age when lie 
removed to Indiana, and in that State he received 
his education. He lirsl came to Rock County in 
1841, passing through Chicago, which was then 
but a small town. Locating at Heloit, he was in 
the employ of the^rm ot Curtis it Saxby, after 
which he became collector for the Seth Thomas 
Clock Company and other manufacturing compa- 
nies, residing in the ineantinu' in Heloit. On the 
15lh day of .lannary. 18.")1, he w:ls united in mar- 
riao-e with Melvina Kimball, the ceremony being 
performed in .Tanesville. The lady was born in 
Batavia, N. Y., and was an adopted daughter of 



<^ 



.lolin and Lucy (Richardson) Kimliall, who were 
natives of the ( ireen Mountain State. Her father 
followed the profession of leaching for many 
3ears and also engage<i in auctioneering. At an 
early day he emigrated to the West, reaching 
.buiesvillc in August, 1847, and there made his 
permanent home, for several years tieing the pro- 
Ijrietor of the hotel known as the New England 
House, but now called the Central. His death ()<•- 
curred in 1884, and his wife departed this life in 
18;)3. He was never an .active [mlitician, but ca.st 
his ballot with the Re|)ublican party. 

Hy the union of Mr. and Mrs. Calor six children 
have been born — John, who is at home; Lulie, now 
Mrs. Davis, of Center Township; Hiram, at home; 
(ieorge, who is married and is engaged in railroad- 
ing, with headrpiarters at Springfield, Mo.; Harry 
and Charley. In 1810 Mr. Calor became the pro- 
prietor of u hotel in Beloit and the owner of an 
entire block, and also kept a livery stable in con- 
ncclion wilh his other liusiness. hi 1848 he was 
elected sheriff of Rock County, and after serving 
one term was re-elected to the same position. 
After serving out his time he removed to his farm, 
having in 1854 purchased IGO acres of land on 
section 18, Janesville Township, which comiiriscs 
his present farm. He now carries on general farm- 
ing, making a specialty of the cultivation of to- 
Ijacco, and also raises u good grade of slock. He 
attiliales with the Democratic [larty and takes a 
deep interest in political affairs. For twenty-si.\ 
years he has served as postmaster at Leyden, first 
receiving his commission from Alex Randall, who 
was postmaster general under President Lincoln. 
Two mails are received daily, one at 6 in the morn- 
ing, the other at 9 A. M. For the accommodation 
of the public there has been built a side tr.ack and 
platform, and the farmers in the vicinity would 
probably do quite a large shipping business there 
if the railroad company would only build a depot. 
Even wilh all the disadvantages they ship fourteen 
carloads, the billing being done at Fellows, thus 
giving that station the credit, when it properly be- 
longs lo Leyden. 

Mr. Calor has always been fond of s|)orts in 
which the rifle is used, and dining the early days 
of his settlement in this county had .-imple oppor- 

■ > 




KOCK COUNTY. 



349 , , 



tuiiity to indulge his taste in this direction, for 
wild game of all kinds abounded. He is numbered 
among Ihe pioneer settlers of tliis ('(lunty, having 
liecorne a lesident in 1811. At lliat time the city 
of Janesville was in its illf:lllc^■, while many of tlie 
now highly iiupnived farms consisteil only of un- 
hroken prairie liuid or a dense Iraet of timher. He 
has witnessed aiinost tiie entire development, has 
participated in its i)rogiess, and has aided in its 
transformation, and to him Koek County owes a 
delit of gratitude which can never be repaid. 




4 



=^\ AMUKL S. OHOUK'N. Postmaster of Mil- 
ton, is a native of Lycoming County, Pa., 
his birth occurring on the 31st of October, 
l.s.iT. His parents, Charles 1>. and K'uth 
(Saxton) 01)ourn, were the parents of seven chil- 
dren, live of whom are yet living: Thomas has been 
engaged in farming in Manpiette County, Wis., 
since IH.'iT; Samuel S.. uf this sketch, is the next in 
order uf birth; Elizabeth is the wife of lsa.ac Wil- 
son, a native of Pennsylvania, now engaged in 
farming in Adams County, Wis., and to them have 
been born five children, as follows: Ruth is the wife 
Merrick Richmond, who is engaged in farming and 
resides in Kagle River, Wis.; Jane, who wedded W. 
.1. Ollson. is a resi<lent of Stephens Point, Portage 
Co., Wis.; Louis and Merrick, the two youngest 
children, died m chihlliood. Jn IHaS Charles R. 
Obouin accompanied by his family migiated to 
to Adams County, Wis., where he engiiged in farm- 
ing, continuing to make his home in that county 
until his death, which occurred in the spring of 
1.S81. His wife, who was a most estimable l.ady, 
died in IHT'.t. 

The educational advantages which our subject 
received were very limited, for at the age of nine 
years he entered his father's blacksmith shop, and 
from that lime on until the breaking out of tlie 
Civil War was engaged at the hardest labor. When 
Ihe President ealleil for troops to put down the re- 
bellion, stirred with p.atriotic impulses he at once 
enlisted in the country's service, becoming a mem- 
lier of Company K, 13th Wisconsin Infantiy, com- 
manded by Cai)l. Pliny Norcross. After drill ing for 

<• 



about one month the regiment went into carap .it 
Camp Treadway, there spending the following win- 
ter, when in February, 18(;2, it was ordereil to 
Kansas. Leaving Kansas in June of 1862, after 
marching about 500 miles in that State, the regi- 
ment was ordered to Columbus, Ky., where it did 
garrison duty for about thirty days, then proceeded 
to Union City, whence it continued on to Moscow, 
Tcnn. They were later stationed at Ft. Henry, 
which h:ul previously been captured, where they 
experienced a great deal trou])le with guerrillas. 

About that time Mr. Obourn was att.acked with 
typhoid fever and laid in the hospital for about two 
months, but nearly six months elapsed before he 
could resume duty. One day while walking on a 
wharf boat he accidentally fell off and sustained 
iujuiiea from which he has never fully recovered. 
That fall disabled him from service for about a 3'ear, 
when he rejoined his command and engaged in the 
skirmish at Hopkins, Ky., and then did duty at 
Forts Donelson and Henry for about a >ear. Pro- 
ceeding to Huntsville, Ala., he participated in the 
engagement at that place, after which he went to 
Stei)henson, Ala., remaining for about a month, 
when he went to Nashville. Three 3oars had 
ela|)sed since he entered the service, and he was 
then discharged but immediately re-enlisted and 
came home on a veteran furlough. .Vt the expira- 
tion of thirty days he went to Nashville, there join- 
ing the regiment, whence he was sent to Stephen- 
sou, Ala., where he remained for about a month and 
was then ordered on guard duly on the Tennessee 
River. After five months spent in this way the 
command returned to Nashville wheie they were 
detached from the main army ami sent on a trip of 
1,000 miles. His regiment formed a part of the tth 
Aiiny Corps, which was returned to Nashville and 
then ordered U) 'i'cxas, where they remained ab(»nt 
six months, during which lime a great many of the 
men died. From S;ui .Vntoida. Tex., they returned 
to .Madison in the fall of l.siJo, and were mustered 
out of service in November of that year. 

After receiving his discharge Mr. Obourn re- 
turned to his home in Roc-k County, and in 1807 
was united in marriage with Miss M. J. Davidson, 
lie engaged at his trade of blacksmithing in con- 
nection with Oliver A. Friddell for fourteen con- 



^^^' 



300 



■«► 



KOCK COUNTY. 



sociitive 3-ears, when the pnrtnersliip was dissolved. 
They {gained :i reputnlioii for I'sccllenl work, iind 
liufses were brought to tliem from all the surround- 
ing countr}', some even from Milwaukee. :i distanee 
of .sixty-two miles. They have shod sonu' of the 
finest trotting horses in the State, and tlir |ii:iis(> 
which they received wa.s rii-hly merited, lu I.H82 
Mr. Oliourn almndoned his trade and entered the 
store of ISIr. Williams as a .salesman, renuiining in 
that position for a year. In 1880 he succeeded 
John A. Spaidding as Postmaster of Milton, which 
otlice he still lills. For eiglit years he served as 
.Justice of the I'eace of Milton, proving an elllcient 
and faithful ollicer. In politics he is an ardent 
supporter of the Democratic party. For a number 
of years he has been a member of the Methodist 
Kpisco|)al Church, and socially, is a niend)er of the 
G. A. R. Post at Milton, in which he is Coniin.inder 
at the |>resent lime. He is well known tlaougl out 
the county, and is a highly resi)ecti'd citizen. 



LI PROCTOH. a leading fanner of La Prai- 
rie Tow)iship, who came to this county in 
the year 1851, was born in Rockingham, 
"N't., in 1811!. He is a sou of .Jones and lletsy 
(Dakin) Proctor, the father a native of Vermont, 
lM)ru of Scoich and Fuglish descent, while his 
nK>thcr, who was a native of Massachusetts, was of 
Scotch origin. Mr. Proctor followed the occupa- 
tion of farming throughout his entire life, his 
death occurring in his native St.ite .at the age of 
seventy-eight years. The mot'ier survived him 
for several years, also dj'ing when seventy-eight 
years of age. The l)lood of an old Ki^volu- 
tionary hero Hows in the veins of our subject, for 
Nathan Proctor, his paternal grandfather, gal- 
lantly aided the Colonies in their struggle for in- 
dependence. Eli w.a.s one of a family of nine children, 
seven of whom are yet living: Sarah, who wedded 
Curti3 Baglej'. died in Putne}', Vt.; Nathan is a 
retired farmer, and resides in Rockingham, \'t.; 
ALiry was the wife of Hiram Carruth, of Urook- 
lield, Mass., and is now deceased; Amos is living 
in Bolton, Mass.; Eli is the next in order of birth; 
.lohn resides in Rockingham, Vt.; .loel makes his 

-^ 




home in Rolton, Worcester Co., Mass.; .Tonas is 
engaged in farming near New Hartfortl, Iowa; and 
Elizabeth is the wife of Aaion Powers, of Rolton. 
Mass. 

Our subject remained under the parental roof 
until the age of twenty 3'e.ars. wiien he left home 
and went to North IJrooklield, Ma.ss., where lie 
served an ai)prenticeship of one year at the shoe- 
maker's trade. This was followed by two years of 
Labor as a farm hand, after which he removed to 
Boston, where he worked in a whiting factory foi' 
one .season. Returning to liockingham. \'l.. he 
purch.ased a farm of 2"20 acres, which he made his 
home until 18,5 4, .it which time lie cmigrateil to 
WisC()nsin. .Settling in Rock Township, he again 
bought a f.nrm, comprising IGG acres, which was 
situated on .section 2, La I'rairie Townshii). He 
has since disposed of eighty acres to one of his 
sons, while his youngest son Ilirnm has charge of 
the home f:uni. 

In isll Mr. ProctiM' was united in in:irri:ige 
with Miss Mary Woodward, who was boiii in 
Spriugtield. \'t., in I82(). and is a daughter of 
Samuel and Mary (Newton) Woodward. Hi-r 
father was a native of X'ermont, born of JMiglish 
parentage, while her mother w.as born in the .State 
of Massachu.setts. He was a member of the Ini- 
versalist Church, and his <leatli occurred in his 
native State at the age of eighty-two. His wife 
was a comnninicant in the Congregational Church, 
and died at the age of seventy-eight years. They 
were the parents of six chddren: .lones, who is 
living iu Springfield, Vt. ; George, now decea.sed; 
Lyman, whose death occurred in N'erniont: Jyucia. 
who wedded tu'orge D:ivis, and died iu Spriugtield, 
\t.; Louisa, deceased wife of .lohn Proctor: and 
Mary, wife of our suliject. 

To Mr. and .Mrs. Proctt>r have been born four 
children : Mary, who became the wife of Mr. Gould. 
of Delavan. Wis.; Adin. a resident farmer of I>a 
Prairie Township; .loel. who is engaged in farming 
in La Pr.airie Township; and Hiram, a farmer of 
the s.ame township. Mr. Proctor alliliates with the 
Democratic parly, and has served as a member of 
the Board of Supervisors. He is one of the self- 
made men of the county, having begun life as a 
poor boy. With his kna|)sack upon his back he 



=h 



^' 



< 




4». 





.-^c-^V. 



^' 




\^ 



^ 

"^^ 



•^ 

^ 

^ 




I 



<^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



353 



loft his lionu", making llio journey on foot to IMa.«- 
sMcliiisi'tls. He eaiiii'il his first money by chopping- 
wooil at Iwcnly-live cents per cord, liut success 
conies to tiiose who earnestly and ililigenlly lalior, 
and lie is now ninid)cred among the wi'li-to-do 
farmers of the county. He has reared a family of 
men and women who do honor to his name, and 
arc ranked ;unon<;- Ihe leading citizens of Ihc scv- 
cr.al commiinilies in which llicy reside. 

A.MKS H. KIliKl'ArKICK, a pioneer farmer 
of liock Counly. now residing on section (!, 
Spring N'alley Township, was horn in Dela- 
ware County. N. Y., July :!1. IH32. His 
father, James Kirk patrick was lioin in Dumfries- 
shire. Scotland, and in 1H2:5 emigrated to .\merica. 
locating in New York City, where he worked for 
tiiroe years. He then rem<jved to Delaware County, 
where he formed tiie ac((uaintance of INIiss Kliza- 
lietli Uurns, and tliey weie united in marriage. In 
lf<l."), with [lis family, following the course of eini- 
gnilion westward, he came to Wisconsin, locating 
on a tract of land which he purchased of Walter 
Smith, who lia<l liuill a log cahin thereon and 
broken about eight acres. 'I'lie farm comprised 
Uid acres, and the pnichase |)rici' w^as Jili'iO. He 
there engaged in fanning until his death, and was 
a leading and intlnential citizen of the community. 
He .served as a member of the IJoard of Supervisors 
for the long period of fifteen years and took great 
interest in the welfare of the conununity and in the 
advancement of its interests. 15y the unif>ii of 
James Kirkpatrick and Ivlizabeth Hums a family of 
seven children was born, as follows: Margaret, who 
became the wife of J. W. Spencer, of Rock County, 
who is a ii.ative of \'ermont. having been boiii 
near Bennington, and now resides on section .'>, 
Spring Valley Township; she died Jan. 2."), 188;(; 
James 15., of this sketch, is the second in order of 
birth; Moses married Mi.ss Janette Smith, a daughter 
of Walter Smith, whose sketch will be found on 
another page of this volume; Mary was taken sick 
while the family were en route for Wisconsin, and 
died at the age of seven years soon after their arri- 
val in 18lj; John became the husband of Miss 



»Vji': 



Eva J. Thomp.son, of Nebraska, and died in Men- 
dota. Wis.; William died at the age of eighteen 
months, in 18 l.i, about the time of his sister .Mary's 
ilealh; Jane m.arried l-"iank M. Thompson, of Ed- 
gar, Clay Co., Neb., and her death occurred in 
December, 188S. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
hood upon a farm and has engaged in agricultural 
pursuits during his entire; life. In 1815 he came 
with the family to Rock County, and remained 
under the parental roof until I8G1, when he wedded 
AH.ss Sarah Jane Adams, who was born in the town 
of Magnolia, March 2(), 1843, but at that time was 
;i resident of Green County', Wis. Five children 
have graced their union, three sons and two 
daughters — Hector D., who was born in 18G5, mar- 
ried Mi.ss Grace Beebe, a native of Wisconsin, and 
now resides in Brodhead, where he is employed .as 
salesman in the Giange Store; Mary w.as thrown 
from a buggy receiving injuries from which she 
never recovered; Lawrence, P^lma and Leon, the 
tliree youngest children, are still with their parents. 
They have all been liberally educated and bid fair 
to become useful ami houoialile men and women. 
Hector giVKlu.ated from the lliodhcad High School, 
after which he attended the S|)encerian Commercial 
S<'liool of Milwaukee for two terms. Lawrence 
has also been a student of the High .School of Brod- 
head and intends to further pursue his studies. 

Mr. Kirkpatrick became the owner of his present 
farm in I8,J5. He sccurcil tiK- land of an Eastern 
company, manufacturers of woolen goods, paying 
^12.50 per acre, and with that energy which char- 
acterizes every undertaking he at once began its 
improvement and development. He s|)lit the rails 
which were used in fenciug. numbering alH)ut 
10,000, and it is estimated that he has split alto- 
gether .about .■)0,000 rails. In breaking the land, 
he used what was called a grub plow, drawn 
by from ten to twelve yoke of o.xen. With this 
the roots of the smaller trees were cut, after which 
the trees were [liled up and burned. The nearest 
market during those pioneer d.-iys was at Milwau- 
kee, where the farmers hauled their grain, for which 
they received only from forty to fifty cents per 
bushel. Dressed pork st)ld from ?;1..'>0 to ^2.50 
per hundred pounds, and prices on the other pro- 



r 



.•5;V1 



■•►Hih-^ 



HOt'K COUNTY. 



•T 



fliifcts of the f:inii were in like proportion. The 
ne.irest grist mill was ;il Beloit, :i distaiu'e of 
Iwciity-foiir iiiilcs. ami llic post ollice was seven 
miles distant. .Mtliougli the ineonveiiienecs to be 
emliireil and the olistacles to he overcome were 
Mianv. the lalxprs at leuy;th hioiiuht their reward 
and tiie early settlers have now the limior of being 
nnmliered among Hock Count\'s pioneers. To 
them is largels due liie present prosiierity, for they 
laiil the foundation of iier greatness. Mr. Kirk- 
patrii-k for the long period of forty-five years ha.s 
been idenlilied with the history of tiic county, and 
lias borne a prominent part in the promotion of 
lier educational, social and moral advancement. 
Progressive and pnlilic spirited, his iiilluenee has 
ever been exerted foi- her welfare and he is regarded 
as one of her leading citizens. In political scuti- 
uu'Ut. he is a supporter of the licpublicau parly. and 
is now serving as chairman of the town Hoard of 
Supervisors. He is a member of J5icknel Lodge, 
No. IM, A. V. i' A. M. of Ih'odhead. ii. wlii-'h he 
has served as .lunior Deacon. 

'l"he portraits of Mr. and Mrs. KirUpatricU are 
given ui)on another page. 



<S[ [fAlAAXM IIKNUEU.SON, a prominent and 
\/\l// i'lHuential farmer, residing on section 23. 
^y^ l>eloit Township, has been a resident of 
this county since 1«54, a peiiod of thirty-five 
years. He was born in Tyrone, Ireland, on the 
'24th day of Deeeiuber, 1809, and is a son of .l.ames 
and .lane (Smith) Ilendcison. His father, though 
a native of .Vianiach, Ireland, was born of Scotch 
parentage. The mother w.os also of Scotch descent, 
though born in County Tyrone. James Hen- 
derson was the fourth in a family of fourteen chil- 
dren born to William Henderson, who with live 
sons, came to America in ISld. While ri'siding in 
Ireland, he engaged in weaving wh.at is known as 
Irish linen, and after his I'niigralion to America, 
followeil weaving, bul subsequently engaged in 
farming in I'erry ('o\inty. I'a.. until his di-ath 
which occurred at the age of eighty-six. His eld- 
est son w.as a I'resbyterian minister, and for sixty 
years labored in the Master's service. His death 

^> 



occurred in Mendota, 111., at the age of eighty-six 
years. 

.lames II. Henderson, the father of our subject, 
emigrated with his family to America in 1810, 
when our subject was but a year old. After resiil- 
ing for some time in Cumlierland County. I'a., he 
reniove<l to Ilobert, Trundiull Co.. Ohio, in l.s.;8, 
where he made his home for twenty years, and then 
removed to .Mendota. 111. In that city his death 
occurred in 18(54, and the following year his wife 
dei)arted this life. They wei-e both meinl)ers of 
the Presbyterian Church, and in various organiza- 
tions of that denomin.'ition Mr. Henderson has 
served as deacon for forty years. He was a sin- 
cere and earnest Christian, his faith in the power 
of prayer was very great, .and at the f;imil\- altar 
ho taught his children to lusk of the Heavenly Ka- 
! tlicL' that which they dcsiiiMl, and to give lliin 
thanks for the blessings received. He also provi- 
ded educational ad\anlages for his children, thus 
lilting them for usefid positions in life. Cnlo Mr. 
and Mrs. Ilcnd'ison was liorn a fanuly of nine 
children, two sons and se\ en danghteis. all of whom 
lived to mature ye:us. William, of this sketch, is 
the oldest in order of liirtli; Sarah wedded (u'orge 
Smiley, of I'erry Co\inty, I'a.. but both are now 
deceased; Amelia died in I'erry County. I'a.: 
Kliz.alK'lh, who is living in Koekton, 111., is the 
widow of .lohn .lewell, who was born and died in 
Trund)ull Count}', Ohio; Margaret wedded Mr. 
Iverney, and liolh died in Brookfield, Ohio; .kani- 
departed this life in Pittsburg, Pa.; Catherine be- 
came the wife of IJenson (ircon. a native of Trum- 
bull Counly, Ohio, who emigrated to Mendota. III., 
and later became a resident of Kansas; Gr.ace. who 
was never married, died in Mendota. 

.lames S. Henderson, the third child of this fam- 
ilv. was a in.an of prominence, .and possessed more 
than ordin.'iry abilit}'. After iecei\ing his primary 
education in the common schools, he l)ecame a stu- 
dent in a school at Cannonsburg, Pa., and lalei- en- 
tered a theological institute at Pittslnirg, from which 
he graduatcil. He became :\ leading minister of tin; 
Pri'sbyterian Church, was the founderof a church in 
Beaver County. Pa., and in that county also built 
a seminary. In 18.5.5, he left his charge at that 
l)lacc and removed to the West, locating in Mendcita, 



1 



-^•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



355 



III., wlicre for many years lie engaged in preach- 
ing, and was also i)rinci|)al of the Presbyterian Col- 
lege until 18(JI, when he departed tliis life. He 
was very suceessful, l)Oth ;uj a minister and educa- 
tor, and during his life did a grand and noble 
work. 

In tlie schools of IVrry Ciiunty, I'a., oui- subject 
received his education. In 18;il,with his knap- 
s.ii'k on his back, and ^12 in iiis [)ocket,he started 
on foot for the State of Ohio, being about three 
weeks in reaching his destination, traveling at the 
rate of aliout forty miles per day. Sto[)piiig at 
Hrooklield, he remained in that town until the fol- 
lowing December, when he returned to Pennsyl- 
vania, with a team wiiich his uncle wished him to 
sell. That vvinter was spent .at his old home, where 
he worki'<l at the carriagemaker's trade, which he 
had learned in i)revioiis years, and in tlie spring of 
lis;52, went to Wilmington, Del., where he sold the 
team for $140, receiving payment in silver. In 
the uionth of May, with that amount in his pock- 
ets, he started from Wilmington to Brookfield,and, 
after delivering the result of his sale to his uncle, 
went to Voungstown, where he worked at his trade 
for two montlis. At the end of that time he pur- 
cha.sed the shop of his employer, cariying on the 
business until .September, 1833, when he was mar- 
ried, and settled on a farm of fifty-three acres, 
which he purchased in Triiuibull County, lie 
also built a carriage shop which he operated in 
conue<aiou with the cultivation of his farm until 
1 8;!'.), when he embarked in mercantile pursuits. 
l'"or about six years Mr. Henderson engaged in 
meichandising in that community, when he re- 
moved hisst(»ck to \'ienua, Ohio, and l;iter to New 
York City, and from thence to Philadel|ihia, where 
he purchased a very large amount of goods, open- 
ing a store in that city, and another in Coliiniltiana 
County, Ohio. He oixjrated both stores until 1846, 
when he sold out his stock in (»ne place, and re- 
moved the remainder of his goods to K.-iirlield. 

Mr. IleudcrsdU h;is always been a strong advo- 
cate of temperance principles, wlille his labor and 
inllnence have always been toward the abolishing 
of spirituous liquors. .Vfter having assisted in 
driving all the saloons out from the town of I""air- 
^' lielii. in 18>7 he removed to Alleghany City. Pa., 



L^ 



where he opened two temperance hotels, which he 
conducted until after the Supreme Court made the 
decision that the temperance Laws, which had been 
carried into effect, were unconstitutional, when, in 
1848, he sold out and became a resident of Butler 
County. I'a. In that community he purch:»sed 
a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits, to- 
gether with the manufacture of carriages. In 1854 
he came to Janesville with a lot of horses and car- 
riages, which he disposed of, and there bought a 
(louring mill. lieturning to Hutler County, he 
sohl his liomestead, and coming b.ack to Rock 
County, he purclnised two farms. Once more re- 
turning to his Pennsylvania home, he settled up 
his business and in the fall of 1855, started back 
to .lanesville with another lot of horses .and car- 
riages. This time he brought his family, and seven 
of his old employes. On .irriving at Janesville 
he at once commenced the manufacture of car- 
riages, and also engaged in the re.al estate business 
and in milling. In 1859 he purchased a farm at 
Crystal Lake, containing 2(>(t .-leres. In IStil he 
made a tri|) to Washington City to witness the in- 
auguration of Aliraham Lincoln. After his return 
to Janesville, he commenced the iiiiprovenient of 
his farm at Crystal Lake, and in September, 18(!1, 
purchased the farm known .-is the ( ^luiible l';iirn, 
consisting of 290 acres on sections ■>'■> and 2 1, lying 
just outside the city limits of Heloit. on the liast 
bank of Rock River, to which he removed and 
where he has since continued to reside. J^uring 
the lirst years of the Civil War, he engaged in the 
manufacture of sash, doors and blinds in Iowa. 
In connection with his fanning interest he owns 
and operates two (louring mills, one at Hobart, 
Lake Co.. Ind., the other seven miles south of 
Warsaw, Ind., near the Tippecanoe battle-ground. 
In the month of September. 18;5;3, in Youngs 
town. Ohio, Mr. Henderson led to the marriage 
altar Miss Kliza Trotter, and of their union ten 
children were born, of which number six attained 
to iiiatuie years. James, who served three 3'ears 
in ttic late war, was killed near Newman, On., in a 
hand to hand light in 1864, while in charge of the 
advance guards; Jane is the wife of Frederick Had- 
diiiger; Mary wedded .Samuel Young, a resident 
farmer of Dakota, Kansas; William is living in 



356 



-•► 



U 



ROC K COUNTY. 



Vinton, Iowa; Sainiu'l is enpfagod in milling in In- 
diana; and (iiacc is the wife of Biiit Wliitinir. of 
Oinalia, Nt'li. On liic Kitli day of August. 1 «.')(), 
lliu dfatli of Die nioUnT oc( lined, aud slii- was laiii 
to rest in the beautiful eemeteiy at .lanesville. 
Wis. Mr. Henderson was again rnarried, Sept. 17. 
1808, becoming the husb.and of Miss Sarah A. 
(^uinn, a lady of higli ciiUuic, who foi- many years 
was a successful teacher in Alabama. To them 
lias been born one child. .lames (;. In 1870 Mr. 
Henderson went to Clilcago. where he engaged In 
llie real estate business, and also operated a mill at 
Ilobarl. Inil.. but remained a resident of tlie former 
city until after the great (ire of 1871, wlien he be- 
came a resident of Ilobart, where he remained un- 
til 1871, at which time lie returned to ills farm in 
Rock Coiiiily. Ill 188(; lie w:is called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, whose ileath occurred 
on the 20111 day of .Vugust. I'"or forty -eight years 
he has been a member of the INIelhodisl Episco- 
pal Churcli. and since itsorgaiiizalioii has supported 
the lieimblicMii party. Though plain and unaS- 
siimiiig. he has ever been a leading anil enterpris- 
ing citi/.eii of the several ((iiiiiiiuiiities in which he 
has resided, and is everywhere known as an lionor- 
aljle, upright man. 

-Jas?^- 




U. LENT BRISTOL I'.RADLEV, dental 
snraeon of Ueloll, Wis., was born In Madi- 



son County, N. Y., .Inly 21. 182it. His 
parents were .lohn .and Eunice (Andrus) 
Bradley, the former a native of N'erinont and the 
latter of New York. They were married In Madi- 
son County. N. Y.. .and unto them were born nine 
children, two of whom are now living. In 1827 
Mr. r>radlcv moved his family to Weslfield. N. Y., 
and in 1839 they emigrated to what was then the 
far West, locating at Roseoe, Winnebago Countv. 
111. Few jjeople to-day know of the hardships in 
traveling which the early emigrants expcrieiK-cd. 
Our subject drove a team over the mountains and 
across the wild and unsettled prairie to Roseoe, 
while the remainder of the family came by water. 
The parents both dle<l In that city. They were ' ley. 



Mr. Bradley held the honorable [K>sition of deacon 
for many years. .\s neighbors, tiiey were accom- 
modating; as Christians, true and faithful; tLs citi- 
zens, lo3'al, and they received the res|)ect of all. 

Onr suliject W!is educated at the academy of 
Wcstfield, N. Y.. and wlieu nineteen years of age 
began the study of dentistry with Dr. Fellows of 
that city, remaining with him for two ye.-irs, when 
he opened an otlice and established business for 
himself. While resiiliiig in Westfleld he was united 
in marriage, In 1838, with Miss (ornella .Vbbntt, 
a daughter of .\sa and Eunice (While) .\bbolt. 
She was a native of .Mbany County, X. Y., born 
In 1818. Three children blessed their union: 
Frances M.. wife of S. F. Jenkins, a proniiiieiit 
business man of East Bialntrce. M.ass.; James A.. 
•A dentist. In partnership with his father, married 
Miss .Mary E. Siiiitii. and lliey have three childreii 
— Clare. Louis and .Mabel: Willis II.. of Roseoe, 
111., m.'irried Carrie Shaw, by whom he has two 
chlldreu — Frank :nid Kate. In 18S3 Mr. Bradley 
was called upon to inourn the loss of his wife, who 
died on the I'.ltli ilay of April. She was a member 
of the Presbyterian Cliiiieh. a sincere Cliiistian 
:uid a lo\ iiig wife and mother. The Doctor was 
again ni.arrled In January, 188/), to Mrs. .M. R. 
Smith, widow of Major Daniel Smith, who lost his 
life In the late war. They were the |)areiits of one 
son — Eugene, of Benson, .Minn. 

In 183'.l, as before stated. Dr. Bradley came west 
and assisteil his father in o|)eiiiiig up a farm in 
W'inneb.ago County, 111. The country was then 
but sparsely settled, and ;is he had oecasiuii to come 
to Janesville he w:\s obliged to follow an Indian 
trail, as there were then no roads. A few years 
after coming west he went to Chicago, where he 
formed a iiarlnersliip with Dr. William Kennicolt, 
remaining with liliii for two years, when he re- 
turned to Roseoe. lie li.as traveled extensively 
over the northwest aiicl has practiced his pi-ofession 
in nearly all the larger and more prosperous towns, 
lie can well claim the honor of being one of the 
pioneer dentists of the northwest, as well as one of 
the pioneer citizens, for a half century has now- 
passed since his emigratii>n to the Mississippi \;il- 
Ile was tlie lirsl dental surgeon in Roseoe 



members of the I'resbvteriaii Church, in which and Rockfonl. 111., and Beloit, Wi,s. 



-^^ 



At the time 



h 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



357 ' 'I 



i= 



of liis arrival the whole State of Wisconsin did 
not contain as many citizens as are fonnd in one- 
lialf of Rock C'onnty to-da}-. Everything was in 
a wild state, few improvements had lieen made, 
and the future brightness of the country could 
scarcely have lieen dicniKMl of even by tiie most 
far sighted. The Indian trails have long been 
obliterated by a perfect networU of railroads, the 
pioneer log cabins have been replaced by elegant 
residences. The wild prairies are transformed into 
beautiful farms, tdl now scarcely a vestige of 
frontier life rein:iins to remind the people that but 
half a century has el:ipsed sin<'e this country was 
almost an unbroken wilderness. 

DWARl) All KKV and his twin brother 
IMichael, were for many years prominent, 
citi/eus and business men of .l.anesville. 
The following sketch of these gentlemen is taken 
from the Wisconsin \'olnmeof the ruiled States 
I'liogiaphical Dictionary. 

Kdward and Michael iMcKcy were twin biothers. 
born at C'ro.ssmolina. County Mayo. Ireland, on 
the ISth day of Septend.er, 1.S2I. Their parents 
were Tliomas .'uid Maria ( l'"orrest.ei) McKey. The 
brothers received their education mainly at home 
and at a private school in the neighborhooil. At 
school they showed gieal precocity and while ex- 
celling In their studies generally evinced a marked 
aptitude for history and literature. They left 
school .at the e.arly age of Mfteeii ^-ears and were 
ap|)reuticed to the dr^' goods business, entering 
the establi>linn'rit of the leading merchant in that 
line in their native town. Although mi're boys, 
they displayed unmistakable business (pialifications 
and after four years of their apprenticeship had 
expircil, prevailed upon their employer to release 
them from their indentures, still however remain- 
ing in his employ. In 1M4(), Kdward visited 
the I'nited States, remaining for .about six 
monlhs. At the age of twenty-two, the brothers 
comuuMiced business on their own accoiuit and 
soon developed a nourishing and extensive trade, 
which tlu'y carried on successfully until IMKi, when 
they were overtaken by the great famine of that 



year which involved nearly the whole business ca- 
reer of the Island in ruin, and from which they, 
with every one else, suffered very severe los.ses. 
The young brothers, however, were full of enei-gy 
and well directed audiition .and <letermined at once 
to retrieve their fortunes in another Land. 

In the early part of 1.S47. they carried out theii- 
intention, emigrated to America, and located ;it- 
Little Falls, N. Y.. Iiuying out the business of 
N. II. Wood, in the fall of the same ye.ar. While 
at that place, rumors of the resources and caj'.aci- 
ties of the great West reached their ears and liki; 
m.any others these marvelous reports attra<te(l 
their serious attention. They therefore resolvel 
to make another change and accindingh in lisp.). 
remf)ved to Wisconsin, opening a mercantile house 
first at Racine and shortly afterwards :inotliei- at 
Jancsville. They continuecl to conduct both es- 
tablishments for about three \x-ars when they 
closed the one at Racine, giving their whole atten- 
tion to the .lanesville house and making this city 
tlieii- home. They subsequently established branch 
houses at several other places, were in\ .aiiably suc- 
cessftd in all their undcitakings .and for :i quarter 
of a century there was no linn in the State more 
widely known to its people than tli:it of the Mid\cv 
Bros. In September. l.SCS, .Mieli.ael McKey (li<Ml, 
and the estate, which h.ad been .accumulated by 
their industry wisely remaiui'd unclividecl under the 
ilirection and control of the surviving brother until 
his death, which occurred somesvhat suddenh 
from paralysis of the vital organs, on the 14th d:i\ 
of August, 1875. About a year previous, he had 
retired from active paiticipatiou in the nu'rcantilc 
business, giving his attention solely to his real es- 
tate affairs. I'.otli of the brothers were men of un- 
usual cai)acil\- .and foresight and for many years the 
surplus profits of the home business had been iu- 
vesteil with i.are sagacity in real estate, when prop- 
erty was low, in ne;irly every important town from 
Chicago to Lake Superior. Thus was laid the 
foundation of a fortune which, with the develop- 
ment of the country, grew to large |)roportions. 

In religious .affairs the brothers were attached tt) 
the ccnumunion of the Episcopal Church, and in 
j'oulh took gic.at interest in the Sunda\' .School 
work of that denoininaticm. Politically. the\' 



358 



ROCK COUNTY. 






were supporters of the Democratic party, but voted 
for the re-election of Abraliani Lincoln. Both 
were often solicited to accept political positions, 
liut neither wouhl ever consent to liecorae a candi- 
date for public office. Edward McKey was com- 
missioned by Gov. Barstow. in February 1856, .as 
aid. with the rank of Colonel. In addition to his 
other extensive interests, in connection with his 
son-in-law, Maj. F. F. Stevens, he organized the 
Wisconsin S.-ivings Bank of .lanesville. which was 
opened for bu.sine,ss June 4, 1873, the Major being 
appointed cashier, but the bank was closed at the 
death of Mr. McKey by the administrator, every 
depositor being paid in full on demand. 

Edward McKey was twice married, his first wife 
being Miss Mary Ann Tole, of Crossmolina. Ire- 
land. Her death occuired Dec. 1, 1S51. and he 
was subsequently married lo Miss Harriet Folds, 
then of Beloit. but fcirnicrly "f Dublin lie left a 
family of eight chililren. Michael McKey w.as 
marriel on the 12tli ilay nf -luly. I«.')l, to Mis.s 
Elizabeth Folds, who.se sister \v:is afterwards inai- 
ried to his brother. This lady died Oct. ;iO. IHC:!. 
leaving a family of fnur rhildren. 

J I OX AS INM.\N, a representative and pro- 
|i gressive farmer of the town of I'lymouth, 
l| residing on section 27. is a native of Penn- 
1/ svlvania, born Sept. 7. 1>S27. His parents 
were Caleb and Isli/.abeth Inman. and they had a 
family of eight chiblren. five of whom are now 
living: Ilariison C.. the eldest, is residing in I'ly- 
mouth Township; Thomas II. died in Califoinia 
in 1H(51, but his remains were brought back to 
Plymouth Townshi]) for interment: llann:di died 
in I.s2;i. when (pdte young; .lonas is the lu'xt in 
order of birth; Marg.aret is the wife of N. W. 
Tripp, a resident farmer of Hock 'I'ownship; Ed- 
ward, who wedded Catherine .Miins(jn. is now living 
in Janesville; Mary became the wife of F.ayettc? 
rep|)er, wiio is now- dece,'ise<l. and her de.atli oc- 
cui-red .lune 1, 1 1^.")5. 

The subject of this sketch is ninnbered among 
the pioneer settlers of Hock Ctmnty, of which he 
l>ecame a resident in 1S12. With his parents he 



settled on Rock River, but in .January, 1843, the 
family removed to the farm which is now his home. 
A little log cabin had been parti.ally built, which, 
when c<mipleted, was the home of the family for 
two years, when the father erected a frame dwell- 
ing. Caleb Inman w.is the owner of the first hor.se 
team ever in Plymouth Township. He lived in 
true pioneer style, and with the aid of his chihlren 
develoi)ed from the wild prairie a good farm. Our 
sid)jeet broke every foot of the land, and often 
made trips to Milwaukee, the nearest shipping 
point, hauling the grain to that cit}', for which he 
received from sixtj'-five to seventy cents jicr bushel 
for his wheat. It took about six d.ays to make the 
trip, a fair sami)le of the rate of travel in those 
days. 

Mr. luMian was united in inarriajjc with Miss 
Harriet August^x Withington. their we<lding being 
celebrated on the loth day of May, IKIM. The 
lady is a daughter of Daniel and Temperance 
((iray) Withington, and is the fourth in their fam- 
ily of eleven children, ten of which number are yet 
living: Eli/idielh, who married .lames Sutherland, 
a resident of .lanesville; Charles B., who m;iirieil 
Charlotte Brandt, also of .hmesville; .lohii A., who 
resides on the Withington homestead, in Rock 
Townshi i>; Mrs. Inman is the next in order of birth; 
Sarah A. is now the wife of B. L. Tripp, whose 
liome is in (Jenesee County, N. Y ; P. S., who 
is living in W:Ls|iington, married .lane Giillin. 
and to them were born four children, thrw of 
whom are living; Nettie died when eleven years of 
age; Enim:i A. resides on the old homcste.id with 
her brother; (ieorge A. is also living on the old 
homestcail ; ,1. .Vgnesis now the wife of .lames Scott, 
who is rcsiiling in Bradfoid ; Flora U. wedded 
A. L. Bemis, an insurance agent for the North- 
western Mutual Aid Insurance Company, now lo- 
cate<l in Dakota. 

Bv the union of .Mr. and Mrs. Inman an interest- 
ing familv of four children have been born: Clar- 
ence K. W.. born M.arch 5, IHO;'), was a .student in 
the Hi<;h School of .lanesville for one year, after 
which he took a commercial course :it the college 
in that citv; he is now at honu* with his parentis. 
Minnctte F. W., born Feb. (i. IMH. coniplcteil her 
stuilics under Miss Eva Steele, of .lanesville. and is 



i 



'4- 




ROCK COUNTY. 



359 



still with her parents; Orrion I). W., l)<)rii June 22, 
1H72, and Wilbur ('. W., born .Innc .'id, IH7G, are 
also with their parents. 

After tiie marriage of Mr. and Mrs. ininan tiiey 
began their domestic life upon the old liomesteid, 
on section 27. I'lyinouth Township, where they 
have since continued to reside. In 1871 he ))uilt 
his i)re.sent be.iutiful residence, and has also added 
many other good improvements. The evening of 
May 9. 1 SS;?, proved disastrous to him, however, 
as his farm laid in the path of a cyclone, which 
passed from the southwest corner .across it, demol- 
ishing nearly all the buildings and fences, shaking 
the plastering otf the house and blowing down the 
chimneys. A large barn, ;i0x58 feet, was left a 
totiil wreck, and another barn was moved thirty 
feet. There were six horses in the hitler, but none 
i-eceived even a scratch. In extent, Mr. Inman's 
farm is 252^- acres, 20(1 of which are under cultiva- 
tion. He possesses jirogressive ideas, and is ac- 
knowledged to be one of the best farmers in the 
township. In political sentiment he has always 
supported the liepublican party, both by his ballot 
and intluence, and at the last ele<'ti(pn, in I SSH, he 
\()ted for Hon. Henjanu'n Harrison. He is a fiicnd 
to education, and while serving on the School 
liuard for se\ crid years did his utmost In advance 
ils interests. 



\fiOHN C'lxALL, <leccased. was born in Harris- 
burg. I'a.. Feb. ;!. IHOI, and was llie son of 
Matthias and I'.li/.abeth Cr.all. His father 
was a native of I'ennsvlvania. and served as 

asoldier in Ihe W'.ir of IS12. His ancestors were 

of Dutch (iiigin, and the family was established in 

America jirior to the U'evohilion. 

I'lie subject of this sketcli was reared on ;i fjirm, 

and with his father's family removed to Hicliland 

County. ( )hio, in 1822. He w:i.s niarrieil in that 

eo\inty on the 2(lth day of December, 1825, to Miss 

Sarah Laser, who was born in I'erry County, Pa., 

Nov. I I. 18(1(1. and was the daughter of Christian , their neighbors foi' favors, he was always ready to 

and Nancy Laser. They became the parents of ten .aecomniodate, and was open-handed in generous 

children, live sons and five daughters: .Susanna is the I a.ssistance to those in need. Industrious ami 

wife of Thomas Harrington, and r>'sides in .Man- thriftv, he w.as recognized as one of the most 



Chester, Iowa; Jacob died at the age of eighteen 
years; Elizabeth, wife of Watkins Davis, died, 
aged thirty-seven years; Jerry tlied when one year 
of age; Christopher married Miss K.-itie Laser, and 
lives in the town of Center, in Rock County; 
Amanda is the wife of Charles Skelly, a merchant 
of Janesville; Amos wedded Miss Christiana Skelly, 
and is a retired farmer residing in Janesville; 
Joshua was the first white child born in Spring 
Valley (March 1, 1842), and Ims been twice mar- 
ried, his first wife being Miss Rebecca Brown. His 
present wife was Mr.s. Sarah He.ssheiscr, and they 
live in Center 'J'ownship; Maria died at the age of 
two years; and Harriet M., of Janesville, was mar- 
ried to William Stevens. 

In 1840 Mr. C'rall emigrated from Ohio to Wis- 
consin with his family, traveling by team, and 
reached Janesville on the 18tli day of October. 
Two months later he opened a farm in the town of 
Si)ring \ alley, where he continued to reside until 
the spring of 184(!, when he removed to Center. 
Rock County. He there purchased a large tract 
of land, and at one time owned upwards of 900 
acres, but sub.sequentiy reduced his acreage by 
deeding it to his childrt'u. yel for .i lung time had 
over 500 acres. 

Mrs. Crall. who was a kind molber •■uid an .-itlec- 
tionate and faithful wife, died on th<! loth day of 
February, 18(10. She belonged to the l'resb\ terian 
Church, and was one of its consislcnt nieinbers. 
Mr. Crall was .again maiiied at Janesville. .lune 17. 
I8(!;i. his second union being with .Miss .Mary 
Trumbull, a native of New York. She still sur- 
vives her husband, and makes her home in .lancs- 
ville. She is .-i member of the Presbyterian Chinch. 

Mr. Crall was a Democrat In polil ies, and while he 
took a warm interest in political matters, he was 
never desirous of holding public ollice. He was a 
genial, kind-he;irled man, of liber.al hos|iil.Mlil\ . 
and his house in early d.a\ s was the he.-idipiarlersof 
land seekers .and new settlers until they could 
secure homes of their own. In those pii.neer da\s, 
when people were more or less dependent ujion 



-4»- 



J^J l ■» 



■<^ 



3G0 



=L. 



HOCK COUNTY. 



prominent farmers of Rock County. His death 
occurred very suddenly, on tiie 17tli day of Feb- 
ruary, 1877, at his home in Center Township, and 
his loss was sincerely mourned hy a large circle of 
relatives, friends and acciuainlanccs. His fmieral 
was one of the largest ever known in the conntj'. 



-f3- 



•i= 



O. D01(;LAS, wiio is a native of Rock 
k'l County, Wis., and a |)rominent liveryman 
of 01)erlin, Decatur Co., Kan., was horn on 
the 31st of Octoljcr, l»r>i>. and followed 
farniiui; in this coinninnity until twent3'-tiircc 
ye.ars of age. He was liberally educated, receiving 
a (li])lonia from the .lancsville Commercial College, 
.l.ui. 1. I.s7.">. Three years later, Oct. 23, 187H, he 
arrived at Uherlin, Kan., making an overland trip 
witli three liorscs. a wagon, a set of h:unc.<s and 
ahout $2.5 in cash, his wliole jjossessions amounting 
U> not more than |i3()o. Immediately after his ar- 
rival, he engaged in freigiiting from Oherlin to 
liulTaio Park, which was then the nearest railroad 
point, and was fifty-live miles distant. In the eai'ly 
part of .lanuary. 1871), he went to Kirwin, ninety- 
five miles .away, in order to secure a (|uarter-scc- 
lian of land one mile west (if Oherlin. The rt'- 
maindcr of the winter was spent in the employ of 
S. !•". Colli}, to whom Mr. Douglas attributes much 
of his success in after years. He received ^l.~> pci- 
month, and while working for that gentleman .as- 
sisted in digging the first well ever dug on the 
<li\idcsof Decatur County, which was ninety-live 
feet in depth. 

In Feliiuary, ls7'.t. Mr. Douglas formed .a p.art- 
nciship with Mr. Coiliy, under the firm name of 
Colhy iV- Douglas, and engaged in hauling lumlicr 
from IhitTalo Park to Obcrlin. The firm soon liuilt 
a small fecil barn, .32x32 feet, liori'owing the money 
for that purpose at 12 per cent, interest. It was 
the first enter|irise of the kind in Dccat.iir County. 
The lii-st hay fed by them was hauled tliirty-nve 
miles, and ^20 per ton was ri'fuscd for it; corn was 
purchased at $1 .2.') \>ry bushel, but oats could not 
be obtained at any price. During the spring and 
summer of 187'.l Mr. Douglas would spend the day 
ill turning the sod on his homestead, going to the 

4 » 



barn at night to sleep, but often would spend the 
hours until midnight, or sometimes tater, in car- 
ing for the wear}- horses of travelers. The first 
stock of livery owned by the firm of Colby 
A' Douglas consisted of a broncho an<l a buck- 
board, which the}^ let on the lUtli of .lune, 187!), it 
being the first livery rig hired in the county. On 
the 17th of July they purcluised "Dutch," of the 
celebrated team known as "Dutch and Krench," 
which Mr. Douglas still owns, the foi'mer hor.se 
being eighteen years old. As the county became 
more settled the business inere.i.sed in conse([uence, 
.and in August Mr. Colby went to Wisconsin, 
where he pureh.ased a team, one new open buggy 
a spring wagon and a second-hand top buggy 
— the first in the county — ffir which Mr. Doiigl.as 
gave his note for a half interest in the same. Then 
the hard times came on, and for awhile business 
was nearly at a standstill. On the 1 I th of Septem- 
ber, 1K8(I. Mr. Douglas bought the interest of his 
partner, the inventory .•iniounting to |;l,l;i|. while 
the lussets ecjualed $l,;"ili|. Mr. Douglas then owed 
*873. lie then rented Mr. Colby's half of the 
barn at Eloper month, hired P.-it l!o\les at ^12 
per month, and found him.self f'.airly laiinclie<l in 
the livery business, his first patron being (ieorge 
Dailiiisoii, who hired .a .'.addle-lior.se for twciilv- 
five cents. Jn .Inly, 1881, he bought out Mr. 
Colby's interest in the barn, giving Ins note for 
».")()(), and in the spring of ISS,"). when imiiiigration 
was great, his trade became immense. In March 
of that year, while sick in beil, he pl.anned .-luil 
fitted out a st«age line from Oherlin to McCooU. 
buviiig some of the necessary stock while still eon- 
tined to his home by sickness. That was without 
doubt the largest line ever run in the Wesl. The 
distance was thirty-fwo miles, and the trip was 
often in;idc in three and a half hours, always mak- 
ing connection with the tiaiii no matter how bad 
the roads or weather. ( )n this line there was taken 
in from .March Hi to .Vpril ll'>. above all expenses, 
over ¥()l>ll. In <uie d.ay the pi'opiietoi' conx i'\eil 
with his stage and livery forty-two passengers, lie 
never stopiied .selling tickelj^. and would even buy 
stock to make good his obligations. 

,\fter the railroad was built business .settled 
down to a (piiet yet increasing trade. The spring 



4 



.>.V''^. 







■c. 



'^fe^'**^ 



fi 





cUJ^U- 




'^iT^ 




HOCK COUNTY. 



of 188G found Mr. Douglas shipping horses from 
Missouri for farm purjwses, thus assisting in open- 
ing up Iho country. He hroiigiit tiie first slcigii 
to the county' in IS.ST. 'I lius, from the lirt)nclio 
anil liueklioarci, with a livery business of about 
*Ui(), located in a hjun .'i"2x;?2 feet, witii liarely a 
capital of ^.'iOD, his business has steadily inereaseil 
iiiilil, in 1H.S7 alone, it amounted to over ^A.IOO, 
an inciease of ¥1.20(1 over the previous year lie 
has now some twenty niagnilieent turnouts, his 
barn is ISxlKO feet, with an addition of 28x72 
I'eet, and lie now has a capil.al of ¥1.!^(I0. The 
energy and business capacity characteristii' of Mr. 
Douglas have enabled him to attain the success 
which lie has aceomplishe<l. He is an active 
worker for everything that tends or promises to 
forward tlie interests of Obcrlin and Decatur 
County, and, in the transaction of any and all 
business, he is polite, accommodating and prompt. 
The name of 11. (). Douglas will always stand 
prominently forward as one of the important fac- 
tors in the building up of the city wliicli he now 
makes his home. 



- «->-.-^5©5:- ►- — 



||»^«.^-*■^ 



/^ OL. .lOSKl'Il lUSSELL, an honored citizen 
[if of Heloit, was born in ( )ld Cambridge, W.ish- 

^^ inglon Co., N. Y., R[ay .5, 1805, and is a son 
of William and .lane (Lytic) Uussell. His father, 
a native of Cambridge, was born Feb. 11. 17(;!l,and 
his mother was born No\'. 7, I77(t. They were 
married in WiLshington County, N. Y., and unto 
lliciii were lioin a family of twelve children, eleven 
of whom attained to mature \'ears: .lane marric(l 
Solomon Smith, and both died in Washington 
County, N. Y. ; John an<l Robert are both now de- 
ceased; David was drafted in the War of 1H12, 
but his father, not wishing him to enter the service, 
hired a substitute; Charity wedded Edward Long, 
and both died in Wa.shington County', N. Y.; George 
died in A[)ril, 1883, in Cambridge, N. Y.; Benja- 
min died Scjit. 23, 1855; Joseiih, of this sketch; 
.lulia Ann, widow of Marian Newell, resides in 
.Syracuse. N. Y. ; Mary S., wife of .Tosliu:i (lardnrr, 
died .lunc 30, 18(i3; William, who followed the sea 



for many years, died March 20, 1882; Morton is a 
retired merchant of Durand, 111. 

Th(^ grandfather of our subject, .lolin Russell, 
was born of Scotch and Irish parent.ige, and emi- 
gratcil to this country prior t<j the Revolutionary 
War. He settled in Cainliri<lge, Washington Co., 
N. Y., and was a large landowner in that com- 
munity. When the War for Independence broke 
out he belonged to the Tor^' party, and in conse- 
(juence was forced to leave his home and go to 
Canada, lie would also have been compelled to 
give up his lan<l hail he not deeded it to his young 
son, aiul the courts decided that, as his son was not 
yet of age and could not properly be called a Tory, 
the land could not be taken from him. The son to 
which the land was given was the father of our 
subject. 

.loseph was reared upon his father's farm, and 
received bis education in the common schools of 
that day. He was married in 1826, to Miss 
.leinim.a Wheeler, a daughter of Klias Wheeler, by 
whom he had three children, who are yet living: 
Olive, widow of DavitI Long, and a resident of 
Olen Falls, N.Y.; IJIoonilield W., a prominent farmer 
near Ruchelle, III.; and (!. Wayne, of this county, 
whose sketch appears in this work. Mr. Russell 
was called upon to mourn the death of his wife in 
1857. In 1H(;5 he was again married, his second 
wife being Mrs. May Edwards, a widow, who had 
two children — Frnnkie and Lizzie. Col. Russell 
educated them and gave them a father's care and 
protection. Fraukie m.arried a prominent young 
banker, Frank Starkweather, and died leaving one 
child, Julia. 

In his early life Mr. Russell was a member of a 
militia organization, and was promoted to the rank 
of Colonel of the 175tli Regiment. 17tli liiigade, 
10th Division. In 1HC)7 he became a resi<lent of 
Heloit, where he has since resided. He has won a 
large circle of warm friends and companions, and 
his life here luis been a hai)p)' one, with the e.xeep- 
ti(m of some dark hours which come to all. His 
wife departed this life Aug. 31, 1884, leaving a 
void in the home which can never be filled. In 
1828 the Colonel cast his first presidential vote, for 
(ien. Jackson, and has since that time liecn a most 
faithful adherent to the Deraoci'alic part}', having 



363 a 




364 



ROCK COUNTY. 



always cast his ballot with it. with llie exception 
ol the time wlieii .Martin \:m Hiireii was elected; 
when he voted for the Freesoil candidate. He is a 
ijenial. vvhole-s<iuled man, with a good word for all. 
and of a jovi.'U nature, always re.'i<ly U) make or 
take a joke, which makes his heart young, though 
the snows of eighty-four winters liave fallen on his 
head. lie is held in high esteem liy all who know 
him. Notwithstanding his advanced age. he is hale 
and he.arty. He has voted for sixteen presidential 
candidates, and has lived during the administra- 
tion of every jiresident except Washington, and 
has a distinct recollection of many events of the 
War of 1812. He has been a member of the Ma- 
sonic order for a period of thirty years. Sefi iior- 
trait of this honoied man on another page. 



||t-^ ENUY PALMER. M. D.. .Surgeon General 
^^^ of Wisconsin, has been a resident of .lanes- 




ville. since 1H.')(>, and is one of the most 
eminent and .successful physicians anil sur- 
geons in the State. H(^ was born at New Hartford, 
Oneida County, N. Y., on the .30th day of .luly, 
1827. is a son of Kphiaini and Abigail (Ihdwii) 
raliner, and is descended from Knglisli I'uritan 
antl Scot:;h ancestors. On his father's side he is a 
lineal descendant from Walter I'almer. who emi- 
giated to this country from London. iMigland, 
settling at C'harlestown, Ma.ss., in I(l2:t. The line 
of descent of the Palmer family, to which the 
Doctor belongs, is as follows: From A\'alter, the 
founder of the family in America, through (iresham, 
George, the Rev. Christopher, who settled in Madi- 
son County, N. Y., in 1780, Christopher ,lr., and 
K|)hraim, the father of our subject. Dr. Palmer's 
inotiier was born at I'.rooktield, Madison County, 
N. Y., and was ilescendeil fiom an ohl New Eng- 
land family. Eiihraiin Palmer was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and in 1857 remove<l from New York to 
ivigerton. Wis., where he resiiU'(] until lis.si, when 
he became a resident of .lanesville, and made that 
city his home until his death, wlii<h occurred in 
188G.at the advanced age of eighty-nine j-ears. He 
was a man of sn|>erior intelligence and occupied 
many irajjortant positions of lionoi' and trust both 



-«•- 



in New York and Wisconsin. In political senti- 
ment he was a Uepublican. and was also an influen- 
tial member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Palmei-, 
an estimable Christian lady and a member of the 
same Church, died at Eilgerton in 1803. 

The subject of this sketch spent his early life 
u[)on his father's farm and received his primary 
education at the district school. When nineteen 
years of age. he became a student at the \\hites- 
town and Cazenovia .Seminaries, and subseciuenlly 
entered upon a course of le.'iching by which occu- 
pation he earned money to defray the expenses of 
his early medic;d studies. ( hi attaining his ni:ijorit v. 
he found his health scriousl}' imiiaired, .Mud wilh 
the hope of a recovery, took passage on a vessel 
which accompanied the (irinnell .Vrctic expedition 
of 18-l;», spending six months in a cruise in llic 
Arctic regions, touching at v.arious points in ( ireen- 
land and on Hnd.son Hay. In IS.'i 1. having re- 
covere<l his health, be engaged in the studv of 
medicine under the preccjjtorship of Drs. .Marsh A- 
Arnisby, at Albany. N. Y.. who at that time were 
eminent physicians of that city and were professors 
in the Albany Mi'dical College. In 1851, our sub. 
ject graduated from that institution, and with such 
high standing that he was at once ai4>ointed resi- 
lient surgeon of the Marshall Infirmary at Trov, 
N. Y'., which position he tilled with ability and 
fidelitj' for a period of two years. 

At Oriskany Falls. N. Y.. Dr. Palmer was united 
in marriage with Miss Edna .\. Hoyt. a daughter 
of Noah and Almira Hoyt, tlicii- union l)eing eele- 
bratetl in the month of November 18;")!. To them 
have been born six children, one son and live 
daughters — Clara, the eldest, die<l in December, 
1883; Kittle ilicd at the age of live years; Williaui 
H. who grailuated from the Chicago Medical 
College in the class of IH82, is now pr.acticing his 
profession at Janesville. The younger members 
are Estella E., I<>loise and Elizabeth Gertrude. 

In 1 8.')G Dr. Palmer came to Wisconsin and settled 
at .lanesville. which has siiu'e been his home ami 
the scene of his long years of successful jjractice. 
His zeal, his energj- and superior ability, both as a 
phvsician ami surgeon, soon |)laced liim in the fore- 
most rank in his |)rofession .and gave him a wide 
reputation, to which subsequent \ears have but 

•► 






-4*- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



.11)0 , , 



added ww luster. Sluntly after tlie lireakiiig out 
of the lute war, in 18(il. lie was commissioned sur- 
geon of the 7lh reninicnt of Wiscoiisin ^'olu^leers, 
which was assiiriied to the Army of tlic Potomac, 
and in this new lichl his superior skill and untiring 
energy soon won liini distinction. Without .seek- 
ing preferment, on the 4th day of April, 1862i 
he was appointed by I're.sident Lincoln to the pijsi- 

ti f l>rigade surgeon and assigned to the famous 

" Iron lirigade." Suhsefpiently, he was stationed 
at Yorlc, I'n.. where the construction and superin- 
tendency i>f tlic Largest hospital in the United 
States was placed in his hands. Mrs. Dorothy L 
Dix, a distinguished h(ispit:ii nurse, who was ap-' 
l)ointed superintendent of hospital nnr.ses by a 
special act of Congress in IHfil, i)ronounced the 
York hos|)ital. as conducted by Dr. Palmer, the 
liesi in the I'nited States. When the Confederate 
(icn. Karly made his bold raid into Pennsylvania, 
in the summer of 1H(!."5, with a force of several 
thousand men, lie made an attack upon York with 
the expectation of capturing the government slore.s 
anil taking the convalescents prisoners. Dr. P.almer, 
who was in command of the post, quickly ai'Uied 
his cimvalescent patients, several hundred in num- 
ber, and offered such a gallant resistance that the 
government stores and hospital supplies weresafelv 
removed before the Confederates gained jrossession. 
It was at this time that the Doctor was taken pris- 
oner, luit during the battle of (icttyshurg, which 
occurred a few days later, he succeeded in making 
his esi-ape and at once resumed command of York 
post and the charge of the hospital, where he was 
soon busily emplo3'ed caring for the woundcil from 
the (icttysburg battlefield. 

In 1861 liie rebel Gen. (^ilmorc made a devastat- 
ing raid into INIaryiand and Pennsj-lvania, tlueai- 
cning to inflict considerable daniaoe in and .about 
York. .Vpprcciating the necessity of prompt ac- 
tion and the importance of protecting tlie lailways. 
Dr. Palmer armed his convalescents, organized a 
force of several hundred citizens, with which, to- 
gether with the few regular troops, he proceede<l 
into Maryland to protect the roads and hold the 
rebels in ch<'ck. This movement proved eminentlv 
successful, for by the wisdom and promptness of 
his judgment, and In- his energy and courage he I 



saved a large amount of property from being de- 
stroyed, besides securing to the government other 
important military advantages. The valuable 
services rendered by the Doctor in this instance 
were the subject of a well deserved and congratu- 
latory letter from Major General D. N. Couch, then 
in command of the department of tiie Sus(iueh.ana, 
to Surgeon ( Jeneral liarnes of the United States 
Army. In August, 1864. his health having become 
impaired by overwork, he tenderetl his resignation, 
but received instead of its acceptance only a leave 
of absence. The general in command, in forward- 
ing the resignation to the war department, indorsed 
it with the request tiiat a leave of ab.sence of sufH- 
eient length of time to recruit his health be granted, 
as the interests of the service demanded that offi- 
cers of his aliilitv and disposition should be retained. 
In the fall of 18()4 the Doctor was appointed .Med- 
ical Inspector of the 8th Arm}' Corps, with head- 
quarters at lialtimore, which position he held until 
.lune, 186;'), when he was ordered to take charge of 
Camp Douglas at Chicago, 111., and close up the 
affairs of that hosi)ital. Having performed that 
duty he was nuistered out on the 7th d.av of Octo- 
ber, 1865, and for faithful and meritorious services, 
which were frequently brought to the notice of the 
war department, he was appointed lieutenant col- 
onel by brevet, 1)3' President Johnson, on the 13th 
of March, 1866, the rank to date from M.-ircli I.'!, 
1865. 

On Ills relnin from the army Dr. Palmer lesunied 
the practice of his profession at Janesville. which 
he pursued without inteiruplion until 1877. when 
he gratified a long cherished desire and \isited 
Europe. The war between the Russian and Turkish 
powers, whicii w.as in progress at that time, atTorded 
him a favorable opportunity of inspecting the sys- 
tem of Russian hospitals. He left Janesville in Maj- 
and returned the latter part of the following August, 
having visited Paris, Liverpool, London, Berlin, 
N'ii'iina. Lei psic, Dresden. Antwerp. Brussels. Munich, 
and many other jilaces of beauty and historic in- 
terest. He was witii the Russian armv at Bucharest 
through Rf)nmania and when it crossed the Danube, 
and .mIso witnessed the engagement at Nicopolis and 
the ever memorable battle that rcsidted in the 
downfall of Plevna, lie also visited the chief art 



-•► 



•^^1^^ 



306 



ROCK COUNTY. 



galleries of Europe, nnd on his return brouctht 
with him one of the finest art collections to he 
found in soutliern Wisconsin. While in the old 
countries he wrote sevcr.il very inteiesting and 
graphic letters, descriptive of what he saw abroad, 
which were published in the Janesville Gazette an<l 
which were received with interest and pleasure by 
the piiblic. Notwithstanding the arduous duties of 
his profession Dr. Palmer found time to prcjiarc a 
lecture describing his journeyings in the old worhl, 
together with tlie peculiiir.siglits which he witnessed, 
and which especially noted the habits and customs 
of the people of Houmania. Turkey and that portion 
of Europe. The lectni-e was intensely interesting 
and as a literary production commanded the admir- 
•ation of all the intelligent hearers. It was first 
delivered at Janesville in Augu.st. 1877. to an 
audience of over a thousand people. The interest 
in the lecture became wide-spread, and calls for its 
delivery in the principal towns of southern Wis- 
consin became numerous and urgent. In icunpliaiicc 
with the popular demand he delivered it several 
times, always to crowded houses, never charging 
for his time and trouble. 

The Doctor and his wife, together witii their 
children, are members of the Raptist Church of 
Janesville. He is a Republican in politi(^s and has 
served two terms as mayor of the city, but is not 
.in .active i>artisan, his professional and otlicr duties 
occupying his full time. In addition to the ardu- 
ous labors of an extensive practice he has found 
time to interest himself in various local enterprises 
of importance and has exhibited much public 
s|)iritin the encouiagenient of all effortj^ to dcvi'iop 
the natural resources of the city and county. He 
was one of the organizers of the cotton manufac- 
turing industries of Janesville .and ha.s served as 
president of llie present Cotton Mills Company 
since its organization. Since 1882, he has held the 
l)osition of president of the Merchants' and Mechan- 
ics' .Savings IJank, which h;is grown to be one of 
tlie most important financial institutions of Hock 
County. He is interested in the Janesville Pick- 
ling and \inegar Company, in the Wisconsin .Shoe 
Company, and was one of the organizers and found- 
ers of the Oakwood Retreat Association of (!eneva, 
Wisconsin, a private hospital for the insane, and 



has served two years as president of the Association. 
The Oakwood Retreat has grown to be an important 
institution ai\d refiects credit upon it.s founders and 
managers. Dr. Palmer h.is been a member of the 
Wisconsin State Medical Association since its reor- 
ganization, a mendjer of the American Medical As- 
sociation and of the National ^Medical Association. 
He is professor of operative surgery, clinical sur- 
gery and surgical pathology in the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, ill., and has 
been since its organization. 

Socially, he is a memlier of the l^iyal Legion of 
W. 11. Sargent Post. No. 20, G. A. R.. of the de- 
partment of Wisconsin, and is the Past Department 
Surgeon and the i)resent Post Surgeon. In recog- 
nition of his faithful .services during the late war, 
and his high standing in the profession, Dr. Palmer 
was appointed Surgeon General of Wisconsin, bv 
Gov. Smith, in January. 1880. which jtosition he 
has had the honoi- of filling continuously since, be- 
ing re-appointed by Gov. Rusk in 1882, and by Gov. 
Hoard in 1889. As a surgeon, he is the acknowl- 
eilged leader of the profession in the .State. Pos 
sessing cool nerve, a <piick eye, and dexterity of 
hand, supported by a strong will and great powers 
of endurance, he has the reputation of having 
performed some of the most tlidicult and dangerous 
surgical operations known to the profession. As a 
physician he is equally distinguished and has a 
large and lucrative pr.icticc, which in its extent 
would tax the energies of :i man of ordinary ca- 
pacity beyond endurance. Studious by habit, he is 
a ripe scholar; a gentleman by instinct and culture, 
and enjoys !is he deserves the tiiupialified respect 
and esteem of his fellow citizens. 

T^ ^ ENKY OTTMAN. deceased, w.as a native of 

ji New York, born in .Schoharie County, in 
^ 1801, but was of (ierman descent. In his 
native state he wedded Mary Ann Bctts. 
who was a native of Connecticut, but of English 
descent. They rearetl a family of seven children, 
of whom five are now living; Theodore is a farmer 
residing in Hock Township; Joseph ('.. also resid- 
ing in Hock Township, engaged in farming; 



-<*■ 



•»-4^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



367 



f 



Gct)rge, residing in Chicago; .lennie, who makes 
her iionie with .Joseph C; Charles Wesley died in 
youth; Mary E., who makes lier home with her 
hroliier Theodore. 

Tlie general occupntion of .Mr. Oltiii;in w;)s that 
of a farmer, but for a number of j'cars he wa.s en- 
gaged in the manufaeturing business in his native 
st;»te. lielieving that the opportunities for ae- 
quiring a conipetenee were better in the west than 
in the east, and the op|)ortunities for his ehildrou's 
success would be much greater, he determined to 
emigrate. Selecting Wisconsin as his future home, 
he came to Rock County- in IKot! with his wife and 
family, consisting of six children. Locating in the 
city of Janesville, lie theie remained several years, 
and there his loved companion was (tailed to her 
final home, dying in I SCO. at the age of fifty-one 
years. 

l^eaving Janesville, he purchased a farm of 
ninety acres in I.al'rairie Township, which he im- 
proved, and where he resided two years, when his 
death occurreil at the age of seventy-nine years, 
in 187'J. .Mr. and .Mrs. Otttnan were members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for many j'ears, 
and both <lied firm in the faith of a general resur- 
rection. In the work of the Church they took a 
MKire than ordinari' interest, believing that in the 
success of the (iospel of Christ lay the well-being 
of the country. In politics he was a Whig, and 
w:is actively interested in the welfare of his party. 
His death was sincerely mourned, not alone by his 
children but all with whom he became ac(iuainted. 
and who esteemed him for his many excellent 
qualities of head and heart. 



ftioi 



PREDEKICK ANDREWS has f.,r nearly 
fort3- years been associated with the prog- 
ress and growth of IJeloit. and during that 
period has maintained an enviable reputation for 
honor ami |)rinciple. He was born in Somersetshire, 
England, on the I7th day of .June, ISIH. and his 
parents were John and Sophia ((iulley) Andrews. 
Frederick was reared to raaidiood in his native 
county, there receiving a common school educa- 
tion, and as soon .as he had attained sntlicient age 



learned the mason's tnade with his father, who fol- 
lowed that occupation throughout his entire life. 

On the 27th day of December, 1846, Mr. An- 
drews was joined in wedlock with Miss Jane Rus- 
sell, .at the parish of Axbridge, .Somersetshire, by 
Rev. George (J. Beeden, the rector of the par- 
ish. For three years the young couple resided in 
England, but .at the expiration of that time sailed 
for America. Their voyage comi)leted, they 
landed .at Xew York, and from thence procccdeil 
by steamer up the Hudson to Albany, when they 
continued their journey by packet on the canal to 
Ruffalo. reaching Milwaukee. Wis., by a journey 
on the (u-eat Lakes. At that time not a railroad 
had been built in this great commonwealth, and in 
order to reach their destination our travelers pro- 
cured teains which they drove fiom Milwaukee to 
Rock County. There was a party of about fifteen 
persons making this journey, consisting of .luhn 
Cox and family, Hichard Cox and family. Roland 
Cox. J.ames Creddell, and our subject and his wife, 
all of whom located in this county. After becom- 
ing a resident of lieloit. the first vvork in which 
]Mr. Andrews was engaged was the erection of 
what is now known .a.s Blodgett's Mdl, built for 
John Ilackctt, one of the early settlers of this com- 
munity. On the building of the Chicago. Mihv.-iu- 
kee it St. I'aul Railro.ad, he made a contract with 
the company for the mason work from lU-loit to 
Burlington, Wis., but by exposure and li.-ird lalioi- 
his health failed in 1H60. and he had to aliandoii 
his chosen occupation. Embiuking in the grocer\ 
and restaurant business, he has since continued in 
that line, h.aving built up a line trade, which he 
well deserves. His adopted son, Edward A. Day, 
is now a partner in the business, and the firm is 
known as Day A- Andrews. 

In 187.'! Mr. and Mrs. Andrews recros.sed the 
ocean to their native l.uid. visiting the scenes of 
their childhood and traveling ((iiite extensively 
over England. These worthy people have no chil- 
dren of their own. but have a son and daughter by 
adoption; the former, Edward A. Da^'. is men- 
tione<l above; and Lillie Cox is now the wife of 
William Dickerson, a resident of Audubon County, 
Iowa. They have two children, Ethel A. and Alta 
A. Mr. Andrews is politically an Independent, 



■► m^ 



368 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•►Hh-* 



voting not for the nominee of any certain party, 
but cjisting Ills ballot for tlic man who he liiinks 
will best fill the office. Among the citizens of 
Rock County none are more highly respected than 
Frederick Andrews and his wife, and no family 
holds a higher social position. Mr. and Mrs. An- 
drews are members of the Episcopal Church, iu 
which they take an active interest. 



KMAN MUKIJAY, deceased, was for many 
years a leading citizen of this county. He 
y.. w;is l)orn in Columbia County. X. Y., in 
(^^ 1778, and was a son of Reuben and Sarah 
((iuthrie) Murray. His father was for many years 
a member of the Presbyterian Churcli, but iu try- 
ing to reconcile the creed of that deiion)inalion to 
his rea.son, he became insane. He numbered aiming 
his near friends many of the most noted men in 
the State of New Yoi-k, such as Van Ren.ssclaer, the 
I'atrons, Gen. Root, Mr. Kush. and others. To 
illustrate his wit, it it related of him that at one 
time the two lasl named gentlemen c:illed. and 
while discussing the suliject of religion, asked him 
to describe heaven. He described it a^ a perfect 
|)aradise, with a lawn smooih, green, and licauliful, 
adding, ••there is not a root or busli there, nor 
ever will be." .\t tin- time wiien Mr. N'au Ren- 
sselaer was a candidate for Governor, hecanva.sscd 
Western New York for him, and fretjucntly visited 
Albany-, New York City, Saratoga, and other ]»laees 
on the invitation and iu company with that gen- 
tleman, who always insisted upon paying all ex- 
penses. 

In 1775, when lA'xington was fired upon and war 
declared, Reuben Murray enlisted in the Colonial 
Army, and .-it the lime of the capture of n't. Ticon- 
deroga. was serving as commissary. He volunteered 
to go with Col. Ethan Allen to the attack, but 
Allen said "No, you must provide for the iiu-u and 
cannot be spared." After the accompiisliment of 
their purpose Allen and his men returned to the 
commissar^' department for rations, which at that 
tinu" (.'onsistcd largely of New England rum ;ind 
fresh fish. On entering the [Asicc, the smell of the 
two articles being so strong, the Colonel, who was 



rather rough in his speech, remarked, '• Reuben, 
this smells as if you had damnation on tap." At 
one time Mr. Murray was sent with dispatches 
across Lake George on the ice, when his horse 
breaking tlirough was drowned. Wet and thor- 
oughly chilled, he continued on his way on foot, 
until at length he reaclietl his destination. He was 
a faithful soldier, and any mission entrusted to his 
care, was always faithfully accomplished. Though 
not a lawyer, his practice in justice courts was 
large, and his advice was often sought. The chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Reul>cn Murray were 
eight in number, four sons and four daughters — 
I'hilo, Reuben, Heman. Alien, Lucinda. Mary, 
Sarah and Aurora. 

The .subject of this skctcli was reared to man- 
hood in his native State, and w;is also numbered 
among the defenders of his country, being a soldier 
in the War of IHTi. He was united in marriage 
with Miss l*ru<lence Hale, a native of Connecticut, 
and ten children blessed their union, all of whom 
grew to inalurity: Theodore, the eldest, <lied in 
New York City in IS.'Jl; Sarah became the wife of 
A. H. .Icrome, and settled in Oiiond.-iga County, 
N. Y., where her death occurred; Caroline, widow of 
S. O. Slosson, is a resident of this county : Edward 
I), came to Rock County in 1811, but is now a 
resident of Ciiicago; Hon. William .S.. who is num- 
bered among tiie pioneers ol April, 18:57, being 
among the first six settlers of Clinton Township 
married Miss Maria .larvis, locating on section I'.l. 
where he aiwa3s made his home. He look an 
active part in the organization of the town of 
Clinton, was the first Commissioner of common 
schools, one of the first County Commissioners, and 
for scver.'d terms was Supervi.'^or of the tt)wnship, 
serving as Chairman of that board. He also re- 
presented his district with honor in the Legisla- 
ture, and was a man of more than ordinary ability, 
held in the highest respect by all. He died in 
Clinton in 1877, bis excellent wife surviving him 
until 1H87, when her death occurred in New York. 
Charlotte ,1., the next child of Heman and Prudence 
Murray, became the wife of A. H. Jerome, formerl}' 
the husband of her sister Sarah, and both are now 
deceased; Heman II. died in the West in ISStJ; 
Louisa M. died at the age of tweuty-three years; 



:o^MN 



^4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



.•569 



4 



Jolin S., who first came to this county in 1841, 
ciosswl the plains to California in 1840, i)eini|; 
seven months in making the trip, and tiiereengagetl 
in milling for six years. He has seen much of the 
f.ir West, traveling extensively over the I'aeitic 
Slope, and in Oregon and Idaho, and for two years 
was engaged in nierchaiulising in San Francisco. 
In Deccmlier, 18GG, he returned to his home in 
Rock t'ounty. where he has resided continuously 
ever since. Edward 1)., the next child, assisted in 
recruiting the 22d Wisconsin Infantry, of which he 
became a mend)er and was commissioneil Major, 
and also had two sons who servecl with honor in 
the Civil War, .lames and Edward D., the latter 
being severely wounded at Chancellors ville. George 
M., tlie youngest of tln^ family, is engaged with his 
brother in .■igriculliiral |>ursuils, they owning one 
of the finest farms in Rock County. The death of 
.Mr. Murr.ay occurred .March Li, 1848. and .Mrs. 
Murray died .March 27. 18.")7. 'I'licy were highly 
respected people, and m.ide many warm friends in 
the community where they resided. 



il? KVI 11. AM. WlldUR F. CAULK, of 
I (@ Janesville, are well-known representatives 
/JL^^ of one of thecarl\ families of Koi-k Ct)unty. 
Their father, .lohn I>. Carle, was born in the town 
of Waterborough, not far from I'ortland, Me., on 
the 24th day of February, 1808. He was descended 
from one of the early New Kugl.Mud families. The 
earliest American ancestry of the Carle family con- 
sisted of three brothers, who. in l(i8((, more than 
two centuries .ago, emigrated from Ireland ;iiul 
settled in wh:it is now the State of iMainc. then a 
part of the Colony of Massachusetts. Uepreseuta- 
tives of the Carle family, whose history extends 
back almost to the il.-i^'s ol the I'ilgrim Fathers, are 
still numerous in New England. 

.lohn li. Carle belonged to the fifth generation in 
dirc<-t descent from one of the three brothers. His 
grandparents were Nathan and Sarah Carle, the 
former born March I I. 17 17. and the latter March 
10. 1749. His parents were Sil.as and Abigail 
Carle. The former was born Nov. 12, 177(i, and 



died May 7, 1858, in his eighty -second year; the 
latter was born Dec. 27, 17711, and died .Sept. 23, 
l«59, in her eightieth year. 

When a youth .lobn 11. Carle w.is apprenticed to 
the trade of caliinet-making. but that occu[)ation 
being distasteful, he learned the trade of machinist, 
and going to Lowell, M;iss., was for many years 
engaged in that pursuit in the shops of the Middle- 
sex Manufacturing Corporation. He was a skillful 
workman, and his .services were always in denian<i, 
but believing that the l)est interests of his sons 
Would lie promoted by so doing, lie resolved to go 
West, where oiijiorlunities for advancing in life 
were suiierior to tho.se of the older States in the 
East. Ill .luiie. 1853, accompanied by his family, 
lie arrived in Rock County. a:id located on a new 
farm in the town of Janesville, which he improved, 
residing thereon for many j'ears, until finally retiring 
from tlie active duties of life, when he removed to 
.binesville City. His death occurred in this city 
Sept. 1. 1881: He was three times married. His 
first wife was I'arnell Mlossom, who w:is a native of 
Woodstock, \'l.. and died in Hock County Dec. 
27, 185C. She was of Scotch ancestry, and also 
descended from an early New England family. 
Mr. Carle married for his second wife Robena 
.Mouat. His third wife, who survives her husband 
and still occupies the homestead in .lanesville. is a 
sister of his second wife. Mr, Carle left three sons 
by his first marri.age — Levi B., Wilbur F., and 
John II., and by his second a daughter. Jennie M., 
who is now the wife of Harry .M. Keller, of Janes- 
ville. 

For many years .Mr. Carle was a consistent 
member of the Methodist Church. In his political 
sentiments he was a Whig in early life, and later 
was identified with the Republican pai'tv. He jios- 
scssed much mental force, was positive in his con- 
victions and charit;d)le in his religions views. He 
was a man of sterling iinalilies, upright and con- 
scientiinisly just in all the relations of life, and en- 
joyed the respect and esteem of all with whom he 
came in contact. He inherited from his New Eng- 
land ancestry- sterling anil substantial elements of 
character, which were manifest in all his relations 
in life, and he was in all respects a worthy and 
honored representative of that cl.ass of men who, 



■^•- 



■«► 



370 



ROCK COUNTY. 



in the earlier daj's of its history, hecanie irlentlfie<l 
with Rock County, .ind ih'|iarling after a life «)f 
usefulness, left behind him a reeord worthy of 
einulatioii. 

Levi I), and Wilbur F. Carle, whose names head 
this sketch, arc ninnbcrcd aniunj; the pnimiiicnt 
business men of .lancsville. 

The former was born in Lowell. Mass., Aug. 8, 
18;5r», having been about eighteen years of age 
when he came with his parents to Rock County. 
Ilis wife was formerly Miss Kate Iliggius, who 
came to Wisconsin witli her parents when a child. 
They have three cliildren, two daughters and a 
sou — Parneli, Noruian L., and .losie. W'hen a 
youth Levi B. Carle starte<l out in life for himself, 
and with but ^IH dollars in his pocket all the ea[>i- 
tal he possessed, went to Milvvaukee. where he en- 
gaged as a book-keeper at a small salary. Soon 
after entering on his second j'car in that capacity, 
a position in the post-oflice of Milwaukee was 
tendered iiim at a largely increascil salary, but his 
employer, rather than lose his .services, increa.sed 
his wages to that offered elsewhere, and he contin- 
ued in his service until theendof the second year. 
He was then employed at a good compensation by 
a Chicago pulilishing house, as a traveling agent, 
selling books at auction. lie then, fur one year, 
engaged in farming, ami in IH.'j.s he embarked in 
the grocery trade in ,Ianesville. continuing in that 
line for the long |)erio<l of twcnty-oni? years, or 
until 1.H79. when he retired frt)ni retail tr.'ide. 
(Joing to Chicago, he cng.iged as a wholesale dealer 
in groceries for three years, when lie again came 
to tliis city, and for a number of j-ears he has been 
a tobacco dealer, buying and shipping leaf tol)acco. 
.Mr. Carle is numbered among the most successful 
business men of Janesville. lie earned by his own 
labor the money that enabled him to embark in 
business, and the eminent degree of success that 
has attended his business career, is the result of his 
industrj', energy, and natural ability. 

Wilbur F. Carle was horn at Lowell. Mass., on 
the 22d of May. 1841. and married Miss Maria 
Strawser. a daughter of William Strawser. an early 
settler of Creen Count}-, \\is. Their union has 
been blessed to them with one child. Kittle 15., who 
is now the wife of William II. Ashcroft, of Janes- 



ville. Mr. Carle entered upon his business career 
in 1863, as a grocer, and continued in that line for 
a few years, when he retired from the same and 
became connected with an incorporated boot and 
shoe manufacturing company. In 1871*, when his 
brother, Levi B., went to Chicago, he bought out 
his stock, and has continued in the grocery trade 
since that time, and h.as built up a large business. 
The Carle brothers are numbered among tlie most 
substantial and prosperous citizens of Rock County. 



.»^— _v\/^ 



\|7 IITIIKU CLARK, contractor and buihler of 
|l (fei) Janesville, was born on what is known as 
jjj— ^ Pompey Hill, Oswego Co.. N. Y.. in Sep- 
tember. 1820, ancl is the son of Sanuiel and Char- 
lotta (Whitney ) Clark. His father was born in New 
Hampshire, and his mother was a native of the 
Empire .Slate. 

During his entire early life, until sixteen years 
of age, our subject was an invali<l. He p.assed the 
days of his boyhood and youth in his native .State, 
and in 1st I. tlrst came In .I:ines\ ille, where he re- 
maine<l for three years, then returned to Kochester. 
N.Y.. in which city hi learned his tra<le as a carpen- 
ter. On the 21st day of March. IMH. at Byron, 
N. v.. he was married to Miss .Sarah A. Osborn. 
who was born in Ih.-it town, and is a daughter of 
l''arran<l an<l Sarali (Hammond) Osborn. The fol- 
lowing aut\inin. accompanied by his young bride, he 
ag.'iin came to Janesville, and for eight years 
worke(l at his trade as a journeyman. At the end 
of that time he began contractin;^, ^m] many fine 
structures in the county stand as testimonials of 
his "etticient labor. Among these are the Court 
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, of Janesville, 
the church of the .Seventh Day Baptists of .Milton, 
the houses of worship of the Freewill Baptists at 
Johnstown and Bradford. He also built the Cath- 
olic Church in East Troj', and completeil another 
at Highland, Wis. He built the Palmer block on 
West Milwaukee street. Janesville, erected two 
buildings for .Mr. Mackin in the same scjuaro, and 
superintended the building of the Hyatt House. 
He was also contractor and builder of the residen- 
ces of A. P. Lovejoy, A. S, Pond, S. C. Jackman, 



•♦- 



-•>■ 




Y, 




-U 



ROCK COUNTY. 



373 



i- 



J. B. Doe. Jr., John Griffitli, William King. C. B. 
Conrad. Stanley B. Smith, Clarence L. (lark. John 
Mills, I'liny Norcross, J. I). Kexfurd, and ninny 
other line residences of Janesville. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Clark has been lilcsscd 
with five children, three sons and two daughters. 
Alice died in infancy; Clara M., died .at the age of 
three years; George E.. died when nine months old; 
Clarence L., ami Charles !>.. are residents of Janes- 
ville, of whom sketches are elsewhere given in this 
work. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Court 
Street Methodist Kpiscopal Church, of Janesville. 
and are held in high regaid by their many friends 
of this city. 

«. : -.i^^m^t : . 

''^ KV. KICK.NE MARY M.cnNNITV. the 
able and jiopular jiastor of St. I'atrick's 
(4i '\\ Church, has been one of the valualile and 
\^ highly esteeme<l citizens of Janesville for 
the past nine years. He was born in County Mon- 
aghan. Province of Ulster, Ireland, on the 1st day 
of September. IHIO. and was one of a pair of twins. 
The family of which he was a member consisted of 
eight children. The father died at the town of 
Willow Springs. JyaFayettc County, Wis., about 
the year IH/O, and the mother deiiarted this life in 
Janesville. at the home of our sul>ject, Oct. 1, 
IKKd. Her remains were taken to Willow Springs 
and laid to rest by her husband. Of tiieir children 
but one claughter and three sons arc yet living. 

The life of Father Mc(iinnity has been an 
eventful an<l interesting one. His boyhood d.ays 
were spent upon a farm where l)ut little occurred 
to break the (piiet and monotony, but when eight 
years of age his parents removed with their chil- 
dren to America. Sailing from Liverpool, the 
voyagers crossed the Atlantic and landetl at New- 
Orleans, wiiere they boarded a river steamer and 
sailed up the Mississippi and Fever rivers to Gale- 
na, 111. Here tliey secured a team and continued 
their journey to Mineral Point. Until 1870 they 
remained residents of that town, but at that time 
removed to Willow Springs. 

When sixteen years of age Eugene was sent to 

•4* 



the St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, where he 
remained seven years studying for the priesthood, 
.■md graduated with high honors. He was ordained 
priest in Milwaukee in 1863, and his lirst charge 
was at Meeme, Manitowoc County. Wis., where he 
built St. Is:idore's Church. After a year at that 
place he w.as stationed at Ma|)le Grove. Brown 
County, where he was pastor at St. Patrick's 
Chureh for ten months, ;ind while there built the 
Church of the Immaculate Conce|)tion at Cato, 
four miles distant, (ioing to Fort Howard, he 
became pastor of St. Ptitrick's Church at that 
point. The entire State was then under one dio- 
cese, but is now untlcr three — Milwaukee. Green 
Bay an<l LaCrosse. After five months Father Mc- 
Ginnity left Fort Howard, having remained there 
only long enough to erect a house of worship and 
pl.ace the church on a good working b.asis. His 
next |)astorate was at Darlington, LaFayette Coun- 
ty, where he h.ad charge of the Holy Rosary 
Church, and there, as at other points, he construct- 
ed the church, an imposing stone edifice. l-'or 
about five and a half years he remaiui^d at Dar- 
lington, and in the meantime built two other 
cluii-clies, one at Seymour and the other ;it Wiota, 
LaFayette County. Laying aside pastoral duties 
he accompanied his sick brother to Denver. Col., 
where for six months he was the guest of Hislio|) 
Machebreuf and frequently preached in his i)ulpit. 
His brother having recovered his health. Father 
Mctiinnity went toGenev.a Lake, Walworth Coun- 
ty, an<l for one year had charge of the church 
known :i.s St. Fr.ancis of Sales, lie did not there 
erect a house of worship, but enhuged and other- 
wise improved the one already built. From Ge- 
neva Lake he received a call from St. \'ictor's 
Church at Monroe, and going to tliat city found 
aflt'airs in a deplorable condition. A debt of :f.">(l(l(l 
was resting on the church, but during eight years 
of (Kustoral labor he succeeded in clearing the debt 
and eslal)lisliing the church on a sound financial 
biisis. In the me.antime he also performed pastoral 
duties for St. Francis Xavicr Church, in the town 
of Adams, Green County, ami enlargeil that build- 
ing. 

On the 28th day of June, 1880, Father McGin- 
nity became a resident of Janesville. and succeeded 



.^-11^^ 



-•►HH* 



374 



ROCK COUNTY. 



the Rev. Father James M. Doyle as pnstor of St. 
Patrick's Church. On his arrival he fouixl that 
the eliuri'li h.ad heen closed for three weeks, and in 
fact he could not at lirst obtain admission. Not- 
withstanding his pastorate was assumed under cir- 
cumstances of a most discouragin"' nature, it has 
liccn eminently successful in a spiritual wa}', 
while the church lias a incnil)erslii|i of "2.500. 
Tlie house of worsliip, wliieh has a seating 
capacity of 1000, is crowded every Sunday at 
the two early masses liy different congregations, 
aud many of the members are then not present. 
Nor has the liu.ancial |)art of tiie duties of the pas- 
tor been overlooked by Father McGinnity, for the 
original debt of *20,000 has been reduced to*;?000; 
and when another year of prosperity shall have 
passed the last vestige of indebte<lness will be swept 
away. In the summer of 18SG, accompanieil by 
his brother .lolin, a wealth}' lumber merchant of 
Denver, Col., he made a tri[) to Kuro|)e and visited 
Ireland. Scotland. JOngland, (Tcrmany. Fran<e and 
IW'Iguim. He observed closely the advantages and 
condilioiis of the |ico|)le in those several countries, 
and though lie saw many things to ailmire. he was 
firmly established in the belief that the people of 
.\merica possessed, as a whole, a greater degree of 
education aud intelligence than the masses of the 
European countries. an<l that no land can compare 
with ours in the [)rosperlty and happiness of the 
people. 

■ In l.sfi'.i Uev. McGinnity was called upon to 
mourn tlie loss of liis twin brother, who in early 
life had shared his tlioughls and in after years also 
entered the priesthood, lie was ordaineii at the 
same time as I'.ugene. and served as pastor of the 
churches at Waukesha. I'olosi, Grant County and 
Mazomanie. lie was obliged to give up his cli.arge 
on account of ill health, and died of consumption 
at Darlington at the home of his brother, six 
years and foui- months after his ordination. 

Father McGinnit\ is a genial, kindly-spirited 
and warm-hcartecl man, and commands not only 
the admiration and respect of all within hiscliurch, 
but is highly esteemed by a large circle of I'rotest- 
ant friends. He extends ;i hearty hospitality to all 
who visits his home and greets every one with a 
pleasant woril and cheery smile. He exerts his 



great influcuce on the side of right, and is liberal 
in his contributions whenever an ojjportunity [)re- 
sents. Although not taking an active part in po- 
litical affairs he casts his ballot with the Republican 
jiartv. His life-work has been indeed successful, 
and his varied experience in its different depart- 
ments has made him a power for good in this lo- 
cality-, while all who listen to his words of wisdom 
are .at once convinced of his bright intellect and 
large mental resources, lie enters upon his labor 
with energy and enterprise, and the same charac- 
teristics distinguish him as a citizen. On the 27th 
day of December, 1888, he celebrated the 2.ith 
anniversary of his priesthood, having been ordained 
at twenty-three years of age. 

A fine porti-ait of this honored man is shown 
upon anotlier page. 



y-'T "i'lLLlAM JACK is a leading farmer of 
Turtle Township, residing on swtion 3.'i. 
lie was born in County Doneg.al, in the 
North of Ireland. Dec. 28. 181.'), and is a son of 
James and Klizabeth (Throne) Jack. The patei'- 
nal grandfather, Archibald Jack, was one of the 
wealthy and prominent citizens of Ireland belong- 
ing to an aristocratic famih'. and at his home he 
often entertained the nobles aud lords of that land. 
Archibald Jack and his wife had a family of eight 
children, three sons and five daughters — James; 
.lolin. who died in his nritivi' land; Doiothy wed- 
ded Joseph Caldwell, who came to America in an 
early day, locating in Chicago. He became one 
of the wealthy farmers of Cook County, aud his 
death occureil in that county. Rosanna became 
the wife of Samuel Hood, emigrated to Canada, 
fiom thence to Cook County, 111., .and both are 
now deceased. Jane is the decease<l wife of Dr. 
(ieorge Noble, who wa.s cnie of Chicago's promi- 
nent ph^'sicians. Mary wedded Archibald Fleming, 
and both are deceased. Martha was never mar- 
ried aud died in Cook County. HI. several years 
ago. 

James Jack, the father of our subject, being the 
oldest son of Archibald Jack, at the death of his 
father became heir to a larsje landed estate. He 






ROCK COUNTY. 



37; 



t 



emigrated to tliis country with his family, settling 
ill the I'roviiK-e of (Quebec. Ciinad:!. (then called 
Lower Canada) aliout ninety miles fi-(»in Montreal, 
ami in 184(! at the .■.olicitalion of liis son. (our siili- 
jecl ) came to Rouk County, Wis. He bad a family 
of nine children, of whicii William was tlu' oldest; 
Rosanna, widow of John \\'allace, is liviii;','' in Cook 
County. III.; Sarah died at the age of sixty-live 
3'ears; Mary hecame the wife of James Kletcher; 
ArchibaM is a well-to-do farmer of Turtle Town- 
ship; Kli/.abeth, widow uf William Thruiie, is a 
resident of ArgNle. Winnebago Coiinly. III.; 
James is engaged in farming in Ogle County, 111.; 
Joseph is a resident farmer of Turtle Towuslii|); 
and .lohn is living on the old homestead. The 
death of Mr. Jack occurred in IX.Y.i, and his wife 
died ill IISG.S. Tlie\- were reared in the Scotch 
Presbyterian f;iitli. Imt there being no cliiirch of 
that deiioiniiiatioii in this county, they united with 
the Kpiscopal Cbiircli. 

The education of our snliject was received in 
Canada, and in 1S:!(;, when twenty years of .age. he 
went to Ft. Uearliorn, situated on the site of the 
present city of Chicago, liut which then consisted 
of a few Indian hiil.s. and the barracks for the gar- 
rison of the fort. The follovving winter he 
went to Indi.ana. and in the autumn (jf 1837, 
came to the Territory of Wisconsin, taking up his 
resideiK'c in the little vill.age of Beloit, where he 
seciu'cd work by the month. He worked in that 
manner for several years and decided to invest 
his money in land, liut lost$l.(MiO in the venture, 
which was the whole of his hard earned savings. 
He filially secured 237 acres on .section 33, Turtle 
Township, a partof which he still continues to own. 
Mr. Jack helpe<l to build the lirst mill ever erected 
in Heloit, and in the winter of 1M37-M ra.ade a trip 
through the colil and snow to Milwaukee for the 
mill-stones. The discovery of golil having at- 
tracted his attention, in 1M52, he went to California 
by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and en- 
giiged in mining, in which he was quite successful, 
reniaining on the I'acilic sloiie until I H50, when he 
returned to this county, and began llu' improve- 
ment of his farm. He has now one of the most 
highly cultivated farms in the township, with barns 
and outbuildings which are models of convenience. 



On the 1 8th d.ay of February, 1817, Mr. Jack 
led to the marriage alt.-ir Miss I'hiebe .1. Tiffany, 
who w.as born Aug. G, 1828. in Ontario County, 
N. v., and is a daughter of Nelson and Martha 
(Lewis) Tiffany, the father a native of Connecticut 
and the mother of Xew York. Her parents removed 
to Ohio in 18 15, but subsequently removed to Man- 
chester Township. IJoone Co.. III., where Mr. Tif- 
fany became a wealthy farmer. He occupied a high 
position in the social world, w.a.s respected by all 
who knew him, .and died at the ripe old age of 
sixty-eight in 1871. His wife died about the year 
18.53. They were both members of the Uaptist 
Church. 

Two children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
J.ack, daiighlers — Martha, who was born in Rock 
County, April II. 1MI7. became the wife of Dr. 
J. II. Crumpton, a native of Alabama, ar.d now a 
leading [iliysician of the regular school at Saucelito, 
Cal. Tlie\ have one child — Clara J., born Mav 
28, 1 8811. The doctor, politically, is an ardent 
Democrat, and has taken an active interest in the 
(lolitical questions. He has served several terms in 
the Legislature of California. At |ireseiit, he is 
President of the State Medical As.sociation of Cal- 
ifornia. Clara, the secon<l chihl, is now the wife 
of Dr. J. P. Webster, of Delevan. Walworth Co., 
W'is. ; Dr. Webster is a homeop.athist, and has a 
wide reiiutation as a surgeon. He enjoys a large 
anil lucrative practice. Politically, he is a Repub- 
lican, but has never sought distinction outside of 
his profession. Mr. and Mrs. Jack have given 
their daughters the best of c<lucational advaiit.ages, 
Martha having been educated at the Rockford 
Seminary, while Clara received her education in 
Lake Port, Cal. This worthy couple still make 
their home on the farm, on which they began their 
domestic life. They are surrounded by every com- 
fort and luxuiy whicli can administer to their hap- 
piness and their home is widely known :is the 
abode of hospitality. All are ni.ade welcome bj* 
kindly greeting and genial manner of host 
and hostess. Mrs. Jack is a lady of the high- 
est social attainments and possesses that innate 
delicacy, which leads her to understand her guests 
and iil.ace c:ich one at his ease. She is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, consistent in her pro- 



376 



-^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



fession and an active worker for the interests of 
tlie organization to whicli she belongs. Wliilc luit 
;i member of any Ciiiirch. Mr. .lack gives lilierally 
in supiHjrl of the gospel, and also to the iip-biiiid- 
ing of educational institutions. He is a Democrat 
in politics, and widle taking an interest in political 
affairs, as every true American citizen should do, he 
has steadily refused to accept pulilic otHce. As a citi- 
zen none stands higher in the conimunify tlian 
William .lack, whose honorable, upright course of 
life has won lum the confidence and respect <if all. 

-, #^# S- 



rl-I.IAH ('. ALLEN, one of the most promi- 
nent liusiness men of Heloit, was lioiii on the 
/IL^ 27th of August, 1809, in P.elchcrtown. 
M.'iss.. and is a son of Chester and Mary .Vnn ( Rice) 
Allen, the former a descendant of an i)ld English 
family, who emigrated to this country in an early 
day. They were the parents of ciglit children, 
namely: Harriet, who married .lerry Miller, and 
died in .Icnksville. Mass., aliciut 18.")3; Elijah ('., of 
our sketch; Aimer D., who is li\ing in lieloit; Kliz- 
alieth. widow of Samuel .lolinson. of Keloil; So- 
phronia, who is living in ^\'are, Mass.. is the widow 
of .lohn Coney: the Rev. Samuel H.. a graduate of 
.\mherst College and of a theological seminary of 
.New York City, w;i.s for twenty years ])astor of the 
church at Windsor Locks, and is now living in 
H.-utford, Conn.; Mary is the wife of Ebenezer 
lirowii. a promincut hardware merchant of Talmer 
Depot. Mass.; one died in infani-y. In his political 
sentiments Chester Allen was a Whig, while relig- 
iously, he ami his wife were members of the Con- 
gregational Church. They were honest, upright 
people, who received the respect of all. Mr. Allen 
died in ^^■ are, Mass., in 1861, and his wife departed 
this life in the same |)lace in 1866. 

Our subject was educated in the comniou schools 
of his native State, and when fourti^cn years of age 
went with his family toSpringht'ld, Mass., where he 
learned the trade of a brick-mason. At the age of 
seventeen years he entered the cotton-mills at 
Chieopee. where he rcmainiMl for three years, re- 
ceiving 18 per month. He entered with the full 
determination to learn the process of manufactur- 



ing cotton goods, and beginning in the lowest po- 
sition worked his \v.a\ up, until he was appoiiilecl 
superintendent of the mill. After three years he 
went to Jenksvillo and obtained the position of 
sec<»nd assistant in the weaving room, ami after six- 
months' work he took charge of a weaving-room, 
and for live years w.as overseer of tiiat department, 
(ioing to Hol\'oke he w.is there emi)loyed as super- 
intendent of the spinning and we.aving r<)om, his 
wages at lirst being ?<l.r)(( per day: then for seven 
years he received t2.'»< pci- day, which at lli.it tiuir 
was considered a large amount. He next began 
business for himself at West Covington. .M:uss., 
manufacturing cotton goods, l)ut after two years 
removed to Conway, where he followed the same 
vocation for sixteen years. At the expiration of 
that time he sold out and was employed as superin- 
tendent for three years in a Large woolen-ndll at the 
same place. 

Mr. Allen came to Beloit in IS."i7. and embarked 
in the livery business on Uridge street, where he 
continued for two years, when he removed to wh.at 
is now .Mien's Block, on Sehool street. In 1863 
he removed his stock to Chicago, .and locate<l on 
the corner of Fifth avenue anil LaSalle street. In 
18G8 he erected what is known .as Allen's Block at 
a cost of >il."),000. The same yeai- he built a block 
on the northwest corner of Cottage (irove and Oak- 
lan<l boulevard. Chicago, .at a cost of $20,00(1. He 
has .also erected two dwelling houses in Beloit. at 
a cost of i¥7,00(l, .and is the owner of a line farm in 
Illinois, adjoining Heloit, which comprises 112 
acres and is valued at *1.20l). 

In 1832, in SpringlicliL Mass., Mr. Allen was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Lucinda B. Babbit, a 
native of Ware. M.ass.. born in 181 L Their union 
has been blessed with one son, Charles W.. of Chi- 
cago, who married .lennie Hun. .and has two chil- 
dren — Lilli.'iu l>. and ISirdie. He is a man of good 
business ipialificatioiis ami has been engaged with 
some of the largest wholesale tobacco firms of the 
city. He w.as first engaged with .spaulding iVr .Mer- 
rick for live years, when he sold out ami the com- 
pany of .Vllen & Ellis was organized. In 1871. 
during the great fire, their works were burned to 
the ground, causing a loss of ^20,000. but Charles 
immediately went to Cincinnati, where he again 



-4»- 



-4*- 



-•^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



emliarkcd in tho same business, and within ten days 
was shipping {i^uiids tii Chicaijo. In I.S,S2 he pni- 
chased Ihe interest of his partnei' in Cincinnati and 
removed Ids inisiness to the corner of Monroe and 
Canal streets, Chicago, where he contiiuied until 
188(;, when on account of the had management of 
his partner and the decline in toliacct) lie was 
forced to suspend business. 

iMr. Allen, our subject, is a man of more than 
ordinary ability; shrewd, yet thoroughl}- honest, he 
has by gooil in:ni:igenu'nl and close attention to 
business accumulated a fortune. In early life lie 
was a Whig, and in hSIOcast his ballot for Will- 
iam Henry llanison. At the organization of the 
liepublic.-in party he joined its raidvs and has since 
been one of its tirm supjiorters. 



-«e£i?;'5>^~-^^^-*©f-a/ZW»»~i 



"ji/OSKPll K. OTTMAN, a representative far- 
I mer residing on section l;^. Rock Township, 
^.^^ j h.as been a resident of this county for over 
(^^' thirty years. He w.t-s born in Schohaiie 
County. N. Y.. .and is a son of Henry and Mary 
Ann (lU'tts) Ottman, who were born in the same 
State. The father was of German descent, and the 
nu>iher. of Knglish origin. The paternal grandfa- 
ther, Jacob Ottman, w:is also a native of the Em- 
pire State, and served his country during the War 
of isrj. Henry Ottman, was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, hut also engaged in manufacturing in early 
life for several years. In I808, accompanied by 
his f.annly. he came to Wisconsin, locating in .lanes- 
ville, where he resi<lod for several years, but later 
purchased a farm in La Prairie Township, com- 
prising ninety acres. His death occurred in IJST'.t. 
and his wife departec] this life in 18G0. They 
were highly respectable people, were consistent 
members of IheMethodist Episcopal Church, and 
to them were born six children — Theodore, who is 
now engaged in farming in Rock Township; .lo- 
seph E., of this sketch; (JeorgeL.. a resident of 
Chicago; .lennie. who makes her home with our 
subject; Charles Weslej', who died in youth; Mary 
E., who resides with her brother Theodore, in Rock 
Township. 

In the common schools our subject received his 



education, and was reared to manhood ui)on his fa- 
ther's farm. He began business for himself as a 
f.armer. and has followe<l agricultural pursuits con- 
tinuously siiu'c. For three years, he engaged in 
the cultivation of the old home f;irm, when he 
l)urcha.<ed 102 acres of land on section l.'t. Rock 
Township, which was but parti.-dly improved, but 
by the care .and cultivation he has bestowed upon 
it h.as been transformed into one of the lincst 
farms in the township. A residence has been 
erected at a cost of ^1,200, while the outbuildings 
comprises a barn and granary, tobacco warehouse, 
etc., were erected at a cost of over $ 1,0(1(1. In 
connection with general farming, he engages in the 
cultivation of tobacco, and also makes a s|)ecialty 
of raising hogs. In his political sentiments, Mr. 
Ottman is a suppoi-ter of the Republican parlv. 
Possessing an observant e\ e and retentive memory 
he is always well infornie(l on the issues of the day, 
both state and n.Mtional. aii<l is resi)ected by all who 
know him. He takes pride in having eveivthing 
arounil him neat ;nid convenient both for himself 
and sister, who has charge of the ple.a.sant home. 
Being a man of generous impulses, one feels at ease 
while enjoying his hospitality'. 

^., ^3. 




er— «- 

A. OTT. a nicMnber of the lirm of Otl & 
III 1\\ ^""" ''■"''"^^'^ makers of .lanesville, is num- 
bered among the early settlers of Uock 
County, dating his residence in this city 
from the year 18r>l. He is a native of Haden, 
Germany, born on the (Uh daj' of April, 1838. 
The first ten j-e.ars of his life were spent in his na- 
tive land, wlien in 184H. he accompanied his p:ir- 
euts who cmigrateil with their family to America, 
locating at Milwaukee, where both f.atber and 
mother died. 

Our subject began his business career as an a|ipren- 
ticc to the harness making trade which he learned 
under the directions of Albert Shcrer. After com- 
pletely insistering the business, he was associated 
with his cniployer as a partner for man^- years. 
In 1857, the lirm of .Sherer & Ott established a 
lu'anch business in 15ro<lhead. Green Co., Wis., and 
Mr. Ott became the manager of the house in that 



■*^ 



4 



378 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■^r 



city, contiuviing llie same for two years. His con- 
nection with Mr. Shercr was continiierl until that 
gentlemen's (U-ath, after which he condueted the 
husiness alone until 1H80, when his son Arthur was 
addmitted as a partner, under the firm name of 
M. A. Ott &. Son. His place of husiness is located 
on the west side of North .Main street, just opposite 
the store in which he served his apprenticeship 
with Mr. .Sherer thirty-eight years ago. He is the 
oldest harness maker of Janesville and one of the 
earliest German settlers of the city. I'.y industry 
and fair dealing lie has huilt np a fine trade and se- 
cured the confidence of the i)ulilic. 

Mr. Ott was united in marriage witli Miss Sarah 
K. ('rail, and hy their union four children have 
been l)orn, three sons and a daughter — Aitliur, 
Frank, Cecelia and Charles N. The last di« d Dec. 
22, 18SH. at the age of twenty-live years, .\rtiiur. 
who is associated with his father in husiness, was 
horn in Janesville, Feh. 28. 1862. and is a young 
man of good husiness alulity. He is also connected 
with the lire dei)artment of .lanesville. having 
chariTC of the hose wagon, and is one of the active 
and el^Iicient workers of tluit department. 

For the long period of thirty-eight years. 
M. .\. Ott has been a resident of .lanesville, during 
which time, he has been associated with the lead- 
ing Inisiness interests of tlie city, and ha.s always 
worked for its advancement and welfare. He is a 
worthy and respected cili/.en, who is held in high 
esteem by all who know him, and we are pleased 
to record this sketch of bis life in the liistory of 
his adopted county. 



l^HKUL PUl'E, who resides on secti(m 11. 
Janesville Township, is the oldest settler 
living in Rock Count}'. For fifty-three 
years he has been one of its residents, having set- 
tled within its borders in 183.'). .it which time there 
were only six other seltlemeuls in the county. He 
w:i,s born in Winton Parish, Hartford Co., Conn., 
on the 31st of March, 1 SI."), and wiis the fifth 
child born to Dr. Samuel and Freelove (Waterman) 
Pope, who were the parents of nine children. His 
father was a native of Ma.ssachiisetts and in 180G 

<» 




was united in marriage, in Rhode Island, with Miss 
Waterman, who was born near Providence, that 
State. The young couple shortly afterwanl emi- 
grateil to Hartford County, Conn., where they re- 
sided until April, 1824. at which time they re- 
moved to Hroome County. N. V.. locating near 
liinghampton. Dr. Pope was one of the eminent 
phj'siciaus of the day. and had ;i wide reputation. 
He made a specialty of cancers, and. while a resi- 
dent of Connecticut, served as state, county and 
town physician for the jioor. His services were 
greatly in demauil. his practice extending over a 
wide territory, anil among his brothers in the pro- 
fession he held the highest lank. He also devoteil 
much of his time and attention to church work, 
and was :i prominent member of the Congrega- 
tional Church, iloini; .'dl in his power to advance _- 
his Master's cause, iiis death occurred March 18. 

1834, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife. 
who was a most estimable lady, survived him manv 
years, and in 1831) came to Wi.>iconsin. in which 
State her death occurred on the 3d of December. 
18.")3, in the sixtv-sixlh year of her age. Her 
ancestfv on both sides can be traced back to Eng- 
land. 

The children born to .Mr. and Mrs. Pope were: 
Samuel, who reside<l in l>roonie County. N. V.. 
until 18.H(l. when he died, lea\ing a wife and chil- 
dren to mourn his loss; ()li\t'. who became Mrs. 
French, departed this life in Scptend)er. 18.'i:i, 
leaving a luisband and two children; .\nson. who ^ 
was marrie<l in New ^■ork. came to Wisconsin in 

1835, puri'hasing a farm in coiiuection with our 
subject, resided iu this State for some years, but 
later removed to Missouri, where his death oc- 
curred iu September. 1871, his family yet residing 
in that State; John, who was married, wjis killed 
in Susquehanna County, Pa., in 1884; N'irgil is the 
fifth in order of birth; Dryden. who is married, 
resides in Pennsylvania, where he eng.ages in 
preaching, and also carries on farming; C3'rns, who 
is married, is a practicing physician in Sparta. 
Wis., and has been a resident of this State since 
1839; James, who is married and resides in Col- 
lins, La Fayette Co.. Wis., became a resident of 
Kock County in 1840, but a few years since be- 
came a resident of Klk Creek, .lohnsou Co., Neb. 






■^•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



379 



He is a minister of tlie l-'ree-VVill Baptist Ciiiii-ch, 
&ih\ was in the service longer than any otiier 
pri'Mclicr in the annual meetings of Wisconsin; 
llenjaniin, who is singk", came to Kociv County in 
I83;>, antl wiien the Civil War broke out enlisted 
at .lanesville. in 18(i2, for three years service, as a 
member of the '2id Wisconsin Infantry, in which 
he served ujider Sherman until the close of the 
war. He participated in the battles of Atlanta 
and Charleston, and took part in the grand review 
at Washington, D. C, in which city he was honor- 
ably discliarged in ISd'). lie is now engaged in 
farming in Michigan. 

In 1H:!.'), \irgil Pope, the subject of this sketcii, 
left his home in New York and became a |jioneer 
of Wisconsin. Bidding good-bye to hon)e and 
friends, he went ihiwii the Susquehanna River on 
a raft for a short <listance. then landing, started on 
his U)ng and perilous jouiney of ;iO(( miles afoot. 
His w.ay led through forests and over plains, and 
was fraught with many diflicultics and haidships, 
but at length, on the 1 Uli of N'ovemlier, he icacheil 
Rock County, and his travels were at an end. He 
ira<l stopped at Warrenville, III., for a short time, 
and passeil through Rockford, which then con- 
tained biit two families. On the site of the |)rcsent 
populous city of .lanesville there was not a single 
white inhabitant; indeed, but six settlements had 
been made in the entire county. Nothing daunted, 
however, the young traveler resolved to make his 
honu' here in the Far West, and entered land, 
which he i)urcha.sed at the laud sale held in 1 .s 10. In 
connection with his brother, he laid claim to ;{22 
acres, which was then covered with a dense growth 
of timber. I)ut at length in the midst of the forest 
he <lcveloped a line farm. .Some of this land was 
afterwanl sold, but he now owns l.').'i acres, which 
is under a high state of cultivation. Every im- 
provement upon the place is a testimonial of his 
lal)or, and none but those who have shared a like 
experience can rcali/.c the ililliculties and hardships 
which come to those who make homes in a new 
country. 

On the '.»th of January, IMl.'), in Rock County. 
Wis., Mr. Pope was uniteil in marriage with Miss 
Sallj' Ann Humes, who was b(un in .MIegany 
Count}', N. Y.. and is a dangiitcr of Amos and 



f 



Susan (A'reeland) Humes, who were also natives 
of the Empire State. Her father spent a portion 
of his time as a farmer, but the greater part of his 
life wa.s passed in hunting. He made a trip to Wis- 
consin in 1S;?(;. in lS.i7. and again in l,s;!,S, mid 
settled |>ermanently in the State in IK42, locating 
in .lanesville Township, where he bought .■uid im- 
proved a farm. His wife, who w.as a nicmher of 
the Baptist Church, died .Inly I, 18411. at the aoe 
of thirty-nine ye.-us and nine months, after which 
Mr. Ilnnies made his home with our subject. Iiut 
spent most of his time wandering over the coun- 
try engaged in hunting. His death occurred in 
Dakota, Dec. 31, 1884. at the age of eightv-six 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Humes were the parents of 
.several children, namely: Mrs. Pope; Thomas L., 
who for many years was in the employ of llu'tJov- 
ernnient as Inspector of steamboats, is now en- 
gaged in putting u|) machinery, and resides at Osh- 
kosh; Caroline W. is the wife of ('. W. Beeson, of 
Ilealsburg, Cal.; Marion enlisted in the 2d Regi- 
ment, seventy-live days' service, at Madison, Wis., 
in April, lS(il,bul the company was disbanded, 
after which he Jigain enlisted, in .May, 18(;i.asa 
member of the P.ell City Rilles, and was killed at 
the first battle of liull Run, being the first to ^^e 
kilh'il in battle from the State of Wisconsin; Susan 
wedded .lohn Sturlevant. of ()shUo>li. Wis.; and 
Kddy resides in C.'difornia. 

.\fter his marriage .Mr. Pope took his yonn" 
bride to the home which he had made on section 
14. .Ianes\ille Township, wheie he li.as resided for 
the past lifty-four ye.ars, l<'our children have been 
born to them, and the famil\ circle yet remains 
unbroken. Isabel \'., the ehlest, wedded i;. N. 
Shaw, .and resides in .lanesville Township, where 
her husband is engaged in farming; .\rvill:i \'. is 
with her parents; Delia .M.. now Mrs. Holden, is 
living on a farm not far from her parents: and 
Anson T. is still living on the old homestead, 
managing and operating the same for his father. 
He wedded .lennie Bergh, a native of Ocono- 
niowoc, Wis., and to them have been born three 
children — \'irgil, Lizzie, .and Charles Albert. 

Perhaps no man in Rock County is more widely 
known or more universally resiiected th:in \'irgil 
Pope. Prom the earliest d.ays of his residence here, 



-4»- 



-•► 



4 



•«» 



380 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4> 



l)e has ever takeu an active part in the build- 
ing up of the community, and has ever given liis 
inlhiencc and support to the advancement of its 
enterprises wliic-h have for tlieir object the public 
welfare. In his political sentiments he is a Repub- 
lican, haviuij lieen one of the ardent supporters of 
that party since its organization. He has served his 
township for two terms as Supervisor, has held the 
office of Township Treasurer, and has ever been 
prominent in the promotion of it4^ educational in- 
terests. The work of tlie church also receives his 
attention, and for many \earslie has been interested 
in its ijrogiess and advancement. In regard to 
tem|)erance, lie has ever followed the motto, "touch 
not. ta-ste not, handle not," and to this li.abit of ab- 
stinence from all which intoxicates he, no doubt, 
owes mucli of his present strength and liealtli. His 
life during the pioneer days of this c(>unty would 
doubtless be a stor^' of thrilling interest to many 
of the youths of this day. 



^j^KOHCJE HAYES, wlio resides in Clinton, is 
III (— -, numbered among the jiioneers of this county 
^^5i of 18i:i. He came to Wisconsin in the 
days when its prairies were in tlieir primitive con- 
dition, when wild game of all kinils w.as to be 
foiinil ill abundance and the red men were still nu- 
merous. From that time until the present he h:Ls 
witnessed the rapi<l changes which have been made 
by progress and civilization, ha.s seen the prairies 
by the cultivation of man blossom .as the rose, 
towns and villages have sprung up, and countless 
manufactories have been introduced until Rock 
is now on a par with any in this vast common- 
wealth. 

Mr. Hayes was born in Bavaria, (ierm.any. on 
the Ittli day of .lune. 1.H2.5. and there received his 
education in the common school. He remained at 
home until sixteen years of age, when wishing to 
try his fortune in the New World, in 1S40, he b.nde 
goodl>ye to home and friends and saileil for Amer- 
ica. Landing in this country, he went to Milwau- 
kee in 1811, since which time he has been .-i resi- 
dent of Wisconsin. Two years later he came to 
Uock County and engaged in working uiion a farm 



-T 



until 1846, when he enlisted in the Mexican War. 
serving for twenty-one months, his dut}' being in 
the naval service. He there first saw John A. Lo- 
gan, though he never met him personally until 
1880, when he was called to Janesville to meet the 
gallant (ieneral. 

In 1851, Mr. H.ayes and Miss Kliza S. Hilton, 
who was born near Oswego, N. Y., in 1831, were 
married in Beloit. Unto them was born a family 
of ten children, six of whom are living — Angle 1'., 
who was first in order of birth, is now the wife of 
.\ndrew Finley, of Brookfield, Mo.: Annie .1. who 
married O. A. Westover, is living at home; David 
IL, is engaged in bl.acksmithing in Clinton; John A. 
is residing in the far AVest; (leorge T., is now liv- 
ing in California; Fred M., is still at home with 
his parents. 

At the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, 
Mr. Hayes was among the fust to assist in enlisting 
soldiers for the war, tlie\' forming a compan\' un- 
der Col. \'an \'alin. He became a member of 
Company C, of the 1 3th Wisconsin Infantry, in 
1864, but shortly aftenvard was transferred to 
Company C, X'eteran Reserve Corps, and sent to 
Nashville, where he was stationed when Oeii. For- 
est entered that city. He served until the close of 
the war and was musteie<l out at Ciiiciiiiiati. Ohio, 
after which he returned to Sharon. Wis., where his 
fnmiU wa.s then living. He now receives a pen- 
sion of ^'Mt per month. Socially, he is a nieinber 
of the (J. A. R. Post and Temple of Honor, both 
of Clinton, ami politically, is one of the warmest 
supportfis of the Republican party. He is a ineni- 
ber of the Congregational Church, and his wife is 
a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
They are widely known throughout the coinmunity 
in which they reside and hold an enviable pl.ace 
in the hearts of their iiiaiiy friends. 



JOHN H. MYERS, who is engaged in black- 
smithing in Clinton, Wis., was born in the 
Kingdom of Hanover, (Germany, now a part 
of Prussia, on the 3(lth dav of Novemhcr. 
1827. He there grew to manhood and received a 
liber.al education in his native land. On arriving 



■*►•-♦ 



I 




^ 

^ 




& 





$3 



-^^ 



ROCK COUNTY, 



38;S 



at man's estate lie deteriniiied to try his fortune in 
the New World, and liidding adieu toiionieand 
friends, crossed tiiu broad Athiiitic to Anieriea. 
He was the first of the f.ainilj' to come to this 
coiintr}', and lien<'(' foiinil himself among strangers 
wilh IK) familiar face to welcome him. lie first 
took n|) his residence in the vMy of Uallimoi-e, 
Md., where he worked at tlie tiade of carriage- 
makiiig, i-emaining in that place five years. That 
|H'iiod of time h;iving elapsed he continued his 
journey westwaril until reaching St. Louis, Mo., 
where he passed the two succeeding years and tiien 
joined Mabie's Circus and Caravan of Delavau. 
Wis. After twelveyears spent- in th:it life, hccom- 
ing tired of traveling, he determined to settle down 
and located at ISrodhead, fiirecn Co., Wis., where 
he once more resumed work at his trade. In 1 «(;.">. 
ho enli'Sted in the \X\\\ Wisconsin infantry and was 
assigned to Company 1!, in which he served until 
the close of the war. when he was mustered out of 
service at Milwaukee. 

Mr. Myers has been twice married. His first 
union, which was celebrated in ISfM. being with 
Miss Sarah Richardson. an<l unto them was born 
one child — Frank ()., who is now living in \\'au- 
paca. Wis. Mrs. Myers was a member of the Meth- 
odist Ki)iscopal Church, and her death occurred in 
1877. In the month of September, 1878, ,Mr. 
Myers W!is again married to Mrs. Mary Fox, wid- 
ow of Hiram Fox. lintli .'U-e mcud)ers of the 
Methodist Episcopal Chuich at Clinton and are 
res|»cted by all who know them. I'olitically, he 
is a Republican and cast his first Presidential vote 
for Abrah;im Lincoln. 

-» .^-^ <^ 



W>ILLIAM WYMAN, (me of the early and 
respected citizens of Hradford Townshiii. 
is numbereil among the pioneers of Rock 
County, of 18;51). He was born in I5everIy.Mn.ss., 
on the Kith day of March, 180(;, and is a son of 
.Joshua anil .Susan Frances Wyman. His ])areiits 
had a family of thirteen children, namely: /.accheus. 
.losliua, .Susan. Thomas, James, William, Sophia, 
Rebecca, .lolin F.. Lemuel. Elizabeth. Sarah an<l 
David. The eldest brother was comm:in<lei' of a 



company at Fort Independence in the War of 1812. 
in th(^ State of Massachusetts, and James was a 
physician in the I'nited States Navy. 

Our subject passed his boyhood days in his native 
town, an<l received his education in the common 
schools. In early life he learned the carpenter's 
trade, and began his business career in Hoston. 
where he worked at his chosen occupation. He 
was also engaginl in the construction of the Erie 
Canal. In 1828 he removed from Boston to 
Rochester. N. V., where he continued to reside 
until 18;51», when, thinking thiit the opportunities 
afforded by the West were superior to those of the 
East, he emigrated to Rock County, Wis., reaching 
his destination on the 12th day of June. He be- 
came a resident of Br.-idford Township, where he 
devoted his attention to farming antl also engaged 
extensively in sheep raising, having at one time .as 
many as 1,100 sheep. He formerly owned a f.arm 
of 18.") acres on the divide, north of Des JMoines. 
at Peoria City, Iowa, and driving a Hock of 1,100 
head of sheep to that i)l<acc he there remained with 
them for three years, when, selling his land, he 
returneil with the flock to Rock County. He is 
now the owner of one of the finest farms in this 
county, comprising r)60 acres under a high state of 
cultivation, with the newest im|)rovements and 
conveniences, lie has also built a handsome coun- 
try residence, and in connection with farming has 
engaged to some extent in working at his trade. 
Among the many buildings which he has erected 
arc the Wyman Hotel and Opera House in the 
town of Clinton, which stand as monuments of 
his etiicient skill and progressive spirit. 

In Rochester. N. V.,on the 28th day of J.anuary, 
1833, Mr. Wyman led to the marriage altar Miss 
Martha Boardman, and to them were born two 
children — .Marth.-i A., who was born Feb. 13, 1 83G, 
died Jan. 13. is.i:). On the 22d day of December. 
1839. another daughter was born, whom thev also 
named Martha A. .She is now the wife of James 
Pilack of North Loop, .Ni'b.. and they lia\e two 
children. William and Uobert. Mr. Black is the 
owner of a large ranch. He served .as a solilier in 
the late war for three years, having enlisted at 
Fond ilu Lao, in the 22d Wisconsin Infantrw and 
was wounded in the cheek and shoulder at the 



•p^i^4i- 



384 



ROCK COUNTY. 



battle of Lookout Mounlain. Two adopted sons 
of Mr. Wyman also faithfully served their country 
in tlie strugole to preserve tiie Union. 

The <leatli of Mrs. Wyman ofeurred in IK.sO. 
and tlie luisband was a<fain married Fell. 17, 1H81, 
his second union being witii Corrie Wells, wlio was 
born Jan. 2, 1858, in Xunda. .MeHcnry Co., 111. 
Her parents, Peter and Adeiia (( lianiberlain) 
Wells, had a family of four ehildrcn, of whom 
Mrs. Wyman is tlie eldest. The otlier children are 
Helen, Frances and Peter. 'l"o Mr. and Mrs. 
AVyman iiave been born twoehildicn — .Vnua F^liza- 
lieth, born F'eb. 2, 1882, and Ida Fr.ances, l)orn 
July 5, 1884. 

Our subject has been a resident of Rock County 
since its pioneer da\'s. He has witnessed almost 
its entire development, has participated in its 
growth and progress, and h.-is aided materially in 
it.s advancement. He has alw.aj's taken an active 
interest in public affairs, hits .served his fellow citi- 
zens as Notary Pulilic for two years, for three years 
filled the oflice of Scliool Director, and for the past 
ten years has been Justice of the I'eiicc. Politic- 
ally he is a Democrat. He is known thronglioul 
the country as an enterprising, pi-ogressive man. 
and is held in high esteem b3' all. 

We are pleased to present llie line portraits <>f 
Mr. and Mrs. W'yinan, which ;ippe;ir on ;uiolhcr 
page. 



4 



kKWIS B. BEKBE. a resident of Kvansville, 
Wis., is one of the leading dent.al surgeons 
of Rock County. He w.as born in the vil- 
lage of Union, on the 20tli day of April, 1H4;'), 
and is a son of Bela and Sarah A. (Chapel!) Beebe, 
botli of whom were natives of New York. His 
parents wore married in M.adison Conufy of the 
I^mpire State, Miiy 4, 1841, and immediately after- 
warils started for the Territory of Wisconsin, in 
company with Samuel Lewis, who was one of the 
prominent pioneer settlers, and Daniel (). Cliapell, 
who for many years was tlie village blacksmith of 
Union. He erected the second frame house in that 
town, and at his home the Masonic Lodge ctinvened 
for many years. Cnion w.as then a thriving little 
pl.-K^e, full of life and energy, and w:us the half-w.ay 

-^c — -— 



station between Madison and Jancsville on the old 
stage road. 

Bela Beebe made his first settlement near Racine, 
residing there till the sjiring of 1 SI."), wiien he 
removed to the village of I'nion. Soon after he 
entered a farm in Rutland, D:inc Co., Wis., I'emov- 
ing his family to that claim. Purchasing the land 
from the (Government, it was consequently in an un- 
improved condition. Not a furrow had lucn 
turned, a building erected or a fence m.ade. but ho 
at once began the work of development, and in the 
course of time had a fine farm of 120 acres, on 
which he made his home until 18G4, when lie re- 
movcil to Evansville, where he resided until after 
the death of his wife, which occun-ed on the 2r)th 
day of March, 187(1. She w.as laicl to rest in the 
vill.ige cemetery of F]\ansville, anil Mr. Beebe then 
went to Kansas, where he remained until October. 
1871. At that time he returned to Kvan.sville. but 
after a short lime removed to his present farm ii] 
Magnolia Township, lie is a mend)erof the Meth- 
odist Fpiscop.-d Church, to which his wife .-dso be- 
longed, and is a highly icspectcd citizen. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Beebe had a f:unily of eiyht chil- 
dren, :is follows: r>ela \\'., who w.as born May 2o, 
184:?, in Racine County, Wis., and is now a promin- 
ent citizen of Brodhca<l. enlisted in the ranks of 
the 2d Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, in I8(;i. p.ar- 
tieipated in both b.attles of liidl U'nn and in all 
other engagements of his regiment until the battle 
of South Mount.-iin, where he was wounded, receiv- 
ing bis discharge in 18G3, .after two years service, 
(m account of ilisabilit}- attemliuit ()n his injuries. 
]>ewis H., the subject of this sketch, is the second 
in order of birth. Hobert D. is now in the employ 
of a railroad, and resides in K;ins:LS City, Moi 
Sarah \. l)ceame the wife of F.dwin DeLong, a 
veteran of the late war, and three children survive 
them, both being now dect-.ased. Melvin I), is en- 
gage<l in f:u-iiiing in Plymouth Township. Rluida 
('. is the wife of Charles K. Carver, a resident 
farmer of Harding Comity, Iowa. M\ra J. wedded 
Charles Patchin, wlio is operating a farm in Nash- 
ville Township, Martin Co., .Minn.; and Willie, who 
married Miss Jennie Patchin, is connected with his 
father in the management of the home farm. 

The subject of this sketch received his ediica- 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



385 



tion in tlie i-oiiinion scliools of Union Townsliip 
and ill the Evansville Seniinarv. His early life 
was spent upon liis fatiier's farm until the age of 
nineteen years, wiien, in 18(J4, he left the [)arental 
roof and enlisted in tlie service of his eountry as a 
nienil)er of Uattery G, "id Illinois Light Artillery. 
He joined the command at N.ashville, Teiui., reach- 
ing the regiment just in time to take |>art in the 
liattle at that place. IJattery G was then sent to 
Kastport, iNHss., where it remained in camp until 
Fehruary, ISfJ.i, whence it was ordered to Cairo, 
III., and on tf> New Orleans, La. It then proceeded 
l)y water Ir) Moliile, Ala., participating in the siege 
against that city in April, 1805. Continuing on to 
Montgomery, Ala., it was there encami>ed until 
August, when it was ordered to Springfield. III., 
Mud discharged from the service. 

The winli'r after his return, 18(ir)-l), Dr. ISeelie 
attended school at the seminary at Kvansville, and 
the following spring went to lieloit, where he 
worked at the painter's trade until autumn. He 
then again entered the seminary, continuing his 
studies until the winter of 18()i(-70, when he en- 
gaged in t(!aching school in .Spring Valley. While 
following that profession, he made the acquaintance 
of Mrs. Sylvia M. (Spragne) Palmer, and on the 
15tli of September. 1870, the}- were united in mar- 
riage. Mrs. Heebe is the daughter of Almerin and 
Ascnath (Xoyce) Spragne (who were early settlers 
of Spring Valley, foi'merly from New "iork State). 
sister of Hon. Burr Spragne, of Green County, 
an<l Mrs. Nellie A. I'alnier. wife of N. N. Palmer, 
of Spring \' alley, whose sketch appears elsewhere 
in this work. The young couple began their do- 
mestic life upon a farm on section 33, Magnolia 
Township. Mr. IJeebe teaching school for several 
siicce.ssive winters, in the spring of 1879. .Mr. 
Becbe. desiring to follow a professional career, then 
abandoned tigricnltural p\irsnits. and accepted the 
position of stu<lcnt in the dental otiice of Ors. A. 
H. Holiinson and Geo. Rollock. imder whom he 
pursued his stuilies for two and a half veais. In 
the fall of LSf^'i he purchased his present otiice and 
established business for himself. He is a close 
student, well posted on over\thing iiertaining to 
Ills profession, has .all the latest improved appliances, 
;ind is conversant with the newest methods. For 



the past ten years he has been actively engaged 
in the practice of his profession, and has won for 
himself a liberal share of the public patronage. 

Two children grace the uni<m of Dr. and Mrs. 
ISeebe — Helen .lune, wlni was born .June 15, 1882; 
and (lordon A., born Aug. 27. 188(i. He also sup- 
plies a father's place to the three orphan children 
of his sister, Mrs. DeLong. who died in one of the 
southwestern counties of Mis.souri. At her death 
he went to the bereaved home, bringing back the 
remains of the loved sister, whom he laid to rest 
by the side of their mother in the Evansville ceme- 
tery. .Socially, Dr. Heebe is a member of the Ma- 
sonic Fraternity, the L O. O. F., the Modern Wood- 
men of America, and T. L. Sutplien Post, No. 41, 
(i. A. R., all of Evansville. and his wife is a mem- 
ber of the W. R. C, No. 28, Auxiliary to Post No. 
41. The Doctor has not only been an ej'e-witness 
of the many changes that have taken pl.ace since 
his birth in the little village of liiiion, but has been 
an active participant in the great work of trans- 
formation. Where once the wild and undeveloped 
prairie stretched away to the horizon are now rich 
and fertile farms; school houses, churches and busi. 
ness institutions have been erected, and the county 
is populated with an intelligent and contented 
people. To the pioneers this change is Largely due, 
and to Dr. Beebe belongs a large share of the pub- 
lic gratitude. Politically he is, and ever has been, 
an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and 
h.as filled various township offices of trust, serving 
now .as Notary Public, A'illage Trustee and Pension 
Agent. He is one of tlie leading and enterprising 
business men of Evansville, and is a member of 
the Business INIon's Association, and a resi)ecte<l 
citizen, and while he is yet young in years, he is 
really one of the oldest settlers of Rock Count}-, 
and is now living within three miles of his birth- 
place. 



EN.lAiMIN BROWN was born at Framing- 
^ ham, Miiss., .lune 8. lS(i;!. the youngest of 
eight children. His great-grand father, 
.losepli Brown, born at Watertown. near 
Boston, in 1(179, and his grandfather. William, 
were Congregational deaeous. His mother's father. 




■<»■ 



^rt= 



■*► 



38r, 



ROCK COUNTY. 




l\raj. -lolin Nixon, led a eoiiipaiij' at Bunker Hill, 
w:is wounded at Lexington, and .sci\ed witli Wash- 
ington at Haarlem. I>csccnded lluis from a standi 
Xi'w Kngianil ancestry' of military and sen-faring 
nn'ii, niercliants. .-ind deacons, llenjamin inlieritod 
a vital and cnteri)rising nature comprising all those 
traits. When ahout twelve years of age he ran 
away to Boston, shippe<lasa caliin lioyon aco.asler, 
and after a two month's voyage to Nova Scotia 
and to Maryland, returned home in the glory of a 
new suit anil a successful venture. At ahont this 
lime his father, a wealthy mill owner of .Saxonville, 
lost liis properly, and the hoy had to work in a 
cotton factory. At the age of fourteen he was 
pl.iced in charge of the whole building. His school 
education comprised only a few terms and a good 
grounding in the ''three lis." Wlien lie w;is fifteen 
his father died, and Benjamin lived until his ma- 
jority on the farm of a brother-iu-law. in Canada. 
During one of those years he and his next older 
Ijrother cleared forty acres of (loveninient timlier 
land, chopping down trees, liurning the logs and 
hrnsh, and then making the .ashes into pearla.sh. 
At llie age of twenty-one. being eager for a sea- 
man's life, he gave? up his farm and went to New 
York City, took part in a schooner \o\age to Cuba, 
and back, and then sailed with his older br<»ther (a 
sea captain) to N'era Cruz, Mexico. Returning soon 
to the I'niled States, at Mol>ile, Ala., he was t.aken 
ill with the yellow fever. After he hacl l.'iin eight 
weeks in bed, the doctor in attendance rem.arked to 
his landlady, "I do not think that Mr. lirown can 
live more th.an twenty-four hours longer." The 
patient, summoning up :dl his energy, called out. " I 
will live." His physician replied with ri laugh, "If 
th.at is yonr spirit I believe you will." 

In that southern country Benjamin lirown lived 
•and labored for the next eighteen ye:us, first as 
master of a yacht feiry across Mobile liay. then as 
a trader in New Orlenns. afterwani as a teacher 
three years in Western North Carolina, but chieHy 
as a store-keei)er and gold dealer among the mines 
of that region. His last southern experience, taking 
:i boat loud of s\igar up the Mississippi River to l)u- 
bn(iue, in the early spring of 1S39, introdnced him 
to this great Northwest, in which legion he resolved 
to make his future home, lleturninn; to Ma.«sachu- 



sctts in 1840, he married Mrs. Lucy A. Leland. and 
moving West, came, in October of that year, 
through Chicago, a place of fi.OKO inh.abitants. to 
the village of Beloit, Territory of Wisconsin. 

During those first years iu Beloit, Mr. Brown 
kejit a variety store, and carried on a brick yard. 
In 1814 he purchased the lots on which his busi- 
ness blocks now stand, and soon after built thereon 
a brick residence. The growth of Beloit led to his 
building there also a number of wooilen stores, 
which, with the old home, were all burneil in Feb- 
ruary. l'^71. During the years of I872-7;i were 
erected the substantial brick and slone blocks 
which bear his name, and which his son li.as re- 
cently enlarged and improved. In tlie year 1849, 
at a gathering of t)nly eleven men met to estjiblish 
a I'resbyteri;in Chnrch. and before a single dollar 
had been raised, Mr Brown w:is appointed builder. 
He .accepted the position, and within a year the 
First Presbyterian Clmrch of Beloit (then called 
the finest church building in Wisconsin outside of 
Milwaukee) was completed. In the erection of 
every chuich building in Heloit Mr. Brown has 
hel|)cd, :uid he h:is shared also in all public enter- 
prises for the welfare of that city. His house w.as 
a home of generous and manifold lios]>italities. 
From the very first he was a friend of every n)oral 
reform, and a fearless, outspoken opponent of 
slavery. He wrote and voted the first anti-slavery 
ticket cast iu this district. An old resident re- 
cently lem.-iikeil to him, -'We always knew where 
to find you." 

Well tr;iine<l in chililhood by an earnest Chris- 
tian mother. Henjamin lirown had all his life be- 
lieved in the liible, and reverenced religious truth. 
During the \ car 18.51 he publicly beg.an his Chris- 
tian life, and united with the First Presbyterian 
Church of Beloit, the Uov. Alfred Kddy, Pastor. 

Besides his adopted daughter Lucy (died in 1855), 
Mr. Brown has had four children: Anna, who died 
during infancy, in 1 S.JO : Kllen (Mrs. K. W. Porter) 
who died at Chicago .June 22. 18('i,'); an only son, 
William F., now the Presbyterian pastor at .lancs- 
villc, AVis. : and a daughter, Maria K. Brown, who 
lives witii him at Beloit. His wife, Mrs. Lucy A. 
Brown, a lady of pure .and lovely Christian charac- 
ter, p.a.ssed away Sept. 1. IMfi'.l. .Mr. Brown's 



*1^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-*- ^ -*- 

•Ml , . 



. r t 

4 



' iiiitiirnl tniit-s wore <^«()(1 judiiiiiiMit, [jroinpl decis- 
iipii Mild Mctiiiii, :iiid inUTcsliiii;- con vcr-*;ili()iiMl 
powors. Slerii to uppuiiciils. Mfl'iihlc lo friends, lie 
lins souijlit to deni JMslly liy .■ill. He has :dw;ri .s 
loved llie cliildicii, iiiid liis white li;iir .-iiid erect 
form are noticed each week in the .Sunday-school. 
The lleloit Fn-e /V-j.ss of .Iiiiio ,s, l,s,s;i, 
sa3's: ••()ur vciieialile fcUow-citi/.en. I'.enj.-iiiiiii 
Brown, Ks()., is to-da}' eighty-six ^ears old. lie 
came lo Ik'hjit in the fall of liSlO, and has been 
idciilitied with the pioi;rc.ss of this coinmiinitv ever 
since. Ill I8iy he was the builder of the I'resby- 
terian t'hurch, at which hi' is still able to Ik; :i re- 
gular attendant. In the enjoynunt of hale old 
aLje, the love of his children and grandchildren, 
and the respect of his fellow-citi/.ens, he celebrates 
his eight>- -sixth birthday also, by giving a generous 
gift to the new College Academy."' 

j^KUUC.K CONKUT, M. 1)., a leading phy- 
11 <^w} '■*''■'"" "' Soiilhern Wisconsin, residing in 
V^^ Clinton, was born in Ovid. Seneca Co., N. 
v.. Dec. 7, 182'.), and is the eldest son of John .V. 
and Catherine ( I lutT) Covert. The fainil\- is of 
Holland descent, the ancestors being numbered 
among the pioneer families of New .Jersey and 
New York. One of their iinniber was the founder 
of Hidoklyn .-iiid built the first house of worship 
in that city. The Doctor's great-grandfather and 
grandfather were among the first settlers in tlic 
Lake country in New York, and his father's eldest 
sister was the first white chihl born in Seneca 
County. His ancestors were iiotcil for their lon- 
gevity-, his |)alernal grandfather at his death having 
iienrly reached his oiw hundredth birthday-, while 
his maternal grandmother attained the a<lvaiiced 
age of one liiindn-d .-iiid one years and seven 
months. 

The subject of this sketch was born and reared 
on a farm, and being the eldest of the family had 
to assist his father in the labors of farm life. Until 
sixteen years of age his educational advant.ages 
were limited to those afforded by an attendance at 
the district school during the winter term. During 
the previous years, by his work u|ion the farm ami 



and in lield sports, he had developed much muscle 
and be(-ame quite noted in that locality as a young 
athlete, accomplishing feats of strength and eii- 
diiraiiee which few mature men could rival. How- 
ever, tliiough his laslincss in lifting great weights, 
he injured the muscles in his b.-ick so that he wiis 
unable to further engage in manual labor. De- 
prived of his bniiier strength, and wishing Some- 
thing to iiccupy his time and engage his mind, hi; 
turned to his books and entered u|)on .•( course of 
study with the .same zeal which he had bestowed 
upon his farm avocations. The district .school 
curriculum was soon exhausted; from thence he 
went to the vill;igc and the high school, and, at 
eighteen years of age, entered the Collegiate In- 
stitute of lirooklyn, N. Y., where he was also em- 
ployed as a teacher. About that time his thoughts 
began to turn to the practice of medicine ;is his 
life work; so, while t(-aclii:ig in the village and dis- 
trict schools, he began litting himself for his chosen 
profession. At twenty-two years of age he entered 
the ollice of Drs. Thr.awl and Van Kpps of Colum- 
bus, Ohio, pursuing his studies under their direc- 
tion, attending speei.al courses of medical lectures 
and becoming conversant with the therapeutics of 
the Allopathic and Homoeopathic schools. While 
in Columbus the city was visileil with the ( holcra 
.scourge and an epidemic of dysentery, .and iluring 
those trying times the inarke<l success of the New 
School physicians attracted his attention and was 
the mcan.s of inlluencing him to take his further 
course of lectures at the Eclectic iMedical Institute 
of Cincinnati, where he ultimately obtained his 
degree. While in that city he also attended lec- 
tures in a school vf Klectropathy and received a 
certificate of graduation therefrom. 

From the foregoing it may readily be seen that 
the medical education of Dr. Covert was neither 
narrow nor partisan. At the outset he famili.-iri/.cd 
himself with the teaching of the various systems 
of pr.aetice, and learned the merits and delicieiicies 
of each. The same s|)irit of investigation and 
fair-mindedness h.as characterized his medical career 
from that time on. He refu.ses to give adherence 
to any exclusive dogm.a.s in practice and will be 
bound only b^- the decrees of truth and sciciiee. 
Without prejudice, he uses im[>artially such reine- 



t 



388 



ROCK COUNTY. 



"•^TT^ 



flics as have been proven by experience to be tlie 
best undei- the circumstances, and believes in iieep- 
ing abreast of tlie times in the evident progress 
made in the practice of niedii-inc. After engaging 
in practice for two years in Michigan and Elgin 
111., he located in Clinton in December, 1856, :uk1 
lias been closely identilied with its subsequent pro- 
gress and history. During the early days of his 
residence he was foitwo years School .Superinten- 
dent of the town, and later served for a term of 
years upon the district I)oard. 

In the month of February, l.s.")H, Dr. Covert was 
joined in wedlock with Mary J., daughter of the 
late Cyrus G. Barker, one of the pioneers of Rock 
County and a native of Massachusetts. The death 
of Mrs. Covert occurred in June, 1875, leaving 
three daughters, and in the month of June, 1887, 
the husband was again married. Miss Jennie Muzzy 
lieconiing his wife. 

The Doctor ha.s as large if not a larger coun- 
try \)ractice than any physician in .Southern 
Wisconsin. His medical career has been wonder- 
fully successful — the natural result of his unstinted 
and zealous devotion to his calling and of his 
native penetration .ind sound judgment, combined 
with studious and rcHective habits. He saw no 
reason why the "country doctor" should not be the 
peer of his more favored city brethren in real 
nicril. lie has not been wholly absorbed in his 
own indiviilual pr.actice, but has felt a lively in- 
terest in the advancement of the profession and in 
those associations of physicians for the broadening 
anil (luickeningof thouglit. He is now an honorary 
member i>f Uie Pennsylvania Medical Society; 
a nu'Uibcv of the Wisconsin Eclectic Medical 
Association, of which he was twice President 
and also belongs to the National Association 
of whicli he was also twice Vice-President, 
anil was elected to the i)osition of President, but 
on account of his arduous and responsible duties 
declined to accept. He is a regular correspondent 
of several Medical Journals, and writes on an 
average one article per month. In recognition 
of his standing in tlic profession he has been given 
an honorary degree by licnnett College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons of Chicago, and has also been 
offered positions both in St. Louis ami Chicago 



Medical Colleges. Recently he w.is again proffered 
a chair in Bennett College by the trustees of that 
institution, which he li!i.< acci'i)led conditionally. 
In his dealings with liis fellow men Dr. Covert 
strives to follow the golden rule. He is benevo- 
lent, sympathetic, ever reaily to help the [)oor and 
needy, aiiil is especially beloved by children. He 
is a man of unimpeachable integrity and upright- 
ness of character, a gentleman at heart, siuis jieur 
el sans reproche. 



0'~ IIARLES T. (ilLI'.ERT a prominent and pro- 
gressive stock -raiser of the town of Clinton. 
. residing on section i'l. was born in Uiis coun- 
ty, fin the 15th d.ay of August, ISi;!, and is a 
son of Lovell R. and Cl;irissa (Joyce) (iilbert, 
eaily ami resjiected citizens of this county, whose 
skelcli a|)i)ears on another i)age of this vol- 
ume. Charles received a liberal education and re- 
mained a resident of Wisconsin until tliirleen years 
of age, when in 1857. he removed with his [larents 
to Iowa, settling in Clayton County. He there 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Helen Mayhew, a 
very exemplary lady and a native of the Em|)ire 
State, and in 1807, they were united in marriage. 
Four children graced their union, all daughters — 
Clarissa, the eldest, became the wife of Harvey 
Miller, a prominent machinist residing in Pccaton- 
icn, 111. Tlie other members of the family are Jen- 
nie, Elmiua. and Lorena. 

For a number of years after liis marriage, Mr. 
Gilbert continued to make his home in Iowa and 
eiig.aged in farming in Cl.ayton. Benton and Chicka- 
saw counties, but in I88.'i, he resolved to return to 
his boyhood's home and began farming in the town 
of Cinlon, where he has since continued to reside. 
In connection with the cultivation of his land, he 
gives considerable attention to the raising of fine 
stock, making a specialty of short-horn cattle, and 
Ilamblctonian and draft horses. Combining en- 
ergy and gootl m.anagement with natural busines.s 
ability, lie is very successful in his business anil is 
recognized as one of the leading fanners of the 
community. On the 5th tlay of March. 18S(), the 
death of Mrs. Gilbert occurred. She was a lady 



*t 



4*- 



....;, 
■»-*-<. 



>► l l"^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



389 



ll 




1k'K>vci1 liy all who Uiuw Iht mikI in lior ilf.'itli llie 
fniiiily lost a kiiiil uml loviiiu 'vifu am! inullinr, and 
licr ncli;lil>ors a syni|iatlielit- and oliliging fiionil. 
In KS87, Mr. (iillicil w:us joined in wedlock with 
Miss Alice All)ce, a Indy of rclincment and taste, 
and a ilanghter of Lulhcr .1. .ind llaniel( Witiiian) 
Alhee. who were early settlers of Racine, Wis., and 
whose family consisted of four children who grew to 
manhood and womaidiood — Addie. wife of David 
MeCiitclieon, who lives in Morlcy Junction, Iowa; 
llattie, who wediled Irving L. Hoover, of Clinton; 
George I)., who married Miss Emma Cocraft; and 
Alice, wife of our sulijcct. Mv. Alliee w;is a man 
highly esteemed in the community where he resided. 
His death occurred .Ian. 17. IS,S3, Init his widow 
still survives him and makes iier iiome in Racine 
County. 

-i^im' ■ 

eHARLES KENDALL, Justice of the Peace 
, and Notary I'ulilic of Beloit, was born in 
Scoltville, Monroe Co., N. V., on the 2."(th 
day of January, 1827, and is a son of Seth and Do- 
rothy (\:u\ Aid<cr) Kendall. They were the parents 
of two chililren, Charles of this sketch, and Mary, 
wife of J. J. Iloylc, a leading citizen of Beloit. 
Till' death of Mr. Kendall occurred in l.S.'i2, after 
wliich his widow hccanie the wife of William Ken- 
dall, a lirolhci- of her former liushand. Into them 
were horn four children — Lnthcr W.. who is now 
residing in Beloit; Sarah, Andrew, and Burkley. 
The last three named are dead. 

Our subject remained in his native county iiiilii 
seven years of age, when he went with his step-father 
It) Cattaraugus County, X. \. He rcceiveil a liberal 
education, attending the academy at I'"redoiiia, :uid 
in I.H17, emigrated to the West, locating in Roclon, 
Winnebago Co.. III. On thclUli day of April, 
18 IS, he was joineil in wedlock with Miss Jane 
Clark, a daughter of Hubbard Clark, of Nunda 
Valley, N. Y. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. 
Kendall was made com|ilete by the birth of three 
children — William, who is now foreman in the 
factory of Thomas I'ervis, cigar manufacturer of 
Beloit; Mary, wife of E. \. Muiin, general State 
agent for the Continental Insurance Company, and 
I'resideut of the Stjite Board of I'ndcrwriters; ant! 



Carrie, wife of Andrew J. Peterson, a prominent 
merchant and cashier of the Aurora Stati' Bank, of 
Aurora, Neb. 

In the fall of l.s.-,0, Mr. Kendall r.'lurned to 
Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where he s|)ent the 
succeeding three years, when he returned to the 
West anil became a resident of De Kalli County, 
III. While residing in that county, he became 
est;dilislied a.« an insurance agent, and has since 
that time continued in that line of liusiness in 
which he has been (|uite succcssfid. In IHti.'S, he 
locateil in Beloit, and ha,s since been identified 
with the leading interests of the city. For several 
years he represented the Northwestern Paper Com- 
pany, of Beloit, as traveling stilesman, but now 
devotes his time exclusively to his insurance bus- 
iness and otticial duties. 

Politically, Esipiire Kendall is a Democrat, and 
has been elected to various local offices. In 1888, 
he was elected to the oHice of Justice of the Pe.ace, 
a fact which speaks well for his personal popular- 
ity, as the Republican |iarty is largely in the ma- 
jority in the city. Possessing good sound com- 
mon sense and carcfulU' weighing the evidence in 
the case, he makes a fair decision and has proved 
an eflicient ollicer. Mr. Kendall takes great inter- 
est in civic societies and has been an active worker 
in the orders to which lie belongs. He is a mem- 
Iier of the Masonic fraternity, a Knight Templar, 
and has filled the position of Ma-ster in the Blue 
Lodge. He is among the oldest members of the 
I. (). ( ). P.. joining the order in 1853, and hjis filled 
the olliccs of (J rand I'atriarch and (!raiid Repre- 
sentative. In 1.SS7, he visited the (Wand Lodge 
at Denver, Col., anil in 1888, represented this 
jurisdiction in tlielirand Lodge at Los Angeles, 
Cal. Mr. Kendall is a valued and worthy citizen 
and receives the respect of all who know him. 



»t x « 3 i')t'> i « 



'.ip— ,A'I>ANK PYRE, who is e.vtensivcly engaged 
ll— /Sj in the cultivation of tobacco, and also car- 
/ll, rics on general farming, resides on section 

21. Porter Townshi|). He is a native of the Empire 
State, having been born in Saratoga County, on 
the 2 1st day of October, 1841, and is the son of 



f 



•^f^ 



390 



ROCK COINTV. 



■*H|-* 



Aiiijustine and Harriet (Smith) I'yrc. His father 
who was a native of France, emigrated to America 
diuinjr llie early days of tiie present eentnrv and 
located in New York. He was a l)lacksuiitli liy 
trade, whicli occupation lie followed throughoiil 
his entire life, though he carried on farming in 
connection with that business. In 1 85(1, he left 
his home in the East ami emigrated to Wisconsin, 
settling in Fulton, Rock County, where he built a 
house and shop and immediately began working at 
his tratle. He w.is an expert workman and soon 
secured a good business. He continued to reside 
in Fulton until his death, which rjccurred ,Ian. I, 
1887. .and his wife died March IK, 18;J4. They 
wcic both inlcrrcd in the burying ground in Ful- 
ton. 

The family of Mi-, and Mrs Augustine I'yre 
nundn'red seven children, three sons and four 
daughters — Augustine, the eldest, now deceased, 
Frank, of this sketch; Amelia, wife of Ak'xauder 
White, whose sketch appears on another page of 
this volume; James, a resident of K<lgcrton; Helena, 
now deceased; Henrietta, who is living in New 
York; and Mar^' Augusta, who wedded L. G. 
Spelhnan, whose home is in Parstnis, Kan. 

Our subject was educated in the common .schools 
and resided with his i)arents \iutil fifteen years of 
age, when he st.irted out to gain his own livelihood. 
He began his business career as a salesman, and af- 
ter one year sjient in that line, was engaged in va- 
rious employments until 18(M, when attracted by 
the gold discoveries in Montana, he made a trip to 
that Territory. During the following si)ring, in 
company with two others, he discovered a gold 
mine from which he began digging the precious 
metal. The}' worked the mine for one summer, 
receiving as a compensation for their labor the 
sum of ^2G,000. Mr. Pyre remained in IMontana 
until the fall of 18G7, when he went to St. Charles, 
Mo., where he was engaged in the manufacture of 
brooms until 187(i. On the lOtii day of .January, 
1.S71. he was joined in wedlock with AHss Melinda 
Hawkins, a native of .Missouri. 'I'he family circle 
was completed by the birth of six children, as fol- 
lows: .lames F. A., who was born Dec. 20, 1872; 
FUa. deceased ; Walton, born May 20. 1875; Henri- 
etta, born April 26, 1877; Millie, born Feb. 2, 



1879. and I5essie, born March 21, 1881. Hcliev- 
ing that education is essential to success in life, 
Mr. Pyre has i)rovided his children with good ad- 
vantages, therein' fitting t hem for useful and res- 
ponsible positions in life. His eldest son, .lames 
F. A., has pursued a [ireparatory course at .Vlbion. 
and is now a student of the .State Iniversity at 
Madison. He is a young man of more than ordi- 
nary ability, is ambitious and bids fair to make a 
Ijrillianl career. 

After selling out his broom manufactory in 
Mi-ssouri, Mr. Pyre relurneil to I'orter Township, 
and gave his attention to the cultivation of tobacco 
for three years, wlien he went to Chicago and en- 
gaged in the buying and selling of that (iroduct until 
187t). Once more returning to Rock County, he 
purchased ICO acres of land on section 21, Porter 
Township, where he has made his home continu- 
ously since. In connection with his brother, he 
deals extensively in tobacco and also carries on 
geneinl farming and stock-raising. He makes a 
specialty of the breeding of tine horses and also 
raises a good grade of cattle and hogs. .Mr. Pyre 
has been an important factor iu the upbuilding of 
the community in which he resides and has been 
prominentl}' identified with many of its leading 
inti'rcsts. lie is a warm friend of the cause of ed- 
ucation and is a member of the Hoard of Trustees 
of the Albion Academy. He is a stalwart Repub- 
lican and an earnest worker for the welfare and 
success of that great organization. Mr. and Mrs. 
Pyre are well known and respected citizens of Rock 
Count}', and we are pleased U> record this lirief 
sketch of their lives in its permanent history. 



r A. 1I()XI1". is the editor and proprietor of 
I the P^vansville licriew. which he established 
/ii in 18G(). He is a native of the State of 
Maine, having been born in Piscataquis County, in 
1825, and is a son of Allen Hoxie, one of the pio- 
neer settlers of Rock County. He h:is also one 
brother residing in this county, H. .S. Hoxie. who 
makes his home in Evansville. 

With the exception of a few short years, our 
subject has been a resident of the county since 



^^^Tj 



\/ 



r^- 
**",-«' 









h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



3'.);! 



1S4(>, and has taken an active interest in her wcl- 
f:iii' :iii(l progress. After their nrrival the fniiiiiy 
first settled at Cooksvilie, where I. A. was ennagi'd 
at working in the various hranciies of carijentt'ring 
and huilding for a considerahle time, nmking a 
spefialty of tile raanufaetnre of sasii, blinds and 
doors. Me later became a resident of Stoughton, 
Wis., where for some time he pursued his trade, 
and in 1H(J4 became connected with the liejiorter, 
a newspaper of that tiiwn. Two years later, in 
IHOd, he reninve<l to Evansville and established 
the Iicri'p/r, continuing his connection with that 
l)aper until ISIiy, when, disposing of his business, 
he went to Creseo, Iowa, where he became proprie- 
tor of the Timex of that place. Hemainiiig in 
Iowa until 1870 he once more returned to K<ick 
Cgunt}', and again became editor and proprietor of 
the licr/ew, a Ijright newsy paper, i)id)iislied weekly 
and having a circulation of 500 copies. For a 
greater number of consecutive years than any other 
man now in Rock County in a similar position, he 
has had charge of his paper. 

In 18.")0 Mr. Iloxie was united in marriage with 
Miss Sarah A. I>()Hins. a native of St. Albans, Me., 
and of their union has been born one son, Wilbur 
T.. who is now a book and stationery merchant, of 
Evansville. 




AL.VCIII LANGDON RICH AHD.SON, an 
early settler of .lauesville, dates his resi- 
dence in this county from Dec. 12, 18;");). 
He is a native of the Green ftlountain 
State, and was born in the town of Sutton, Cale- 
donia County. April 2(1, 1828. The paternal gr.-uid- 
father, IJradbury M. Richardson, removeil from 
Moultonboro, N. II., to Nermonl in an early day. 
.lonalh.an Richardson, the father of our subject, 
Wiis born on the same farm as was his son, and 
married Nancy Ingalls, who was of Scotch descent, 
and a daughter of Joseph Ingalls. Her grand- 
father settled in Massachusetts, having removed 
from Nova Scotia. Jonathan Richardson and his 
wife continued to reside in ^'ermont until death, 
and in that State a family of seven children was 
born unto them, three .sons antl four daughters, 
only two of whom are now living, in 188'.). Of 

-4* 



these two Malaehi is the elder, the younger being 
a sister, Comfort C.. who is living in Peinisylvania. 

Our subje(!t was reared to maidiood in his native 
St;ite, and during his boyhood days assisted his 
father in the labors of the farm, following farming 
as his chief occupation in early life. He receive<l 
an .academic education at Lyndon Academy, and 
at the age of eighteen j'ears engaged in Uiaching, 
which iirofession he has followed thrtjughout almost 
his entire life, having Uiught nearly every winter 
term from the time he began at the age of eighteen 
years, until 1880. He truight thirty-two terms of 
school, twenty-nine of which were winter terms. 
Ilis field of teaching since he came to Wisconsin 
has Ijcpii in Rock and Green counties. 

Mr. Richardson was married in Caledonia County, 
Vt., to Miss Juliet C. Dow, a native of that county. 
Their only child, Lillie, died in early infancy. 
They have a pleasant home on St. Mary's avenue, 
and Mr. Richardson is at present engaged in the 
culture of tobacco. He has long been one of the 
leading e<lucators of Rock County, and has ever 
l)een prominent in the promotion of its educational 
interests. For a considerable time he was con- 
nected with the school board of the city of Janes- 
ville, in liie capacity of president, and his long 
and successful experience as a teacher was of much 
value in promoting the interests of the city schools 
while a member of th.-it bo<l3'. He is one of the 
progressive men of Rock County, and a well-known 
and esteemed citi/.en. In his political sentiments 
he is a su|)porter of the Repul)lican party, and en- 
tertains very liberal views on theological questions. 

The portrait of this lionored gentleman is given 
on another page. 



\fjAMES WHITEHEAD, who is numbered 
I among the pioneer settlcis of Rock County 
-;;^l of into, and is a le.-iding farmer, residing 
^^f^ on section ^'2, Plymouth Township, w:is 
born in New Jersey on the 31st day of October, 
1812. His parents, Henry and Sarah Whitehead, 
had a family of seven children, of which he was the 
youngest, only three of whom are now living. 
Mary, the eldest, died in 180'); Betsy departed 



■^ ^ < • 



t^ 



••»» 



/ 



394 



ROCK COUNTY. 



tliis life in June. l«88; Sally died in New Jersey; 
lliimiali is slill living in New .Jersey; Anna also 
malves her home in that Slate; Robert died in 1H03, 
and James conii)letes tlie family. 

The education of our subject was received in the 
common schools of his natives State, but at an early 
age lie began working in a woolen mill owned by 
his father, which wai; built in 18 12. and w:is owned 
by Mr. Whitehead for thirty -eight years. James 
received seventy-live cents per day. and at the age 
of eighteen years began Icandng the carpenter's 
trade. In 1836 he left the parental roof and 
started for the far West, locating in Milwaukee, 
Wis., which was then a little village containing 
about 500 inhabitants. After reaching his desti- 
nation he secured cmi)loyment with Solomon 
Juneau, who was engaged in farming on the greater 
part of the land now occupied by the city of Mil- 
waukee. In a short time, however, he left Wi.scon- 
sin, going to Jersey County. III., where he made 
his home for about eight years. While residing in 
liiat community he engaged in the construction of 
several buildings, and going to the woods hewed 
tiie timlier which was rc(iuircd. as there wei-e no 
luinl)cr yards for miles around. The month of 
March, 181,'), found Mr. Whitehead on the farm 
which he now owns in Kock County. The land 
was liien in a wild and uncultivated condition; not 
a furrow had been turned nor an im[)rovemcnt 
made. He entered a half section, and with char- 
acteristic energy began the develo|)ment of the raw 
[irairie. which was soon transformed into a fertile 
farm. He was deiiendent almost entirely upon his 
own resources, as the nearest neighbors were miles 
away and travel was very diHicult. He made his 
own ox-yokes, broke his land, and also constructed 
a wagon from old logs. With this he wouUl make 
a tri|) to Milwaukee, carrying provisions with him 
to last for nine days, the time usually consumed in 
making tlie journey'. His little log cabin was four- 
teen feet square .and was furnished in the i)rimitive 
manner of frontier life. When the gold fever 
broke out Mr. Whitehead abandoned the t>ccup!i- 
tion of farming and went to the Pacific slope by 
way of New York and the Isthmus of Panama, 
where he remained alxiut eighteen months. His 
life in California proved au interesting experience, 



though many were the hardships and inconveni- 
ences to be endured. At one time the little cabin 
in which he lived was filled with water to the 
height of three feet. He was quite successful in 
his mining operations, for in one day a compaii}' of 
sixteen, of which he was a member, secured the 
l)recious metal to the v.ibie of $1,800. 

After his return from the West Mr. Whitehead 
devoted his attention exclusively to farming and 
st<:)ck raising, and now has one of the best farms in 
the county. The little log cabin was replaced by a 
commodious residence iu 1851, yet it stood until 
1851. when it was destroyed by a cyclone. Manj' 
other useful and beautiful improvements have 
been m.ide, the land is under a high state of culti- 
vation, and the farm is slocked with a good grade 
of cattle, horses and hogs. 

On the 11th day of June. 1812. by a uiarri;ige 
eerenumy. tlie destinies of James Whitehead and 
Klizabeth Lincoln were united. The lady was 
born in North Carolina on the 7tli day of Novem- 
ber. 1.H17, and is a daughter of Henry and Sophia 
(.Sanders) Lincoln, who were also natives of North 
Carolina. The death of the father occurred in 
1801, and the mother de|)arted this life in 18G7. 
Their children were as follows: John, who was 
killed by the guerrillas in Arkansas during the late 
war; George, who died in childhood; Mathi.as. who 
also died in early life; Paul, whose death occurred 
March 22, 1885; Elias, who gave his life in defense 
of his country in a battle before Richmond; Heiirv 
Simon, whose death occurred in 1884, from injury 
received during his service in the Hebellion. and 
Elizabeth, wife of our subject. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead has been 
blessed with five children — Sanuiel, who was born 
Feb. 20, 18 1-1. anil served three years as a soldier 
in the late war, w:is twice married, his first union 
being with Fannie I>arllett, his second wife being 
Harriet Wade. His death occurred iu August, 
1882. Ransom H., who was born Jan. 10, 1847, 
and married Lizzie Johnson, is extensively engaged 
in farming in I'matilla County, Oregon, where he 
owns 480 acres of land; Sarah, who was born Dec. 
14, 1848, and is now living in Bro<lliead, is the 
wife of Alfred H. Fitch, who is now in Nevaila run- 
ning a quartz-mill, but formerly resided on a ranch 



4 



i^ 



U 



ROCK COUNTY. 



39.5 



oil Ciirsoii Uivcr for fourteen yenrs, and to tliem 
wa.s horn one child, Frniik K.. now Iwi'iily-lwo 
yoars of agv, who is with lii.s fntiicr. Mr. Kitc-h is 
tiic owiior of :i silvnr and gohl mine in Nov!ui:t. 
James, wlio was horn Oct. 1'.), 185t, and is foreman 
of the Thoni[(son IMow Siiops of Beloil, married 
Miss C'lrrii' Muiison. Marion, wlio was liorn 
Marc'Ii 9, 1857, and resides in Spring Valley, Wis., 
wedded Hannah Nitlle, and to them has been l)orn 
one child. 

For almost forty-five years Mr. Whiteiiead has 
been nuinliered among the residents of Rock County. 
At the lime of his arrival the Indians were en- 
cauiped in the woods, wilil game of all kinds, iiicliul- 
iiig deer, was found in abundance, and wolves were 
still numerous in the neiuhborhood. Mr. White- 
head has witnessed almost the entire development 
of the eouiity, has .seen the once wild and unculti- 
vated prairies blossom like the rose, the pioneer 
cabins replaced by elegant residences, the lumbering 
ox-carts give wa}- before the iron horse, towns and 
villages spring up almost as if by magic, with 
countless manufactories and industries, and the 
county poi)ulated with an intelligent and contented 
people. Mr. Whitehead has borne no inconsider- 
alile part in the great and noble work of transfor- 
mation, and is one t)f the leading citizens of the 
community in which he resides. In i>olitical sen- 
timent he has always been a Democrat and a strong 
advocate of the pi-inciples of that party as taught 
by its eminent leaders. lie has never sought or 
desired public ollice, preferring the (piiet and 
retirement of private life. He, however, served as 
|)athmastcr and was elected to the ollice of justice 
of the peaci', l)ut would not accept the position. 

On another page is a well-executc<l portrait of 
this old pioneer. 



•i- 



#-# 



-{- 



T" 



/jp^AMlJKL C'LARKP:, who now resicics at 

^^^^ lOdgertoii. and is numbcre<l among the 

(ft/ll) pioneers of the town of Albion, in Dane 

County, Wis., was born in Yorkshire, 

Eiigland. March 1.5, 1822, and is a son of James 

and Judith Ann (Armitage) Clarke, who were the 

parents of six children, three sons and three 



daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and 
womanhood. Kichard, the eldest .son, who was 
born June 19, 1819. died in Knglaiid at the age of 
twenty-one years; Kutli 1"., born February 23, 
1830, died at the age of eighteen years; Martha 
O., born April 1.5, 1832, died on the 1st day of 
December, 18.5(1, after the removal of the family to 
America; .John G., born October 13, 1831, also 
died in America, April 30, 1880. Only two mem- 
bers of the family are yet living — Sauniel, of this 
sketch, and Mrs. .Sarah Louisa llinchcliff, who is re- 
siding in .St. Louis, Mo. 

Samuel Cll.arke, of whom we write, was reared to 
manhood in his native country and there learned 
the trade of manufacturing fancy goods. He was 
the fii-st of the family to emigrate to America. In 
the spring of 1812, accomp.anied by James llinch- 
cliff, who afterwards became his brother-in-law, he 
embarked on the sailing vessel Normandy, which 
set s.ail from Liverpool and arrived at New York 
on the 4th day of July, 1812, after a stormy voy- 
age of nine weeks. The destination of our young 
travelers being Wisconsin, they soon started for 
that far western territory. That was Ijefore the 
day of railroads and the method of tiaveling was 
much different from that with which we are familiar 
at the [iresent time, (ioing from New ^'ork to 
Albany on the Hudson River, they boarded a canal 
boat at the latter pl.aee and continued on their wav 
to IJutTalo, going thence by way of the (oe-it 
Lakes to Kaciiie, Wis. On the steamer between 
Buffalo and Racine, Mr. Clarke became acquainted 
with Joseph Ooodrich, one of the pioneers of Hock 
County, and a resident of INIilton, who hail been to 
New York to purchase goods, being engaged in 
the mercantile business in a small way at Milton. 
Mr. Goodrich, learning that our travelers were 
going to Wisconsin in search of farms, advised 
them to go with him to Milton, speaking very 
highly of the country in that vicinity. Mr. Clarke 
accepted the inviUition and on arriving at Racine 
engaged teams to take them to Milton. He was 
much pleased with the country surrounding that 
town, but as much of the best land had already 
been selected, especially that containing timber 
tr.act*. he and his friend decided to cross Rock 
River and on the other side continue their search 



.^1^^ 



396 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-^^ 



for a desirable location. Crossing the river at 
Goodrich's l'\Miy, they followed a trail until tiiey 
reaclii'd wliiit was called Clinton Precinct, and there 
st<)i)pcd at the house of Krecborn Sweet, who had 
locateil in thai vicinily llie |ue\i()Ms autumn. 
PassinLC tlii' niu^hl under his hospitable roof, liie 
following morning Mr. Sweet showed them the 
Government land on tiie iiraiiie and Air. CljirUe 
there decided to locate. 

He selected the northeast (juarter of section 15, 
in what is now .Mliion Township, known as town- 
ship No. ;"), range 12 east. The following year it 
was called Albion aftei- '• old Albion" or England, 
in honor of the two English boys, Mr. Clarke and 
hi.s friend llinchclilT. 'J'iie latter lemained in the 
town of Alliion until LSI."), when he removed to 
rittsliurg, I'.a, and thence to St. Louis. Mo., 
where he still lives and where his old partner 
of pioneer times visited him in 1887. Mr. Clarke 
improved his land, placing it all under cidtivalion 
anil otherwise continued the woik of tlevelopment 
until the once wild prairie was transformed into a 
lieautiful farm. In 181S. his lirollicr .luhn came to 
America anil together liny operated the land for a 
number of years, when it w.as divided between 
them. Mr. Clarke still retains |)osscssion of his 
interest and the other half is still owncil by the 
family of his brother, now deceased. In 1818, the 
father of oui' subject, accompanied by his son 
John and his family, followed Mr. Clarke to the 
New World, and three years later tlu^ father re- 
turned and brought the mother and daughters to 
the home whicli lie had prepared for them in the 
New World. The family continued to live on the 
same farm until the death of the parents; the fathei- 
departed this life <)ctol)er 2(1, ISCll, the mother 
piussing to her linal rest Dec. 22, 1885, on her 
eighty-eighth birthday. 

In this country Mr. Clarke was united in mar- 
riage with Until Marsik'u. who was born in England, 
Aug. 7, 1821, their union being celebrated on the 
7th day of April, 181;). Of the three children 
born unto tiiem, two are ilecea.sed — Letheenia A., 
and Martha. The second became the wife of Dex- 
ter Wilson and died Feb. 21, 1880, at the age of 
twenty-five years, leaving one dauiifhter, who was 
named after her mother. Sar.ili Louise, the only 



-4»- 



surviving child, was born on the old homestead in 
the town of Albion, Nov. 'J, 1848, and is now the wife 
of .lames I). Whiltet, of Edgcrton, by whom .she 
has six children, three sons and tliri'c daughters. 
.Mr. Cl.arke was bereft of his wife by death on the 
Dili day of August, 1882, only two days after she 
had passed her sixt^-first birthday. 

Our subject was one of the representative men 
of the town of Albion, where he so long made his 
home, and was held in the highest respect by all 
who knew him. lie w:us honored witii several local 
ollices of trust, including that of District Clerk, 
which |)osition he filled soon after becoming a resi- 
lient of that community. The country was then 
l)ut sparsely settled, and he was compelled to go a 
distance of ten miles to enumerate the jiupils and 
to take with him an inlcr|ireter, as many of the set- 
tlers were Scandinavians and he was unfamiliar 
with their language. He also served as Justice of 
the I'eace for the |)eriod of eli'Vcn years, and held 
other township ollices, discharging his various 
duties in a prompt and alile manner. In politics 
he is a supporter of the liepubliean part\- anil In 
religious matters is liberal, being guided b^' the 
dictates of his conscience and honor. Thus have 
we given a brief sketch of one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of Wisconsin, who located within her borders 
during the territ<^>rial days, and witnessed the 
growth of the country from a state of wildne.ss to 
its present advanced condition, which enables this 
great commonwealth to occupy a front rank in the 
brilliant constellation of States that go to m;ike up 
our grand nation. This history is well worthy a 
place in the permanent record of the county and 
will be read with pleasure by the many fiicnds of 
Mr. ( larke and his family. 

::^ IDNEY WRIGHT, residing on section 2.i. 
is one of the leading farmei-s of Turtle 
Township and a |)ioncer citizen of Rock 
County. He was born in Onondago 
County, N. Y., July II, 1820, and is a son of Alan- 
son and Sarah (Wilcox) Wright. The father was 
Iporn in Connecticut, Feb. 'J, 1790. and the mother 
was born in Rhode Island, Feb. 23, 179;"). When ;i 




^ 



■«fe» 



ROCK COUNTY. 



397 



hul of nine years Alniisun Wrii^lit removod witli liis 
[Kiri'iits to New York, whore lie was reared to inan- 
liood, ami in tliat State became acquainted with the 
lady who liecaine his wife in 1815. lie engaged in 
farming on the old homestead, where a family of 
seTen children were horn to them: Ivandall. Iiorn 
.Ian. 17, I»i;).died April 29, 1«71, in Turtle Town- 
ship, leaving a widow who yet resides on the farm; 
Sidney is the second in order of birth; ('h:irlott«, 
born Dec. 26, 1H2I, became the wife of A. II. 
Moslier, who is now deceased, and died Jan. II, 
I.S7I, in Ik'Ioit; Alanson i\I., born INIarch 26, 1823. 
is a resident of Monroe. Green County, Wis.; 
S.irali. born Sept. 26, 1825, wedded Milton Hump, 
and died in I)e<:itui-. Wis., Oct. 7, 1865; Kdward. 
born Sept. 16, 1833, w,as accidentli' killed Dec. 2(!. 
1871: Sanford, born .Ian. 3, 1837, is residinij- in 
Turtle Township. 

Our subject having made a trip to AVisconsin in 
1844. and reporting favorably of the cuunti'y, the 
following 3-ear the father emigrated with his family 
to Turtle Township, and from this to Walworth 
County, where he resided until 1817, when he again 
returned to Turtle Townshii), Rock County. Pur- 
chasing a farm, he there made his home tintil his 
death, which occurred March 2, 1869. His wife 
survived him until Dec. 7, 1873. They were liigliU 
respected people in the communitv where they re- 
sided, and their death proved a loss to many 
friends. 

The subject of this sketch, Si<lney AVright. re- 
ceived his Cflucation in the common schools of his 
native county, and in March, 1833, at the age of 
fourteen j-ears. was apprenticed to the blacksmith's 
tiade. serving a term of four years, after which, 
for the same length of time, he was employed as a 
journeyman. On the 5tli d.aj' of February, 1812. 
he was united in marriage with .Maria Provost, their 
union being celebrated in Preble. Cortland Co., 
N. V. The lady w.as a native of Cortland County-. 
N. Y., born .liily 9. I .S20. and a flaughter of Jacob 
an<I Sarah (X'an Iloscn) Provost, who were also 
born in the Kmpire State, of Holland descent. After 
his marriage, Mr. Wright opened a custom shop, 
which lie C'lrried on for two years, or until 1.SI4. 
when he decided to emigrate to Wisconsin. No 
sooner had he "determined on this step than it was 
.4»_ ■- 



carried out, and a few days later found him in Pock 
County. His cash capital then consisted of ¥.0. and 
to provide against hunger he bought a quarter of 
beef, p.aying >!<1.51. He had. however, a good 
trade, and nothing daunted, he placed his .•mvil 
upon a stump, built a log shop around itand began 
work. He pre-empted eighty acres c)f land on .sec- 
tion 23 Turtle Townshiji, and began working to 
pay for the same. At his tr.adc he earned 4^97.51). 
and selling a pup for *2.50 he h.ad the required 
sum. with which to pay for his claim. A little 
log cabin was built and .also the little log shop be- 
foi'e mentioned, and the [)ioneer life of the young 
couple w!is fairly begun. For two weeks they were 
compelled to sleep upon the floor, having no bed, 
and an old (sliest served as a table. The fiist bed 
was m.atle from poles, across which was stretched 
bed cords. The Iiap|»\- days in the little (■•■ibin 
passed and live merry children came to awaken the 
echoes with their laugliterand fun. 15y subse<pient 
|iurchase, Mr. Wright added to his claim, until his 
farm comprised 1(1(1 acres in one bod\-. .Many im- 
provements wen; made, and in 1859 a fine twostory 
frame house vvjis erected, the main building being 
IKx28 feet, and the L, 20x36 feet, with three 
jHirehes. Mr. Wright now h.-is one of the beautiful 
homes of Turtle Township, surrounded by .-ill the 
comforts of life, and is the owner of a highl3' im- 
proved and cultivated farm. He worked at his 
tr:idc until is.s.'i. with the exception of seven years, 
four of which, from 1857 to 1861. he served as 
Deputy Sheriff, the remainder of the time beino' 
passed as a sutler in thellth Wi.seonsin Infantry. 
In 1863 he returned to his home, where he has 
since continued to reside. 

The children born to Mr. and Mrs, Wiiglit ;irc: 
M.ary J., who w.as born Dec. 5. 1842. and is the 
wife of Charles A. Nash, a resident of Manchester, 
lioone Co., 111.: Silas, born April 23. IS||, is nt)w 
residing in Chicago: Cornelius, born Nov. (!, 1846. 
was united in marriage .Ian. 29. 1885, with Miss 
Sarah Il.aggart, and is engaged in farming in Tur- 
tle Township; Charles A., born Jan. 18, 185(1, is 
living in Clinton. Wis.; Christin.'i, born July II, 
1857, is the wife of Cornelius Lindeman.a resident 
of Peloit. 

Death visited the happy familj- June 3, 18H6. 

»» 



4 



•►HJ^^ 



^•^Hh-* 



398 



ROCK COUNTY. 



and called to her final rest the gooil wife and 
motlier. She was a woman greatly bclovfd for her 
many excellencies of character. Her death was 
caused from a cancer, but she bore her long suffer- 
ings with Christian fortitude. 

The successes to which iMr. Wriglit has attained 
have been entirely due to his own efforts. Though 
starting in life in extremely limited circumstances, 
by his industry, perseverance and good manage- 
ment, he has become one of the well-to-do citizens 
of Turtle Township, and as his children have left 
the parental roof ha-s provided them each with the 
means which would enable them to start comfort- 
ably on their life's journey. He cast his first presi- 
dential vote for Gen. William Henry Harrison, and 
for many years supported the Hepublican party, 
but is now liberal in his views, voting for the man 
who he thinks will best fill the oftice. He has oc 
en pied various local positions of trust, the duties 
of whicii have been performed with that prompt- 
ness and fidelity which marks all his actions. Mr. 
Wriglit possesses a most remarkable memory, is 
plain and unassuming in manner, fearless and out- 
spoken in defen.se of the right, and his word is as 
good as his bond. He has not only witnessed the 
growtlL and progress of Rock County, but has borne 
liis share in the work of developement and advance- 
ment, and we arc pleased to write the history of 
his life in the record of the pioneers of the banner 
county of Wisconsin. 



J; AMl'.S Li LIUM, deceased, wa.s a well known 
I pioneer of Rock County, and numbered 
' Muiong the settlers of 1844. He was a na- 
' tivc of Scotland, born in Kinrossliire, Xov. 
:!or 18"1. and there grew to manhood and received 
a liberal education. The occui)ation of a farmer 
he followed in his native land, and he there wooed 
and won Margaret Laurie, with whom he was 
united in marriage. Possessed of a spirit of en- 
terprise, and believing the New World better 
adapted to its developement than the Old, he de- 
termined upon removal. I'>ut that he might not be 
loo h:vsty, and do an act for which he might after- 
want repent, he resolved first to make the trip 



*t= 



4»- 



across the ocean, leaving his loved ones behind. 
If the country met his expectations he would return 
for them. Accordingly, in the spring of 1814, lie 
embarked in a sailing vessel, and after a long and 
tedious voj'age landed at New York in the month of 
July. Coming directly to Rock County, in the new 
territory of Wisconsin, and being much ple;f-eil 
witii the country, he purchased 04(1 acres of iiuid 
in the towns of Bradford and Johnstown. Re- 
maining here until fall, he returned to Scotland. 
and in the spring of 1845, brought his family, then 
consisting of a wife and one son, Robert, to his far 
western home. At that time the greater part of 
this, the banner county of Wisconsin, wa.s but lit- 
tle better than a wilderness. The land that he pur- 
chased was wild prairie and in its virgin state, but, 
with characteristic energj', he at once went to work, 
and in due time had one of the best farms in 
.Southern Wisconsin. The improvements which he 
made were of a substantial character. A frame 
house he at once erected, and it is still used as a 
residence. His barns and other outbuildings were 
built princip.-ill^- of stone, including large granaries 
and Ills root cellar. 

Unlike the great majority- of pioneers. Mr. Lil- 
burn w.os in comfortable circumstances on his arri- 
val in this county. ;ui(l therefore did not experi- 
ence many of the hardships endured by those not 
so comfortably fixed, but he was not content to 
merely hold his own, and soused all his (iod-given 
powers for his advancement in this life, and added 
to his possessions until he was numbered among the 
wealthiest farmers in Rock County, lint wealth 
did not spoil him ov lessen the esteem in which he 
was held by his neighbors and the community at 
large. 

The loved companion of Mr. Lilbum lived but 
two short years after her arrival in this country-, 
her death occurring March 17, lS4(i. 15ut when 
the summons came she was ready to go, having 
from early life been a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and a sincere believer in the Christian re- 
ligion. Her husljand sur\ ived her man3- years, his 
death occurring Oct. '2'.). 1879. Like his wife, he 
w.as a believer in the religion of Christ, and also a 
member of the Presbylsrian Church. In the Ihirly- 
five years of his residence in Rock County- he sur- 



*-* 



k 



t 



■^•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



399 



1= 



rounded himself with many friends, who sincerely 
mourned his deatli. As a citizen he was loyal, and 
as a Christian true and faitiifid. Death to him iiad 
no terrors, and wlioii the full \v;is in.'ido to come uyt 
hijjher, like Smiiimc! of uM. lie coidd bravely say, 
"Lord, here am I." The niciiioiy of such a Timn 
should ever he iield dear. 



J'~M)IIN ('. M KTC A LF, general insm-anee aijent. 
I of .lanesville, is a native of Chester County, 
I Pa., and was horn near Oxford, Jan. IG, 
' 1M2."). His parents were Thomas and Han- 
nah (Gould) Metealf. Ilis father'.s family was 
oritjinally F^nglisli, and after llie Revolution of 
IfiSd, settled in Ireland, and in 1710 became resi- 
dents of the northern part of that countrj'. 'I'en 
years later memliers of the family eame to America, 
and located in Lancaster County, I'a. The luother 
of our subject was born in Cecil Count3', Md., in 
1787, and was of Irish descent, her family having 
come from Ireland and settled in that county in 
1780. She went to Lancaster County, Pa., where 
she was married to Mr. Metealf. 

When eight years of age, our subject went to 
Ilelmont County, Ohio, where he attended the pnli- 
lic schools, and later entered Hopewell Academy, 
of Ciiester County, .as a student, whence he w.as 
graduated in the class of 1819. His education was 
obtained under difllcidlies that would h:ive dis- 
courniiied a lad possessed of less spirit and amlji- 
liim. lie was (ibligeil li> earn llie money to sliu't 
on, anil then, ;is he progiesseil, had to work .'it 
teaching and often at the hardest manual labor In 
oriler to procure me.ans to ilefr.ay his expenses at 
the academy. During vacations, wiien other stu- 
dents were enjoying their hours of leisure with 
f:imily and friends, he w.ns working .-is a eonnnon 
l.'iliorer. carrying a hod for brirklnyers. In the 
aendemy he taught penmanship and mat hematics to 
help pav his w:iy. and then had to study .all the 
harder to keep pace with his classes. On complet- 
ing his schooling, he determined to (|ualif\- him- 
self for the meilii'id profession, anil .again resoitcd 
tosehoul tcMihing to provide the means. 

.\l)out this time Mr. .Metealf took a responsible 



and important step in life, and was married on the 
3d of June, 1851, to Miss Julietta M. MassoletUi, a 
daughter of Vincent M. .Mnssoletta. an Italian, who 
w.as then Chief Clerk in the Navy Yard at Wash- 
ington, D. C. While pursuing his medical studies, 
Mr. Metealf received the tempting offer of a clerk- 
ship in the Interior Department at Washington, 
which he accepted, .and remained in th.at city from 
IHol to 18r)3. inclusive. He then removed to 
Muskingum County, Ohio, settling near Zanesville, 
where he was engaged in farming for three years. In 
185(i he came to Wisconsin in the employ of rail- 
road contractors. In the month of December, I.st;i, 
he enlisted for the late war, and wns commissioned 
Second Lieutenant of Companj' M, 2d Regiment, 
Wisconsin Cavalry. He was promoted to (^unrter- 
m.astcr of his regiment, .and served until April, 
1863, when he was mustered out on account of 
physical disability. His military service wns i)rin- 
cipally rendered in the States of Mis.soiu'i, Arkansas 
and Mississippi. 

Soon after his return from the war, having 
partially recovered his health. Mr. Metealf .acia-pted 
a position in the Paym.aster (ieneral's otiiee at 
W.ashington, which he held until March, I8(>4, when 
he was offered and acaa'ptcd the position of chief 
book-keeper in the Kii-st Nation.al Baidc of .Lanes- 
ville. This position he filled for nineteen years. 
He tlien resigned to accept the appointmiait as 
cashier in the Merchants' and Mechanics' Savings 
Hank of Janesville, where he spent one year. He 
was next engaged in the leaf tobacco business for 
three years with II. I!. DeLong. and sidjsequenlh 
w.as in thesami' line with L. B. Carle. In l.SHC ),,. 
engaged in his pr<'sent business, that of general 
insurance — life, fire and accident — and his olllca- is 
located in the Plnehns blf)ck. In political senti- 
ments Mr. Metealf is n Republican, .and has been 
called to till various public positions of honor ;ii}(l 
trust. He has served four years .as a member of 
the Janesville Common Council, eight years as a 
mcnibei- of the Clounty Board of Supervisf)rs, and 
was chairuian of the last nametl body for twt) 
years. In Api'il, 1887, he was elected a mendier 
of the Board of I'.chieation of the eit\ of .I;ines- 
ville. since which time he has .served .as clerk of 
that Board. In early life he was a Whig, and 

' ■■ ■■■■' »» 



4 



400 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-X- 



cast his first vote for President Taylor. He also 
voti'd ill lSr>(; for John C. Fremont, the first presi- 
<li'iiti:il candidate of the Kepiil)lican party. Mr. 
Metcalf is a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 
1 1. A. F. A A. M.; of .lanesville Chapter, No. 5. 
It. A. M.; and of .lanesville Commandery, No. 2, 
K. T. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. 
since 1852. and also lielongs to \V. H.Sargent Post, 
No. 20, a. A. R. 

Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf are niciiiliors of Trinity 
Episcopal Church of Janesville, the latter having 
been conlirmed in 1817, the former in 1868. Mr. 
Metcalf has been Treasurer and Junior Warden 
of the Church for more than thirty years. In all 
the various public positions to which he has been 
called he has proved faithful to every duty and 
true to every obligation. Methodical and exact 
by habit and conscientiously earnest in all his 
unilertakings, he has proven himself a competent 
business man and public otiicer. As a citizen he 
stands deservedly high in the esteeui of all who 
know him. His life li:i,s been a liusy one, and no 
(il)stacl(' ever made him swerve from Hit- path of 
duty or abandon the cnil in view. 



►^4^ 



^ 



'f 



^, ETER JleEWAX, deceased, wa.s numbered 
Jjj among the pioneer settlers of this county, 

•^ :uid was one of the first who owned land 
on the present site of Milton. lie was a 
native of Scotland, born at Chappie Hill in the 
Parish of Mouydie, in Peithshire, about ten miles 
from the city of Perth, in 180'.). His parents, 
William and Elizabeth (Dow) McEwan, were also 
natives of Perthshire, and his mother was a relative 
of Neal Dow. Our suhjcct was educated in the 
parish school and began his business careei' as a 
clerk in a mercantile establishment. He w.as after- 
wards i-ngagcd in merchandising- for himself in 
Auchterader, where he remained until l,s;31. lie 
was then a young man and wishing to try his for- 
tune in the new world he crossed the Atlantic to 
America in 1834, settling in Philadelphia, but af- 
ter a short residence in that city went by invitation 
to Niagara. Canaila. where he was eniploved as 
salesman in the store of .lolin Yonn5.f. In the 
4« 



month of May, 1837. with a party of eleven he 
went to Milwaukee, Wis., and five of the company, 
among whom w:is Mr. McEwan, continued their 
journey until reaching what is now known as Little 
Prairie, in Rock County. Here our subject located 
land on the northesisl rpuirter of section 31, also 
securing two other eighty-acre tracts on that sec- 
tion and the southeast (|uarter of section 27, all in 
Milton Township. He hired a man to break the 
land and then returned to Canada, settled up his 
business in Niagara, and in .luly .again came to this 
county, bringing with him a stock of merchandise. 
He also brought lumber from Cleveland, Ohio, and 
tools from Bufi'alo, N. Y., with which to finish his 
log house built about sixty rods from the north 
line of the northeast quarter of section ."M. For 
about eight years he wasengaged in merchandising 
in company with his brother William, in Milton, 
and at the same time carried on his farm. His 
land in this county was disposed of in the follow- 
ing manner. To .Joseph Goodrich, in July, 1 8.'i8. 
he sold his claim to the north half of the southeiist 
((uarter of section 27, and in December, of the 
same year gave to a blacksmith iianuMl Sprague an 
an acre, situated near the Tompkins residence, on 
the south half of the southc.ist cpuirter of section 
27, which was the first lot given aw.ay for the pui-- 
pose of starting a village. In the early part of 
April, 1810, he sold to IMr. (Joodrich for $100 the 
south one-half of the southeast quarter of section 
27, with the condition that Mr. Sprague's lot 
should be reserved to him. 

In 185.5, Mr. McEwan visited his native land 
and the s.ame year, in the town of Auchter.-irder. 
married Miss Lillian Syme. After his marri:ige he 
returned to America, and remain<'d settling u|) his 
affairs at this place until 1S.')S. when he again vis- 
ited Scotland for the benelil of his lieallli, liut 
owing to circumstances he decided to permanently 
locate at Perth, Scotland, which he did, but \isited 
this country in 18G2, and again in 187(! for the 
double puri)ose of visiting his friends and attend- 
ing the Ceutenni.al l^xliiliition. His death occurred 
in the city of Perth on the 29th day of January. 
1870. His widow still survives him and is living 
in Perth. 

Mr. McEwan was in |)olitieal s<>ntlment a lie- 



i 





'w 

^ 




> 



4= 



ROCK COUNTY, 



403 




publican, .-iikI religiously, a member of the Presby- 
terian C'liurcli. lie was a leading citi/.en in Milton 
lOwnsliip dnriiiii' the early days of that town and 
look an active interest in its welfare and devclope- 
nienl. He was "greatly interested in educational 
and chnii'li matters, and piesentcd the Congreii'a- 
tional and Methodist ilcnoniinations, lots upon 
which t<i l)uild their cliunhcs. He vv;is among the 
earliest settlers of the county and many of the 
|iionccrs still cherish his nienioiy as one of their 
connades dnriiii;' the days when Rock County w.as 
on the Western frontier. 

RAN'CIS WILLIAM L( )UDON, a represen- 
tative of one of the pioneer families of Rock 
County, whose several sons are now leading 
business men of .lanesville, has gained distinction 
as a nurseryman and horticidturist. He is a son of 
.lames FiOudon. a native of New Hampshire, and a 
grandson ot William Lf)udon, who was born in 
Scotland. The latter remained in his native land 
until I'igliteen years of age. when he emigrated 
from Edinburg to America. He served his adopted 
country in its struggle for independence, and at the 
close of the war settled in New Hampshire, where 
his death occurred in 171IS. 

James Loudon, tlie father of our subject, was the 
only son of William Loudon, though there were 
several daughters in the family, all of whom have 
now passed aw.ay. He was born in Lebanon, N. H.. 
Oct. 1, 1792, and when but six years old his father 
died. He was reared in his native State, and at- 
taining to mature years married Sally Moshier, 
who was born April 24. 1800, in Stratford, Vt., her 
parents, however, being natives of Connecticut. 
After his marriage .lajnes Loudon settled at Straf- 
foril. where he made his home until 1819, when he 
removed to Ka-st 'l"opsli.-im, \t., and in 18 KI eini 
grated to Wisconsin, locating in Jancsville. He 
took up his residence near the present site of the 
|>assenger depot^i of the Chicago, Milwaukee A- St. 
I'aul, .and the Chicago tt Northwestern liailroad 
Ciunpanies. There he lived until his death, which 
occurred in his eighty-third year, on thi' ITtli d.ay 
of May, 1875. His first wife departed this life in 



-^ 



September, 1854, and he afterward married Rlrs. 
Martha Smith, who survived her husband about 
two years. 

James Lomlon was a man of deep religious con- 
victions. In early life he was a member of the 
Methodist E|>isc<>pal Church, but later adopted the 
doctrines of the Seventh Day Adventisls. Few 
men were better informed on scriptural subjects. 
and his dailj' endeavor was to live in accordance 
with the teachings of the IJible. Uy his first mar- 
riage Mr. Loudon had a family of eleven children, 
seven of whom are yet living: Francis W., Mrs. 
Amanda L. Chapman, I'hilo, James. Almarin M. 
(now wife of C. K. Chin-ch), Mahew \'incent(who 
owns the old homestead ), and Anson S. The de- 
cc!i.sed were A/.ro James, Sally Ann, Adelaide, and 
one child who died in infancy. 

Francis William Loudon, whose name heads this 
sketch, is the eldest of the family, and was the first 
to come to Rock County, Wis. He w.a-s born in 
Stratford, Orange Co., A't., on the 17th of Decem- 
ber, 1818, and was there reared to manhood. He 
learned the trade of a tanner and currier, and also 
that of shoeinaking, learning both with his father, 
who carried on those branches of business. He was 
married, in Troy, N. Y., to Miss Clarissa Hunter, 
and in September, 184."), removed with his family 
to Janesville, and engaged in the boot and shoe 
trade. He wa.s the first manufacturer of boots and 
shoes in this city, and can truly be called the pio- 
neer in that line. He conducted the business on an 
extensive scale, his trade rapidly increasing, so 
that for a number of years he furnished employ- 
ment to from twenty-five to forty men. In 1852 
Mr. Loudon retired from the manufacture of boots 
and shoes, and turned his atti'ution to the nursery 
business and to horticultural pursuits. It is by the 
reputation attained in the latter br.anches that he is 
best known, for he has gained a national reputation 
as an originator of fruits. The famous Jessie straw- 
berry, which he named in honor of his daughter, is 
one of his first |)roductions. For tliirt3'-five j'ears 
he liiis now been engaged in his present line. He 
has devoted much time and attention to his favor- 
ite work, the crossing of various fruits to produce 
a progeny of a superior char.acter, and has met with 
a success and accpdred a reputation in that diiec- 



r 



•p^i=^ 



■104 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



tion second to none in the country. He .seems es- 
pecially adapted to this work, and has done nuich 
toward the advancement and oiiiiinating of various 

fruitii. 

To Mr. and Mrs. l>oudon were liorn a family uf 
three children, daughters: Martha .lane. Maria K. 
an<l Florence May. Mr. I.oudou was a second 
time married, Miss Elizabeth McDonald liecominj; 
his wife. She was horn at Sturgis, Mich., and three 
cldldren gr.ace their union, n.amely : .lessie L., 
.lames Garfield and Mary Klizaheth. In his i)oliti- 
cal sentiments Mr. Loudon is a supporter of tiie 
Kepuhlican party, and religiously, is a mcnilicr of 
the Episcopal t'hunli. lie is a worthy and re- 
spected citizen, and is held in iiigh regard hy the 
people of Hock County, of which he liecame a rcsi- 
dent over forty-four years ago. 

'I'he jiortraits of Mr. and Mrs. London aic given 
upon another page. 

•-^ €^-^- — ^^ 

ARSON NORTHROP, one of the pioneers 
of this county of IHL'), now deceased, was 

^ horn in Middlehury, Conn., in l)e<-emher, 
I.SIO, and was the son of .lohn and .^nlly 
(Reck) Northrop, who were also natives of Con- 
necticut. They had a f.-imily of eight children, 
four sons and four daughters. Our sul)je<;l, on 
arriving at man's estate, was united in man iagc, in 
1H2;!, with Miss Sally C. Atwood, who still sur- 
vives her hnsliand. 'I'lieir union u;is Messed witli 
live children: Hon. .S. .S. Northrop, a prominent 
citizen of Rock County; Marshall A. and M:ullia 
A., who were twins, tlie former lieing a (•.•iptnin in 
the l.'ite war, in which he servcil with distinction, 
until forced to resign on account of ill-health, and 
the latter is the widow of .loseph R. Marshall, ;umI 
resides in Reloit; .1. Dexter, the next child, is a 
resiflcnt of Clinton Township; llarsou A., who was 
graduated from the Reloit College, and enlisted in 
tlie lOth Wisconsin Infantry, Comp.any IJ, serving 
three months, dieil in Reloit in Septend)er. 1.S70. 

In an eailv day Mr. Northinii eniigr;ited with 
his family to Tully, Onondaga Co., N. V., and in 
18l."> came tt) Hock County, Wis., settling on .Jeffer- 
son I'lairie, where he made Ins home for a few- 



years. At the end of that time he became a resi- 
dent of Keloit, where he passed the remainder of 
his daj's. In political sentiment he was an old-line 
Whig, and a w:irm supporter of William Henry 
Harrison. After hecoming a resident of Beloil he 
w.a.s honored with seveial local ollices, tilling the 
position of Supervisor, and was also a member of 
the School Board. He was a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, and was a true and faithful 
Christian, dying in the fidl assurance of a resurree- 
ti(m on the other side of the grave. Mr. and Mrs. 
Northroii h.ad lived togethei' a.s man and wife for 
fifty-seven years, when the death of the fornu'r oc- 
curred Feb. :i, 1881. 

('apt. :\Iarshall A. Northrop wa.s born in Tully, 
N. Y., .luly D'), 1S27, rcsi<ling in his native town 
until nineteen years of age, when he came with his 
parents to the Territory of Wisconsin. Choosing 
the law as his profession, lie .ittended the .State 
National Law School at Roughkcei)sie, N. Y.. being 
graduated in the class of 18.")^. after which he re- 
turned to lleloit, and entered upon the practice of 
his profession. He w.as elected to the otiiee of 
Police Magistrate, served his fellow-citizens .ms a 

j member of the City Council, and .-it the time of his 
death, which occurred Oct. 0. IHCl. was President 

i of the Home Insurance Company, of St. P.-ud. 

i Minn. In 18()l,at the lncaUing out of the Civil 
\\ ar, he assisted in raising a eomp:in\. which be- 
came Comptiny G of the Gth Wisconsin Infantry. 
It was mustered in at Madison, and he was electcil 
and commissioned Captain. The order llicn came 
to proceed to Arlington llciglit,s, where they were 
slationeil for some time. After about nine months' 
service, Capt. Northrop w;is foi-ceil to resign on 
account of failing health, and luniding in his I'esig- 
nation, he returned to his home in I'.eloit. He was 
a m:in highly respected for his sterling worth .'uid 
many excellent qualities, an<l socially, he was a 

I member of the Masonic fralernily. He marrii'd 
Do|-|es<'.-i Snyiler. of Clinton. Wis., and lliey lie- 
came the parents of live children: Martha C., who 
died in Clinton; Marshidl K.. an insurance agent 
of .lanesville; Kittle F.; Fred II,. a Methodist 

,' minister, and a grailuate of P.eloil College and the 
Evanstoii Theological .Seminary ; and (Jertrnde .M.. 
who is living in Heloit. Mrs. Northrop died in 



■^»" 




-^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



405 



1872. She was an estimable Christian hvdy, and a 
menilier of the Methodist Chureh. 

.losepii l\. Marshall, who was numbered among 
the lea(lin^■ citizens of i'.eloit, w;is born in the year 
ixr.i, and w.-is .m native of Ashby, Mass. He was 
educated at Phillips Academy, at Andover, and in 
184.'"), decidini;' to cast his lot in the West, emi- 
grated to Shopiere, Rock County. IIo subsefjuently 
renH)ved to Clinton, where, in 1850, he was united 
in marriage with Miss .Martha A. Northrop, a na- 
tive of ( )nond.ag;i County, N. V. In 1853, accom- 
p.anicd liy his wife, he came to Beloit, where he 
made his home until his death. However, in 1871. 
he went to the I'.ncific coast, with the hope that a 
change of climate would be beneficial to his health, 
an<l there spent four years, but growing weaker, he 
returned to his home, and on the 27th day of 
December, 1871). departed this life. When in health 
lie was an energetic, active man, taking great in- 
terest in the welfare of the city and in the advauc- 
inent of its leading institutions. His widow is still 
living in Heloil. .ind is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



•♦I^-^ 






^; AMKS CHAMIIKRLAIN, deceased, wasone 
of Hock County's most prominent citi/cns 
and honored pioneers. I'robably no one has 
borne a mori' important part in the upbuild- 
ing of the county during its earl^' history, and to 
hin^ all honor is i\uf for his untiring efforts and 
ceaseless labors in her beh.alf. He was a native of 
Kngl.'UKl, born in I7'.I2. His boyhood days were 
there passed, and when Iwcnty-live ye;irs of age he 
ero.ssed the broail Atlantic- for the purpose of try- 
ing his fortunes in the New \\orld. Landing in 
New York he spent the four succeeding years in 
that State. an<l in 1821 he remo\ed to Hartford. 
Conn., when he made the ac(inaiul;inc(' of Miss 
Maria .lackson, whom he wooed and won, and to- 
gether they traveled life's journey foi' man\' Ncars. 
While a resident of Hartford .Mr. Chamberlain 
worked at his traile of i-ontractor and builder, and 
under his supei'vision many of the public buildings 
of the city were erected, among which ma\' be 
mentioned the i'.piscopal ( hiircli spoken of in ( Jood- 



rich's History .as a remarkably tine specimen of 
architectural skill. He also planned the woodwork 
of the bridge across the Connecticut River at that 
point, which consists of a single span of ninety feet, 
twenty-four feet high and KIO feet wide, and 
which stands to-day as a nionnmcut tii the ability 
and faithfulness of the builder. 

In 1836, leaving his eastern home accompanied 
by his family, Mr. Chamberlain emigrated to Wis- 
consin and settled on section .'i7 in what is now the 
town of Kradford. The narrative of his experience 
during the succeeding years of his life would, if 
written out be more thrilling and interesting than 
a romance. For weeks he would not see a human 
being, and w.as often without food save the tradi- 
tional '-sucker" found in Turtle Creek. For a con- 
siderable time a rock was his only shelter, but noth- 
ing daunted, he steadily and peisisl-eiitly labored to 
make a home for his family and surround them 
with all the comforts of civilization. Strong in 
limb, possessing a rugged constitution, and en- 
d((wed with wonderful jiowers of endurance he un- 
derwent the severest hardships, siieli as would 
utterly prostrate a man of ordinary powers. On 
one occasion he walked from his claim to Madison 
in a single day. His nearest ix>st-ofliee was at 
Janesville, and he used to relate how at one time 
when going to mail a letter on a winter's day, while 
m.aking his way across Rock Prairie he fell into a 
half frozen slough, and thus wet and chilled, hav- 
ing lost his w.ay he wandered for hours over the 
prairies with nothing to guide him to home and 
shelter. At length, bennmbed. speechless and al- 
most unconscious, he stumbled across the cabin of 
I). A. Richardson. The inmates mistook him in 
the distance for a wolf and set the dogs on him. 
but when they disovered their mistake their kind- 
ness was unbounded, and the half- frozen wanderer 
w.as cared for as a brother. 

In his occupation as a builder Mr. Chamberlain 
soon found plenty of work anil had the honor of 
builiiing the first court-house in Rock Count\-. He 
also superintended the construction of the lirstthree 
bridges across Rock River, built at Janesville, I5e- 
loit and Roscoe. His painstaking care, his careful 
attention to every detail, and his earnest efforts to 
(ilcase liis customers made hiin a f.avorite with all. 



f 



a= 



406 



■•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



As a citizen he liore an active p.irt in liic work of 
advancing [jiililic interests and was iionored with 
many positions of trust, servini; .is a niemherof the 
first Constitutional Convention of tiic State and also 
on the County Board for several years. Politically, 
he was an old .lacksonian Democrat. His family 
relations were the most pleasant; he was a kind 
husband and father, and .as a neighbor enjoyed uni- 
versal respect and esteem, lie at length overcame 
all obstacles and ditHculties, and his lal)ors wore at 
rewarded by a comfortable competence which en- 
abled him during his declining years to live in 
retirement from the more active duties of life. 
After a long and useful life he i)assed away on the 
lOtli of September, 1874. Tie was roared as an 
Episcopalian .nnd died in that faith. 

The chililren of Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain were 
four in number: .lulia A., who is now the widow 
of Peter Smith, resides in Clinton ; James A. who is 
living near Shopiere; Sai'ali .1., wife of Joseph 
Dockst.ader, who is also li\ ing near Sli<i|)ierc, and 
Mary E., widow of Napoleon Johnson of Darien, 
Walworth Co., Wis. 



>^5^^-»«^5tf— 




4 



'-^j^»«^3»^ 



\i^, ETEU SMITH, deceased, was among the 
pioneer settlers of Hock County, becoming 
a resident in IHI2. He was born in Johns- 
town, Montgomery Co., N. V.. June 26, 
1808, and was the son of Hon. I'oter and Elizabeth 
(Krazier) Smith. The days of his boyhood and 
youth were passed in his native county, where he 
received a liberal education. He beg.an his business 
career when fourteen years of age, going to Albany, 
N. Y., where he wasem])loyed in an exchange of- 
fice. After continuing in business in the Empire 
State for a luimber of years, in 1842 he loft his 
home for the new .State of \Visconsin, and settling 
iu .Sliopiere, embarked in the mercantile business in 
184;?, continuing in that line for three years. 

In 1844 our subject led to the marriage altar 
Miss Julia A. Chamberlain, and to them w.as boin 
one child, a daughter, who was named for her 
mother. Shortly after his marriage he turned his 
attention to agricidtural pursuits, and purchasing 
land in the town of Ea Prairie, there c.-nried on 



^^ 



farming until his death, which occurred in the 
month of December, 1862. He was a man who 
stood high iu the community where he resided, and 
was a stanch supporter of the principles advocated 
by Jackson and Douglas. He po.ssessed a stu<lious 
nature .and was well informed on all the leading 
issues of the day, both political an<l otherwise. 
Public-spirited and progressive he proved a valued 
citizen, and his death was sincerely mourned by all. 
Mrs. Smith is still livingand resides at her pleasant 
home in Clinton to which she removed in 187.'), 
though she still retains possession of the farm of 
eighty acres in Lu Prairie Township. 

ENHY 15. CHAMBERS, cig.ar manufacturer 
I of Heloit, Wis., was born in J>aneasler 

('onnty. Pa., on the I2th day of .lulv. hS.!'.!. 

and is a son of John .'ind .\nnic> (Henry) 
(liambei's. The father was a native of Ireland, but 
when a young lad came with his mother to America, 
settling in Eancaster County, Pa., where he was 
reared to manhootl and married Mi.ss Heiuy. Their 
union was blesseil with a family' of seven children: 
Catherine, who is now the wife of Henry Keigart, a 
resident of Clinton Junction, Wis.; P.ell died in 
girlhood; Henjamin died in early life; Mary wed- 
dcfl Benjamin Witman, an<l both died in Pennsyl- 
v.ania; Annie is the wife of Hcrin.an <>rillith, whose 
home is in Fori Scott, Kan.; Henry IJ. is the next 
in order of birth; Bell wedded Myron Griltitli, of 
Black Hawk County, Iowa. Mr. Chambers, the 
father of these children, departed this life in 1 si 1. 
Several years after his death, ISH's. Chambers, ac- 
companied by her family, emigr.ated to Wisconsin 
.•md piirch.ased land in Turtle Township, Rock 
County, where she resided for several years. Her 
death occurred in Clinton Junction about ten years 
ago. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers were communicants 
of the Presbyterian Church, and were held in high 
esteem for their many excellencies of character. 

Oui subject was reared to manhood in his native 
county, and received his education in the common 
schools. At the .age of nine years he was appien- 
ticed to the trade of cigar making, .serving a term 
of three years. The (iisl, year he was to receive 



T 



k. 



liUClv COUNTY. 



■•► 



407 



tifty touts per wi-ck, tlie second year fl.oO per 
wcflv, llic lliiiil yviiv $.'), .mihI the fuuitli your ti 
|K'|-\vick. ( )iit <if this siii.-ill siiiH he clollicil liiiii- 
solf. lioaidiiiu Ml lioiiu'. lie rciiiaiiu'd in tlie East 
until 18;)5, when he einit:;r;iteil to Wisconsin, r.c- 
eonipanied liy his Inother-in-lMw. and located at 
Clinton .IiMiction, where he remained until his 
mother came West, when liiey removed to a farm 
near that town. I''<jr twelve years he followed 
farming, after which he came to lleloit, where he 
wasemiiloyed liy Kendall it I'urves for a time. He 
then secured the position of foreman in the shop of 
I'. II. Crane, where lie remainecl for a [lerioil of nine 
years, when he established ids present husincss. lie 
has lieeii very successful in the enterprise, and is 
one of the leadinii tobacco dealers of Rock County, 
In 1X71 Mr. Cliand>ors was united in mari'iage 
with Miss Klla Welib. a dau-hler of Albert Webb, 
of lU'loit, one of the |)ioneers of this county. I!y 
their union four children have been liorn — Artiiur, 
Annie, .lames and .May I'.ell, all yet living. Polit- 
ically. Mr. Cliand)ers is a Repulilican, and a staunch 
supporter of the paity jirinciples. He is a careful 
and enterprising business man, .-lud one of the pro- 
gressive citizens of licloit. 

-^i ^3-iM' !— 



*> 



;()11N DAWK, the popular and elliciciit Post- 
master of Kdgerlon, was ai)i)oinfed to that 
position in August, 1 885, receiving his eom- 
1JI ndssion on the 1st <lay of M.ay, 1886. He 
came to Rock Count \' in Sci>teiid)er, 18r>C, li.aving 
arrived at what is now Kdgerton, then known as 
Fulton Depot, on the 'ind of tli.-it month. He was 
born in 18.'5.'), in Devonshire, Kngland, near the 
city of Plymouth, note<l as the port from which 
thu '•'Ma\ Mower" saile(l in 1(!2(). His paients arc 
.loliii and M.ary (.\n<Irews) Dawe, who still reside 
in Ijigland. They had a family of eleven child- 
ren and with the exception of the youngest son, 
(ieorgc, who died in the fall of 188(1, aged thirty 
years, all are yet living at this writing. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to niunhood 
upon his father's farm and was the first of the fam- 
ily to come to America, but afterwards his brother 
Thomas R.. and his sister Kllen, now the wife of 



Harry Langman, emigrated to this country and are 
now residents of Santa l!arb:ua, Cal. Kndarking 
on a sailing vessel bound for (^»ucbcc, Canada, Mr. 
Dawe safely crossed the Atlantic, and on the 21th 
day of ftlay, 18.')5, reached his destination. He 
workcil during that season on a farm near King- 
ston, and the following year, as before! stated, came 
to Rock County, being accomi);inied from C;it):id.i, 
b}' a young man named Samuel C.'iwker, a nc|)hew 
of the Cawkci' Hrothers, who impioved the vv.iter- 
power at Fulton. Mr. Dawe resided in the town 
of Fulton for Some lime :uid then removed to Dane 
County, vvheio he made his home for several years, 
and latei- became a resident of I'ortcr Township. 
Purch.ising the farm now owncil by .John II. Nich- 
ols, he engaged in its cultivation and improvement 
for many ^cars and, "was quite successful in that 
line of business. At length, abandoning agricultu- 
ral pursuits, in the fall of 188;^, he came to Kdger- 
lon, where he has since made his home, and now 
occupies the position of Postmaster. 

Mr. Dawe has been twice maiiicil, his lirst union 
being with Ann S. Downing, .i daughter of Ellas 
Downing, one of the early settlers of the town of 
Fulton. She died on the 17th day of April, 1871, 
leaving three si)ns — John; Klias. who is living in 
Negaunee, Mich.; and William, who is assisting his 
father in the office. After the death of his first 
wife, Mr. Dawe was joined in we<llock with Han- 
nah Spike, who was born in Ijigland, but who 
came to America with her parents in early child- 
hood. Her father was Charles Spike, one of the 
early settlers of Dane County, where he still makes 
his home. Four children have been born of this 
second marriage, two of whom are living — Mary 
Kmnia an<l Frank Richard. 

Mr. Dawe has held various oflicial positions, the 
duties of wldch he Invs ever discharge<l with faith- 
fulness and abilit}'. He w:us Town Clerk of Ful- 
ton many years ago, also served as a mend>er of 
the lioard of Supervisors of that town, and while a 
residi'nt of the town of Porter, was Chairman of 
the Town ISoard, and a member of the County 
IJoard. Since 1885, he has boon secretary of the 
Edgerton Tobacco Manufacturing Company. Po- 
litically, he is a Democrat and cast his lirst presi- 
dential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, in 18(io, Ho. 



T" 



■108 



■«► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•^ 



liab made sevciiil visits to his native land, having 
crossi'd tlie Atlantic seven times and in his travels 
has acquired an extensive knowledge of men and 
events, which he would not otherwise have gained. 
Mr. Dawe is one of the representative men of Ed- 
gerton, and is respected bj' all with whom business 
or ploas\nc have brought him in contact. 



^^EOIJOE G. LETTS, tlie subject of this 
iff sketch, will be found upon section 34. Mag- 

5^S( nolia Townshii>. where he is the owner of a 
fine farm. He is numbered among the early set- 
tlers of 1848, and is a representative citizen of the 
community. He was born in .Shelby, Orleans Co., 
N. Y.. on the ."ilst day of August. 1826, and his 
parents. Simon and Margaret (Fortner) Letts, were 
also natives of Ihc Kminre State. They removed 
to Orleans County about the year 1816, piissing 
llic rcniaiudcr of their lives within its borders. The 
paternal grandfather. .John Letts, was a soldier of 
the Kevolutiouary War. and the sword which he 
carried during that struggle is still in possession of 
the family. His death occurred in 1842. The 
father of our subject died in 185:?, and his wife de- 
parted this life ill 1^5'.). I'nto them was lioru a Large 
family of children, of whom the following are yet 
livin", namely: Betsy, wife of the Rev. J. I). Childs. 
of Shell>v. N. ^ '•: .lane, who wedded Giles I'heliis. 
a wealthy farmer of Oileans County. N. Y.; Ct>r- 
delia, widow of .Monzo ^V caver, is living in Mag- 
nolia Corners; Catherine is the wife of .1. R. Whit- 
ney, the postmaster at Magnolia: and Al)raliam, 
a very able minister of the Christian Church, is 
the owner of the old homestead in Orleans County. 
N. Y.. which has lieen in the jjossession of the 
family for seventy-live year.s. Those who have 
passed away are: Minor, who died in Iv.'ilph. Iowa, 
about the ye:ir 1886; Mary A., ileceased wife of 
■\Villian) Huyke; and Margaret, decea.sed wife of 
.Malcolm Harper, a farmer of .Alagnolia Township. 
The e:uly life of our sul)ject was s|)ent in attend- 
iu<r the schools of his native county during the 
winter time, ami in assisting his father in the 
labors of the farm in the summer months. He re- 
mained under the parental roof until twenty-two 



years of age, when, in 1S48, he came to Rock 
County to visit his sister, who had previously lo- 
cated in Wisconsin. This event proved an im- 
portant one in his life, for being pleased with the 
future prospects, and wishing to better his condi- 
tion, he decided to make his home in this county. 
In the winter of 1848 lie purchased a claim of 
eightj' acres on section 32, Magnolia Township, 
together with a 20 acre tract of timber land. He 
began splitting rails with which to fence his farm, 
and in the spring of 1849 commenced the erection 
of a dwelling. During the following summer he 
broke twenty acres of land, which he planted in 
fall wheat. His lirst crop yielded a good harvest, 
and he sold his wheat for (ifty cents per bushel. 
On Uie 1st (by of June, 1853, Mr. Letts was 
united in marri.age with Miss Christina Harper, a 
native of Scotland, and a daughter of Robert Har- 
per, one of the early settlers of this county. After 
their marriage the j'oung [leople removed to the 
new home which Mr. Letts had prepared, and there 
was born unto them a family of four children: 
Susan P2mma. who is now the wife of Wallace An- 
drews, a resident of Magnolia Townshi|); Maggie, 
who on the 4th day of June, 1881. became the wife 
of O. E. Cotton, a farmer of DakoUi; Uelle we<lded 
Arba Townsend, a resident farmer of Magnolia 
Township: and Mary, wife of Uaird T. .\!i<lrows, 
also of Magnolia. 
I On the 2.0th day of .Vpril. 1.H64. the mother was 
called to her last rest. .She was a devoted inciiiber 
of the Congregational Church, and one of its most 
active workers. Mr. Letts w.as a second time m:u-- 
ried, June 9, 18G5, when Miss Annie Uakcr became 
his wife. .She w:xs born in Kent County, England, 
on the 30th d.ay of SeptcMnber, 1842, and is a 
daughter of Thomas .and Sarah (Last) Raker, who 
were also natives of the same county. Her father 
emigrated to America in 1851. and is now :i resi- 
dent of Evansville. Mr. and Mrs. Letts have lieen 
the parents of four children, but three died in in- 
fancy. AVilliam, who was born Feb. 27. 1871. be- 
ing the only surviving one. 

Since becoming a resident of Koik County Mr. 
Letts has done much tow.ard its development, and 
from the wild land has made one of the finest 
farms in the county. He began life in limited cir- 



"*! 



/f^ 



ROCK COUNTY, 



111'-' , . 



tiiiiislimccs, but \iy iiidiisliT, econoiny and good 
niMiiMm'ineiil has liccoiiie oiio of llie wealth^' citi- 
/AMI.S. lie has made luaiiy thii' iiiiiii(>v('iiuiit,s ii|)(>ii 
his land, ills storlv is all of liio hi'st grades, ami tlie 
'lariis aiid oiitliuildiiigs arc models of convenience. 
IJotli .Mr. Letts and his wife aii^ niemliers of the 
Congregational Cliuich, .and for many years were 
active workers in tin- liidr|iendent Onler of Goo<l 
'I'emiilars, to which they bclongeil. In early life he 
was an ardent su|)|)orlcr of the lve|inblican I'arly, 
but being a man of strong temperance principles. 
:niil believing that the only way to successfully 
abolish the liijnor tralli<- is by a nation.al i)olitieal 
organization, he ha.s idcnliticd himself with the 
rroliibition parl\', and devotes much of his time 
and attention to the advancement of its interests, 
lie is an lionorcil citi/.cn of UocU County, and by 
his upright life has gained the contidencc and re- 
sjicct of all who know him. 



#^ 



-S— 



^ jk-ILLI.VM M. I-ORTKU. residing in I'ortcr 
\^// Township, is nundiered .•nnong the honored 
WW pioneers of the county, and is .a rci)resenta- 
tive of the family, in whose honor the township 
was named. The land on which he now resides 
was formerly claimed and entered by Daniel Web- 
ster, and was deeded to his inicle, Dr. .John I'orler, 
who came to the Territory of Wisconsin during 
the days of its infancy with the intention of making 
a settlement, but his wife not being plea.sed with 
the location, he sold the land lo his nephews — .lo- 
seph K., Williau) M., ami Isaac — who are now 
prominent citizens and leading business men of 
Southern Wisconsin. Their parents were Isaac 
and Amy (I'ottcr) I'orter. Tlie lather ^vas a na- 
tive of Connecticut and a gr.'iduale of IJrovvn Uni- 
versity, l'roviden<'C, U. 1.. in which city Mrs. Por- 
ter was born. Thcii- inarii.age was celebrated in 
I'rovidence on the 1 Ith day of June, 1817, and to 
them were liorn foui- children, three sons and a 
daughter. 

William M., of this sketch, the liisl in ortler of 
birth, was iiorn on the ixth day of March, 1.S18. in 
Charlton, ilass.. where he made his home until 
lliirty years of age. lie was married on New Year's 



Day, 18oG, to Miss Aura Wheeler, of Mt. Holly, 
\'l.. the ceremony being |)erfornicd by the Rev. 
i\Ir. Douglass, in the American House. Their union 
has been blessed with five children: Susan M., who 
is at home with her parents; I'lnebe, who is now 
decea.sed; William W., still athonie; Olive K., who 
died in infancy; and Isaac K.. who is a student of 
the Madison University, completes the family. 

ll(^n. Joseph K., the second child of Isaac and 
Amy I'orter, w.as boiu Jidy 25, 181 II, and is now a 
prominent farmer of Hock County, where he has 
!n:ide his home since 1840, when he came to Wis- 
consin to take charge of the land owned by his 
uncle, .John I'.ntcr. On the 21stday of February, 
18 17. Miss Ann Kliza Bacon became his wife, and 
unto them have been born four children: Helen, 
who is the wife of Alexander Uichiirds. of Janes- 
ville. Wis.; William I!., who wedded Lillian New- 
man, .and is engaged in farming in I'orter Town- 
ship; Amy, who became the wife of Thomas C. 
Richardson, manager of the (irangc Store, of I-h'ans- 
ville, ami Joseph I!., who married Miss H.-ittii- II., 
Tripp, and is engaged in farming on the old home- 
stead. 

Isjuic (;., the youngest of the Porter l)rothers 
and the fourth in order of birth in (he family, was 
boi-n on the 21st day of .August, 1 827, and in Is.'iO 
emigrated to Rock County. In connection with 
his brother William he purchased the land of his 
uncle. :ind now owns and o|>erates 250 acres, situ- 
ated on section Ij, in the town of Porter, and in 
Dane County, lie was joined in wedlock .lune K!, 
18.')l, with Miss iVnnie McNidl. a native of Cala- 
rangns County, N. Y., and by their union have 
been born six children, iis follows: John, who is 
now cashier of the Grange .Store in Kvansville; 
iMary W., deceased ; Is.aac II., ,\nnie G., lOdward A., 
and son who died in infancy. 

The father of the Porter brothers, Isaac Porter, 
Sr. came to Rock County on the 20th day of Au- 
gust, 18.") I, but died three days later. He was a 
man of much more than ordinary ability, was 
highly e<iucated, and wa.s a prominent and inlluen- 
tial citizen of the State in which he made his home. 
He engaged in the practice of medicine throughout 
the greater part of his life, and received his liter- 
ary educ:ition at Brown's University, of Providence, 



:??r#-^' 



-^•- 



410 



ROCK COUNTY. 



"•^ 



-f 



11. I., .Tnd his medical education at Dartmouth 
College, N. II.. from which he was graduated, and 
then entered upon the ])ractice of his profes.sion at 
Charlton, Mass., and later removed to Boston. lie 
liecame one of the leading physicians of Boston, 
and in that city, in connection with the Hev. Mr. 
Collins, edited the first teinperance paper ever pub- 
lished in the United States, and probably in the 
world. Ho was also editor for a short time of the 
Boston Free Prexs, and an anti-masonic journal, but 
not .ilone by written arguments did he jirotest 
against the evils of the day, for his voice w.-is often 
heard in public addresses. He delivered an ora- 
tion in Faneuil Hall, Boston, which was publishc(l 
in all the leading papers of the East, .and consider- 
ably agitated the public mind. He was alwa3-s 
found in the foremost rank in all moral reforms, 
and w!is especially interested in temperance work. 
'riirougliout his life he earnestly advocated the 
suppression of the liquor tralllc. and many fine 
productions from his pen exerted their influence in 
the behalf of reform. At length death called 
him from a life of usefulness, and he was laid to 
rest in the lieautilul cemetery near Cooksville. 

The I'ortcr brothers have been prominently 
identified with the history of Rock Cuaiily from 
the early d.ays of its settlement, and arc numbered 
among its extensive land-owners. AVilliam and 
Isaac have bought and sold 2,0(10 acres of land, 
and cMcli arc now the owners of fine farms, the land 
of the former c(nnprising 500 acres, and of the 
lat(:er 250, making a total of 750 acres. With the 
exception of oidy a few jcars, sin(!e coming to 
Wisconsin th(!y have made their homes in Rock 
County. For eight years, from 1850 until 1858, 
Isaac was a icsidcnt of (!recn County, where he en- 
gaged in the mercantile business, and from 1850 
until 1852. \\'illiani was engaged in mining in the 
gold fields of California, but at the end of that time 
was forced to return on account of sickness. They 
have borne no inconsiderable part in the upbuild- 
ing of town and county, have aided in the advance- 
ment of its puljlic enlcrpiist's. have participated in 
the growth an<l development, and have ever been 
found in the foremost ranks of advancement and 
progress. The name of I'orter is inscp.arable 
from the history of the county, which has been 




their home for the greater part of forty-five years. 
Scarcely could they have dreamed, much less real- 
ized, the wonderful transformation which the county 
has undergone, its wild prairies being converted 
into rich and fertile farms, its pioneer cal)ins re- 
pl.aced by substantial and elegant residences, schools 
and churches everj'where built, countless manu- 
factories introduced, until now Rock is on a par 
with any county in the great commonwealth. In 
p(jlitical .sentiment. William Porter is an ardent 
advt>cate of the l'roliil)ition party. He cast his first 
Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison in 
1840, became a Rci)ublican on the organization of 
that party, and at the formation of the I'rohibi- 
party, joined its forces. 



s^ELDEN PRATT, one of the well-known 
citizens of Beloit. Wis., w:is born in the 
town of Halifax, Mass., March 21. 18;!,s. 
and is the son of Abner and Priscilla 
(Leach) Pratt, both of whom were natives of Mas- 
sachusetts, and descended from old Puritan stock. 
They were the jjarents of three children — Thomp- 
son L., who enlisted in the 25tli Wisconsin In- 
fantry, serving with honor during the entire strug- 
gle; Selden, of this sketch, and Lydia, wlio is now 
the wife of Charles Bishop, of Pembroke, Mass. 

In his native town the subject of this sketch was 
reared to manhood, ami received a liberal educa- 
tion while in attendance at the comaion schools of 
Halifax, and at Pierce Academ\- of Middlcboro, 
Mass. At the breaking out of the late Civil War 
he was a member of the militia, belonging to Com- 
pany .\. of the 3d Massachusetts Regiment, and 
at President Lincoln's first call for troops to (nicll 
the Rebellion he res()onded without hesitation, and 
at once enlisted in the three months" service, (io- 
ing to Portress Monroe, he there remained with his 
command until his time ex|)ired, when he was mus- 
tered outat Long Island. Boston Harbor. He ag.-iin 
enlisted in the .'!2d M.assachusetts in the following 
December, remaining at hort Warren during llic 
winter. In the spring of I8(;2 he was sent to 
Wiushington. and in .June of that year joined the 
Army of the Potomac, being a part of the 5th 



:r^::f^ 





c^ 



^&:^ 



« 



^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■«^ 



il.3 



Army Corps. Among tin- piiiicipnl engagements 
in which lie participaleil were the liatlles of Mal- 
vern Hill, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, 
Fredericksliiirg, the Battle of the Wilderness. 
Chancellorsville, the bloody battle of Gettysburg, 
and the siege of Petersburg, and was present at the 
surrender of Lee. He also marched in the ('.rand 
Review at Wa.sliington. the greatest military pageant 
ever seen on the Western Continent, and was mns- 
tereil out in the capital city, receiving his discharge 
at Boston Harbor. 

In 1M71 Ml. Pratt led to the marriage altar Miss 
Eunice Hamilton, of Haverhill, Mass.. who died in 
liS7iJ, and .Mr. Pratt was again married, Miss Nettie 
Hamilton lx;coraing his wife. He has five chil- 
(ben living — Harry, Emma, Arthur, Clarence and 
Eunice, — and two, Herbert and Edwin, are de- 
ceased. 

In ISfiG, the following year after the close of hos- 
tilities, Mr. Pratt resolved to make a journey to the 
West, and acting upon this determination, became 
a residi'Ut of Eau Claire. Wis., where he made his 
home for several years. In 1870 he Ijeeame a resi- 
dent of Chicago, and lived there until 1885, when 
he removed to Bcloil. where he has since resided. 
He is an honored memlier of L. II. T. Crane Post, 
No. 54, G. A. R., of th;il city, in which he occupies 
the position of Adjutant, and also belongs to M^yr- 
tle Lodge, Ancient < )rder of L'mtcd Workmen, of 
Beloit. He is hcM in high respect by all who know 
him. and has many warm friends in the community 
where he makes his home. 



~sJU^ 



-^TK-^ 



SjRUMAN LEWIS HOLLISTER, one of the 
i!>f,^^\ honored iiioneers of Rock County, now liv- 
^>g^ ing on section 20, Rock Township, wjis born 
in Great Valle}'. Cattirraugiis Co., N. Y., on the 
21th day of December. 1819. His parents were 
Samuel L. and Sibyl (Norton) Ilollister, the former 
a native of .Seneca County, N. Y.. the latter of 
Coshen, Conn. The paternal grandfather, .losiah 
Ilollister, was also l)orn in Connecticut, where he 
engaged in farming for many j-ears. He served 
his country in the struggle for inde|)endenoe and 
was taken prisoner, being conveyed to Canada, 
4* 



where he was confined in a prison for two and a 
half years. Samuel Ilollister also followed agricul- 
tural pursuits and died at Mansfield, June 29. 181'.). 
at the .age of sixty-two years, llis wife died on the 
:31st day of December, 1881 at the ripe old .age of 
ninety-four years. They were both members of 
the Presbyterian Cliurch. were prominent workers 
for its interests, and Mr. Ilollister w:ls a supporter 
of the Whig party. They were the (larents of ten 
children — Hannibal, who was born in Septeinber. 
1813, resided in St. Clair, Mich., but is now ilc- 
ceased, was a liinil)er merchant and twice served 
as a member of State Legislatures, once in Michigan 
and again in the (Jeneral A-ssembly of California; 
Norton, born .July 8, 1815, is living in Lexington, 
Mich.; Truman L. is the next in order of birth; 
Edwin. Feb. 5. 1822, was a farmer and a tan- 
ner, and died in Mansfield. N. Y., March 7, 1852; 
Lucy A., born Nov. 22. 1824. is^the wife of Delevan 
Buun. of DeSmet, Kiugsberry Co., Dak.; Alson. 
June 8. 1828, is living in the old homestead in 
New York; Miles, Aug. 22, 1829, is a resident of 
California; P^dward. Nov. 27, 1832, is engaged in 
mercliandising iu Minneapolis. 

Our subject remained under the parent^U roof 
until twenty yc.irs of age when he began life for 
himself as a manufacturer of pearl.ash. For four 
years he continuccl in that business, when he solil 
out and emigrated to the West, locating at Huck- 
ville, Mich., where he wa.s employed as a salesman 
in the store of an older brother for eighteen 
months. At the expiration of that time, he came 
to Janesville, Wis., in 1816, and in connection 
with Levi St. John, rented a farm of 501) acres 
near the city, and planted the first field of 100 
acres of corn ever planted in the state. He con- 
tinued the cultivation of this land until about 185b, 
when he purcha.sed 100 .acres on section 2<), Rock 
Township, where he still makes his home, havinir 
resided up(»n the same farm for thirty-nine years. 

On the 18th day of tktober, 1849. the marri.tge 
of Mr. Hollister and Mary Comstock was happily 
celebrated in Janesville. The lady is a native of 
Cooperstown, N. Y., born June 10. 1816, and is a 
daughter of Miles and Polly (Latin) Comstock, 
who were natives of Connecticut, born of English 
descent. Mr, and Mrs. Ilollister are the parents of 




-4^ 

414 



R()( K COUNTY. 



■*^|--* 



five cliilflren — Frankic A., wife of C. B. Inmaii, a 
retired farmer residing in Janesviile; Klizabetli, 
widow of Daniel E. Gower, residinj:; in La Prairie, 
Wis.; George, who died in eliildliood ; Ella, who 
became the wife of C. .1. Rice, of Turtle Towiisiiip; 
and Euinia, who .lesides at home. Mr. llollister is 
the oldest member of the First Congregational 
Chureh at Janesville, witli which he united in 
1.S47, anil litis served as deacon for twelve years. 
He has always taken an .active |)art in the work of 
that denomination and is one of its liberal contrib- 
utors. .Since coming to Rock County he h:is 
served his fellow-citizens in various otllcial [josi- 
tions. During two years of the lat« war, he held 
the ollice of County Sui)ervisor; for two years he 
served as Township Clerk; was Assessor for .sev- 
eral j'cars; for three years was Side Supervisor; 
for four years lu-ld the ollice of Justice of 
the I'cace; ami was .-i member of the .School 
IJoard for many yeais. He takes a dec|) inter- 
est ill poliLiial affairs, is an earnest advocate 
of till' [irincipies of the Repulilican parlv, and has 
always been a strong supporter of temperance 
priiui|)li'S. I'niMiiiicMt in tlie iinmiotion of any 
enterprise for liic public welfare, willingly' per- 
forming his part in every public duty, he is regarded 
as one of the leading .-uid representative men of tiic 
county, and is universally resi)ccted by all. He is 
an earnest worker in the Sabbath School, and in 
18G1 estalilishecl a mission school in his neighbor- 
hood which continued in existence eighteen years. 
Mrs. llollister is a most esliniable lady, and while 
being a true lielpmale to her husl)and, showed filial 
.affection in [iroviding a home for her aged [larcnts 
in tlieir declining years. 

On another page will be found a line portrait of 
Mr. llollister. 



-^■1 HYATT S.MITH. The history of A. 

VuV Hyatt Smith. Janesville's first m.ayor, is 
closely identiried with the history of Wis- 
^ cousin's incipient railroad system. He was 

l>orn in New York Cit^', February a, I si I, the son \ 
of M.-uirice and May (Reynolds) .Smith, natives of 
Westchester County, N. Y. His grandfathers , 



-^*- 



were both among the unfortunate " .Sugar House 
prisoners." In 182G, his father resumed his old 
business of merchandising in New York, but died 
suddenly in lfS2<S, in the fifty-eighth year of his 
age, leaving a family of six children. A seventh 
w!us born about a month after his decease. On the 
death of her husband, .Mrs. Smith removed to the 
neighborhood of iVuburn, where her father's family 
resided, while our subject remained in the city 
with his guardian, James Smith, a relative and a. 
lawyer of eminence, who, having settled the ques- 
tion of his wartl's profession, held to the theory 
that the place to make a lawyer w:is in a lawyer's 
otlice, and at the age of fourteen, the name of A. 
Hyatt .Smith was registered with the Clerk of the 
Sui)reme Court as a student-at-law. He com[)lcted 
his education at M(»unt Pleasant Seminar}', and was 
.admitted to practice in the city courts in the sum- 
mer of 1H:5."). and to the .Supreme Court of the 
Stale in KS.'K!, and immediately entered upon a 
large and lucrative jiractice in partnership with his 
former preceptor. .Six years' work so impaired his 
health that he was advised that the only wayto 
sa\e his life was to move away from the sea-coast. 
Accordingly, in 1812, he resolved to move to Wis- 
consin, which he had previously visited on business. 
:ni<l.un the 22d of November, arrived in Janesville. 
and being informed that the land on the west side 
of the river wiis for sale, purchased it with a view 
to the imiirovement of the water-power, taking 
several other parties into the transaction to gain 
monetary aiil in making the improvement. 

On the 1st of Ai)ril, 1813, the Territorial Legis- 
lature granted a charter to A. Hyatt .Smith, Williauj 
II. H. Kailey and Charles Stevens, confci-ring the 
right to (lam Rock River, and utilize the p»>wcr 
thus derived. Both of these last-named gentlemen, 
however, withdrew, and he subse(iuently associated 
witli himself .lames McClurg, of Western New 
York, .Martin (). Walker, of Chicago, and J. I>. 
Doc, of Janesville, and on the 6th of Januar\. 
184<!, commenced the construction of a mill, the 
largest then west of the lakes, which cotnincnced 
operating in the following summer, and gave Janes- 
ville its first substantial imiK-tus. 

In the summer of 1817. Mr. Smith, although a 
Democrat, was elected to the lirsl convention to 



■•► 



I 



<^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



41.') 



frame a State constitution, to represent a constitu- 
ency, wliicli. up to tiiat time, had liecn largely 
Whig, and succeeded in preparing a report whicli 
was unanimously rceouimendcd hy the <'oniniittee 
and adopted liy the convention. During the same 
year lie was appointed Attorney (ieneral of the 
Territory, and held the office until after the State 
was admitted into the Union. In 1818, he was 
appointed United States Attorney hy President 
Polk, and held the office until the accession of the 
Taylor adniinisl ration. On the organization (»f the 
city of .lanesville, in 1853, he was elected its first 
JIayor, and in 1857. he was elected to the .same 
[)osition, against his will, in 1851. while absent 
from the country in England, he came within two 
votes of receiving the Democratic nomination for 
(Tovernor, without his knowledge or consent; .-uid 
.'igain, in 1853, he stood for a long lime within two 
votes of a nomination for the same office, but 
withdrew in favor of I.arstow, who was elected, 
lie w;is for man^' years Regent of the State Univer- 
sity at Madison, having been elected from year to 
year liy the Legislature without regard to party. 
Previous to coming West, in 1831!, he was appointed 
Commissioner of Deeds in the City of New York 
anil si'rved as such for several years. 

In 1817, he organized a company to build a 
plank road from Milwaukee to Janesville. and en- 
deavored to induce the people of .Milwaukee to 
unite with him in organizing under a railroad 
charter which he then contiolled. but the hostilit}- 
became so bitter, jicrsonal and local as to be abso- 
lutely intolerable, and. , if ter about six years of hard 
work— tlie best years of his life given to the public 
without any |)rofit, but at a sacrifice of several 

hundred thousand dollars of his iirivate fortune 

he ilid what he has not sinee ceased to regret, re- 
signed, and let his franchises fall into the hands of 
Wall Street six;culators. He was the owner of 
laiKled property in Janesville and Chicago, valued 
at over :;!l.00t).000, most of which was sacrificed in 
these and other complications growing out of his 
railroad transactions. He lost largely, also, in the 
Chicago fire of 1871. 

Mr. Smith has been for many years a leading 
member of the congregation of Trinilv Cluirch, 
.lanesville. In politics, he has always been Denio- 

-4* ■ — • 



cratic; his first vote wa.s cast for Martin \'an ISuren. 
and he was an earnest politician long liefore he was 
a voter. On the Ith of April, 1 8;!S. he was mar- 
ried in St. Paul's Church, New York, by the Rev, 
Martin Easlburn, to Miss Ann Margaret Cooiier 
Kelly, :i native of Philadelphia and daughter of 
Phili[) Kelly, He still occupies the family home- 
stead (tn Hluff street, east side of the river, having 
retired in part, though not wholly, from active 
business affairs. His wife died a few years ago. 
He has two daughters and a son living of a family 
of eight children. 



^^KOKGE SH.VW, who became a resident ..f 

(( "TF ''"'^'' *^'"""''>' '" ^^"^y^ '^•■'' •'•"'1 I'esides on 
^^4 section 32, Rock Towiislii|i, was born in 
County Longford, Ireland, ( )et. 22, 1822, He is 
the son of Alex, and Mary (Clinchey) Shaw, both 
of whom were aho natives of the same county. 
The father was a weaver by tiade, but during the 
greater part of his life engaged in farming. His 
death occurred in 1851, at the age of sixty-four 
years, and his wife died in 1847, when sixty-two 
years of age. Into them was born a fannly of 
four children: Ann, wife of William Jones, who is 
engaged in farming near the old homestead in 
Ireland; William, who is living a retired life in 
Heloit; George, of this sketch; and Alexander, who 
died in youth. The mother was a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and took great interest in the 
advancement of the cause. The father belonged 
to the Ejiiscopal Church. 

Inl841l, when a young man, our subject bade 
good- by to his friends and native land, and em- 
barked in a sailing vessel for America, After a 
stormy voyage of thirty -one days, he landed in 
New York. For a week he remained in that <aeat 
metroiK)lis. spent the succeeding week in lUiflfalo, 
N.Y., and then proceeded to IJeloit, Wis., near 
which town he secured employment .as a farm 
h.and. The same fall he purchased a tr.act of forty 
acres, which was but partially imi>roved, and for 
one ye.ar continued its cultivation, Durin" the 
autumn of 1850 he made a trip to the South. 
spending the winter in .Mississi(ipi ami returning 




416 



■^ 



=U 



KOCK COUNTY. 



to Beloit in tlic sprinn: of 1851. Tbo succeeding 
suniiiicr lie woriieil upon :i fiiriii. after wliicli he 
letiiriicii to New York City, wliere lie spent two 
niontii.s, :iiul was tliei-e niiitcd in marriage to Miss 
Catherine Loney. Tlie lady is also a native of 
County Longford, Ireland, and is a daugiiter of 
Charles and Mary (Rollins) Loney, who were also 
horn in the same community. With their family 
they emigrated to this eountiy, hut Imth are now 
dece.iscd. 

Chailcs Loney, the father of Mrs. Shaw, was a 
weaver hy trade and followed that occupation with 
varied suecess Ihrougliout his life. His death oc- 
curred at the age of seventy years, and his wife 
di(Ml in New ^ork wlie)i sixty-six years of age. 
'I hey were memliers of the Episcopal Church; and 
to Ihem was liorn a family of six children: .lames, 
who is now engaged in f.irnnng near Kocklin, 
Cal.; Ann, wife of Alexander Newsted, now de- 
ceased; Catherine, wife of our suhject; .lennie, de- 
ceased wife of Robert [>oney. of New York city; 
Uolierl, who died in youth: and Maria, who is 
living in New York City. 

After his marriage Mr. Shaw leturned with his 
young liridc to 15eloit. In the spring of \X.')'2, 
eqnippeil with an ox team, he started for the mines 
on the I'aeitie .Slope. Crossing the phuns to Ore- 
gon, he there renudned until August, 1(S,0I, en- 
gaged in mining in which he was reasonably 
successful. Ill health forced his return, and 
he again c:ime to lleloil. his journey being by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York 
City. After his return he purchased 120 acres of 
land in Rock Township, where he still continues 
to resi<le, but has extended the boundaries of this 
f;uiM iMilil it now comprises .'!'.' n acres. In con- 
nection with this he owns 1 7G ;icres in Hcloit 
Township, ."JOl acres in Illinois and ."i^O acres in 
Dakota, his landed possessions aggregating 1190 
acres. He is also a [)ossessor of two good business 
houses in Ueloit. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sh.iw are tin' parents of seven 
children: Charles, who is engageil in farming 
in D.akota; Alex., William, .lennie, Ccorge W., 
Aiuia M. and Kate. The parents are members of 
the Kpiseopid Church. Politically he allili.-ites with 
the Ueiiublican parly, takes great interest in jjolili- 

4* 



cal affairs, and has served his Township as super- 
visor. He is a self-made man financially, for, hav- 
ing begun life as a farm hand, he hiis b^' his own 
efforts secured a comfortable competency and is 
(mc of the extensive land owners of the county. 
He engages in general farming and also makes a 
specialty of raising cattle and draft horses. Syste- 
matic and energetic, he is a fair representative of 
the thriving business men of Rock County, and 
throughout the community is held in high regard 
by all. 



\Y/<>KL MINKR, deceased, is numbered among 
I the honored pioneers of Rock County of 
^.,^1 184."). and from that date until his death 
(^^y made his home within its borders, a worthy 
and respected citizen. He was boin in Huron 
County, Ohio, Feb. 12. IHl."). and in his native 
State was reared to manhood, receiving such edu- 
cational advantages as were afforded b\ the com- 
mon district schools, which he w;is only per- 
mitted to attend during the winter months, as 
his summers were spent in .assisting in the labors of 
the farm. His father's death occurring when he 
was a small huL as soon as he had attained a sullic- 
ient age he wils forced to begin life's battle with the 
world and earn his own living. His early years 
were those of toil. Without a father's tender care 
and protection he labiui'd on for the means which 
was to furnish his daily bre;nl, and with a cheerful 
spirit overcame the dilticnlties ;nid obstacles which 
lay in his path. 

On arriving at years of maturity Mr. .Miner was 
united in marriage with Miss Adeline Treal. a sis- 
ter of C. M. Treat, of Clinton, llieir union being 
celebrated in 1M.'3.S. After resiiling for about seven 
years in the Last they resolved to c:isl their lot 
with the pioneers of this county, and acting upon 
that determination settled in Turtle Township in 
181."). Purchasing a claim Mr. .Miner, 'it once began 
the developement of his land, and :is a result of the 
care, cultivation and inipi'ovemenl which he l)e- 
stowed upon it. soon had a fine farm, whose broad, 
fertile acres paid to him a golden tribute. His first 
home in Wisconsin was a little log cabin, contain- 
ing but one room, but as his income increased it 




■^•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



417 



was replaced by a more comforlal)Ie and comino- 
ilioiis n^sidence. 

Tlie childion l)orn to Mr. and Mrs. Miner were 
s<'ven in ninnlH'i'. four of wlioni .nro yet living: 
.Imiic, llio eldest, is now the wife of l'iiili|i Salis- 
liury, a resident of Hampton, lown; ^\'allaee, who 
is now deceased, was a soldier in the late war, en- 
listin<> in the liUh Wisconsin Iiifanliy, hut after one 
\ear rc(!eivcd his dis<'liaige; Sarah K. hei'anic the 
wife of J.'!'. Butler, of Clinlon. Wis.; Mary weddecl 
E. F. Vanderlyn. .a prominent farmei- of Cliiiliin 
Township; Id.a ilied :it liie aije of eighteen years; 
(ieorgeilied when eight years of age; and ]>alph, 
who is single, resides on the old homestead in Tur- 
tle Township. 

Mr. Miner ilied in Clinton in 1 XS 1, and was buried 
in the cemetery at that ])l:icc. His wife still sur- 
vivi's her husband and makes her home on the farm 
in Turtle Township. He was a man of stii<t in- 
tegrity, honoiahle and upright in every w.alk of 
life, and his word was valued as high .as his bond. 
He came to the count}' in the days of its infancy, 
when the h.ardships to i)e endured were man}', hut 
he cheerfnll\ hole them all without, complaint. 
lie was !i liberal supporter of .all [luhlic entcriirises 
which had I'oi' their object the good of the com- 
munity, and as a citi/en was public-spirite<l and 
progressive. In his political relations in er.rly life 
he was a Whig, and cast his lirst presidential vote 
for William Henry Harrison in 1810, hut when the 
liepublican part\- s|)rang into e.xistence he enlisted 
in its ranks and continued to light under its banner 
until his death. He was reared in the faith of the 
Baptist ( hureh. to which he always adheied, anil no 
citizen in the eiunni unity was helil in higher regard. 




KNUV LOVD, a progressive farmer, resid- 
ing on section 2, Lal'rairie Township, was 
liorn in I'tica, Oneida County, N. Y., June 
_ 1(), 1813, and is the son of Peter and 
Nancy (Owens) Loyd, both of whom were natives 
of Wales, and wiio emigrated to this country about 
the begiindng of the present century. They were 
the parents of seven chihlren, all of whom grew to 
niaidiood and womanhood. William, the eldest, is 



now a resident of LaPrairie Township, Rock Count}-. 
His biogra|ihi(al sketch may be found elsewhere in 
this volume. Henry. t!u' sulijeel of this sketch, is 
second in order of birth. Kdward and Daidcl .are 
deceased; Samuel icsides in Oswego Counl\, 
X.Y.; John; Mary, who marric<l Israel I!. Smith, 
lioth parents lived to he upwards of eighty-four 
years of age before they were gathered to their 
fathers. Like the full corn in the ear they went 
down fully ri|)e for the harvest. The father was 
1)3' occupation a farmer. Hi' was a ni.au of strong 
convictions, of kind heart, one who oujoyeil the 
conlidence and lespcct of all who knew him. The 
mother was gentle and losing, and with a true 
niothci's heart, was ever ready to help her children 
o\('r life's rugged road. 

The subject of this sketch remained under the 
parental roof until he attained his majority, .assist- 
ing in the faiin work, with now and then a few 
months spent in tlu' couunon schools of his native 
State. While not receiving such an ednealion as 
he desired, yet by reading and rellection in after 
life, he became a well infoirued man, and has nsn- 
all\ managed to keep [losted in tlie cnrreul events 
of the day. On reaching his twenty-first vcar, he 
liireil to his father for one year, at the expiration 
of which time he found employment elsewhere, 
and worked for dilTcri'ut persons until 181(1. when 
he detei'nnned to make his home in the West, and 
came directly to Uock County and purch.ased 
eighty acres of fine lainl in LaPrairie Township, 
which has since been his home. The laml when it 
came int<» his pos.session was in its virgin st.-ilc, not 
a furrow having been turncfl. With characteristic 
energy he at once commen(!ed its imiirovemenl. 
and soon h.ad developed one of the best farms in 
the town of Lal'rairie. A ne.at cottage 24x1(1. 
with a wing of the same dimensions, has been 
erected, and everything about the place denotes 
thrift and enterprise. 

Mr. Loyd has never in.-uiii'd, and hxs been con- 
tent to pursue life's journey alone. From child- 
hood he has been a memlier of the Congrcgaliomil 
Church, of which ljo<ly his parents were also mem- 
bers, and in which he was reared. In the work of 
the Master he h.as ever fell a lively int<'rest, and in 
his lunnble wa\ has done what he coulrl for the up- 




^ 



418 



KOCK COUNTY. 



building of the cause. Since the organization of 
the party lie has been a consistent Republican, 
wiiilc at the same time he lias never sought public 
olHce or any reward for devotion to its priiuiiilcs. 
Naturally of a retiring- disposition, lie lias not 
sought that notoriety obtained through |iul)lic 
place, yet he has many w;irm friends in the town 
of LaPrairie and wherever known. l!y everyone 
lie is held in high esteem. 

A pioneer of Uock County for almost a half 
century, he has witnessed its growth and develop- 
ment and did iii.s share to place it in that high 
rank it holds among the many fine counties of this 
commonwealth. It is with pleasure that we pre- 
sent this sketch of one of Rock County's most hon- 
ored sons, in this handsome volume containing the 
life histories of its leading and represeiiUitive citi- 
zens. 

>SCAR F. NOWL.VN is one of the prorai. 
nent contractors and builders of Rock 
County, Wis., his business being located at 
No. 7, Court street, .lanesville. He is a native of 
the Kmpire State, having been born near Hing- 
hampton, I'.roomc Co, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1X43. The 
family was originall}' from Vermont and descended 
from Irisli ancestry. Thomas Nowlan, the father 
of our subject was one of the four brothers who, 
during the early hi.story of IJroome County, N. Y., 
became residents of that county. Mr. Nowlan and 
his wife there continued to reside until death. They 
were the parents of eight children, all of whom 
arc yet living in IHK'.I, with the exception of one 
daughter, while all are residents of Hroome County, 
with the exception of Oscar and:! brother in Tioga 
County, N. Y. 

When eighteen years of age, our subject began 
serving an apiircnticeship to the trade of a carjien- 
ter and jc)iner in Binghampton. In 18G4, he first 
came West, locating in Rock County, Wis., and 
for sometime atten< led the Milton Academy as a 
student. In 1860, he came to Janesville and en- 
tered upon his present business. Mi-. Nowlan 
has been prominently identilied with the building 
interests of Uock County for many years. Among 
the most noted buihliugs that he has erected in 

4 * 



Janesville are the Central School building, the an- 
nex to the Congregational Church, Uavies Block, 
the upper cotton factory, and in 1888. the .Second 
War<l School building. But his work has by no 
means been confined to the cit\- of Janesville. He 
erected by contract the Green County Poor House 
at Monroe, in 187G; the Court House and Jail at 
Black River Falls in Jackson Count\, Wis., in 1X77; 
the Jail at Elkhorn. Walworth County, the same 
year; the Court House at Fond du La<', Fond du Lac 
County, in 1882; the Deaf and Dund) Asylum at 
Delnvan. in 18.S0; ami the addition to the State Cap- 
itol in 1884. But by far the most extensive build- 
ing enterprise with which Mr. Nowlan has becTi con- 
ni'cted was the construction of the Northern Asy- 
lum of Michigan atTraver.se City. In that enter- 
l)rise he was associated with John lientley it Son 
of Milwaukee. The cost of the building was nearl\' 
half a million dollars and it w.as erected in IXHS-l-rt. 

In 1866, Mr. Nowdan wedded Miss Jennie .Mar- 
Icttc, a daughter of Carrctt Marlotte, one of the 
early settlers of Rock County, but who died when 
Mrs. Nowlan was a <-hild. Seven chihben have 
been born of Iheir union, two sons and five daugh- 
ters — Minnie. I'.uiton F., Maud. Harry ().. Kloise; 
Jennie and Nellie who died in infancy. 

Mr. Nowlan is regarded .is one of the enterpris- 
ing anil progressive citizens of Janesville. For 
four years he was a memlier of the Board of Alder- 
men of this city, .and is at present a member of the 
Count}' Board of Rock Count}', a position that he 
has held for fourteen years. He w:vs twice a can- 
didate for Representative to the (icneral Assendily 
and m.ade a strong run, but the district being 
Democratic, he was not elected. Mr. Nowlan has 
alllliated with the Rep\dilican party since he has 
attained his majority. 




OlIN F. DRAKP:, of Janesville, is one of 
the pioneers of Rock County, and first en- 
tered this city on the 3d day of July, I 84/>. 
He is a native of the i'^mpire State, having 
been born in (jcnesee County, N. Y.. on the Idlh 
day of August, 1823, and his father .lames Diakc. 
was a native of (ireene County. He bcloui;ed li.) 



^' 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ii^h-40 



41!) 



one of tlie eni-ly fninilios of the Slate, and was of 
Knglitili ancestry. He was a soldier in the War of 
IH12 and took part in tlu' lialllo at Wack Rock 
dnrinu' lliat strngule. His oecupalion was lliat of 
faiinini;', which he carried on in (Icnesce Count y- 
N. v., where ho cleared and improved a heavily 
tiinhered farm dnrini; the early days of that 
conntv. His wife, whose maiden name was Ilainiah 
HIackinarr, was liorn intJreeno County, and was 
also a representative of one of the early Xew ^'ork 
families. Seven I'liildren <i;i-ace their union, four 
sons and three daunhters. Norman resides in 
Car(!y vill'.-. Genesee County. N. Y.; Klisha !!., de- 
ceased; John V. is the next in order of liirlli; 
l'"rank, the youngest of the fannly, is living in 
Cliiea!;;o; Lucind.M. whoheeame Mrs. Yeonians, died 
in .lauesville in l.s.'iS; Ailelinc married Chester 
While, and resided in Michigan at the time of her 
(h'atli: f)clavia became the wife of Origin M. C(d- 
man. and died at lUoonungton, III. 

'I'lie suliject of this sketch was re.'ired to farm 
life, and in the spring of I.Sl/i, accompanied by 
his brother, Klish.a 15. Drake, he came to .laiiesx ille. 
'I'he following year he began Ihc planting of an 
extensive nursery, the lirslof any importance ever 
planteil in Wisconsin. The brothers wore exten- 
siveh' engaged in this business, .and at one time 
had about forty acres of nursery stock, com- 
prising al)ont Mini, (1(10 trees, the great body of 
which w.as a|)ple trees, hut akso included about 
2(1. ObO pe.ach trees, all varii'lies of cherries and 
other fruits. They also culti\ated a Large 
number of oriiameutal trees, many of which they 
imported from JMirope, and Mr. Drake now h.-is 
several line Norway lir spruce trees, grown to 
stately dimensions, wliici: he im|)orled from Norway 
many years ago. This enterprise proved emi- 
nently successful Miilil the severe winter of 1K5C-7, 
which killed a large number of trees and causi'd a 
severe lo.ss of valuable nursery stock, but the busi- 
ness was continued on a small scale until about 
IHO;'). Elisha 15. Drake, who for many years was 
a.ssociated with our subject in business, died at 
.lanesville in IST.'J. He left a wife and three cliil- 
dren; the former was in her maidenliooil Mi.ss 
Electa M. Smith, a native of (ieneva, N. Y. 

Since retiring from the nursery business, .Mr. 



Drake has bi'en engaged principally in farming, 
but has also filled the office of under sheriff for 
f(»ur years, and is now eng.aged in the grocery 
tr.'ule with Cliarles A. S.anliorn. 

Mr. Drake has been twice m.ariicd ; his lirsl wife 
was Miss Helen A. Dickey, :i daughter of I'hineas 
W. Dickey, a n.ative of Livingston County. N.Y. 
In 1873 his wife died, and hi' was subsequently 
united in marriage with Miss Lydia Folsom, who 
belongs to .an old ^'ermont family. Her family 
arc roljitives of that of the wife of ex-President 
Cleveland. Mr. Drake has two daughters by his 
first marriage: Nellie, wife of Charles A. Sanborn, 
who is .associated with Mr. Drake in busin(',ss, and 
Clara, a teacher in the public schools of Minneap- 
olis, Minn.; three children died in eari\- in- 
fancy. Mr. Drake is one of Ihe well known and 
highly esteemed citizens of .lanesville. Cordial 
.and gcni.al in disposition, fair and honor.able in his 
dealing, he is nund)ered among the enter|)rising 
and progiessivc business men of this city. Iii 
politics he atHliates vvith the Republican party, and 
for the long poi'iod of thirty-five years has been ;i 
voter in the ward in which he now lives. 



^,EOR<iK A. (ilLMAN is nnndiered aimxig 
the prominent farmers of Hehiit Township, 
residing on section "2. He was born in Wal- 
den, Vt.. in 1832, and is a son of Joseph and Mary 
(Fairbank) < iilm.an, who were also natives of the 
Green .Mountain Sl.-ile. The father was born of 
I'jiglish ancestry, while the (uolher was of WcUh 
descent. About the 3'ear I H;5.'i. .accompanied b\ 
his family .loseph (iihnan left \ermont, renio\iug 
to Lower Canada, where his death occurred abinit 
the year 1839. The mother remained a resident of 
that country (nitil IHU, when, .accompanied by her 
chihlren, she came to W^isconsin. settling in the 
village of Meloit, where her de.alli occurred in 
1881. at the advanced age of eighty-two years. 
Both parents were members of the Baptist Church, 
were earnest, sincere Christian people, aided greatly 
in the upbuilding of their Master's cause, took an 
active part in the work of the .Sunday .School, and 



420 



ROCK COUNTY. 



"•tt* 




were greatly beloved for their many kind deeds and 
gracious acts. Thej- were the parents of twelve 
children, but only two are now left to relate the 
story of Ihc eiirly history of the (liluian family — 
Ciariv E. and our subject, who was the youngest of 
the family. Samuel died in Milton, Rock County, 
\\is., in 1HC6; KImira, now deceased, was the wife 
of John Paddock; John P. died in Nebraska in 
ISS,"); Sophrona is tlie deceased wife of John Tap- 
len; Abbie wedded Isaac Hill, a resident of tiiis 
counl\-. liut is now decesised; Isaac was tlie next iu 
order of birlii; Mary is tlie deceased wife of Amos 
Dulton, a resident of Vermont; and Clark E., a re- 
tired farmer, is living iu Beloit. 

In 1841 our subject came to this county with his 
mother, and iieing a lad full of energy, knowing 
that liis support would devolve upon iiis widowed 
motlier did he not make some effort to jielp Iiini- 
self, he resolved to at once begin the searcii foreni- 
jjioynient, and before tlie setting of the sun on the 
day (.(f their arrival lie secured a situation for the 
winter, receiving his board as the compensation for 
doing chores. Tlie si.x succeeding years were not 
spent in idleness, for lie worked iiiduslriousiy at 
various occupations, tiius providing for his own 
maintenance. In the spring of 18.50, attracted by 
the discovery of gold in California, he started 
overland to that Territory, being accompanied by 
Lewis Clark, whose sketch ajjpears upon another 
page of tills work. Aliout four months were spent 
in making the trip, but inimediatelj- after reacliing 
their destination, Mr. (iilmaii began mining for the 
precious metal, wliicli occupation he ff>IIowed suc- 
cessfully for two years. Tidings of the rich gold 
fields in Australia reaching his ears, at the expira- 
tion of that time he set sail for those far-off mines, 
reaching harbor after a voy.'ige of eighty- four daj's. 
As on the Pacific slope, his operations were attended 
with success. Deciding to return home, he boarded 
a vessel which sailed around (ape Horn and an- 
chored at Is'ew York Cit}', whence he continued 
his journey overland to ISeloit, where he continued 
to reside for two years. Desiring to turn his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits, he jiurchased 160 
acres of wild land, which he at once began to im- 
prove, and has now one of the finest farms in Be- 
loit Township. It comprises 210 .acres, and is in a 



high state of cultivation. Many improvements he 
has made since his purchase, including the erectiim 
of a beautiful two-story frame residence, in which 
abound all the comforts and conveniences which 
m.ake life worth the living. 

In 1856 Mr. (iilinan led to the marriage altar 
Miss Phicbe Humphrey, a native of Ohio, and a 
daughter of Stephen O. and Phoebe L. Humphrey, 
who were born in Ilaitford, Conn. It is fitting 
in this volume to preserve the memories of the 
dead .as well as to speak of the prosperity of the 
living, and this sketch would hardly be complete 
without mention of Mrs. Gilman's i>areiits. who 
were numbered among the well known and highly 
respected citizens of Rock County. Mr. Hum- 
phrey was one of the energetic and prominent 
business men of Beloit, in which cil}' he engageil 
,'is a machinist until his death, which occurred in 
18(u"). at the age of llftytwo years. Iiotli he ami 
his wife were devoted and consistent inemlieis of 
the Coiigrcg.'itional Church, in which oiganizalioii 
he filled the ollice of De.acoii for many years. 
He also served as .Justice of the Peace for several 
years an<i proved an clllcientand faithful otticer. In 
making his decisions, he carefully consitlered the 
case in all its bearings, pondering well the eviflence 
brought forth by both parties, and in this manner 
justic-e was administered to all. In the prime of 
manhood, when his life seemed brightest, the lin.'il 
summons came, .and thus the county lost one of its 
best citizens, his friends a kind companion, and his 
family a loving husband an<l father. Mrs. Ihiin- 
phrey shared with him his labors in the Church and 
Suiidaj' .School, and wa.s truly a helpmate. Their 
children were four in number — Noah .S., who was a 
machinist by trade, died in Beloit in 1872; I'luebe 
is the wife of our suliject; Silas died in infancy; 
and Ellen is the wife of Heniy Barry, a farmer of 
Beloit Township. 

r>3' the union of Mr. and Mrs. Oilman four chil- 
dren have been born — Albert, who is living in 
Broken Bow. Nel).; Stella, wife of F. E. Adams, a 
resident farmer of Beloit Township; Dexter, who 
is still at home ; and Georgia, who died at the age 
of eighteen. 

Mr. Oilman is truly one of the self-made men of 
Rock County, and his earl\' days were passed amid 



^^ 









^'O 



ROCR COUNTY. 



423 



-t 



toil iiiid i)i-ivations. lie may he said to have be- 
ifun life's battle when only seven years old, for at 
that tender age he began working, receiving in re- 
turn his board. Industry and cntorpriso have ever 
lieen among his chief eliaraeteristies. and tliongh 
enduring many trials in early years, perhaps ho can 
more fully appreciate his present comfortable cir- 
cumstances, lie has tilled various township otiices 
of trust to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, 
and is one of the leading farmers of the community. 
He is strictly temperate in habits, and though not 
belonging to any religious denomination, contrib- 
utes liberally to all church and educational work. 
His wife is a member of the Congregational Church, 
an earnest worker in her .Master's vineyard, and a 
devoted Christian lady, who is l>eloved by all for 
her many e.xcellencies of character. Socially Mr. 
Gilman is a member of the I. O. O. F., while polit- 
ically he has been an ardent supporter of the Re- 
publican party since its organization. This brief 
sketch will he gladly received by m.any who will 
with pleasure read the life of one of iJock County's 
most |)rosperous citizens. 

—>* o*o-^y^^^<S^'0*o^ <,-- 

kAUS ll.VLVKHSON SKAYLEM. a pioneer 
of Rock County, of 1840. was born in the 
l)arish of \'cgli, Norway, in ISIO, and was 
the son of Halver and Bertha Skavlem. His carh 
life w.as spent upon a farm, and he was reared to 
agricultural pursuits, remaining under the parental 
roof until of suitable yeais. when he traveled in his 
native country selling goods. In IH.'i'.t he left his 
native land and crossed the Atlantic to America, 
locating in Chicago. wh<'ri' he lemaincd until the 
spring id' ISlO. when he came t<i Ruck Ctiunt^' and 
settled on (iovcrnment land, in what is now the 
town of Newark. He made his home on section I 1. 
where he improved a fai'm. residing there until 
called from this earth by death. Sept. 2. IHTit. 

Mr. .Skavlem was married, in 184.'!, to Miss (Troe 
Nelson, daughter of Halver Nelson, who emigrated 
from Norway to America in 1H42. Twelve chil- 
dren were burn of their union, live of whom grew 
lo mature years, but only three are now living: 
Halver I,., the eblesi of tlu- snrvivin" children. 



"T 



was born Oct. 3. 1846. married Miss Gnnil Olm- 
stead, and resides in .lanesville; Julia L. became 
the wife of Peter Chantland, since ileceased; Bessie 
died Dec. 11, 188H: Helen is the wife of Benjamin 
Johnson, a resident of Richland County'. Wis.; 
Carrie, the youngest surviving daughter, resides 
with her mother at Beloit. 

Mr. Skavlem established the third home in the 
town of Newark, the first settlement having been 
made by (iulich (Jravdale, and the seconi) by Mrs. 
Gunil Odegorden and her four daughters. The 
latter located in Newark Township in the spring of 
1840. and Mr. (4ravdale settled on section I, in the 
autumn of 183U. Mr. Skavlem ultimately became 
the owner o*" 21;") acies of land, and w.as one of the 
prominent citizens among his countrynien. In 
politics he was a strong anti-slavery man, and he 
and Elder Brown voted the tirst two Abolition 
tickets in Beloit. When the Republican |)arty was 
formed to prevent the further extension of slaverv, 
he joined its ranks, and contiiiiu'd to atHliate with 
that org.'uiization during the remainder of his life. 
He was a prominent and inllncntial member o( the 
Liberal Lutheran Church, was one of its leading 
workers, and served as an otlicer the greater part of 
the time. In his views he w.as liberal an<l pro- 
gressive, and always earnestly defended his opin- 
ions. He believed in foreigners ada|)ting them- 
selves to the conditions and ways of their adopted 
country, discarding their old country manners and 
becoming Americanized in the fullest sense. His 
son, Halver L.. bcnclited by his teachings, and is 
thoroughl3' Anx'rican in appearance, manner and 
mode of life. 

Mr. .Skavlem lixcilan industrious and useful life, 
and was highly respected. His wife still survives 
him, and makes her home in Ilcloil. A bachelor 
brother of our subject, named (ijerraund, became 
a resident of Newark Township at the time of the 
settlement of Lars. He, also, was born in Yegli 
Parish, Jan. 27, 181"). came to America in the fall 
of 183it, .and to Newark in the spring of 1840. His 
life was spent in farming, and he continued to re- 
side in Newark Township until his death, which 
occurred Jlay 2.'>, 1884. He w,a.s a worthy mini, 
.and is kindly remembered by the surxivint; old M't- 
tlers of that time. 

— •► 



r 



-4=*^ 



124 



ROCK COUNTY. 



As worthy representatives of that large class of 
Norwegians, who are doing much in bnililing up 
the northwest, we are pleased to |iresenl the por- 
traits of Mr. and Mrs. Skavleiii. 

-^ ' ^ " ^ * ^'~' 




EACOX AARON J. CoW i.KS. an lionnred 
citizen of Beloit, was l)orn in ( )tiseo, ()n<>n- 
dago Co., N. Y., April <'>. 1803. and is a 
.son of Amos and Dolly (Ford) Cowles, 
hotli of whom were natives of Meriden. Madison 
Co., Conn., the former horn .lunc "2. 1770, and the 
latter in .laniiary, 1770. Their wedding was cele- 
brated June 3, 17;>3, and unto thetn were born the 
following children: Lois, wife of Solomon (ileason. 
died April 16, 1839; Anna, who married Timothy 
Kverett, died in .Seplember. 1850; Amos C., whose 
death occurred Feb. 27, 1830. was a soldier in the 
War of 1812; Horace, born Nov. 1. I7'.i7. ilicd 
Nov. 2."), 1873; Elislia, horn .Iiinc 17, 17'.lll. died 
M.aj' 17, 182C; Benjamin died in infancy; Aaron .1. 
is the next in order of birth; Sylvester, born .l:ni. 
28. 180;"), resides in Cattaraugus County. N. V.. and 
is a minister of the Presbyterian Church; Verona, 
born Mav 22, 1S07, married Harvey .lanes, and 
died in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., Aug. 15, 1831; 
Diantha, born Nov. 20, 1809, wedded Harvey 
Baker and died Oct. 5. 1840, in (Hisco; Dr. L. P., 
born May 2C, 1811, died in northeastern Pennsyl- 
vania. May 28, 1845; .Mien K. 11. died at White 
Water. Wis., M.ay (!, 1888. Amos Cowles and wife 
were uuHihiMS of the C'ongregalional Church, and 
for ni.'iny years he served as De:icon in the organi- 
zation to whidi they belonged, llisdealh occurred 
Dec. 26, 4840. and his wife departed this life Dec. 
21. 1849. 

The subject of this sketch giew to manhood in 
his naliveeounty and received his education ina pio- 
neer school-liouse built of logs, with i-udi' slabs for 
.seats and with no tloor. \l Iheage of thirteen years, 
while working in a corn field, the Spirit called unto 
him, and for severid days that call of the Loril was 
repe!ite<l in his iieart. lie felt that he must do 
s<miething for the Master's cause, and the following 
winter organized a children's meeting which re- 
sulted in much good. In the following s|)ring-time 



the .Spirit of the Lord came to their home and three 
of his lirothers were converted. The earnest efforts 
of the children awakened their pareiits. and a gen- 
eral revival in the neighborhood was held. In 
1S17 Mr. Cowles. with man^' others, joined the 
church, but of that number he is the onlj* one yet 
living. For tlie long [leriod of seventy-three years 
he has lieen an active and conscientious member of 
the church. Much could be said of the noble life 
of this man whose example is worthy of einulalion 
by all. His piety consists in a cheerful, steady and 
faithful devotion to his profession, and his pl;ice in 
church and Sal)batli-school is never vacant. For 
seventy-two years he has been scholar, teacher or 
Superintendent of the Sabbath-school, .and his 
labors for its advancement are unce;\sing. lie loves 
losing the songs of Zion and to chant his Reileem- 
er's praises, and for many years has been a member 
of the choir, while his voice in melody is alw.ays 
heard in the prayer meeting. He has ever sought 
and worked for the jieace and pr<isperity of the 
church and society. Promjil. decided and jjossess- 
ing excellent judgment, his earnest counsel is sought 
by many. His faith in (iod is strong and steadfast 
an<l his belief in the power of pr.ayer is unbounded. 
At the family altar he lifts his voice in supplica- 
tion and thanksgiving to his Maker, while through 
tbat medium rich blessings have descended u])on 
his household. He is a warm friend of missions 
and a liberal contributor to that cause. He never 
looks upon the dark side but seeks out the good and 
bright in everything. A smile of cnconr.agemenl 
and gladness is ever on his face; no harsh woid 
ever escapes his lips; his trust in the promises of 
the Bible grow stronger each d.ay. and surely in 
the end he will receive a crown of righteousness. 

On the 9th day of December. 1824, in Otisco 
N. Y.. Mr. Cowles was united in marriage with 
Miss Sally Whitinore, who w.as born at Burling- 
ton, Conn., Aug. 12, ISOl. They were acquaint- 
ances in early youth. an<l for the p.ist sixty-four 
^•ears have traveled life's journey together. Mrs. 
Cowles was also converted while j-oung. has lived 
a ctmsistent Christian life and ha.s been truly a 
helpmate to her husband. Mr. Cowles w.as a Whig 
in early life and cast his vote for William Heni-y 
Harrison. He supported the Republican party from 






'i" 



ROCK COUNTY. 



425 



its orij.'iiiization until 1888. In 1843 he fiv.st came 
to tiio Wcsi. iaiiilinu' ;),l Kenosha, in ,Inne of lliat 
year, there nialviny; his iionie until 1851. when he 
removed toKii,nn, III., wiiere he was eni;aiie(l in the 
Saiiliatii-school missionary work. In l.s.'>2 lie lo- 
(■:ile(l al lioeUI'oril. where he eslahlislied tlie lirsl 
Sahliath-school, and in the autumn of 1802 beeanie 
a resident of IJeloil. 



4-^^ 



\T: ASrVAl OII.l'.KRT DRKSSKR, one of the 

liinjhiy res|ieeteil .and honored citizens of 
Wisconsin, is a n.ative of Conneclicnt, hav- 
heen horn in Tolland on the 8th day of 
Mai eh. 1 80!l. and is descended from an fild New 
l"-nul;ind f.iniily. His parents w'cre .John ami I)e- 
ligiil (( iilheil ) Dresser, the former Itorn Aui>-. 1!(, 
1771. and the latter Oct. 2;i. 177H. Their marriage 
was celeluated on the Isl day of April, 17!l.s. and 
null) them W.MS horn .a family of six sons, only 
<iiie n( whom, our snlijeet. is still living. Frederick, 
lioni J.ui. 21. 171)11. was a resident of Canada after 
.-irriviny at the years of manhood, but in 18,')2 
came to Rock County and settled near lleloit, 
thoui;h his death occurred at Rockton ; .losephus, 
horn Nov. .'!0. 180(1. died in Connecticut; .lohn 
.M., horn Aug. -il. 1801. died in Flint, Mich.; 
George W., born Nov., 29, 180G. settled in Wino- 
na, 111., where his death occurred; Jasper <i., of 
this sketch, is the next in order of birth; and 
Charles I)., the youngest, who was born Aul;. Hi. 
1811. died in Connecticut. The mother of this 
family was called to her final rest Feb. 7, 1816, 
and Mr. Dresser was again married, Dec. 7, 1818, 
Miss Abby Albro beioming his wife. Me was a 
prominent and iidhiential citizen and was a mem- 
ber of the I'resliyterian Church. 

.I.asper Oilberl Dresser, whose name heads this 
sketch, vvas reared to maidiood in South Coventry. 
Conn., and when twenty-two years of ago left the 
parental loof anil went to Ancaster, in Upper 
Canada, where ho followed the trade of a tanner 
.and currier, which he learned with his father and 
also engaged in the manufacture of custom-made 
boots and shoes. At the time of the building of 
the (ireat Western Railroail, he w.as engaged in the 



mercantile business, and furnished to the laborers 
all necessary articles in his line. He was also ap- 
pointed I'ostmaster by Her M.ajesly's Government 
and held the same until returning to his native 
counly again. In the spring of 18o4. he left Can- 
da for Wisconsin, and on arriving in Rock Count}' 
purchased land in Ucloit Township, which he im- 
nu'diately began lo cultivate and improve. After 
one year he sold that farm and bought a tract of 
147 acres in Clinton Township where he continued 
lo make his honu' until June 16, I87;i. when he re- 
moved to the village of Clinton and has since 
lived a ictired life. Practical anrl enterprising, 
success has .attended his eflforts in his various bu.si- 
ness interests and he is now in comfortable circum- 
stances. 

While residing in Canada. Mr. Dresser weddeil 
Miss Phielie McCliesh, their marriage being cele- 
brated April 27, 1835. The lady was born in 
Charlotteville, Canada, June 9, 1804. of Scotch de- 
scent. Their family numbered ten children, but 
five have now passed away. Susan D., horn July 
;3. 1836. became the wife of George H. Elliott, and 
die<l in Manchester, HI.. Sept. IC, 1872; Andrew 
R., born March 10, 1838, enlisted in the 4th Wis- 
consin Battel-}' and while in the service contracted 
disease which caused his death Sept. 20, 1883; 
Phiebe R., born Nov. 25, 1838, is the wife of 
George A. \Vells, a resident of Portland, Oregon; 
Frederick (i., born June 22, 1841, was a soldier in 
the late Rebellion, served with honor in the Army 
of the Potomac and is now living in Ronton County, 
Iowa; Martha J., born Dec. 26, 1842, wedded 
George W. Moliere. and thej- now reside in San 
Francisco, Cal.; two daughters, Sarah E. and Alice 
R., died in ehddhood; Sarah R., born Nov. 10, 
l,'-'48, died at Manchester, 111., on the 1st day of 
April. 1870; ( harles J., born Sept. 30, 1850, m.akes 
his home in this county; Wayburn E., born Jan. 
24, 1853, is also living in Rock Counly. 

On the 30th day of April, 1856. Mrs. Dre.sscr 
was called to her final home. She was an excellent 
wife, a kind and loving mother and wa.s greatly 
beloved for her many excellent traits of character. 
Mr. Dresser was again married Dec. 27, 1865. at 
Reloit. to Mrs. Alicia M. Blake, a widow of John 
Blake, bv whom she h.ad five children, three .sons 



.^1^^ 



a 



426 



ROCK COUNTY. 



*t 



and two daughters, all of whom have passed away. 
The parents of Mi-s. Dresser, .loliii ami Ksliier Lii- 
c^ts, were natives of Irelanil. in wliicli cduntr}' they 
were marrle<l and wlieie live chililren were horn to 
them, three of wlicim liveil In niMlnrc years — Alicia 
M.. .lolin and .lane. The parents were memhersof 
the Kpisenpal Clmreh and were highly respected 
people. 

Mr. Dresser east his first presidential vote for 
(Jen. Fremont and alliliated with the i;epnl>iiean 
party nntil 1872, since wiiicli time lie has \oted 
the (Ireenhack ticket, lie is agreal reailer, is wi>ll 
informed on all matters of puhlic interest an<l is a 
valued and representative citizen. His honorable 
and upright life tliroufrliout the loni; years of his 
resideiK'e in this county has won him many friends 
and secuied liini the coiilidence of all. Mrs. 
Dresser isa memlierof the Connrenational Church. 
^^r. Dresser is a stroni;' advocate of the temperance 
movement. Allhonyh now in his eiijhty-lirst year 
he is (pule active. His hospilahle home is pleas- 
antly situated, and his much esteemed lady, who 
shares the joys .and sorrows of so worthy .-i com- 
jianion, is truly a helpmate. 



<| ^.ASHINGTON .lA.MKS, who is nunihered 
\/\ll/ =""""S "'•' c.-irly settlers of Ivock ('ount\- 
VW of 1818, and is now a wealthy citizen of 
Heloit, w-as horn near Auhurn, N. Y., on the 22d 
day of .May, 182(1. His gr.andfaUier, I'.-nil .lames, 
served in the Revolutionary War for si.\ years, 
after which he settled in K'hode Island, hut snhse- 
quentlv removeil to Truxton. Corlhiud (dnutv, 
N. Y., where his <leatli oeeurred. 

'I'lie i)an'nts of our sidiject, .Shellield and .liidy 
(Card) .lames, were niarriccl at Lehanon. \. Y., 
and to them were horn ele\en children — Joseph, 
who was ;i pioneer of Midleiny County, III., of 
IHfl, died in ISST; Slietlield L. is a ])rominent 
manuf.aclurer of wai^ons and cairiages and dealer 
in the same, also agricultural implements, of .lanes- 
ville; Newhury locali'd in Kane County. III., in 
1814, and there died two years later; Washington 
is the next in order of hirth ; Mason settled in Mc- 
llcnry County, 111., in isll: .\ veiy resides in 



Onondago County, N. Y'. ; Emily is the wife of 
A. Fihnore. of Lake County. Fla.; Eliza and John 
died at the ages of eleven and nine respectively; 
Cordelia is the wife of Jardin Golly, of Oneida 
County, N. Y.. and Christiana, who is the wife of 
a Mr. AVood and ri'sides near Utica, N. Y. Mr. 
.lames died in 1847, and Mrs. James departed this 
life in 187."). The latter was a memlier of the 
U.-iptisI Church. 

Our suhject, who is one of the prominent farm- 
ers and stock-growers <jf the Northwest, received 
hut a limited school e<1ucation, being virtually a 
self-made man, but possessing an o'lservant eye and 
retentive memory, he soon acquired, by private 
study anil reading, sullicient knowledge to (pialify 
him for teaching, and he followed that profession 
for eight seasons before coming West. In 18 11, 
desiring to view the fai- West, he started out, visit- 
ing Milwaukee, then a town of a few tlious;ind 
iubabil.-nits, and from there pi'oceeded to .lelfeison. 
Making inquiries of the few settlers whose homes 
he passed, he came to the conclusion that the 
country was loo lu'W to make it desiralile for a loca- 
tion and soieturne(i to IheEa.st. In 1848 he again 
came to Wisconsin, going to Marengo, where he 
had two brothers living. The da\ .after his arrival 
he was employed to leach the school at that place 
for five months, but before entering upon his 
duties a< teacher he m;ide a tour of inspection 
through the southern part of Wisconsin, and being 
lilcased with the country around IJeloit, he deter- 
niined to settle tliere. Acting upon this resolution, 
in 18,")() he purchased the lots on which he vet re- 
sides, and his life in IJock County began. 

In the mouth of October, I8.'')4. Mr. James leil 
to the ni;uriagc altar .Miss Cordelia D. Macklen, of 
Walworth County, Wis., and by their union one 
I'hild w.-is boiu. Cordelia Adell. now the wife of S. 
li. Secrist,a commerci.al traveli'r. Mrs. .lames died 
May 28, 18(>l.and Mr. .lames subseipiently married 
Miss Frances .1. M.-uklen. a sister of liis former 
wife. 

After coming to lii'loil Mi-. .I.imes engaged in 
teaching for three years, when lie became a dealer 
in grain and stock. bu\ing for the Chicago m.arkel. 
For a number of years he folhiwcd that pursuit, 
but at hiigth puich.'iseil forty acres of l.-uid. which 



<[»• 



h 



KOCK COUNTY. 



427 



4- 



was tlie ftmndatioii of liis pi-osent farms, coinpris- 
ii)i; 1.(MI0 acrt'S. .SIMI of whicli is iiiiilci- ciilliN atioii 
ami well slocki'il. On starliiiy oiil in life liis ia|ii- 
lal cdiisistfil (inly of a yood consliliilion and llu' 
liiiiilit lidiK's of j'ontli, linl liy indnslry and 
ocon<iniy. logctlicr with tlio exercise oH his i^ood 
Imsiness ahilily, lie lias aeenniuiated a iary;e prop- 
eity, and to-day is niiiMherecI nnioni;' the most 
prosperous farmers of Hock IJiver valley. I'ulili- 
call\' !\lr. James is a stanuch siip|)oiter of the Ue- 
pulilican pai"t3'. and a faithful adlieicnl to its 
piinciples, and has lieeii honored witli several local 
ollices of trust, lie has represented his townshii) 
for three years on the County' Hoard of Supervisors 
and has served .as a memlier of the City Council. 



Iir^ KW WILLIAM FlISK 1!R()\VN. M. A. The 
|lWr subject of this sketch was burn m Heloit, 
/LW, Wis., March 1 «. I si.",. When ci,i,dit years 
*^*'l'' !•'! iittack of scarlet fever left him with 
sli'jhtly impaired hearing, a ditlieulty against which 
he has had to contend through life. In Fel)ruai\ . 
l.siiO. he joined the First PreslMleri.an Church of 
lieloil. During part of the year 18(51 he served as 
:i pi-ivate in Company 1!, 4(llli Wisconsin Infantry, 
(iraduatiiig from Heloit College wit.h honors in 
IM(>G, and from Union Theological Seminary in 
May. IH70, he then hec.amc a licen.sed I'reshvte- 
rian minister. He wa.s ordained liy Milwaukee 
I'reshylery. nucling .at .lanesvillc, M:iy 3, IfSTl. 
.lune'il, ls7(i. he married Miss Ilila M. IScnnetl. 
and now has five children — William Washliurn, 
of Beloit, Wis., Anna Haven, Fdw.ards licnnelt.. 
Holierl Leiand ami Benjamin Warren. 

After Mr. Brown had been a home missionary 
at Black River Falls, in Wisconsin, two years 
1871 and 1872), he oflfered himself to Ihe Presby- 
terian Board as a foreign niissionar\-, ami was 
accepted ami ap[iointerI to Japan. While wailing 
to be sent out, he served temporaiily on the (!eo- 
lopical Surve\' of Wi.seonsin as map-maker, and 
then occupied a pastorale at Maywood. III., until 
June, 1875. The Board having decided on fuller 
consideration that his deficient hearing piecluded 
foreign work, ,Mr. Brown accepteil a call to the 




Fiist I'reshyterian Church, of Be.iver Dam, Wis., 

where he remained three years, until July 1, 1878. 

Duiing the next two years, while residing at 
Biloil and personally attending an invalid father, 
Mr. Brown served as Stated Supply for the Presby- 
tcri.m Church of Baraboo, and then for the Congre- 
gational Church, of F;vansville,Wis. Oct. ;^, 1880, he 
began supplying the First Presbyteiian Church, of 
Janesvillo. Wis., was called to be their pastor, April 
11, 1881, and was duly installed Dec. lo of th.at year. 
In A|)ril, 188(1, he was elected the Stated Clerk of 
of his Presbytery. The Northire/itern Presbyterian 
of June 22, 1881», kimlly says: "The Presbyterian 
Church of Janesville, Wis., li.as been greatly- blessed 
in the labors of their faithful pastor, the Rev. W. 
F. Brown. The various departments of church 
work are moving steadily forward. Their pastor 
is the laborious Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of 
Madison, and an example in every good word and 
work." (This statement should be well shaken 
before taken.— W. F. B.) 

Mr. Brown's life motto has been "I must work 
while it is d.ay." His nnist natural faults, he says, 
have been sellishne.ss and self-conceit, both of 
which he has sought to overcome. As a public 
speaker he has a ele.ar voice and distinct titterance, 
and a wide-awake manner. His thoughts are usu- 
ally progressive and ])lainly puL Not a revivalist, 
he has \et received some into the church at almost 
every communion of his ministry. He seeks to 
preach and to pr.-ictice sanctified common sen.se. 
He is thoroughly .at home with young pco[)le, and 
has of them in his church a notable band. 

JOSKPII BOSTWICK, an honored pioneer 
of Kock County, was Ixirii in Vermont in 
the year 1707, and was the son of Noble 
l>oslwick, who was of English descent. He 
was twice married, first to Mi.ss Rhoda White, in 
^'el•mont, by whom three children were born — 
Noble, who married Lucretia Brown, and resides 
in Western New York; Fmiline. who is single, 
and lives in St. Louis; .Miid Bet.sy, widow of Dr. 
K. I'lasterly. of .St. Louis. The mother of these 
1 children died in 18;{(i. Two years previous to 




42« 



ROCK t()U>;TV 



-*HH4» 



that lime, Mr. Rostwick, accompanied by liis fam- 
il}', removed to Genesee CounU', N. Y.. wIkmc, in 
1832, he was again married — Mrs. Fannie IIulin<£, 
daughter of Peter Matte.son, of .Siiaftsbiirg, Vt.. 
becominir his wife. The lady, who was a widow at 
the lime of lier marriage with Mr. IJostwick, wa.s 
born in tlial town, wliere her father was buried, 
and by iier former marriage was llie mother of two 
danghters — Fannie and Mary Ilnling. The former 
died at .lanesville in 181'J, and the latter resides in 
this city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Host wick there were 
born six children: Joseph M., whose sketch appears 
elsewhere; Robert M. married Miss Helen M. 
Bailey, the first white girl born in Janesville; John 
Lent died in IS.'ii; .Iosei)hine is the widow of L. 
W. Curlis, and resides in San Francisco, Cal.; Isa- 
bella is the wife of William T. Van Kirk, of Janes- 
ville; Racine is the wife of Clarke W, Webster, of 
Janesville. The two surviving brothers are prumi- 
nenl merchants of this cil^'. 

Mr. IJostwick was a farmer and dniver by oicu- 
l)ation. and also kept an hold while in the Fast. In 
1810 became to Wisconsin and settled at Janes- 
ville. his faniily becoming residents of the city in 
1847. He entered upon no active business here. 
In political sentiment he was a Democrat, but 
never sought |)ublic preferment or took an active 
liart in politic.-il alTairs. Ilis death occurred while 
visiting a daughter in St. Louis, in 1.H72. His wife 
survived him several years, dying at Janesville, 
March 15, 1881. -She was a woman of superior in- 
telligence, possessed of great force of eliar;icler. 
was in<lefatigable in her devotion to hci' family. 
and aimed, by precept and example, lo direct the 
development of good moral character in her chil- 
dren. ;\nd t()(|u:ilify ihcni to be useful and rcsiiecled 
members of society. 



-^-4-^ 



YRUS G. BARKER, dece.-ised, was born in 
Connecticut on the i:!lli day of May, l.sdl, 
^^ an<l liis ancestors weie numbered among the 
early Puritan families. When a lad he left his 
native State and renMjVed with his parents to 
Hampden County, INLiss., where he was reared to 
nuuihood, and after attaining his majority was 



joined in wedlock with ISIiss Filiza King, their union 
l>eing celebrated Feb. 2. 182G. She wa.s a most ex- 
cellent lady and was born in IIami)den County on 
the 8th day of June, 1802. The young couple 
began their domestic life in (ireene County, N. Y., 
but subsequently returned to the Baj' Stale, where 
they made their home until the spring of 1841, 
when following tlie course of emigration, which 
w.as steadily flowing Westward, they landed in 
^Valworth County. Wis., where they spent the lir»l 
summer. The same year removing to Rock County, 
Mr. Barker purchased a farm and immediately en- 
gaged in the work of cultivation, the farm being on 
section 1 0, town of Clinton, where his son Judson C. 
now resides. At the time of his arrival in this 
Slate, AVisconsin was yet a territory whose entire 
population did not exceed the number of inhabit- 
ants now to be found in Rock County; its prairies 
were still in their primitive condition, the deci' 
was found in the forest, and the smoke of the In- 
dian wigwam had scarcely cleared away. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barker were born f(jur chil- 
dren who grew to mature years — Mary G.. born 
Jul}- 13, 1827, became the wife of Lorenzo Muzzy, 
by whom she had thiee children, only one of 
whom, Jennie, is living, and after the death of her 
first husband she wedded Dr. (ieorge Covert. :i 
prominent physician of Clinton, whose sketch ap- 
pears clsewheie in this work; Lydia J., who was 
born .June 13. 1833, becanii' the wife n( .loscpli 
Carey, and died on the 25lh day of April. 1M,")(); 
Judson C born in Hampden Count}', Mass., Feb. 
17. 1839, and (ieorge J., born Nov. G. 18J2, com- 
pletes the family. 

In early life Mr. Barker was a Whig nnd a great 
admirer of William Henry Ilairison. ;ind on liic o|-- 
ganizalion of the Republican i)arty was among the 
first to espouse its cause and alliliated with that 
bod}' until his ileath. He and his wife were mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church of Clinton, and 
were earnest and sincere Christian people, earnestly 
endeavoring lo follow in the teachings of their 
Master. He died in the fall of 1870, and his death 
was sincerely mourneti by a large circle of friends 
and acquaintances. Syinp.athetic, warm-hearted 
and charitable, he was ever ready to help those 
who tried to help themselves, but the sluggard aii- 



H^ 



1^ 



ROCK COUxNTV. 



4-_".t 



|)|)c;ilo(l to liiiii in vain. To his t'lU'rut'tic disposi- 
titiii and Imsiiiess ability may be attiibiilcd liis 
siiffuss in life. Ho was iipiiglil and lioiii'sl in all 
Ids ilealiiigs, s\ sti'ui.atic and rnclliodical. and accn- 
ninlalcd a laii,'e |)rop(.'ity. owning at one time l,2(»(l 
afii'.s of fine prairie land. To know him was to 
re.spect and and admire him. He wits genial and 
tiue-hearled, and though old in years still retained 
the j-onthful siiiiits of boyhood. His eonveisalion 
was racy and his laugh was :us e.vhilaratiiig as 
wine. Though often solicited to accept public of- 
fice, he always steadily tefnsed with the exception 
of one time, wlien he served as trustee. Mrs. 
Barker also was known and honored throughout 
the community. Her Christian graces, her high 
nobility of character, her kindness and her loving 
di.sposition won her the love of all, and more by 
her example than by her [irecept did she teach the 
way of true life. .She was called to her linal rest 
some years ago, hut was ready to respond to the 
Master's summons. 



-l-H?=^^=€-'-H- 



llLi-. I'-^'I^'^" CAMl'HELL, a highly respected 
<ili/,eu and a |)romiiient farmer of I'nion 
Townshiii. residing on section 2f), was 
^ liorn in C'hautau(iua County, N. V.. on the 
/)th day of Marcli. 183o, and is a son of Zimii ami 
Rebecca ((^uayle) Campbell, the father a native of 
\'ermont. and the mother of the Isle ot Man. 
Tiiey were married in St. Albans in the Green 
Mountain State, and later removetl to New York, 
where Mr. Campbell engaged in farming until 
IS 1 1. \l that time, ai-coinpanied by his family he 
left his eastern home and emigrated to Illinois. 
While en route from New York to the I'rairie 
Slate, one of the'r cliildren sickened and died, and 
was bulled in the cemetery at Urookville, Ohio. 
.Vfter laying the little one to rest, the party con- 
tinued (tn their way until reaching Winiieb:igo 
County, HI., where they remained for one 3'eur, at 
the end of which time they came to Wisconsin. 
Mr. Campliell purchased from the Government 
forty acres of land in the town of Center, which 
hitherto was entirely uncultivated. On the day of 
his arri\al, be erected a little log-cabin, of which 



f 



the fainil\' took po.ssession the following evening, 
lie w;is an energetic, industrious and hard-working 
nian. and at once began the development of a farm. 
Ill course of time, by subsequent purchase, he ex- 
liMided Ihe boundMries of his land, ami at the time 
of his death owned 21(1 acres. Though numerous 
were his farm duties he alw.ays found time to study 
the word of (Uh\. He was reared in tlu^ faith of 
the Metlnxlist Kpiscopal Church, with which he 
united in earl\ life, and his daily endeavor was to 
live in liariuoMy with his profession. He gave 
lilierally of his means toward the upbuilding of the 
cause of Christianity, was a zealous laborer in the 
^Master's vineyard, ami reaidl his children in the 
virtui' and adinonitioii of the Lord. His home was 
the abode of hospitality, where all receiveil a 
lie;iit\- welcome, while the needy were never turned 
from his door. By his side Mrs. C:impbell shared 
the hardships and i>rivatioiis of pioneer life, anil 
was truly a hcl|miate to her husband. His death 
occiiiTcd in IfSiJo. niid .-ifter two years, the final 
summons came, which called Mrs. Campliell to 
meet her husband on the other side of the dark 
river. 

The family' of this worthy couple numbered 
eight children, seven of whom are yet living — 
Charles is now a resident of lirodhe.-id, Wis.; 
Henry is the second in order of birth; William is 
residing in Kvaiisville; Jennie is now the wife of 
Albert Rider, of .lancsville; Kiltie wedded J. S. 
Conrad, wluise home is also in .lanesville; Dora, 
who is living in I'liion Township, is the widow of 
.lohn West; and Hattie was joined in wedlock with 
L. 11. Smith, who is engaged in business in New 
York City. 

The subject of our sketch began his education 
in his native county, com|)letiiig his studies in the 
common schools of Center Townshi|), after the re- 
moval of the family to Rock County. U|)on liiiu 
fell a large share of the management of the farm, 
and until after his father's death he remaineil at 
home engaged in farm duties. When his parents 
had pa.ssed aw.ay, he acted as .•idministrator of the 
estate, managing affairs to the satisfaction of all 
the heirs. In 18G.J, Mr. Campbell was united in 
marriage with Mi.ss Vie .V. Ilowaril, their union 
i being celebrated on the 'iTtli of December. 1865. 



-f 



430 




ROCK COUNTY. 



-f 



Tlie lad}' was born in Cookville, Rock Co., Wis., 
May 26, 1816, and is the (1aii<;litei- of Ciiaik-s A. 
Ilowaifl. (wliose skelcii appears on anoliier pnge 
of tills voliune.) The young people began tlieir 
domestic life upon tlie farm on section 25, I'nion 
Townsliip. wjiicli still continues to be their home. 
Tiie land was tiien in a partly improved condition, 
being known as the Levi Leonard farm, and Mr. 
Campbell at once began to carry onward the work 
of cultivation and development. He has now one 
of tlie liest farms in the township, comprises 200 
acres of arable land, with a beautiful residence, the 
latest improved niachinery, and all the necessary 
buildings. Kncrgctic and enterprising, the entire 
surroundings indicate llirift. For several years, 
Mr. Campbell has been engaged in raising fine 
stock, making a spccialit3' of roadsters and carriage 
horses. He has received many i)remiums at the 
State and county fairs, and was the owner of one 
team that sold for over *800. He is vice-presi- 
dent of llic Wisconsin Morgan Horse .Society and 
has (lone iiuuli to advance the grailc of fine stock 
in Hock County. 

liy the union of I\Ir. and Mrs. Campbell an in- 
teresting family of three children have lieen born 
— Eva, the eldest, who graduated from the Kvans- 
ville Seminaiy in the class of 1887, is now a stud- 
ent of the Conservatory of Music at Madison. 
Leo and Pearl, the younger moinbers of the family. 
are at home willi their |)aieiils. Mrs. Campbell is 
a lady of culture and reliiieincnt. At the early 
age of fifteen she began teaching in the State of 
Kansas, and was also one of the successful teachers 
of Rock County. .She was largely instrumental in 
introducing the .School Suffr.age bill for women in 
Wisconsin, and for one year was State Organizer of 
the Woman's Suffrage .Society. She is an active 
worker of the W. C. T. U.. and both she and Mr. 
('am|ibell are strong and earnest a<lvocates of the 
temperance cause. In the women's department of 
the State Agricultural Society she ikiw hohls the 
position of Superintendent, and is also Treasurer of 
the State Horticulture Society. 

In addition to the many duties incumlieiit upon 
farm life, Mrs. Campbell is ri ((Piilributor to several 
of tlie leading State publications. Politically. Mr. 
Campbell is a supporter of the Prohibition party. 



and has filled various townsliip offices of trust, 
serving at the present time as Township Clerk. 
None rank higher in the esteem and respect of all 
than <lo this worthy couple, who have ever taken a 
deep interest in the welfare of the comnuinity 
wluie the}' reside. ReligiousI}', Mr. and Mrs. 
Campbell are liberal in sentiment, believing that 
human progress rests iiiion human shoulders, and. 
in accord with 'rennyson — 

"That nothing walks with aimless feet; 
That not one life shall be destroyed. 
Or cast as rubbish to the void. 
When Cod h.as made the pile com[)lete." 



■— ^* 'i^^- •^'-^- 

W.\RREN HELM, a representative farmer of 
.Tanesville Townshi)). now residing in the 
city of Janesville. is a native of Oneida 
County, N. '\'.. born in 1848. His father, John 
Helm, was born in Lincolnshire, England, and 
came to this country, in 1812, on a IJritish ship, 
which was engaged in war against the rnited 
States Government. In 1811 he became a resident 
of Paltiinore, Md., where he was engaged as a lab- 
orer, and afterward went to New York. In Oneida 
County he was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Whiston.Mud to them were born eleven children, 
of which Warren was the tenth in order of birth. 
After residing in the Empire State for many years, 
ISIr. Helm removed with his family, in May. 1818. 
to Hock County, Wis., where he eng.agcd in the 
cult! v.-itioii of a rented farm, liiit afterward pur- 
clia>ed land. His death occurred in the year LS71, 
his wife surviving him until Sept. 10. 1888. dying 
at the age of eighty-three years. He took an act- 
ive part in political affairs, casting his bnllot 
with the Democratic party, and, socially, was a 
member of the I. O. O. V. He was initiated in 
181!l, under llie direction of Father Wiley, and was 
ever a prominent worker in that fraternity. Ke- 
ligiously. he was a member of the Church of Eng- 
land. 

Our suliject was reareti to manhood upon his 
father's farm, .and received his education in the 
district schools of Rock County. In 1862 he en- 
listed at Janesville in his country's service, and whs 



^ ^< * 




C^J- 




l^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 






assisined to Conipaiiy M, '2d Wisconsin Infantry. 
After beini; niustert'd into service, he went to 
Madison, whence lie proceeded to tiic front and 
p;irticii)atc<l in tiie battU^ of (Jettyslnirg. and in 
tile Tennessee and Red River campaigns. He w:is 
lionoralily discharged, in 1,S(!5. after tiie close of 
hostilities, and then relurne(l to Rock Connty. 

in ISfil Mr. IleliM was united in marriage with 
Dellpliean A.lirahain.a native of New York, and a 
daughter of l.aiasha D. and Mary Ann (Harris) 
(irahani. the former a native of Dryden, N. Y., 
and the latter of the Empire .State. Her father was 
a carpi'Uter by ti'ade, and followed that oecu|)a- 
tion until about four years ago, when he embarked 
in mercantile pursuits in Rochester, N. Y. 

After his marriage Mr. Helm settled on a farm 
in Center Township, which he rented, and later 
purchased some unimproved land on section 15, 
.lanesville Townslii|), which he soon devekn)ed into 
a fine farm. He now owns and operates IGO acres 
of arable land, which is under a high state of culti- 
vation, and, in connection with general farming, 
engages in the buying and selling of stock. He 
takes a deep interest in political affairs, voting 
with the Republican party, and he and his wife 
aie members of the Trinity Kpiseopal Church. 
Mrs. Helm had two children by her former mar- 
riage — Anna and .lohnnie. For over forty years 
.Mr. Helm has been a resident of Rock County, 
has witnessed almost its entire growth, partici|)ated 
in its devcloi)ment, and has always borne his part 
in those enterprises which have for their object the 
public welfare. 



jw/yi; on sectK 



i Kg/LI| ! on section 1, La Prairie Township, is a n.a- 
tive of Somerset, England, born Oct. .'51, 
182.'?. and is a son of James and Sarah 
(Shute) I'hillips, who were also born in the same 
place. The father was a merchant tailor, and 
worked at his trade while in ICngland. Determin- 
ing to make his home in America, in 1832. accom- 
panied i)y his family, he crossed the Atlantic and 
settled in (!reene County. N. Y. He estalilished 
himself at Windham, that county, following the 



t 



trade which he had lcarne<l in his native land, and 
also dealt in ie;d estate. Later he removed to 
Oswego County, and afterward to (lenesee Connty, 
where he made his home until 1817, when he end- 
grated to the West, and became a resident of Rock 
County. Three years previous, in 1811, he made 
a trip to Wisconsin, and purchased some lots at 
Emerald (!rove. In that town he located in 1817, 
.'ind end)arked in the mercantile liusiness, which he 
followed for several years. His death occurred in 
the spring of 1881!. at the age of eighty-six years. 
His wife died in ISGd, when sixty-eight years of 
age. They were the i)arents of two children, liolli 
of whom came to this county with their [)arents: 
Alfreil J., of tills sketch; and Louisa, who is now 
deceased. The mother was a member of the Con- 
gregational Church, and took a pronnnent part in 
the work of that organization. 

In 184 1 our subject accompanied his father to 
Wisconsin, and entered 160 acres of land, upon 
which, for a perioil of forty-five years, he h.as con- 
tinued to reside. To his original purchase he has 
added imtil the home farm now comprises 260 
acres, while his landed possessions aggregate 500 
acres, including sixty acres within the linuts ()f 
Emerald Grove. Mv. Phillips has made a specialty 
of wiieat growing, and in one seasf>n harvested 
6,000 bushels of wheat. He has also given some 
attention to the breeding of line sheep and Short- 
horn cattle, but of late years has been princii)nll\- 
engaged in general farming. 

JNIr. Phillips was united in ni;uriage, in March, 
1867, with Rhoda I'.lnut, a native of Walworth 
Connty, Wis., and a daughter of .lohn and ],ouisa 
(Sherman) IJIunt, both of whom were natives of 
New York, and early settlers of Walworth County. 
His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. I'.y 
their union eight children were born — Naomi, 
John, James, Elnora R., \'iola F., Mabel A., Bir- 
della H. and Adelaidi' R. In the month of No- 
vember, 1881, the death of the Tuolher occurred. 
She W!is a member of the Congregational Church, 
and a lad^' loved and respected by all. Rlr. Phil- 
lips has been again married, his second union be- 
ing with Fannie McElroy, who w.as born in Ohio, 
of Scotch parents, and is a niece of e.\-.Senator 
McDonald, of Indiana. He has held the oliice of 






•«» 



ROCK COUNTY. 




4 



Constable, .lustice of the Peace, was Postmaster at 
Emerald Grove for upward of four years, and at 
present is serving as Treasure!' of llie School 
Hoard. In his political sentiments he alliiiates witli 
tlie Democratic party, and socially, is a member of 
the I. O. O. 1*"., having become a menilier of Johns- 
town Lodge at its organization. He is a wortliy 
citizen, and is held m high regard liy all who know 
liim. 

The portrait of Mr. PliilliiJS is siiown on anuther 

page. 

^ #-# J^ 

BNER S. FLAGG, senior partner of tiie 
firm of A. 8. Flagg it Co., dealer in hard- 
ware at Edgerton, Wis., was born on the 
^ 13tli daj' of December, 185!, in Princeton, 

N. J., and is the eldest of three children born to 
Encich and Sarah (Sutphen) Flagg, who were also 
natives of New Jersey. The only other living 
child uf the family, Mary I!., is now living with 
her parents in Lancaster, Wis. The third, Marga- 
rettaJane, died when fourteen years old. Leaving 
his home in Princeton. N. J., in the year 18r)(i, 
accompanied by his family, Enoch Flagg emigrated 
to the West and h)cate<l in Lancaster, where he h:is 
now been engageil in lead mining for more than 
thirty years, lie and his wife are highly respected 
citizens of that community and are members of the 
Congregational Church, in the work of which they 
are actively interested. Politically, Mr. Flagg h.as 
ever been recognized as a supporter of the Demo- 
cratic i)arty, and a warm advocate of its principles. 
Our subject has pa.ssed the greater i)art of his 
life in Wisconsin, and from the early infancy of 
the State, has watchcil its growth and development. 
Ilis ed\ication was received in the common schools 
of Lancaster, and he was reared to manhood in 
that city, liemaining under the parental roof until 
attaining his majority, he started out to seek his 
ft»rtune. Traveling Westward, he at length reached 
Yankton, Dak., securing employment as salesman in 
a hardware store, where he remained ft)r six years. 
At the cxi)iration of that lime he returned to the 
home of his parents, where the two succeeding 
years were passed, and in 1880 came to Edgerton, 
where he has maile his home continuously since. 



For three years he was engaged as clerk in the store 
I of Mabbett it Perry, when he embarked iu business 
[ for himself as a dealer in hardware. lie formed a 
p.'utnership with A. A. Case, but after a short 
time purchased the interest of tlial gentleman, an<l 
admitted to parlnership John S. Coon, the connec- 
tion still itonlinuing under the style of A. S. Flagg 
<t Co. The (irm does an extensive l)usine.ss, and 
cniriesa full and c<jniplete stoi'k of cverylhing found 
inlheirline. Theirs is one of the leading enter- 
prises of Edgerton. and they liave gained a reputa- 
tion for honesty and fair dealing of which they 
may well be proud. 

On the 9tli chiy of May, 1XS2, Mr. Flagg led to 
the marriage altar Miss Edith M. Coon, an intelli- 
gent and relined lady. Unto them has been born 
an interesting little daughter, Bessie Blaine, who 
was born Aug. 20, 1884. Mr. Flagg is energetic 
and enterprising, which characteristics, combined 
with good business al)ility. have crowned his 
efforts with succe.ss. He is a representative citizen, 
who takes a prominent, part in the upbuilding of 
the community, and feels a just pride in its pro- 
gress and prosperity. Socially, he is a member of 
the ALasonic fraternity and Modern Woodmen of 
America. In [lolltical sentiments, he is a Repub- 
lican, who takes an active part in the advancemcni 
and success of that parly. For the last six years 
he ha-s been a delegate bolli to the county and 
State conventions, and has served as Mayor of 
Edgerton. Although his residence in that city has 
been of short duration, he has gained a large circle 
of friends and acipiaint.ances, and he and his wife 
hoM an enviable place in the social world. 



t 



,^^\ORTlMER (i. \\KA\EU, a native of 
/// l\\ Clinton Township, now residing in the 
I* village of that name, was born on the iUh 
day of July, 18U), and is a son of Griswold 
and Rachel (Tuttle) Weaver, the former born near 
Deersfield, N. Y., and the latter in Jefferson 
County, of the same State. Their marriage was 
celebrated in Jefferson County, and in 1837 they 
started for what was then the far West, and located 
at Clinton Corners, Rock County, where he built 



<^ 



^ 



-^•■ 



KOCK COl'NTY. 









the first frame building in tlie townsliip. Tliiit 
structure is still standing in Clinton, one of the few 
liionccr homes yet remaining, and is now owned 
liy 1. L. Hoover. Entering land from the Govern- 
ment, Mr. Weaver .at, once began its development 
and in the course of time, by his ceaseless industry 
and untiring lalior, he has transformed the wild 
priurio into a highly cultivated farm. He was :ui 
active and progressive man, and in later years 
)>ecame the owner of large landed possessions, and 
did much toward the u|)buil(ling of Clinton. In 
early life he was a ;I.ackson Democrat, but when 
the Free Soil i)arty sprang into existence, he cast 
his lot with it, aided greatly in the work of organiza- 
Viun in 1856, and was among the first to esixjuse 
Uic cause oi Krcmont, whose policy he greatly ad- 
mired. 

liito Mr. and Mrs. Griswolil Weaver were born 
four children, two sons and two daughters, of 
whom Mortimer C., of this sketch, is the eldest; 
Olney F.. who married Miss F^liza Olney. a native 
of Frecport, N. Y., died in Rock County, Ellen J. 
died unmarried; and .le.ssie E. is the wife of .Samuel 
S. .limes, a jinnninent farmer of this comnuuiity. 
.Mr. Weaver deiiarted this life in .lanuary, 1872. 
His death marked a sad event in the history of 
Clinton, which had so long been his home and his 
[iride, and to the prosperity of which he had so 
liberally contributed. .lust antl prompt in all his 
dealings, courteous and considerate, he possessed 
the confidence and kindly feeling of both young 
and old, rich and jioor. Mrs. Weaver is still liv- 
ing beloved by .all who know her. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and edu- 
cated in this county, his younger years being passed 
in much Uic same manner as other farmer lads. 
Leaving llie [larental roof, he was united in mar- 
riage in .Inly, 1803, with Miss .Mary (). Rogers, a 
d.-mgliter of Hiram Rogers, of Cortland County, 
N. v., where her birth occurred in 1K42. Five 
children have blessed the union of this worthy 
coujile, four of whom are living — .Vrthur E., 
Floy L., Roy G., and Fred B. The second child. 
Irving T., is dece.ased. 

Mr. Weaver is a strong supporter of the Repid)- 
lican party, and has been honored with seveial 
local olliccs of trust, including that of Townslii|) 



Clerk and Chairman of the Board of County Su- 
pervisors, discharging the duties of both positions 
with prom|)tness .and ability. He can well claim 
the honor of being one of the pioneer settlers of 
the county, having passed his entire life, almost 
fifty years, within its borders. He has witnessed 
the great progress and growtli which have taken 
phice, ,111(1 the development which has transformed 
its barren prairies into rich and fertile farms. He 
has seen its log caliins replaced by commodious and 
elegant residences, and can remember the time 
wben he could drive from his home across the 
plains to Janesville with no fence or hou.se to bar 
his progress. Mr. Weaver is the owner of a beauti- 
ful farm adjoining the village of Cliiitnn. which 
cominises 125 acres of arable land under a high 
state of cultivation, and which is slocked with 
Holstein cattle, of which he makes a specialty. 




W^RANKLIN SPR.\(;iIE FEXTON, one of 
(g) the early settlers of Iieloit and a leading 
citizen, was honi in Albion. Orleans Co., 
N. v., on Christmas day of I.s;i7, and is the sou of 
Franklin ami .Sarah H. (S[)r;igue) Feiiton. His 
father was a native of Sduluidge, Mass.. bom .bin. 
22, 1797, and his mother was born on the 1st day 
of February, 1803, in Haverhill, N. H. During 
their childhood days both parents removed with 
their families to I'eacham, \l., where they became 
acipiainted ami were married Aug. 25. I «23. Our 
subject was the only child born of their union. 
F'ranklin Fenloii engaged in iiiercliandisiug through- 
out his entire life, first establishing himself in that 
business in I'eacham. a..d later engaging in the 
same line in Albion, N. V. In 18411 he removed 
to Kenosha, Wis., where he again opened a mer- 
cantile store, which he carried on until .March 19, 
185{i, when he was called fii^m the busy .scenes of 
this life to his final rest. In early life he was :ni 
earnest advocate of the old Whig party and a 
great admirer of its prominent leaders, Henry Clay 
and Daniel Webster. He was always well informeil 
on the leading questions of thed.ay,and could hold 
an argunient on any topic of general interest. He 
was reared in the I'resbyterian faith, adi.ipting it as 



■*► 



t. 



436 



ROCK COUNTY. 



if* 



his own, and for many years was a deacon in that 
church, lie was kind and aceoniniodating, gener- 
ous and liLMievolent, and was held in hlgii rcsi)ec-t. 
llis good wife, who was called to her final home 
Felj. 12, 1889, was also an active worker in liic 
church, which at her death lost one of its most 
useful members, one who cheerfully did what she 
could that the Redeemer's cause sIhuiM inosper. 
She served her Maker for seventy-two years, and 
when called to the land beyond vv:is ready and 
willing to answer the summons. 

The subject of this sketch received his |)rimary 
education in the Albion Academy, and after the 
removal of his [larents to Kenosha, Wis., in 184'.), 
attended the high school. The- clo.se continement 
of the school-room, however, forced him to discon- 
tinue his studies, and he accepted a position :is 
clerk in the drug store of Starkweather & Co., of 
Kenosha. In 18.57 he came to Beloit, where he 
had charge of the drugstore of Ihindy & Field for 
two years, after which he w.as in the eraplo}' of II. 
W. Wilcox for one year. After the discovery of 
gold at Pike's Peak in 18G0. with a i)arty of twelve 
friends he made a Irii) to Colorado, where he spent 
the succeeding twelve months engaged in mining, 
and then returned to P.eloil. again engaging as 
clerk in the drug store of Mr. Wilcox. In the 
spring of 1861, the Civil War having broken out. 
ho enlisted as a musician in the otli Wisconsin In- 
fantry-, being mustered into service at Camp Ran- 
dall, near Madison, Wis., and was then sent to 
Washington. I). C. The band wsus composed of 
twenlA-foiu- members, and in their niarch of two 
miles thiough the city of Baltimore, wiiile [(laying 
the whole distance, were fired upon. Arriving in 
the capital city, they there spent two inontlis, and 
the following spring participated in the Peninsidar 
campaign under (len. MeClelhin, after which they 
served under Gen. Hancock. While at Harrison's 
Landing the order came from the War DepartTncnt 
to discharge all regimental bands. 

After being mustered out of sei'viec Mr. Kenton 
returned to his home in Iteloit. and on the I'.Hh 
da\- of December, 1862, was united in marriage 
with Miss Sabra II. IJlodgelt. a daughter of S. K. 
Hlodgett. whose sketch ai)pears elsewhere in this 
work. Their union has been blessed with three 



children, two of wlunn are now living — Frederick 
U. anil .lennic h. 

Soon after receiving his discharge from the ser- 
vice Mr. Kenton embarked in the ilrug business in 
IJeloil ill coiupauy with his father-in-law, under the 
linn name of F. S. Fenton Ai. Co., the firm coiitinu- 
iiig in that line until the dcitli of the senior part- 
ner, when Mv. Fenton. purchasing his interest, 
carrieil on the business alone until August, 1 8,S!S. 
Socially he is a memljcr of the (!. A. U. Post and 
of the Masonic Fraternity, belonging to the order 
of Knighls Templar. He is holding the ollice of 
treasurer in the Commanilery for the fourth year, 
by unanimous vote of the same, was High Priest of 
the Chapter, and also belongs to the Knights of 
Pythias and the Knights of Honor. Mr. FeuUtn is 
a great lover of good music, and has quite a local 
reiJiitation as a musician. .Some j-ears ago he was 
the leatler of a first-class orchestra of this city, 
his favorite instrument being the flute, with which 
he has pleasantly passed many leisure hours, and 
many of the readers of this Ai.i'.l'm will remember 
listening to its enchanting strains while he has been 
executing some choice solos and other selections 
upon his favorite instrument. I'olitically he is a 
Republican, and has been electe<l by that party to 
several ollices of trust, having been a member of 
the city board and also occupied the position of 
City Clerk. He is a member of the Second Congre- 
gational Church, is an active worker for its inter- 
ests, and is a worthy citizen of Beloit. who is held 
in high regard by his many warm friends. 



j^^RANK A. TALMADGH, a popular |>hotog- 
f—(^ raphcr of Edgerton, and one of it« most 
^ enterprising citizens, established business in 

that place in the autumn of 1881. He is a Badger 
1)3' birth, h.-iving been born in the town of Rosen- 
dale, Fond ilu Lac County, in 18.J"J,and is a, son of 
William Talmadge, one of the early settlers of that 
ccxinty. On .•ittjiining to m.ature 3'ears, he began 
looking about him for some trade or profession 
which he wishe'l to follow, and selected the art of 
photography, which he began studying in IMT'.t, 
under the direction of John Dillon, an expert 



-^- 



i 



^ 



-4«- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-•^ 



437 



4« 



photograplier of rond du Lac. After two j-ears' 
study, in wliicli lio became tlioroiighl^' conversant 
with the art in ail it.s details, IMr. T.alinadge es- 
taliiislu'i! a luisiness for liinisolf in Ediforton in tiio 
fail of IM81, and lias hnilt tip a iiood Inidc. lie is 
an excellent workman, makes a study of his art. 
keeps well posted on all the improvemenls of the 
time, and hy his fair dealing, good work and evi- 
dent desire 1o please his customers, has secured a 
lilteral share of the public patronage, of which 
none are more worth}'. 

In 1885, Mr. Talmadge was married, Miss Sarah 
Wood, a daughter of Lucius Wood, liccoming his 
wife. I'hcy have many friends in Edgerton, wiiere 
they are well known, aifd .'U'e held in high esteem 
by all. 

-J^^J- 

^ENTON F. STEVENS, who is numbered 
|-=-H,3\ among the pioneers of liock County, and 
l^ the leadingciti/.cns of .lancsvillc. is a native 

of the Empire State, born in Albion, Orleans Co., 
N. v.. May 2 1. 183.'). His father. .lames Stevens, 
was a ilrv goods mcrcbant, ;uiil died when his .son 
w.as a nu're lad. Kenton was about twelve years 
old when he came to .lancsvillc, in September, 
1847, and foi- many years aft<'i- his arrival, made 
his home in the family of John 1'. Dickson, one of 
the well known early settlers of the cotiuty. Dnr- 
iiii; the prevalence of the California gold fever, he 
joine<l an overland expedition to th.at Sl.ate, and 
leaving I'.roclhcad Wis., on the !'th day of April, 
18,)8, arrived at I'l.accrvillc. Cal., on the 12th d;iy 
of Septendier following. Crossing the [ilains to 
California with ox teams thirty 3'ears ago was (piite 
a dilTereiit alTair from the pleasure or business trips 
of the present day. No p.alace <:irs, with all the 
impiovemeuls and coniforls of modern life swept 
across the pl.ains conveying the passenger fifim the 
cxtiemc Eastern part of our country to the I'acKic 
eoast in a few d.ays. A trip to California then 
nu'aut a toilsome jiiurney of six months' duration, 
tr:i\elling with ox teams acro.ss the plains where 
d.-Migcr was threatened on every side. Mr. Steven's 
pait\. howexcr. .MiiiviMl s;ifcly at Iheii- desliiiation, 
having, with one exception, nu't with no un|)lcas- 
aul experience. \\'hile enroute they met with a 



•^h^ 



company of Tennesseeaus conipo.scd of men, women 
and children emigrating lo California. The jjar- 
ties would frequently be together, and .-igain yne 
would probably be several miles in advance of the 
other. One (Lay when in the vicinity of Great 
Salt Lake, the Tennesseeaus rode on a few miles in 
advance of their new friends, and when onlv a few 
houis had i)assed the party from \\'isconsin came 
suddenly upon the murdered and mangled forms 
of those who had joui'ueycd ahead. Of the entire 
party, oidy two women and an infant survived. 
The niotlici' of the child was first seen bv the par- 
t}" as they appio.ached the place of slaughter. l!y 
some unaccountal)le means she had escapee] with 
]\()r baby, but was frenzied from her terrible cxjie- 
riencc, and had lost her little one, of which, in her 
terrible state of mind she could give no account. 
A search was instituted, and the baby was f(^und 
but a short distance away lying upon its back and 
smiling in its innocence, unconscious of the terrible 
scenes but just enacted in its presence. The survi- 
vorswerc tenderly cared for anil convc\ed by our 
party to California. This slaughter of the Tennes- 
sceans kn.,wn in li:slory as the Ilowaid Mass.acre, is 
but one of many awful deeds of blood committetl 
by the fiendish savages upon the defenceless men, 
women and children who fell into llicii- hands. 

While in California, Mr. .Stevens cngage<l in 
mining and hotel keeping, subseipiently returning 
li}' way of the Isthmus anil New York Citv. where 
he .arrived Feb. 19, IHCl. He at once continued 
his journey to lanesville, and on the llthd.ayof 
,M.iy. following, was commissioned assistant ipiar- 
termastcr of the .")th regiment, Wisconsin ^'l)lun- 
teer Infantry. He accompanied the regiment to 
W.ashington, and bad crossed the roloniac. when it 
was discovered that no such reginu-nlal ollice was 
known to military law. lie then returned to 
.Linesville, and with others was commissioned to 
raise a I'ompany, of which he was commissioned 
captain Oct. 1 (>, 18(iL This comjj.auy w.as known 
as the Uangers, and was mustered ijito the I'niled 
States service as Co. F, l.'ith Wisconsin Infantiy, 
at Camp Treadway, Nov. 1. ISCl. Captain Ste- 
vens con tin ucd in command until I'cb. Id. 1,S(;|, 
when he was relieved of the command at his own 
request to enalile him to accept an appointment as 

, ► 



-4»- 



438 



••^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



acting Assistint Inspector General on the staff of 
Major General L. H. Rousseau. This position lie 
occupitd until April .^, 1864, when he was relieved 
of duty, and nuisU'red out of llie service, that he 
niiirht accept an appointment iis additional pay- 
master. United States Army, to which position he 
liad been commissioned by I'resiilent Lincoln. Feb. 
■2C. 18C4. lie continued to occupy that office un- 
til May 16. 1867, when lie resigned and returned to 
.lanesville. On Dec. 11, 1861, while acting in the 
capacity of paymaster. Major Stevens met with a 
severe accident, from which lie received perniniicnt 
injury. He was at that time enroute from Nash- 
ville to Louisville under orders, carrying quite a 
large amount of money, when the railroad train 
was thrown from the track by accident. This was 
a fricrhtful disaster, a Inrge number of passengers 
being killed and wounded, while Major Stevens' back 
was so severely injured that he was unable U> do 
duty for several months. 

On the 0th day of November, 1868, the Major 
wedded Miss Mary McKey. a daughter of Edward 
McKey. of .lanesville, and to them have been liorn 
two children: Edward .1., who is now a student of 
lieloit College, and Mary Emeline at home. Owing 
to disability resulting from the accident referred 
to. ALijor Stevens has practically retired from ac- 
tive business. Since the war, however, he w.as for 
considerable time cashier of the Rock County Sav- 
ings Bank, and was also, for a time, engaged in the 
tobacco trade. He cast his first presidential vote 
for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has ever 
afliliated with the Heiniblican p.arty. He is a wor- 
thy member of W. II. Sargent I'ost, G. A. R., at 
Jaiiesville, and Jancsville Comniandery No. 2, 
K.'V. Major Stevens is ever genial .and cordial 
in his disposition, fair and honorable in his deal- 
ing, and is highly esteemed by all. 



\|(_^ ENRY WELLS STILLMAN, M. »..of Ed- 
"crton, is numbered among the well known 
citizens of Rock County, where he has 
made his home since 1802. He is a native 



i= 



of Connecticut, having been boiii at North Ston- 
iii'i-ton in 182<i. and lioth his palcrmd and maternal 

4* 



ancestry were among the early settlers of the New 
England Colonies. The founder of the Stilhnan 
family in America was George Stillman. who was 
born in England in 16.^4, and emigrated to this coun- 
try .about the year 1695. locating in Westerly. R. 
1.. where his death occurred in 172JS. Our subject 
is of the sixth generation, and the ancestors in the 
line of direct descent for the first four generations 
bore the name of George. Zebulon Stillinnn. 
father of the Doctor, was of Uie fifth geneiation. 
He married Miss Eunice Wells, who was also of 
English origin, the family having been established 
in America by Nathaniel Wells, of whom recor<l 
sa}'s, he emigrated from Essex County, England, in 
the j'ear 1629. took the Freeman's oath in Boston 
in 1637. and settled in Rhode Island in 1640. 

Zebulon and Eunice (Wells) Stillman were 
natives of Rhode Island ; and became the parents 
of seven children, live sons and two daughters, five 
of whom grew to mature jears. Of that number 
but three are now living, in 1889. Sanford 1'.. the 
eldest, is a resident of Westerly, R. I.; Henry W., 
of this sketch, is the ne.\t in order of birth; and 
Thomas L., the youngest, is also a resident of 
Edgerton. The deceased members of the family 
are Clarissa, Caroline, Thompson W. and Amos 
Ru.-isell. The father died :March 30, lS:>-2. surviv- 
ing his wife for a number of years, her de.ath hav- 
ing occurred on the 17tli day of October, 184 1 . 

Dr. Stillman. of whom we write, was reared to 
manhood in his native town, where he receive<l .an 
academic education, and began the study of medi- 
cine at the age of twenty years. To further fit 
himself for the practice of his chosen ])rofession. 
he attended lectures at the most eminent eastern 
medical colleges, including the New York Medical 
College, the Eclectic Colleges at Syracaise, N. Y., 
and Worcester, Mass.. and received the degree of 
M. D. In 1848. He began practice in Westerly, R. 
1.. and in 18.')1 left the Eiist and emigrated to Wis- 
consin, locating at Port \V,a.shlngton. where he was 
professionally engaged until 1862, at which time he 
l)ecaine a resident of Edgerton. 

While residing in Rhode Island. Dr. StHlman was 
united in marriage with Miss Emergene Wilcox, a 
native of Homer, Madison County. N. Y.. the! 
wedding being celebrated In 18 IG. 



-J- 



4= 




ROCK COUNTY. 



43!) 



i= 



After a long and sucpi'ssfiil business career, the 
Doctor has practically retired from the labors of 
his profession, and in the leisure thus afforded finds 
nliiunhuil opportunity' ti> induliie his taste for read - 
iiiLT and investigation. He is n ttentleniaii of high 
attainments and much (udture, possesses good con- 
versational powers, anil has many warm friends 
thronghout the coniniunily in which he makes his 
hemic. In his political views, he was in (■.■irly life a 
Wliig an<l entertained strong anti-slavery senti- 
ments, and wlien the Kepuhlican party was formed 
he joined its ranks, and has since been numbered 
among its most faithful adherents. Religiously he 
is a mend)er of llie Seventh Day l.aplist Cliurch. 
Karnest in his convictions, his daily life l)ears evi- 
dence of the sincerity of his professions. Dr. Still- 
man and his wife have a pleasant home in Ivlger- 
tou, wlicrc ciiiiil'iii-t, rcliiicmcnt and hospitMlily 
alKinnd. 

\Y?.\MKS C. ALDKN. a retired mcrcli:nit ami 
.■Ml early settlei of .lanesville, was lioni in 
the town of I'nion, then Lincoln County. 
{(^)j Maine, on llie Isl day of .March, IHli). .ind 
is the son of Kbenezer and I'alience ((iilmore) AI- 
den. He is a lineal deseendent of John and I'ris- 
cilla (Mullens) ,\l<leu, the Puritan youth and mai- 
den, whose names are endeared to every reader of 
Longfellow's beantifid poem entitled '-'riie Court- 
ship of Miles Standish." 

Mr. Allen is of the seventh generation from the 
(uiginal .lohn Allien, the Puritan founder of the 
faniil}' in .\nu-rica. The genealogical record is as 
follows : 

lion. .lohn Allien, who w.as born in Lincolnshire, 
i'-ngland, in l.")'.t'.», was a Pilgrim of the Ma\llower 
Colony, and signed the eonip:ict in the cabin of 
that celebrated vessel, in \(tiO. The following 
year he mariied Miss Priscilla .Molines or Mullens, 
and settled in Duxbury. Mass. Priscill.a w.as a 
ihuighter of William .Mullens, who with his wife 
also came to this ci>untry in the "Max llower,"' anil 
both died in Kebruary, succeeding the lamling of the 
Pilgrims .lohn Alden was a farmer by occup.a- 
tion, w:is llie father of a larye fann'lv, and died at 



Dnxbnry. on the 12th day of September. 1087, at 
the age of eighty -eight years. 

Of the second generation in the line of de.scent 
to our .sid)jeet, we find .losepli .Mden, .son of John 
and Priscilla, who was born in 1(124. He also fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming, and wedded 
Mary, daughter of Moses Simmons, and died in 
1C97, when sevent3'-three years of age. 

John Alden, son of Joseph .and Mary (Simmons) 
Alden, resided in Hridgewater and .Middlcborouuli. 
Mass., where he too engaged in farming. H,. m;,,-. 
ried Hannah, daughter of Capt. Kbenc/.cr \\ liil,.. 
of Weymouth. 

David, son of John and Ilann.-ili .Mden. was of 
the fourth generation, lie was burn Ma\- I,s. 
1702, resided at Middleborough. niariicd Jud.i 
Paddleford, and died Aug. 24, 176.3. 

The next in line of descent is .lob Alden. son of 
David and Juda. Ilis birth occurred in 17r)7. and 
he was united in marriage with Lucy Spooner. 

Ebenezer Alden, of Union, Maine, was of the 
sixth generation, and was a son of Job and Luc\ 
Alden. He was born Sept. 20. 1771, married Pa- 
tience Gilmore, and died Aug. 10, 1 S(;2. at the a^c 
of eighty-eight years. 

James G. Alden, their son and the subject of 
this sketch, received his education at China Acad- 
emy, and when a youth of sixteen years went to 
Bangor. Maine, where he spent two \i'ars as a niei-- 
chant's clerk, and at the age of eighteen years en- 
g.agcil in business for himself. On the 24th da\ of 
October, 1 S Pi, he led to the marriage .altar Miss 
Alvitia C. .Miller, who was born at Wiscassett, Dec. 
7, 1H21. and is a daughter of Capt. John Miller, of 
Wi.scassett. Maine. Their union was graced b\ 
two children, a .son and d.auglitcr. James Francis, 
who was born Se|)t. 20, LSI.!, marrii-d Miss Lilli.iu 
Day. and resides in J.anesville; Louls.a. who was 
hoiu May 11. isi.'i. is now the wife of .lonas L. 
Ford, a merchant tailor of this city. 

("ntil the month of June, l.S4(;, .Mr. Alden car- 
ried on iiicnlianilisinu' in his native .St;itc. but at 
that lime, having resolved to cast his lot with the 
|)ioneers of the West, he emigrated to Wisconsin 
aad settled at Janesville, Hock County. Li lK{x. 
he (unbarked in the grocery business .and by an 
earnest desire to ple;usc his customers, and careful 



^^^jk^ 



M*- 



440 



^•►H^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



attention to liis business, 'milt up a good tnide. 
successful!}' operating in tiiat line until 1«56, when 
he sold out and purchased a farm in the town of 
Rock. He then engaged in farming for eleven 
3"ears, and at the expiration of tluit time, he sold 
his land and once more resumed the grocery l)us- 
Iness at .lanesville. This he continued with good 
success until 1885, when he retired from active 
life. 

I'.oth by his ballot and influence. Mr. Alden suji- 
ports tlie Republican party, and has been honored 
by his fellow citizens with several local oftices of 
trust. He served for several years as Deputy 
Sheriff, was Coroner for two years, from 1856 un- 
til 1858; was also Supervisor of Rock County, for 
ten years, and was assistant Sergcant-at-Arms of 
the Wisconsin Assembly. 

In 18(57, Mr. Alden w.as called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died on tlie 'iSth day of 
November of that year. During his entire busi- 
ness career, our suliject was reckoned one of the 
influential and leading business men of Janesville. 
He now lives in quiet retirement, spending his de- 
clining years in reading and in the study of his- 
torical subjects that have always ()ccu[iied more or 
less of his leisure hours. 

■^^' 




'f 



ANIKL TASKKR, a leading citizen of 
jY lieloit, is numbereil among tlio honored 
pioneer settlers of Rock County, and 
probably has resided in this conimnnity 
longer than any other man. He was born in 
Woodbury. Caledonia County, Vt., on the 8th day 
of .Alay, 1821, and is a son of .Silas and .Susan 
(Collins) Tiisker, who were descended from old 
New Kngland stock. The father was a soldier in 
the War of 1812, and did valiant service at the 
battle of IMattsburg. He .ind his wife were the 
parents of seven children: .Vmanda, who married 
.Ste|)hen Downer, a resident of Downer's (Jrove, 
111., which was named in his honor; Mary A., who 
became the wife of Sevey Dodge, and settled at 
Downer's Cirove, where they both die<l; Lydia, 
who marrieil Henry Wheeler; Charlotte, who died 
in childhoixl; .Susan, wife of IMaitin K. Moore; 



Elvira and John, who died in childhood; and 
Daniel, of this sketch, who is the only one of the 
family yet living. 

In the j-ear 1833, Sil.as Tasker, .accompanied by 
his family, emigrated to the West, and si)cnt the 
winter in Chicago, which was then a liltic vii- 
lagc containing ."JdO iniiabitants. The following 
spring he removed to Xapiervillc. III., where he 
secured a claim and planted a crop. In .Inly, 
1835. he came to Rock County, Wis., in company 
with .Stephen Downer and his son Daniel, locating 
a claim on Jefferson prairie, comprising a half sec- 
tion of land. He here spent the summer, and in 
February. 183(), removed his family to the home 
whicli he had prepared for them. The countr}' 
w.as then a vast wilderness, but few white settlers 
having visited the northern portion of the State, 
while there was not a single settlement between the 
home of Mr. Tasker an<l Green Lake. The prai- 
ries were covered with high grass, no reads had 
been made, and for twenty-five miles the family 
had to follow an Indian trail. After remaining on 
his claim two years Mr. T:isker sold out, and in 
the sitring of 1837 moved to Beloit. where he kept 
a boarding house until the deatli of his wife in 
1813. He still continued to reside in that city 
until his death, which occurred in 1865. Thev 
were members of the Free-will Baptist Church and 
were highly respected i)eople. 

Our subject spent his early life in his native 
State, and in 1833, when twelve j'ears of .age, came 
with his (larent-s to the West, and, as before stated, 
h.as been imnibered among the citizens of Keloit 
since 18.37. When sixteen years of .age he began 
learning the tr.'ide of a stone mason, which he has 
followed continuously since, and has been instru- 
mental in the erection of many of tlic finest blocks 
in the city. One can hardlj' pass along the streets 
of Ikloit without seeing some building which 
stands as a monument to his skill and labor, for, 
as he was an expert workman, his services were al- 
ways greatly in demand. In the month of May. 
IS 15. lie was united in marriage with Miss Kmily 
J. Blackincr. who was born in St. Lawrence 
County, N.Y.. in 1823, and w.os a daughter of Cal- 
vin Blackmcr of Chautaufpia County, tli.-it .State. 
Three children blessed their union, two of whom 



"f^r^^ 




^.^^^J-;^^^'^^-^^.?'^-^^^ i^ 



-4«- 




ROCK COUNTY. 



443 



arc now livintf: Eugene AV. and Frank E. In 
1879 the death of Mrs. 'I'asker occuncd. and ho 
was aiiain married in I881,wlien Miss Hannah 
((handler) (Jreeii heeanie his wife. 

Mr. Taskcr has l)een iunnl)ered anioni; the |iio- 
■ rressive and leading- eiti/ens of IJeloit for more 
than ii.'df a ('enliuv. On the lime of his arrival not 
a .siiiijle house lia<l been l)nilt on the west side of 
the river on the present site of the eity, while the 
town on the east side was composed of .an ohl tra<l- 
ing' |ios1 kept liv a m:iii liy the n;ime of Theliolt. 
.■iM<l Ihiee liii; caliins, while the old llork Hivei- 
House was in proeess of construction by Caleh 
Itlodgett. The little town was first known as the 
.Mouth of the Turtle; the name was afterwards 
ch.anued to New Albany, and subse((uently became 
known under its [iresenl appellation. From the 
earliest <lays of his residence. Mr. TasUer has Ijeen 
identilied \\M\ its growth and progress, and has 
borne no inconsiderable part in its development. 
In ISII he assisted in raising the old sign for the 
lUhiil House, a building which stood until 1888. 
when i( was torn down by A. B. ('ar|)entcr and 
Icpl.-iceil by a more modern structuic. To these 
honored pioneers who lidiored faithfully in her be- 
half, sharing the tri;ds and hardships of frontier 
life. Rock County owes a debt of grntitude which 
cm never bo repaid. The work which they per- 
I'nrmcd cannot be measuri'd by hours ami days, for 
they laid the foundation on which the noble struc- 
ture of the Banner County has been reared. We 
are pleased to record the sketch of Daniel Tasker. 
the honored pioneer of Uork County, knowing that 
it will be read with interest b\ all. 



if/,^ ON. .lOSEPII GOOniilCII, the founder of 
1/ 



'' Milton, and of Milton College, was the sou 



of I'riah and Mary Goodrich, and a lineal 
descendant of John Goodrich, who, with his 
uothcr William, emigrated from Gloucester, Eng- 
l.and. and settled at Wealliersfield. Conn., in 1611, 
from w horn the Good riches of .\merica have sprung. 
He was born May 1-2, 1800. at (Joodrich Hollow, 
near the end of the road, which termin:ited ab- 



ruptly at the foot of a mountain, in Hancock, 
Berkshire Co., Mass. At the age of twelve years he 
went to live with his maternal unile, Sylvanns Car- 
penter, at Stephontowu, N. V., where he was em- 
[iloycd in the avocations of the farm, and leccivcd 
an ordinary common-school education. He devel- 
oped a vigorous physical constitution, and became 
an active, industrious, honest, self-reliant, enter- 
prising youth. -Vt the age of sixteen years he ex- 
perienced a hopeful change of heart, and united 
with .-i denomination of Christi.-ms known as the 
Seventh Day Baptists, in the f;ntli of which he re- 
mained through life. 

On the .'iOth day of March. 1 .si'.l. at the age of 
nineteen year.s, he started out in the world, on 
foot and alone, with his wardrobe in a little bundle 
on his back, for the wilderness of Western New 
York. He arrived in .Vlfred, Alleghany County, 
with his bundle, a new ax, and fifty cents in his 
pocket. He took a contract fen- a tract of wild 
land, on which he built a log cabin, and liegan 
felling the trees of the dense forest to let the sun 
shine in :uid onto his primitive home. Doc. 13, 
1821, he married Nancy Max.son, daughter of Luke 
and Lydia Maxson, of Pelersburgh, Ken.ssel,aer 
Co.. N. Y., and, as the wild flowers of the woods 
began to bloom in tlu^ spring, they began house- 
keeping in the little log cabin, without a window or 
door, save blankets hung over openings in the wall, 
and the ground as a floor. Thus they lived con- 
tented .and happy, an<l struggled on together with 
privations and poverty. The following year, in 
I82;>, his father came out and united with him in 
the erection of the first sawmill on the \'anderinark 
Creek, which they got to running the last day of 
that yc'ar. They first sawed the lumber to ct)ver the 
mill, and ne.xt the boards for the wife a cabin floor. 
In 1821 he erected the frame for .a two-story house, 
which he got enclosed, and furnished with a bi-ick 
oven to bake l)read. ami firepl.-ices with iron cranes 
and hooks to hang the ]wts and kettles on. the fol- 
lowing year, i>ut he did not get it plastered and 
painted until in 1827. When finished it was the 
largest and most commodious house in the neigh- 
borhood, and religious meetings, school and town 
meetings were held in it. Hi 1828 the district built 
a school-house, on a site furnished b\- Mr. (Jood- 



■<^ 




■•► 



444 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i-icli, and the following winter they hired a stove 
and held the first term of soliool. 

Mr. (Joodrieli Imiit .th ashery, in wliicli he 
boiii>lit ashes and mannfactiii-cil pot.-ish. lie also 
kept a small stoic, and a huiise of eiitiMlMinnient, .a 
temperance house, lie had some miiitar\ as|)ira- 
tions. and was chosen .Major of the State Militia. 



He also engaged in Imviiii; lunili 



shingles, 



4 



which he transported to llornellsville. and rafted 
and run them down the Sns(inehanna Uiver to mar- 
ket. He finally, through losses from Hoods, met 
with reverses in this iMisiness, which well nigh 
ruined him, and led him to seek .a home in the wild 
prairies of the West, out of sight of :\ pine hoard 
or tree. He induced a neighbor, Mr. II. B. C'ran- 
dall. to come with him on a tour of oliservati(jn, 
and he hired a young man, Mr. .lames I'ierc r, now 
of Milton, lo come and remain on the claim which 
he might seiaire. while he should return for his 
family. They left Alfred. N. Y.. the -iCtli day of 
June, 1838. and came lo Buffalo with a team, 
where they waited two or three d.ays to secure 
pa.ssage on a steamboat up around the lakes. Thev 
were in Cleveland, Ohio, .Inly the 4th, and landed 
in Milwaukee .Inly the 11th. They came out to 
the far-famed Rock River Valley on foot, with 
packs on their backs, Mr. (loodrich also carrying a 
spade to test the soil, as he said he had lived on 
the el.ay hard-p.-ui long enough. He was (piite 
rteshy, the weather w:is hot. water was scarce and 
long distances apart, anrl stopping places far be- 
tween, and diflicnit to get, wiiich made the journey 
wearisome for them to endure. On the Kith day 
of July. 18.'?8, they came out tipon the wild but 
beautiful little jirairie, subseqcntly called Prairie 
Du Lac. the J'rairie of the Lakes, where the quiet 
little village of .Milton now stands. They were 
charmed with the dark, rich, alluvial soil; with the 
tall, green, luxuriant grass; with the myriads of 
fragrant, manj'-iM>lored tlowers; with the sparkling, 
little, silvery surfai-ed lakes; and with the cool, 
refreshing shades of the orchard-like oaks; and 
they determined to pitch their tents theie. Mr. 
(ioodrich bought claims on sections 2() and "iT, and 
Mr. Crandall on section 28. Mr. Crandall re- 
turned for his family, while Mr. (ioodrich re- 
mained to erect a little house for a home on his 



-^*" 



claim. The pioneers had all built in the edge of 
tile tiiriher or groves, in fart they did not believe 
the center of the large prairies could ever be made 
into comfortable farms and homes. To them it 
seemed like uoiug out into a sea or lake. They se- 
cured limber lirst. then water, ami then |)rairie, if 
all could be got in one farm. But Mr. Coodrich 
thought all the rich, large praiiies wouhl be set- 
tled and made into fainis. He rdso juilged that the 
main leading highways, connecting Large lowiis 
could be made straight and direct, without regard 
to sectional lines. He drew an air line on the map 
from Chicago to Madison, an<l also from Janesville 
to Ft. Atkinson (each of the latter tln^n having one 
house), and found they crossed each other on the 
center of this little prairie, and on his claim, and he 
therefore tlier<' locateil his liou>e. the lii'Sl one in 
Milton \illage, which he built in August. 1838. It 
was l(Jx20, with frame of hewed f)ak, and it was 
shingled and covered with oak. It had oak lloors. 
and was line(l with nidiurnt prairie mud brick, of 
which the chimney was made. It had one small, 
Tx'.t, glass window to each lloor. and a strong made, 
three pl\. battened oak, Indian i)roof door. It was 
the first frame house in the town, nor was there 
one in Janesville then. He paiiili'd it red, and it 
is red still, and clad in the same old oak it is stand- 
ing on its original site. In it he kept a store, in 
l.s.'is, selling i<.")()() dollai's worth of goods that 
year. He bought the claim for the farm now- 
owned by the Master of the St.ate (irange. for -i<I 2."). 
and p;iid foi' it in goods. \\'lien the highways were 
laid, m I8:i!l-4(l, they crcissed, as he calculated, in 
front of his house. One other thing he deemed 
necessary, ;'. well of water, and this he attempted to 
dig. in down Kastern style. But he soon learned 
that the gr*>\iud sub-soil would not stand like the 
clay of the East, ami the art of curbing a well to 
them was unknown. They tried to curb it with 
boards put in Iengthwis4', held in place with insMe 
oak frames; but as each length had to be ni.adc 
smaller to go inside the oilier, they soon got it 
tapered in too sm.all for them lo work. They heard 
of a ui;in naineil Daniel Ihitls, who had learnccl to 
frame curbing so as to put in piece by piece. 
Mr. Butts was sent for. oak trees were cut and split 
into thin. Hat slaves, and these were framed much 






-4*- 



u 



ROCK COUNTY 



4 



^1 ,i 



as is now done, and with tliem they succeeded in 
reachiiijj water at a depth of fifty feet. The\' 
dicw (lilt all tile yi'ound and .san<l witli a tin jjail 
and l)i'd lonl, iiand overliand, Mr. Pierce skinning 
his liands. .Mr. ( loodiicli ilid not deem a well Gn- 
islicd until it was stoned up. as in the Kast, and 
gettinfj a yoke of oxen tliey drew small hard-heads 
from the hitiff, and lettinji' them down with their 
tin |>ail an<l rope, they thus stoned it up. taking 
out the long hoard cnrliing, as lumber w.-is scarce, 
and supposing tlicy had got a good permanent 
well. 

Se[)lcmlu'r KJth Mr. (Goodrich started East for 
his family and goods, leaving Pierce in charge of 
his house and store. Mr. Crandall arrived Nov. 
16, 18;58, with his wife and eight children, and lived 
with Pierce while he put up a log house on his 
claim. During this lime the water in the well be- 
gan It) get low, and Pierce went down into it, 
clinging to the stones with fingers and toes, when 
he I'diind the xvater had settlcil, and tli<' well could 
not lie deepened on .account of the slonc. He 
thei-efore scooped out the center .as well as he 
couhl, .'uiil then began to come up as he went down; 
but. when about half w.ny up he was amazed to find 
the stones had bulged in so .as to barel\' allow him 
to squeeze through, and some of them had loosened 
so he could not pass until Mr. Crandall let down 
the tin pail and rope and drew them out, one !>)' 
one. thus leaving an opening where the sand and 
gravel was likelv to come in and bury him alive, 
lint carefully ;u)d cat-like he crawled up from stone 
to stone, and when out found ('ramlall watchin<'' 
him si)ell-l>ound. and as while a> a ghost. Two 
wells have caved in with old age, and a third one 
has Ijeen long used near this spot and place, vet 
Mr. Pierce is still living, hale, hearty and well, 
and the same old burr-oak posts which hehl tliefiisl 
buckets to draw water from this first well, are still 
standing firmly in the ground, where thev have 
withstood the elements, for over fifty vears. 

.Ian. :!0. is:i'.t. Mr. (ioodrich started for \\ iscon- 
sin with his family, consisting of his wife, son and 
daughter, three hired men and one woman, and 
four companions from .Vlfred, X. ^■.. with four 
teams and covered wagons mounted on sleiirhs. bv 
the overland route. The snow was four feet deep. 



and on the first day's journey Mr. Goodrich's 
spring wagon, with himself and family, tipped 
over, breaking Mrs. CJoodrich's collar bone in such 
a manner, that the surgeon, after repeated efforts, 
covild not set it, and l)andage it so as to hold it in 
[ilacc. Thus she w.as obliged to ride witli it loose 
in a sling. Thus they passed througli the deep 
snow drifts of winter and the mud of spring; 
through the Great Maumee Swamp, where there 
were thirty-one taverns in just thirty miles; break- 
ing through the ice in the Calumet River, where 
one horse w.as drowned; passing through a vast sea 
of mud, in the center of which a little city called 
Chicago stood; fording ice-gorged rivers and creeks, 
where the bridges were w.ashed aw.ay.in one of which 
Mrs. M.axson fell out and w.as submerged; Mr. 
(ioodrich carrying a kicking calf on a teeteiinw 
pole over Turtle Creek, while a Ijcllowing cow 
swam the stream; and at Last arriving at the little 
red house out on the wild i)rairie, March 4. 183',», 
after a journey of thirty-four days. And there 
they lived in this little building, with a family of 
thirteen, and kept travelers besides. In it also Mr. 
(ioodrirh still kept the first store, there being none 
other in Janesville at that time. There too they 
held their first religious meetings, and in it he also 
kept the first post-ollice, in 18;{9. 

When Mr. Goodrich erected this pioneer build- 
ing, in 1838. out on the center of a wild little prai- 
rie, which the Government still owned, he con- 
ceived the idea of building up a little village here 
.•It the ciossing of his imaginary roads. IIu pro- 
l)rosed to Messrs. Storrs and McEwen, who claimed 
the land south of him. to join him in the enter- 
prise, each to .-iiipropriatc a part of the land for a 
large public square, .iml all to unite in getting me- 
chanics to locate here, by giving llicm lots to build 
upon, fronting his imaginary square. But they 
deemed the scheme too visionary, and Mr. Good- 
rich subsequently bought McEwen's claim to the 
south half of the southeast quarter of section 27, 
for *Go. and upon this ([uarter section, after the 
Government land sale, he -and Pierce platteil a pub- 
lic s<iuare of twenty-three acres, and around which 
he beg.an I<i sell and give aw.ay lot.s. His first 
deed was to Orrin Sprague. a blacksmitli. dated 
April 27, 1810, for h.df an acre, consideration ¥1. 



r 



-^ 



446 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-I 



He gave the nse of land for a cliiiieh. which was 
organized in 1840, largely through his inlliKMicc. 
and wliicli he helptMl liljcrally to sustain, lie also 
gave the beautiful site for the Milton eenietery, 
which is enlarged, and is now one of the Hncst in 
the State. He gave the use of land for a jiublic 
school, which was first opened in his house, and 
taught by Kvans pickinson. in the winter of 
1840-41. Ilf huMt the original Milton Academy, 
in 1844, and maintained it for tlie first ten years at 
his personal expense. And from it. through his 
munificence, Milton College was founded, and built 
on the beautiful grounds which he gave. He se- 
cured the location tlirough Milton of the first rail- 
road in the State, to which he gave the right-of-waj' 
tlirough his farm, and (jf which he was made a Direc- 
loi'. and an engine w.as named ■■,Iose])li fioodrich" 
in memory of him. He built and kept the first 
hotel in the town, in 18.31t, in conne(tl<in with which 
he built the first frame iiarn, and before Janesville 
h:id one. In fact he loaned the County Commis- 
sioners the money to buy tlie land frciin tlie Gov- 
ernment, where the Itock County couit-house now 
stands. He attracted many men of integrity and 
infiuence to Milton, who helped him in building Uji 
a strong moral anil temperance sentiment in the 
town, which long outlived them and is fostered 
here still. IIi; was a man of great hospitality, and 
his home was always a safe refuge for the jTOorand 
oppressed. 

Our subject received many marks of respect and 
esteem, having been electe<l to the Legislature b^' 
the unanimous vole of his district, in 1855. In 
stature he was large, with broad shoulders, brown 
hair, and gray eyes, and he moved with a firm, 
ehxstic step. He was quick to conceive and prompt 
to execute, and act<-rl with a wisdom that generally 
led to success, lie had a generous heart, and wjis 
of a genial and social disposition, which always at- 
tracted and lield him many warm-hearted friends, 
by whom he is always remembered by some apt 
saying or remark. 

In politics Mr. (ioodricli was a Whig, and sub- 
sequently a Repul)lican, and he was always a strong 
anli-slaver\- man, with whom a fugitive slave was 
sure to find a friend and a safe retreat. In 1857 
he lost his most estimable wife, which was a great 



affliction, not only to him and his famil_v, but to 
the church, the school, and the whole community. 
In 1 8.VJ he was again married, to Mrs. Susan II. 
Rogers, widow of the Rev. L. T. Rogers, at Wes- 
terlj'. R. I. She was a lady of culture and intelli- 
gence, and of rare Christian wortli. .She was to 
him a most woi'tliy and exemplary wife. 

Our subject died in Octolier. 18(17. at tlie age of 
sixty-seven 3'ears, and his remains, with those of his 
wife, are resting in the beautiful grounds which they 
gave for Milton Cemetery, where a sorrowing .son 
erected an enduring miniuiiieiil to tlieii' niemorv. 
IJut the fruits of their life's woik have made them 
a more endearing monument in the hearts of the 
people where lliey lived, lie left two ehildieii : 
Kzra, who remained on the old homestead at .Mil- 
ton; and a daughter, Mrs. .lane (4. Davis, the most 
estimalde wife of the Hon. Jeremiah Davis, of 
Ro<-kford. III. The fruits of his Labors survive him 
in the marked morality of Milton, which he 
founded; in llie liusiness enterprises which lie in- 
augurated and built up; in the most beautiful pub- 
lic square, which he bequeatluMl lo the people; .and 
in Milton College, which he founded ami fostered 
through life. 

LBION RICIIAUDS. an old jiioneer of 
Wisconsin, was born in Wilkesbarre, I'a.. 
May 18. 181.'.. He was the son of William 
anil Mary (I'ruiier) Richards, of Renn.syl- 
v.auia. William Richards was the son of David 
Richards, who was probably of Knglish lineage. 
David, at the age of seventeen, emigrated from 
Connecticut in 1777 to Pennsylvania, where be 
ever after made his home, realizing his full share 
of the danger of those stormy times. 

.Mary (I'runer) Richards was the d.iughter of the 
Hon. .losepli Rruner, of IMiiladelphia. Albion was 
the fourth in a family of eight children. One sis- 
ter resides in Chicago; one brother, who, with 
three sons, did valiant service for I'licle .Sam dur- 
ing all of our late war, makes I'eoria, III., his home, 
the other brothers and sisters remaining in the Kast. 
Mr. Richards cast his first vote for William H. 
Harrison in 184(1 and his last vote for lienjamin 





.;- 



ROCK COUNTY 



4n 



4- 



-1= 



Il.irri.son in 188S. never (Icviiiting fruni llio polilics 
of his l)(i\ luHid. Ilis wife, Kiizii A. Sterling, w:is :i 
nnlive of tlie old Keystone Male, her aneestors he- 
inu: "' Holhmd and Irish deseent. liiey iiavc fonr 
eliildion iivini; and three deceased. 

One tine May morning in 1K4.") Mr. IJiehanls and 
the good wife packed all their earthl\ possessions 
into their wagon, :ind with ^G.") .all told in Iheir 
pocl^ets, said adien to lionie and friends, ami started 
.alone to seek a home in the Western wilds, making 
the trip in six weeks. 

They pitcheil their tent in lUx-k Comity, where 
they have ever since dwelt. Agriculture has been 
their chosen occupation. They may be found be- 
neath their own vine and fig tree, on section 17. in 
the town of Spring N'alley, resiiected alike by 
f fiends and neiglibors. 



ON. STILKS SAMUKL N( )RTH1{()P, one 

yi., of the early settlers and an enterprising 
^ farmer of Hock County, residing on section 
22, in the town of Clinton, was born in 
Tully \' alley, Onondaga Co., N. V.. August 2G, 
182-1. and is a son of Ilai-son and Sally C. (.\twood) 
Northrop. On the |)aternal side the family is of 
English and Welsh descent, and on the maternal 
side is descended from an old Connecticut family. 
.Saniuel Strickl.and, his great-grandfather, served 
his country in the French and Indian War, and 
was present when the French surrendered the cit}' 
of Ciuelict' to the liritish. He also served his coun- 
try with honor during the Ilevolutionary War for 
seven long years. Alwood, an uncle of our subject, 
was also a soldier in the War of the Revolution 
and was with (ieii. Washington when he was driven 
out of New York City. 

Mr. Northrop, whose name heads this sketch, was 
reared to manhood in his native county, and the 
year 181.") witnesseil his arrival in Wisconsin, 
which was then ;i Territory, lie first located on 
Jefferson I'rairie. Rock County, and in the fall of 
ISl.'i made a claim on section 22 of UJO acres, but 
not having money enough to pay for the whole 
amount he relinquished forty acres. In those early 
days money was scarce and times hard, aiid he was 



obliged to pay :50 per cent for the money which he 
borrowed to pay for his claim. In tlie course of 
time, howevei-. by cconotny and industry and the 
natural increase in the value of property, he gained 
a comfortable competence and is now numbered 
among the well-to-do citizens of the county. 

In the month of December, 18;)(l, Mr. Northrop 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Phrebe M. ftlax- 
well.a daughter of William and Hannah (.Sampson) 
Maxwell. The ladv is a native of New York, liav- 
ing been born in Cortland Coiinty, Jidy 25, 1824. 
The family circle of this worthy couple was com- 
plete<l by the birth of four children, three of whom 
are yet living: Jennie B., who pursued a two years' 
course in the State Tniversity at iMadison, is now 
engaged in teaching; Leonard, who graduated with 
honor from the same institution is also engaged in 
teaching; Winter II., the youngest, still resides on 
the farm. 

In 18G7 Mr. Northrop sohl the land which he 
entered on coming to this county and purchased a 
farm adjoining, where he now li.-Lsa beautiful home 
surrounded by all that makes life worth living. On 
arriving at mature years he cast his first Presiden- 
tial vote for Zachary Taylor and supported the 
Whig party until the Rei)ublican party sprang into 
existance. He was among the first to espouse that 
cause, being a great admirer of Gen. Fremont, and 
in 1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln. He was a 
mendior of the State Convention of Wisconsin 
which nominated the delegates t<^ the National 
Convention that placed Lincoln before the people 
as a Republican candidate for the Presidency. The 
same year he was elected to the Oeneral Assen)bly 
from his district and was an active worker in that 
body, discharging his duties with credit to himself 
and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He h.is 
also served on the County lioard of Supervisors 
for nine years, acting :is chairman for several terms, 
and also filled the office of Justitre of the Peace for 
a number of years. He was one of the first tax 
collectors in the town of Clinton, acting in that 
[xisition when the taxes amounted to onl\- ^>'A)». 

.Socially. Mr. Northrop is a member of the I'acilic 
Lodge No. 58, I. (). O. F., in which he holds the 
position of Pa.st Grand, and has re|)rcsented the lo- 
cal organization in the'irand Lodge. Mr. North- 




448 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■•►HK-* 



rop is a solf-niade man. Ik'iiinnihu; life in liiniteri 
circustauees lie lias st(>ailily wdikcd hi.-; way ii|)\v:iril 
to a |)ositi(>n of ea.se and alHuenc-c. and liis fair and 
lionoialile cour.sc in every walk <if life lias seemed 
him the cdiilidenee and good will of all. Ilistiilel- 
ity to dnty in his \ arionsollieial jtosilions won him 
the praise of even his; political opponents, and the 
high regard in whieh he is held is well deserved. 



y II, [JAM .\LVKHS()N, who is nnmbered 
among the prominent i)ionccrs of Roek 
County, was horn in Del.-iware Counly. 
N. Y., Nov. 27, IHll. His (larents were John and 
Jennette (Fraziei) .Mverson. and their union was 
ceielirated in 180G. The father was born in Nova i 
Scotia. May 21. 177',l. and served a.s a soldier dnr- 
in"" the \Var of 181 '2, while his wife was a native of 
Scotland, born March 22. I7!^H. Nine children 
graced the union of this worthy couple, the record 
of whom is as follows: Mary, born.Iul\- 27. 1807, 
married Luther (ioidd, and both are now dece.ased, 
her death occurring in Delaware Connty, April ir>. 
18G.'{, leaving two children; Abigail, born .lune 27. 
IHO'.l, wedded Abel Beers and both departed this 
life in Delaware County, Mrs. Beers dying Aug. I), 
1861, leaving two children to mourn her loss, 
■\Villiam and Mary ; William, born Nov. 27, 1811, 
is our subject; .Tolin, iiorn April 1!). 1811, died in 
Rock Township, this county, Oct. ."i, 1 88G; Daniel, 
born March 18, 1818, is niariicd and resides in 
Delaware County. N. Y., and has a family of three 
children, Charles, Delva and Mary; ,lane, born 
Oct. 30, 1821, is the wife of Sherman Gregory, of 
Delaware Counly, and to them two children have 
have been born, one now living. DeWitt; Harriet, 
born Oct. 10, 182:!, wedded Rich:ird Love and, 
died Sept. 11. 1885, leaving eleven children, .Mary, 
■William, .Sarah, .lohn, (ieorge. Burr, Daniel. \Ves- 
ley, Richard, Ilattie and .Samviel; Esther, born May 
12, 1826, is the wife of .U'rcmiah (Jregory. and had 
two children, one living. Dclos; Kli/.a. born Dec. 6, 
1826. is the widow of llirain I'liller. b\ whom she 
had three children, two of them arc living. Smith 
and Daisy. 

The father of these children was a Democrat in 



pfilitics and a supporter of the .lelTersonian princi- 
ples. His death occured M.ay 28. \X:)'.K and Mrs. 
Aherson. who was a consistent member of the 
Bapti.st Church, deiiarted this life Dec. 1, 1868. 

The early years of our subject were spent in the 
uneventful routine of farm life, he assisting his fa- 
ther in the developemenl and cidtivation of the 
farm uhtil attaining man's estate. I lis opportunities 
for procuring an education were limited, the advant- 
ages he received being such as were affiirded by 
the district schools of that early day. In 18;!7, he 
made a trip to the West, visiting Chicago. Mihv.au- 
kec and v:irious places in Michigan with a view to 
making a location. The country at that time wa.s 
one vast wilderness and he returned to New York 
without having accomplished the object of his 
visit. Locating in Chautauciua (V>unt\, N. Y.. 
after his return to the Last, he there formed the 
acquaintance of Miss Rho<la Snow, and on the ."ilst 
day of .May. LSU. they were united in marri.'iire. 
The lady was liorn in Chaulau(pia Count\', M.ay 1.!. 
1820, and is a daughter of Setli Snow, who was one 
of the leading citizens of that comnuuiily. 

The young couple began their domestic life in 
New York, where the3' residccl until 18 11. when 
Mr. .Vlverson again came to the West, locating in 
Rock County. He settled vn a farm on section 1!), 
Beloit Township, and the following f.all sent for 
his family to come to the home which he h.-ul pre- 
pared. They made the journey by water to South 
I'ort and from thence proceeded in lundjer wagons 
to Rock County. For a short time they resided with 
a neiglibf)r. Mr. Bly, who kindly shared with them 
his home until Ml'. Alverson could erect a house 
for his own family. His first purchase of land in 
this county consisted of eighty acres on section 1!). 
which he had to develop from its primitive con- 
dition. Not a furrow had been turned, a fence 
built or an im|irovement made, but with charticter- 
istic energy, he began tr.ansforming his land into a 
fine farm to which he added as the years passed by 
until he now owns 210 acres. He ha.s Iiorne a 
prominent part in the affairs of the township and 
has been honored by his fellow-citizens with sev- 
eral local olliees of trust. For a period of three 
years he served as .Supervisor of his township, and 
for thirty years was a member of the .School Board. 



.>-*^^ 



■ ^ -<* 





M^^ 



^If^^ 



KOCK COINTV, 



14!» , , 



liiiiiiij; wliicli time lio hired over fortj' teachers. lie 
hns jriveii iiiiifh i)f his time ami nlteiition In educa- 
liiiiiai inleiesls. lielieviiiij education to he a iiece.-- 
sai\ (jualilicalioii for >;ood citizenship. 

Five children weic horn of the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. AI\iM>oii. MMiiicly; William II. ('.. hoi ii .Ian. 
12, I.S4.'5. in Sheridan. ('haut,au(iiia Co., .\. V., is 
one of the |ironiiuenl husiness men of l)es Moines_ 
Iowa, and is the liuslinnd of Miss Mary E. Nye, hy 
whom OIK! chilli has liceii horn. Jessie N.: (leorge 
M.. horn -Mav 1 ;?, 1.S17. <lied Oct. U, ISTfi; James 

• 

M.. 111. in .Ian 27. IH5(l. died at Ihc aye of six years; 
Carrie M., horn May 1, IS.Ji), is the wife of Dr. L. 
Iv. 1-arr, of IJcloit; Jennie G., hum Keh. 11, IHGC. 
i> the youngest. The mother of these children de- 
parted this life June 12, 1888, at the .'ige of sixty- 
eight years. She was :i trueand consistent Chris- 
tian, and a niiMnhcr of the Mrlliudist K|iisi-i)|ial 
Church of Iteloit, which in her death lost one of 
its most active workers and one who cheerfidl}' 
dill what >lic ciiuld fur the Master's cause. 

Mr. -Vlverson's lirst introduction to Wisconsin 
occurred in 1837, and since 18 11, he has heen a 
licrinaniiit resident of Rock Countiy'. During tlic 
I'arly days of its history, he shared the trials and 
privations incident to pioneer life, such as come to 
those in every i-ninmmiily who lay the funiidatiim 
for a new count}'. lie has not onl\' witnessed hut 
has also liceii an active participant in the great 
chaiiiics (hat have t;iUen [ilace. iiohly hearing his 
part in the arduous laliors o( developing the land 
from its primitive condition. During all these 
years, his honoralilc. upright course of life lisis won 
him the conlidenreand respect of many friends, hy 
whom he is held in the highest re<;ard. 




4 



K. CII.M!IJ';s M. S.Ml Til. a Icadinu phy- 
sici.iii of lOvausville, Wis., was horn in 
Callaraugus Co., N. Y., June 2.'>tli, 18;!l, 
and is a son of .laeoli and Delana (Rich) 
Smith, holli of whom were nativi's of New York; 
(he former horn .March 21, 18(UI. ami the la((er. 
May II, 18 Hi. 

Jacoli Smidi was a farmer and followed thai oc- 
cupatitn through life. In 18.'?(i ho removed from 



Onondago County to what was known as Catta- 
iMMgns County, on the Holland Land purchase, 
"here he lionght I ,)0 aire> of wild, heavily tira- 
hered land. Erecting a log-cahin, he then pro- 
ceeded to clear his land, ami in time had a well 
luKivateil f.anii. lie hoiight three different farms 
in tlia( vicinity and there endnrcMl all the hard- 
ships incideni to pioneer life. To .lacoh and 
Delana Smith were liorii cighl i-iiiMicn, all yet liv- 
ing in the neighhorhood of the old homestead, with 
llie exception of Ahira. deceased, .Mary H., wife 
of Rev. C. M. I'ullen. an Episcopal minister at 
Houghton, Mich., formerly of ELkhorn, Wis., and 
the suliject of this sketch. In order of liirtli the 
children were as follows: Katherine. horn .June 3(1, 
18;{2: Charles M., June 25. 18:il: James \l., .Ian. 10. 
I8.i(;; Alvira. May I'J. 1838, died Nov. 2."), 18U; 
Judson, horn April 2'J. 1811; Arvilla. Dec. 31, 1813; 
Mary R., .May 23, 18 18; Matilda. Oct. 13, 18.5."). 
Jacoh Smith and wife were prominent memliers of 
tile .Methodist Episcopal Church and look an active 
part in the advancement of religion. Politically, 
he was a Whig. Few men were hetter known in 
the county in which he lived. Alw.ays active, he 
particiiiated largely in the development of Catla- 
ragus County, which is now one of the most noted 
foi' its production of fruits and for its dairies and 
tine stock. Mv. .Smith made a speciality of fine 
stock, and on his farm could .always lie found (he 
hest grade of anim.als. For years he was a large 
contractor for r.aihvay timher, such as ties and 
wood. He went. to his tinal rest .March 13. I87'J, 
and w.ns buried in New Albion cemelery near his 
home. The good wife hore with him the hard- 
ships of pioneer life, preceding her hiisband to 
the unknown world, December, 22, 18(i4. 

Charles M. Smith, the sul»je<-t of this sketch, 
resided with his parents in his native State until the 
age of twenty, a.ssisting in the cultivation of the 
farm and attending the common schools as the op- 
portunity .atfordcd him. In 18.")1 he left the par- 
ental roof and started out in life for himself. 
IJclicving the West atTonlcd a hetter opportunity 
for advancement in life than the K:\^t. he came to 
Wisconsin and located in the town of Brookl\ n. 
Green County., where he engaged as a farm hand. 
He soon afterward tiiught his lirst school at Day- 



4;')n 



»» ■ ^" 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ton. Wis., .-i five moiillis Utiii. For llie next tlirei' 
years he attciifled llio Albion Acadamy in Dane 
County, Wis., and tausrlit liiree winter terms in 
Evansville, Wis. In 18.57 lie commeuced liic study 
of nie<licine willi Dr. .1. M. Evans and gr.adnalcd 
at Rush Medical Collcs^e, Chieaj^'o, in the winter 
of 1859-60. After graduatinji: he practiied one 
year at Elm Point. 111., tlien returned l<» Wise(ui- 
sin and located at Footville, where he rein;iiiu<l 
until 186.1, during whicli time he secured an ex- 
tensive pr.ictice. He was then commissioned As- 
sistant Surgeon of the 13tli Wisconsin Infantry, as 
successor to Dr. .S. L. Lord, and remained in the 
service until .hine ."50, 1861, when he w.ns dis- 
charged for disability and returned home. In 
186;j he removed to Evansville, where he has since 
continued to reside, actively engaged in his pro- 
fession as far as his health would ])crmil. 

Dr. Smith was married to .lulia E. Sawin. the 
youngest daughter of .lolui Sawin, a prominent 
I5ai)tist minister, May 16, IHfJl. Two children 
have lieen horn to them — Flora 1)., Doc. '.t, 1 Sd.'i 
and Charles M., March 2.S. 1866. 'l'\w latter is now 
studying medicine and has spent two years at Rusii 
Medical College, Chicago, from which institution 
he expects to graduate in Kehruary. 181»(l. He is 
well known in the community in which he lives .-is 
a young man of sterling worth and liusiness fore- 
sight. He has heen for two j'cars a registered 
pharmacist. 

In 1873 Dr. Smith took a Post ("Jraduate course 
at Bellcvue Hospital College, from which he re- 
ceived a diploma. In 1867 he Itecame a memlicr 
of the State Medicid Society of WisconsiTi, and on 
the organization of the Southern Wisconsin Medi- 
cal Association in 1 883 was elected its first Presi- 
dent. He w.as also elected President of the Rock 
County Pharmaceutical Association and elected 
an honorary member of the same in 1882. He is 
\ ct actively engaged in his profession .and has a 
large and lucrative practice. He has always been 
vcr\- charitable to the afflicted poor and to them 
his services have been as freely given as to those 
who are in far better circumstances and from whom 
he expected a good fee. 

Dr. Smith and wife are prominent members of 
St. .lolin's Episcopal Church at Evansville, and 



contribute largely to its support. In educational 
institutions he has always taken a lively interest, 
and for fourteen years served as clerk of the High 
School Board. J n social organizations the Doctor 
is equally prominent and widely known, and is a 
zealous member of the A. F. iV- \. M. He was one 
of the chai-lcr mcnil)ei-s of the Footville Lodge, 
No. 137. A. V. & A. M.. and was its first Worship- 
ful Master. He is a memlicr of Union Lodge Xo. 
32, of Evansville. .antl was its Master from 1H6.'") to 
1871. inclusive. He is a member of Evansville 
Chapter R. A. M., No. 3.i. and has tilled all its 
ollices. Evansville Council No. 3.t, and for a num- 
ber of years been an active member of the .lanes- 
ville Commandery No. '2. and is also an honorary 
member of the OrienUil Order of the P;\lni and 
Shell. He is a member of the A. O. I . W.. nf 
Cattaraugus, N. Y.. also a member of the K. of P. 
P(jlilically. he is a Republican, and cast his first 
Presidential vole for .lolin C. Fremont. 

He was elected in 1876 President of the \illagc 
Hoard and County .Supervisor. .Since 1867 <je has 
l)een a lepresentative of the Northwestern Mutual 
Life Insurance Company-. 

From the foregoing brief sketch it will be seen 
that Or. .Smith has been an active man. In every- 
thing calculated for the upbuilding of the town or 
county he has taken an .active part. Few men 
enjoy the confidence of their fellownien in a higher 
degree. 




n= 



UC1III5ALD WOODARD. deceased, was 
numbered among the honored i)ioneers of 
tliis county, and for many years was one 
of its prominent and inlluential citizens. 
He was born in Washington County, N. Y., April 
2d, 1818, and there grew to manhood. Thinking that 
the West furnished lictter opiwrtunities for yoiuig 
men than were afforded b}' the older .States of the 
East, in 1838 he made a trip to Wisconsin with the 
intention of selecting a location. At that lime, 
however, he returned without deciding where to 
make his honie. 

In 1812 ]\Ir. Wiiodard was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Herron, their wedding being cele- 
brated in Washington County, where her birth oc- 



f 






t 



^ 



^ 




.^ 




1 



t 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



453 



r 



i-uiic(l on the 6th of March. 1820. Tlie ^oiing 
couple bt'ij:in their doiiieslic life in the Empire 
State, liul after two 3eais. iii ISIl, came to Rock 
t'unnty to malv(^ for themselves a home and .settled 
in Urailford Townsliip. where Mr. Woodaid pur- 
chased Kid acri's of land and built a injuse. He at 
once liciiun the cultivation and improvement of his 
farm, upon which lie resided until 18.'')0. when he 
removed to the .adjoininii' county of Walworth, 
where he became largely interested in real estate, 
owning- at oiu' time 2,200 acres of l.ind. The pros- 
perity that follows methodical business habits, com- 
bined with eneriiv of |)urpose, attended Mr. Wood- 
aid .-md bis family without interruption after the 
lirst olistaclcs and dithculties incident to frontier 
life had been overcome. By virtue of a strong mind 
and thorough training in early life he became and 
was everywhere recognized as an accurate business 
man, and in complicated matters his advice was 
often sought. 

In politics he was a Whig until the dis.solulion 
of that party, after which he gener.ally acted with 
the Uei)ublican party until 1884. when he cast 
his vote for St. John, the I'rohibition candidate, 
lie never sought official honors in anj' way. but 
steadily refused all offers of political preferment, 
content with being a free American citizen, lie 
po.sses.sed strong moral sentiments, was upright and 
hon(M'able in the highest degree and alw.ays fol- 
lowed the ilictales of his conscience. He and his 
wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. .Mr. Woodard died May 11, 188;j, leav- 
ing' a wife and one son to mourn tlicir loss. 



|]()IIN J. I'AKKKR, residing on section 2(>, 
|| .Johnstown Township, is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. He is a native of 
(l!^// Oneida County-, N. Y., where his birth oc- 
curred .lune 10. 1823. and is a son of John and 
Alvira Parker. His parents were both natives of 
Connecticut, the former born in Watertown, and 
the latter iu Litchlield. 'IMiey had a large family 
of children. Tryphena. the eldest, is the wife 
of I'evmet Mattoon, a retired farmer of Madison 
County, N. Y.. and unto them have been born live 



children, three of whom arc now living; Virgil W., 
who wedded Jiili.a E. Ilyer, a resident of New .ler- 
sey. died on the Mth day of January, 188!), in New- 
.•irk, N. .1.; (ieorgc Clinton wedded Marietta Cleve- 
l.'ind. of Oucid.-i Cuuiity, X. Y., whose death oc- 
curred in May, 18.hl', and on the 17th day of Janu- 
lu-y, 18H7 he was called to his final home, leaving 
one child — a son ; Anna Maria became the wife of 
]>r. N. S. I)a\is, a native of Chenango County, N. 
Y., now a leading physici.an in Chicago, and unto 
them have been born lliiee ciiildren, only one of 
whom is now living; John J., of this sketch, is the 
ne.xt in order of birth; Wells S. is a resident of 
Harlem, Winnebago Co., 111.: Linneu.s, who wedded 
Sally .Sides, and after her death became the .hus- 
band of Kate Kurrows, by whom he had three chil- 
dren, died M.arch 12, 1885, in New Orleans; Lucy 
Elvira is the wife of George .ludd, a native of 
New York, now living in Springfield. 111., and to 
them was born one child, who died July 25, 
18()5; James Oscar died in infancy; Abiram 
also died in infancy; Caroline makes her home 
witii her sister, Mrs. Davis, of Chicago; James 
Oscar, the second of that name, married Clara 
Kelly, by whom he has three children, and is 
now a coal dealer of Chicago; Ellen Josephine 
Swing is the wife of Sylvanus Lock, a native of 
Otsego County, N. Y., now living in Iloosick Falls, 
of that State, and they have four children, three 
sons and a daughter. The father of this family 
died in .lolmstown Township. Jan. 31. 1 800, and 
his wife departed this life Sept. 20, 1800. 

The education of our subject was received in the 
common district schools of his native county, rthere 
he was reared to manhood. He has followed the 
occupation of farming throughout his entire life, 
and is now one of the leading farmers of Johns- 
town Township. Thiidiing that the advant-iges af- 
forded young men were better in the growing West 
than in the older Stjites of the Exst. he emigrated to 
Wisconsin, and in 18.").') purchased a farm. The fol- 
lowing year he settled permanently in the county, 
becoming a resident in March, and in May was fol- 
lowed by his father's family. He is now the owner 
of a line farm, comprising 197 acres of the richest 
land in .lohnsti^wn Township, which he has placed 
under a high state of cultivation. On the .')th day 



•4*- 



■► ^■ 1 ^» 



t^ 



454 



ROCK COUNTY. 



**^~ir~^* 



of September. 1866, he was joined in wedlock with 

Ciiroline CicMiciil, a daughter of .Inliii mid Leim 
Anil (dordoii) Clement, who weiv natives of .Scho- 
liari(! ('oiiiity, N. Y. Thcjy had the followinij 
cliildivn, of whom Mrs. I'arkcr, wlio was born Nov. 
10, 1847. is tlie eldest; .Mary who became the wife 
of .M. K. Gdbert. is living in Wliitcwaler. Wal- 
wiirlh Co.. Wis., and to Iheni have been l)orii live 
I liildren. four of whom are living: David is a resi- 
dent farmer of Walworth County; Nettie who be- 
came the wife of 1). C. Howard, a citizen of White- 
water, died in .bily, 1«H8, leaving one child; l.ydia 
wedded J. McCarii, who also makes his home in 
Whitewater. 

Our subject and his wife began their domestic 
life upon the farm in Johnstown Townslii|), where 
they have resided continuously since. In connec- 
tion with general farming, he engages quite extens- 
ively in stock-raising, and in 1878 commenced 
operating a dairy. He owns at present twenty -five 
head of cattle, principally of the sliorl-horn breed, 
and nianiifactnres on an average 1 00 pounds of butter 
per week fnmi October until June, and being a first- 
class article, it finds a ready sale in the market. 
Mr. I'arkcr possesses good business ability, and his 
success in life is due chiefly to his own efforts. In 
])olilics he is a supporter of the Democratic parly, 
having ciist his ballot with that organization since 
■itlaining his majority'. 

Fine portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Parker are found 
upon another page of this work. 

-» #-# ^ 



AMMOND SAMUEL AMES, tiic genial and 
III 5)) P"l*"l'"' liveryman of South lilutT street, 
'J^<^ Janesville, is a Veteran I'nion soldier. He 
f^i is the only sou of Lester Ames — one of the 
early settlers of Center Township — and was born 
in Chautainpia County, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1843. His 
gran<lpareiits, Samuel and Lucy (Bush) Ames, came 
from Connecticut to .Stafford Township, fienesee 
Co., N. v., very early in the development of that 
section. They opened u|i a farm in the heav3- 
timber, four miles from the present city of Hatavia. 
Samuel Ames was a contractor and budder, and 
erected a large number of dwelliuffs in Stafford 



and BjTon. He also developed the fine farm of 
320 acres, which is now in the possession of one 
of his gr.aiiddauglitcrs, .•lud includes a ver}- excel- 
lent sugar-iii:ii)lc grove. .Mr. Ames was an ai-live 
meml>erof the Methodist Church, and a prominent 
Whig and Republican. He served .as Justice in 
Byron, and was wi<lcly known for sterling (pialitics 
of character. He died in the spring^of 1865. aged 
eiglit\- -seven years, and his widow survived to the 
age of ninety-two. The\- had three sons and a 
daughter. Lester being the second of these. The 
Ames family is of English origin, and Oakes and 
Oliver Ames, prominent American citizens, were 
nearly related to Samuel. The wife of the latter 
came of Scotch ancestry. Samuel Ames was cap- 
tain in command of a company of Amerii-an sol- 
diers in the Mexican war. 

Lester Ames was born in Stafford, where lie grew 
to manhood. He .assisted his f.ather in building 
operations, thus becoming an exjiert carpenter, and 
also learned the t-oopci's trade While resilient in 
B3'ron he married Eleanor Dunbar, whose immedi- 
ate ancestors — of English origin — came from Con- 
necticut. He soon after removed to Chauttincpia 
County and bought a farm. Here four of his 
children were born, and when the youngest was 
two months old the mother ex(>ired. He then sold 
his farm and, leaving the children with his parents. 
came west to look for a new home. In the autumn 
of 1845 he purchased a farm in Center Township, 
on which he settled in the spring of 1846. His 
death occurred in August, 1865, and was caused 
by cancer, whicli carried him off at the early age 
of fift3'-one years. His religious connections were 
with the .Methodist Church. He was an earnest 
RepublicJin and an active supporter of the pul)lic 
schools, in whose nian.agement he was often called 
to otticiate. For his second spou.se he took Mrs. 
Betsey Hice, a widowed sister of his first wife, who 
bore him i>ne daughter. Following are the names 
of his offspring, in order of birth: Adaline J., 
died at Footville. while the wife of Charles Camp- 
bell; she was a teacher and taught in the Footville 
school two years before lier marriage. Jose|iliiiie. 
also a tead er. married CiiarlesG. Hunt, and died 
at Janesville in 18G4. Hammond is the tliirtL 
Eleanor (Mrs. Sanford B. Haynor) resides in Chi- 



•► k <•- 




h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



455 



cHjio. Klvha I)., now tlie wife nf Daniel Shiiw. 
ilnells (111 tlic lionu'slcail near Kootvillc. 

H. S. Anu's was roared in lioeiv Cuiiiity. and wa.s 
eiiiicated al the piililic scIiodIs in Kiiolviiie and 
.lanesville. ^Vilen sevemeen years old lie enuaii'eil 
as eierk in the store of IJennetli it Hostwick, at 
.)anes\iile, where lie continued a year and a iialf. 
On liie ontlireak of thel'i\il War he was aiiioiiij; 
the lirst to enlist — his name beinu enrolled as a 
nii'niher of Company E. r)th Wisconsin Infanlrv. 
This was on the -ioth of April, l.-<(il. \\\n:n the 
regiineiit went into camp al Madison he joine(l it. 
and this gave the first knowleiige of his enlistment 
to his father. The latter proeiired his release, lie- 
eaiise of his youth, and liroujiht him home to the 
farm. .Vfter a few days si)cnt in the liaytield. the 
patviotie youth determined to ;igaiii join ids veix'i- 
ment. whieli was now ahout to move to Washinsr- 
ton. Sceurini; permission to drive his favorite 
horse to .lanesville. he there gave the animal in 
charge of a neighbor to drive home, and proceeded 
b\ rail io join the brave Fifth. 'J"he first service 
of the resiinient consistcil in (pielling a riot at Mil- 
waukee, after which it went to \\ ;ishingloii and 
became part of the Army of the Potomac, under 
Brig. (ieii. King. It was soon transferred to Gen. 
W. S. Hancock's brigade and went into winter 
camp on the Virginia side of the I'otoniac. The 
lirsi battle in wliich Mr. Ames took part was that 
of Williamsburg, ^'a., May ■'). 1XG2. For its action 
in this engagement the regiment was personally 
addressed liy (Jen. McClellan in words of thanks 
and warm praise. Here Mr. Ames was slightly 
wounded in the ankle. He was then siicccssivelv 
expo.sed at Golden's Farm, Savage Station, White 
Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill. Crampton's (Jap, An- 
lietani, Fredericksburg anil Marye's Heights. In 
February, IHOS. the "Light Division" of the Gth 
corps was formed by (ien. Pratt for special service 
in reconnoisances and movements requiring great 
activity, and this included the 5th Wisconsin. The 
storming of Mary's Heights was undertaken on 
the .id of May. in the face of a ti-rrible opposition, 
and in the jiseent of that steep slope. Corporal Ames 
was shot through the left thigh. After lying nearly 
two mouths in Armory Sipiare IkispiUd. at W.-wh- 
ington, he was granted a forty days' furlough for 



re(iupcration. He reioined the regiment in August, 
at New York City. wlier.> it was employed for some 
time in enforcing ih- iliaft. Their lirst action, 
aftm- again joining the (lih corps, was at Uappa- 
hannocli Station, and the next, al Locust Grove, in 
the Mine liiiii cxpcdiiion. During the first days' 
fight of the Wihlcrness campaign, Sergt. .Vmes w:is 
shot through both thighs and was discharged — his 
three years' term of enlistment having been for 
some time expired. After recovering from these 
injuries be was appointed, on the recommendation 
of his former olliccis, to the position of distribut- 
ing clerk in the (piartermaster's department at Jlem- 
jihis, Teiin. This he was compelled to resign at the 
end of six months, by serious illness, and was un- 
fitted for business for a year. After farming a 
year he bought a half interest in a drug store at 
Hoscobcl. Tiring of store confinement he sold out 
and bought a farm near Urodheatl, which he oper- 
ated till he purchased his jiresent place of business 
in liSHd. He h.as a fine propcrt\-, including two resi- 
dences, and enjoys a good business. He is a member 
of the G. A. R.,a Royal Arch Mason and Odd Fel- 
low. He attends Christ Episcopal Church, of which 
his wife is a member. His wedding took place 
Oct. 18. 18(>5, the bride being Miss N'ictoria Arm- 
strong, a native of (Jroton, N. V. Her brother. 
Dr. L. G. Armstrong, was a department surgeon 
during the War of the Rebellion, and is now Presi- 
dent of the Wisconsin State Medical Association. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ames are valued members of J.anes- 
ville society, and enjoy the peace which they have 
earned. 



farmer residing on section 
5) 21t, Newark Township, is numbered among 
the leading citizens of the county, and is 
one of the self-m.ade men, who, having started in 
life in limited circumstances, have by industry, 
thrift and economy gained a comfortable com- 
petence. He is a native of France, born .March .'5, 
1837, and a son of Philip anil .Mary X. (Cousin) 
Lieb. The father, who w.-is a shoemaker by trade, 
was a native of (iermany, while the mother w.as 
born in France. They became the parents of six 
children: Philip, a resident of Rice County. Minn.; 




456 



••» 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4^ 



Vincent, who is engaged in farming in tliat county; 
Uiclianl .1.. wlio is engaged in nieiciiandlsing in 
Hlce County; Frances, wife of I'. Halielt; Adeline, 
wlio is living in Rice County, Minn.; and Frank, of 
tliis siieteli. 



roundings indicate tlirift and refinement. In con- 
nection witii his farm, he also owns a good dwell- 
ing in lieloit. In politics Mr. Lieb is a RepuMican. 
He cast his first presidential vote in this country 
witli tlu^ Demociatic parly. Iiut since that time lias 



In the fall of IHj'i'i the family crossed the Allan- been a faithful adherent to the KepuMican party. 



tic and came to America, settling first in Hock 
County, where the fathei- purchased a small farm 
in Newark Township. From that home one by one 
the children stalled out in life, and all are now 
well-to-do citizens of Alinnesota. with the excep- 
tion of our suliject. The death of the mother 
occurred in 1 ST I, ami the following year the father 
was laid in his final resting place. IJoth were 
members <>f the old Calholic Church, and were 
peoi)le beloved for their many excellencies of 
character. 

Our subject remained under the parental roof 
until going toa home of liisown,aud in l.S5"2canie 
with the other members of the family to this eouu- 
lr\-. In the month of September, lisdil, he w:is 
united in marriage with Miss Louisa liealew who 
was also a native of France. Her parents, .lohn 
and Catherine Hcaley. are luiiubered among the 
early settlers of Ilock County, having become 
resident.s in 1848. They were lionoreii and esteemed 
liv all who knew them, and gained many friends, 
whose love and confidence they always retained. 
Her father died in this county in 1858, her mother 
surviving him until 1871. They were parents of 
five children, all of whom are living in Newark 
Township, the sons, Peter, F'rederick, (ieorgeand 
Charley, being eng.aged in .agricultui-al pursuits. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Lieb has been graced 
by the birth of three children : Charles, a grocer 
of Chicago; Frank, who is at home; and Belle, wife 
of .loseph Garigan, a shoe dealer of Chicago. As 
before statecl, Mr. Lieb is a self-made man. After 
his arrival in .\merica he began working by the 
month, but with characteristic energy determined 



r>y his fellow citizens he has been liouore<l by sev- 
eral local ollices, four times has served as Side- 
Supervisor and for fifteen years has been a member 
of the Townshi|) School Hoard. Public si)irite<l 
anil progressive, he is ever ready to bear his part 
in the duties which come to each citizen, and his 
aid is never sought in vain in behalf of tlujse in- 
terests which are for the welfare of tlie eonununit}-. 
Hotli Mr. and .Mrs. Lieb are held in the highest 
esteem by all who know them, and Rock County 
has no more wurth\- citizens. 



-*-f^ 



^F LKX ANDFR WHITE. an extensive farmer 
'^iL3. and lireeder of line stock, is one of the 
leading .and reiuesentative citizens of Por- 
ter Township, residing on section 13. He 
is a native of Scotland, born in Fifeshire County, 
Feb. 5, 18.35. He is a son of .John White, whose 
sketch appears in this book in connection with that 
of his son Charles. The education of our subject 
was received in the common schools of his native 
land and of his adopted country. He accompanied 
his parents on their voyage to America and re- 
mained under the parental roof until his marriage, 
which occurred March 1 ;>, 1 8(i5. Mrs. White was 
in her maidenhood Miss Amelia Pyre. She is a 
native of New York, in which State her mother was 
also born, but her father w.as a native of France. 

Mr. and -Mrs. White .are the parents of five chil- 
dren, but onl}' two are now living: Harriet, the 
eldest, who was born Dec. 25, 1805, and Wilna \'., 



the youngest, born April 25, 1882. They have re- 
to succeed. By industry and economy he at length ceived good educational advantages, and Harriet 
became able to purchase a farm of .seventy-live before her marriage pursued a course in music. On 



acres, and from time to time he has extended its 
boundaries until now 250 acres pay tribute to his 
care and cultivation. His stock is of the best 
grades, ever^' improvement necessary to a well 
regulated farm has been made, and the entire sur- 

M* 



the 1 Ith of January. 1888, she married W. F. F:iy, 
.Ir., of Madison, N. .1. Those deceased are: Mag- 
gie, who was born March 2, 18G9; Alexander. Jr., 
born .Sept. 22, 1874, and Helena, born Aug. 14, 
1880, The darkest shadow cast on the lives of Mi. 



^ 



■<^ 



►HI-* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



457 



and Mrs. White was at the death of their little son 
Alexander, a l)right eyed boj' of live years, the pet 
and joy of the household, wliowiis most cniclly and 
Iinitall3' murdered. 

After his marriage Mr. While ]iurch;iM'ci ;i laiin 
of riO .aeres on sections 1(> and 21. Porter Towu- 
shi|i. since which lime he has been engaged in agri- 
cultural |)ursuits. In the spring of 1S67. selling 
that faiin he bought 2(0 .acres of fine arable land 
on section 13. where he yet resides. Me has made 
many fine improvements, and in connection with 
llic cultivation of his lanil hi' gives considcraliic 



ceived in his native land, his school life being fin- 
ished after tlie emigration of the family to this 
country. After arriving at man's estate, he w;l> 
united in marriage with Miss I. ('. Larson, who 
was also born in Norway, and came with her p.a- 
rents to America wiicn six years of age. The 
young couple began their domestic life upon a 
farm, and six chihlren. yet living, erjice their 
uni<m. G urine Maiia. who is now twentv-seven 
years of age, became tlie wife of Nicholas Larson, 
a native of Norway, though their marriage was 
celebrated in Rock County. Tlic\ now roidc in 



attention to the raising of fine stock. He makes a i Beloit Township, and have a familv of four chil- 
spccialty of fine cattle, raises some Oxfonl Down i drcn: Lew Antonious. who is twcntv-three \ears 



sheep, and also some fine thorough I ncd liogs. Mr. 
White is a practical farmer, and his success is due 
entirely to his aljility and untiring efforts. 

,\s a citizen our subject is enei-gelic and enter- 
prising, and is ever ready to ;iid in the advance- 
ment of any measure calculated to be of benefit to 
the general public. lie has been an iinport;uil 
factor in the upbuilding of the coinnninity and 
is highly respected by a large circle of friends 
.and :uipi:iinl:inee-.. He gives liber;dl\' in support 
of all nniral. educational and social interests, and 
has served his fellow-citi/.ens in several otlicial 
positions of trust. He h.is held the olliee of 
Town Clerk foi' a uund)er of years, and was also 
chaiiinan of the I'oard for two terms. Sociallv. he 
is a member of the .Masonic fraternity of Kv;ins- 
ville. and politically, is a stalwart Hepublican, h;iv- 
ing cast his ballot with that partv from its organi- 
zation. His wife, who is a most estiniable bidv, is 
a member of the Congregational Church. .Mr. and 
.Mis. While are worthy citizens of tlu' c^immunitv 
in which they reside and are hehl in the highest 
esteem by all. 

«->*<- 



of .age, and is engaged in farming on the old home- 
stead. wed(lc(I .lulia Dixon, who is of Xorwe^ian 
descent, and they have one child; Levi .Inlius is 
now eng.'iged in farming in Minnesota, and is twen- 
ty-tive years of .-ige; Clara .lulian:i. Charles Henrv 
and Nellie Alviiia, tlie three youngest children, are 
aged respectively twenty, eighteen and sixteen 
years. The children have all received excellent 
edncatioiiMl a(l\:nitages. fitting them for usi'ful .and 
responsible positions in lifc-uid Cli.-irles graduated 
from the commercial college of Decorah. Iowa, on 
the nth day of March, 18.s;i, and is now assistinir 
his father at home. 

Mr. Lever is numbered among tlie honored pio- 
neers of the county, and has been n jiaiticipant of 
the trials and inconveniences incident to life on the 
frontier. The nearest market place during the 
early days of his liist settlement, was Milwaukee. 
W one time, being obliged to go to that citv. he 
hired two men, paying each fifty cents per dav. 
secured twote.amsof two yoke of oxen, and loading 
seventy-five bushels of wheat into his wagons, 
started on the journey. The mud was deep, and it 
rained every clay, while one night they were out in 
a storm, but at length reached Milwaukee, where 
LK\'F,I?, a rcpresentjitive citizen and far- he disposetl of his whcit. receiving only twentv- 
mer of I'lymouth Township, whose home is five cents per bushel. During those early d.ays, 
on section 32. is a native of Norway, and Mrs. Larson, the mother-in-l:iw of our subject. once 
was lp()rn in November 18;32. In IXIl he came made a trip to .lanesxille on foot, carrying a pail of 
with his parents to America, the family locating on eggs, and returned the same day, having walked a 
a farm on section .'!() and .'il.in the town of Ply- i distance of twenty-nine miles. Slie was then fifty- 
■nouth. live years of age. At another time, accompanied 

The primaiN education of our subji^l was re- , bv Mrs. Lever, who was then in her sixteenth year. 

-^ — ; \ :_^ 




r 



458 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^i^K-* 



4 



she walked to AVioto, forty miles distant in one 
day. Tliough the trials of pioneer life were many, 
they were not unmixed with pleasure. Mr. Lever 
has ahvay-s taken great interest in the affairs of tlie 
conununity, and has borne no inconsideralilo part 
in the advancement of its interests. He was pres- 
ent at the erection of the first building ever put u]) 
in Orfordville, which was raised on Christmas Day, 
184G. His life work has been that of farming, and 
lie has resided at his present home for tlie past 
thiity years. His first purchase of land consisted 
of 1G5 acres, but at different times lie li.as added to 
it, until now 320 broad acres pay tribute to tiie 
care and cultivation which he bestows upon it. In 
politics, Mr. Lever advocates the principles of the 
Hepubliean p.arty, and htis served as P.ithmaster. 
His family are members of tlie Luther.an Church, 
and hold a high position in the social world. Mr. 
Lever's lionie is situated on a natural building 
spot, surrounded with ornamental and shade trees. 
Ills wife, who has shared his joys and sorrows, has 
been truly a liejpmate to liim. Their lionie is a 
plciisant one. and one feels at ease while enjoying 
their hospitality. 

i, HOP. .1. E. C()L1:M.\N, the popular and 
efficient Principal of Kv.ansville Seminary, 
w.is born in Wyoming County, N. Y.. on 
the 27th day of Pebruary. 18.").'), and is a 
son of the Uev. George W.and .lane (I'.iisli) Cole- 
man, both of whom were natives of Wyoming 
{'mintv. and are now residents of Kvansville. They 
located in that town in 185.T, responsive to a call 
from the Pree Methodist Church, of which Mr. 
Coleman is now general superintendent or bishop, 
lie and his wife were the parents of seven children, 
three sons ami four daughters: Carrie .1., an ac- 
complished lady, and a successful teacher in the 
Seminar}', died in Kvansville, in the spring of 
1880; Charles Henry was graduated from the 
Kvansville Seminary, in the class of 18)SG, and in- 
tended pursuing a collegiate course at Beloit, but 
death claimed him as its victim, Feb. 28, 1887; 
two sisters. Mrs. N. G. Catton and S. Klla, are still 
residents of New York; Julia M., the 3'oungest 

4* 




daughter, is still residing with her parents; George 
K. is a resident of the town of Union. 

Our subject, being the son of a Meliiodist cler- 
gyman, received his preparatory eilticalion at va- 
rious places, as the father assuineil the p.astorate of 
different charges, in accordance with the plan of 
the Pree Methodist Church. At length, entering 
the University of Kochester, N. Y.. he was grad- 
uated from that institution in the class of IHTK.and 
shortly afterward came to l-^vansvijle to accept the 
Superintendency of the Seminary. The Kvansville 
Seminary is one of the oldest educational institu- 
tions of Rock County, having been organized b^- 
citizens as a stock company, in 1.^55, the building 
being erected in 1X57. Not long after the esl^di- 
lishment of the school it w.is placed in charge of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, under whose con- 
trol it remained for ten years, when it was jilaced 
under the supervision of the Pree IJajjlist Church, 
continuing under the charge of that denomination 
for about the same length of time. It w.ns not ex- 
empt from the general decline that came to all 
.schools of its character, immediatelj' following and 
consequent upon the War of the Rebellion, aiifl for 
a period of five j-ears remained closed, when it was 
revived by the Free Methodist Church, under 
whose auspices it has since been conducted. Mr. 
Coleman became the Su()erinti'ndent of the school 
at the time of its re-opening, whlcii occurred Sept. 
11, 188(1. and under his .administration the institu- 
tion has regained much of its former popularity. 
and is now in a thriving condition. In l,s,s,s an 
elegant addition w.as built to the institution, which 
now constitutes the assembly building for school 
work, the older structure being used chietlv as a 
dormatory. 

In 1871) Pi'of. Coleman returned to the East, and 
w.as united in marri.age with Miss Lucy .M. Scllew, 
who was born near Dunkirk, N. V.. .M.ay 2:i, I «;').■{. 
and was educateil at the A. M. Chesbrough .Semi- 
nary, of Monroe Count}-. After completing her 
studies she w.as employed as an instructor in that 
institution, and at the time of her marriage was oc- 
cupying the position as preceptress. On coining to 
Kvansville with her husband she w.as at once In- 
stalled as preceptress in the seminar}-, and for six- 
teen years of her life was a successful teacher. Her 



4 



■» w "^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4« 



459 



4~ 



death oci-urred on llic lOtli flay of January, 188!), 
Miicl iiniveil licit only a irreat affliction to her hu.s- 
liand. I)iit a sail loss to the Institution, ami to the 
conuiuinily in which she vesided. She was enii- 
neiilly silecessfMl in iier chnseii wiirlc. and to -i sn- 
periur lact in inaiiajicnienl ad(h'd i;ieat aliility as a 
leaehi'i'; and tlie success to which the academy ha.s 
altaincd nuclei- its present niMnairciiient is due in no 
small deyreetd her unliriui; effiirts. By her pupils 
she was respected ami helnved. and liy her many 
ac(|uaintanccs held in the hijihest regard. For two 
years preceding her death Mrs. Colenian served .as 
President of the W. C. 'V. U.. of Evansville. and 
was ever a faithful and ellicient worker in that so- 
ciety. .She was a woman of exalted Christian vir- 
tues, and left the stamp of her eminent character 
on the minds of those she trained. At her death 
she left an infant son. lo whom she gave her lius- 
hand's name. 

I'rof. C'oh'man is a ;^eiitleiiian of intelligence .and 
culture, and of earnest religious convictions. For 
many years he has lieen a luemher of the Free 
iMclhodist C'liiiich. of which lie is also a minister. 
His long administration of the Kvansville .Seminary 
has met with ll;:it success which ever attends an 
earnestness of purpose when properl\- jj;uidecl and 
directed. 

-«! #«# i.^ 

~5j^ ilAKI.IvS A. ('()LBV,wlio is engaged in the 
restaiir.-uit liusiiu'.ss .at Clinton. Wis., was 
horn in New A'ineyard. Fiaiililin Co., Me., 
on the l.ith day of .Inly. IH;!l). His parents. Na- 
tliaii I), .and .Syliil ( I'case) Colliy, were also natives 
of the same .St.ate. and in 1.SI2, when our suliject 
was hut three years of age. emigrated to Hock 
County, settling in IJiloit, which w.as then a small 
village, there being luil thiee houses on flic west 
side of tlie river. Their family numbered scncu 
ehildn'ii, as follows: Al|)lieus, the eldest, enlisteil 
in the .id Maine Infantry and gave his life in de- 
fence of ids country, being killed at the liattle of 
Frederick; Charles .\.. of this sketch, is the second 
in order of birth: Willi.ani is now editor of the 
Fi-fp /'/Y'.s.s. published at ilurliugton. Wis.; Alvin 
1'. is now editing the Union (irove Eiit^'rpri.sfi; Ida 
is the wife of Nelson Mclvec, a resident of Beioit; 




Nathan is editor of the Pecatonica A^etrs. published 
at Pecatonica, 111.; Frank is a resident farmer of 
Chase City, \'a. Since removing with his family 
to Rock County in KS12. Nathan Colby h.as nia.le 
his home here, lie is now seventy-nine years of 
.age. and is :i highly respected citizen. In early 
life he cast his ballot with the old Whig party, 
voted for William Henry Harrison in 1H40, and in 
1H,S8 sujiported the illustrious graiids«m of that 
Ceneral. His sons have all followed in the foot- 
steps of their father in the political life, and are 
worthy and valued citizens. The de.ath of Mrs. 
Colby occurred in December, 1884. She w.a.s a most 
estimable lady and a sincere and consistent Christ- 
ian, a member of the Methodist K[iiscopal Chuich. 

Coming with his paients to Rock Comity at the 
early age of three years, our subject w.as reared fo 
manhood in ISeloit, receiving his education in the 
public schools of that city. With fearful interest 
he watched the dark cloud of war which gathered 
over the country, determined that if necessary he 
would strike a blow for his country's freedom. 
When Ft. Sumter was fired upon and its echoes 
went thundering over the land he at once prepared 
for war and ere three days h.ad pa.ssed had offered 
his services as a defender of the stars and stripes, 
enlisting in Company F, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, 
under Col. (afterward fieneral) Starkweather. Be- 
ing mustered in at Milwaukee, the regiment was 
then sent to Chainbersbnrg. Pa., thence to \\ il- 
liamsp'jrt and on to P'alling Waters, where they 
met the eneni\ in an engagement, several of the 
comp:iny being wounded, while one, George Drake, 
was killed, the date of his death beinij .Tidy 2, 
ISCl. In .Viignst, the term of enlistment, three 
months, having expired, they were mustered out 
of service. 

On the .'iOth day of the same month Mr. Colby 
rc-enlisfed, becoming a member of the 4lli Wiscon- 
sin IJatleiy, under Capt. .lohn \alee. The Com- 
pany was mustered in at Itacine, and in January, 
18(;2, wjis sent to Washington, D. C, then on to 
Baltimore and subse<piently to Ft. Monroe, where 
it remained about ten months. It was at Suffolk 
during the siege of l.ongstreet, and while there he 
witnessed the encounter between the Monitor and 
the Merrimac. which had previously sunk the-'Cum- 



•> k ^» 



"^r^ 



460 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-t 



berland" and the "Congress," two of the best ves- 
sels of the Union Navy. Tlie victory there 
aciiicved was the first real success gained by the 
I'nion Navy, and the feeling of joy whicii swept 
over tiie country, when the result w:is announced, 
can better be imagined than described. That scene, 
Mr. Colby says, was the grandest sight which he 
has ever been permitted to witness. In May, 1863, 
the tth Wisconsin IJattery was ordered from Suf- 
folk .•md participated in the raid on Yorktown 
undiT (Jen. Dix, tlien on to (ili)uccsler Point, where 
it was stationed until the following fall. Orders 
then came to go into winter quarters .at Portsmouth, 
and the following spring it participated in the 
lilackwater raid, after which it marched to .lames 
River, under the command of (ien. Butler, and was 
in the front ranks during the siege of Richmond, 
which continned during the greater part of the 
summer. At the buttle of Malvern Hill, the army 
suffered defeat, losing all their guns, which the}' 
recaptured, however, on the 1st of next May. 
After the surrender of Lee, when hostilities had 
ceased, the com))any was discliarged and mustered 
out at Richmond. 

Returning to his home at the close of the, war. 
Mr. Colby there remained until the spring of 1866, 
when, being attracted by the discovery of gold at 
Pike's Peak he crossed the plains to Colorado, and 
remained in the west for one yeai-. Returning to 
his home in 1.S70. he was united in marriage with 
Miss Martlia A. Hilton, a daughter of Adam and 
I'^lizabeth Hilton, eaily settlers of Heloit. The 
l:\dy is a native of Oswego, N. ^■., and by their 
union one chilil h.'is l)een born, Cliarles N. 

In .Inly, 1871, Mr. Colby removed to Milwaukee, 
where he remained until the fall of 1881, when he 
went to Burlingtiin. Wis., and eng.aged in the res- 
tnarant business for about a year and a half. At 
the end of that time l-.e sold out and removed to 
.lanesville. lint subsequently resided in Rockford, 
where he made his home until coming to Clinton. 
He here embarked in the restaurant busine.ss, and 
has built up a good trade, which he richly deserves. 
He po.ssesses that I'liergy aiul ability which ensures 
success, and is a leading citizen of the community 
where the greater part of his life has been spent. 
In political alliliations, he is a stalwart Rei)ublican, 



and sociall}-, is a member of the G. A. R. Post. 
We are pleased to record his sketch in the history 
of his adopted county, knowing that it will be le- 
ceived with jjleasure by his many friends. 




EY. DANIEL WOOD EDWARDS, of Beloit. 
Wis., was born in Lelianon. York Co., Mc. 
( )ct. 1 1 , 182.">. His ]ia'e!its wx'ix' .lames S. and 
\^ Caroline M. (Wood) Edwards, the former 
born Oct. 24. 1800. When our subject was but 
three months old his mother was called from this 
life and he went to live with his grandmother 
Wooil. in whose fnmilj' he remained until attaining 
his majority. His primary' education was received 
in the schools of his native town, and in IMli! he 
emigrated to Honu', .Vshtabula Co.. Ohio, and at- 
tended the (icauga .Seminary, where he was .a 
schoolmate of <;en. Garlield. In 1848 he first 
came to Wisconsin and traveled extensively over 
the State as an itinerant preacher. He did not 
work for pay. as he bore his own expenses, but his 
labors were for his Master. He was instrumental 
in organizing several churches through the Stale, 
and his work was productive of much good. In 
18.")1 he went to Iowa and preached fur nearly two 
years, and was present at the organizing of the 
Free-Will Baptist yearly meeting of Iowa. In 18,53 
he was ordaineil as a minister of the Fiee-Will Bap- 
tist Church, after which he was engaged in i):usloial 
work at various pl.iccs. In 13r)8 he located at 
Durand, III., where he o|)ened and carried on a 
jewelry store until 1860, when he became a resi- 
dent of Beloit. That same year he was united in 
marriage with Airs. Mary (iilman. widow of Isa;tc 
H.tiilnian and a daughter of David and Irena Mc- 
Neil. Her i)arents were natives of Vermont, and 
in 1814 emigrated to Walworth Conntj-. Wis., 
where they were among the early settlers. They 
were devoted Christian people and belonged to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. McNeil died 
in Wahvorth County in 18.')4. after which his wife 
came to Beloit. where her death occurred in Sep- 
temlicr. 1888. at the age of eighty-nine years. 
Mrs. Edwards by her former marriage h.ad seven 
children, three of whom are living— Samuel E 



'^U 




^^ 




^ 




mm 



).,^ X w 



««?". 










^^ 




-4*- 




ROCK COUNTY. 



463 



who is engaged in the livery business at Sedalia, 
Mo.; (^eoige A., of Bcloit, and Isaac H. 

For tiie past few j'ears Mr. Edwards has been 
engaged in the manuf.aeturing of Kdwards' Altera- 
tive and Tonic Hitlers, which lie patented in 1882, 
and which lias become well known through the 
Northwest, also the Balm of Life. For the past 
forty years he has been identified with the history 
of Wisconsin, and has been an eye-witness to the 
manj- great changes which have transformed it 
it from a wild and iin.settled region into one of 
great fertility. He has borne his part in the great 
work of development and progress, and Lakes an 
active interest in the welfare iif the comniiinitv. 



<)N. ANDHEW HARLASS, apn.miiuiit and 
y influential farmer, residing on section .'JG, 
^-^^' Ilarnumy Township, is inunbered among 
(^) llic pioneer setlleis of Ro( k County, of 
which he lias been a resident since 1842. He was 
horn in the jiarish of Kinross, near Loch Leven, 
Scotland, on the .")l)lli day of Scplcniljc'r, I S22, .■uul 
his parents, David and .Mary (Marshall) liarlass. 
were also natives of that country. His father was 
born in llic year I8(i2. ami icmaincd a resident of 
Scotland 4iiitil his death, which occurred in 18;!(). 
He was a farmer l>y occupation and wedded AL-iry 
Marshall, who was born .Ian. 1 1. ISdi). They were 
the parents of four children — Andrew, of this 
sketch; Thomas, who is living in ISradford town- 
ship; Helen, widow of liobert lirown, who died 
Aug. 7, 18(!l,is living in Harmony township; and 
D.avid. the youngest, is also a resident of the same 
township. In iS-ll, tlic mother, accompanied by 
tw() ehildreii, came to America, making her home 
with our subject until her death, which occurred 
.Ian. 1 I, IHT.'i. 

.Andrew li.arlass received a common school edu- 
cation in his native land, being for a time a |)upil 
of a nephew of Robert Burns, Scotland's most 
noted poet. He was reared to farm life, but the 
monotony and (piiet attendant upon agricultural 
pnisuits was wearisome to him, who full of life 
and ambition felt restrained by the narrow limits 
of his home, and at an early age he started out 
<■ 



with the determination to make his future home in 
the new world. On the -i.ith day of July, 1842, a 
sailing vessel left the port of Glasgow for America 
and upon its deck was Andrew Barlass. Landing 
at New York on the 9th d.ay of September 
following, he then went up the beautiful Hudson 
to All)any, whence he proceeded to Buffalo, 
going by way of the Erie canal. At that city, he 
embarked on the lake steamer, "Bunker Hill," which 
bore him to Chicago, where he secured a team and 
continued his travels to Janesville, which he reached 
on the 20tli day of October. The succeeding two 
years he engaged in farming for an uncle, when in 
1844, he purch.ased eighty acres of land on section 
36, Harmony Township, comprising a part of his 
present farm. In the meantime his mother had 
come to Anu'iica, and after his |)urcliase continued 
to keep house for our subject until his marriage. 

Mr. Barlass was united in the holy bonds of 
matrimony with Miss Margaret Clink, a daughter 
of Hugh Clink, and to them were liorn four child- 
ren — Margaret, born Dec. I. 1H47, is the wife of 
David Clark, a resident of Harmony; Mary, who 
was born May 1, 18 19, wedded Robert Clark, 
whose home is also in Harmony Township; Helen, 
born Sept. 7, 18.">(t, became the wife of David 
Duncan, a practicing physician of Chicago; Daviil, 
who was born Sept. 1 1, 18.")!, and is now livinir in 
Hastings, Neb., is serving his third terra as sherilT 
of Adams County, that State. 

In 1851, the death of the mother f)ccurred. Ten 
years elapsed and Mr. Barlass was again married, 
Margaret <i. Beveridge becoming his wife on the 
18lli day of .Iiine, 1861. The lady is a daughter 
of .lames and Christina (White) Beveridge, and 
their union has lieen blessed with five children — 
Agnes May, born May 6, 1,S72; Andrew James, 
born Aug. 8, 1875; Christian, born .March 11, 
1878; John A., born Jan. 29, 1880; William Frank, 
born April 14, 1881. 

As time passed, .Mr. Harl.ass aildcd to his original 
purchase of land, until he is now the owner of 200 
acres, forty of which is timber land and is located 
in Johnstown Township, while the remainder, 160 
acres, comprises his home farm. Neither labt)r nor 
expense have been spared to make his home beauti- 
ful. Improvement.s to the value of ^6.50(1 have 



«► i ^» 



A. 



4^ 
464 



ROCK COUNTY. 



been added to the farm, tlie land has l)pen placed 
under the higiicst cultivation and everytliinu alioul 
the place denotes refinement, enterprise and indus- 
try. In connection with general farming. Mr. 
Barlass gives considerable attention to stock raising, 
malving a specialty of the Clydesdale horses and 
Durham cattle. He has hold various local offices 
since becoming a resident of Rock County; served 
in the capacity of Assessor and Justice of the 
Peace for many years; for nine years has been a 
member of the Town IJoard of Supervisors; and 
for three years has held the otHce of County Super- 
visor. In the fall of 1873, he was nominated and 
triumphantly elected a member of the General As- 
sembly from Rock County, ami was re-elected 
without opposition for the two succeeding years. 
To each question that came up before the House he 
gave carefid consideration, and his course during 
his entire public life has always been such as to 
win the confidence and regard of all. In early life 
he was a supporter of the Free-soil partj-, but on 
the organization of the Republican party, joined its 
ranks and has since been one of its earnest advo- 
cates. He and his wife are both members of the 
United Presbyterian Chin-ch. In 1886, they cele- 
brated the twenty-fifth anniversary of a happy 
wedded life and many friends assembled at their 
home and while expressing words of congratulation 
and wishes for their future happiness and pros|)erity 
left many valuable presents as tokens of the love 
and respect in which they are held. No citizens 
of Rock County are more widely- known or more 
highly esteemed, and their home is the abode of 
hospitality and good cheer, where their friends 
receive a heartfelt welcome. 

On the opposite page the portraits of this worth}' 
couple will be seen, and none arc more deserving a 
place in this work. 

—•' | * S '" 1 ' S * I '**°* ~ 



,EV. MARVIN G. HODGE, D. D.whofor 

fourteen years has been pastor of the First 
''IvWl liaptisl Church of .lancsville, is a native of 
^; Vermont, and was born at Hard wick, on 
the 20tli d.ay of February, 1822. His parents, 
Levi and Fannie (Wheatley) Hodge, were des- 




<»HHO- 



cendcd from old New Enyfland families. The 
father was born in Rumney, N. II.. which was also 
the birthplace of his paternal grandfather. His 
mother was a native ui Lebanon, of the same State, 
and was of English Puritan origin on her father's 
side, while on the maternal side she was descended 
from the French Huguenots. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in his 
native State, his preparatory studies being pursued 
in an academy at Craftsbury, following which he 
took a select and theological course at the Literary 
and Theological Seminary at Derby. In .lune, 
1.S43. he was ordained at East Chaileston, \'t., a 
minister of the Baptist Church, and was assigned 
to labor at Essex and Colchester, Vt. His next 
field was at llinesburg, of the same State, whence 
he was called to serve as pastor of the Baptist 
Church at Stillwater, N. Y. His next charge was 
at Brooklyn, N. Y., where he served six and a half 
j'cars as pastor of Hanson Place Church, during 
which time he was instrumental in causing the erec- 
tion of a house of worship at that place. Finding 
his health failing, he sought a change of climate, 
and came to Wisconsin, his first charge in this State 
being at Beaver Dam, where he remained two years 
engaged in pastoral labors. Returning to New- 
England at the expiration of that time, he was ap- 
pointed District Secretary of the American Bap- 
tist Home Missionarj' Society for New Euglan<l, 
and on the 1st day of February, 186."), he came to 
Janesville to accept the pastorage of the First liap- 
tist Church of this city. During the first years of 
service with that society, his people built an ele- 
gant church edifice at a cost of 4i40,000. He con- 
tinued that connection for a period of six years 
antl eight months, when he went to New York City, 
where he spent the winter, a))d on the 1st day of 
May, 1872, accepted the position of pastor of 
the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Until the autumn of 1878 he retained that pasto- 
rate, but at that time removed to Milwaukee, Wis., 
his charge being the First Baptist Church of that 
city. His health being impaired, he went to Geor- 
gia in the fall of 1880, and after spending the win- 
ter in that State. returne<l, in Mav, 1881, to Janes- 
ville. and again became Pastor of the First Baptist 
Church. On the 13th day of January, 1884, their 

— •► 



-^*- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



465 



elegant cliurdi edifice was destroyed by fire, but 
immediately the present tasty and commodious 
house of worship on tlie site of the former was 
erected. The cost, not including salvage and lots, 
was about f'23,000, and the churcli property is now 
valued at ^30,000. Mr. Ilodge was complimented 
in 184!) by receiving the degree of A. M. from the 
University of Vermont, at Burlington, and the 
same degree from the Rochester University', of 
Nevv York, in 18;34, while thirteen years later, in 
18()7, he received the degree of D. D. from the 
University of Chicago. 

Dr. Ilodge was united in marriage on the 14th 
(Lay of October, 1846, at Irasburg, \t.. with Miss 
Harriet L. Kellam, a daughter of .lohn and Deborah 
(llaynes) Kellam. The laily is a native of Iras- 
burg, and her parents were descended from English 
Puritan ancestors. Her father Wiis born at Wind- 
ham, Conn., while her mother's birth occurred at 
Concord, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge are tiie par- 
ents of five children, four daughters and a son: 
Klizalieth, the eldest, is the wife of Edward F. 
Welch, of .lauesville; Harriet wedded .loliu S. 
Hatch, and resides at Washington, D. C; Emma F., 
is the wife of David F. Wilcox, of Quincy, III.; 
Carrie L. married Clarence L. Clark, of Janesville, 
and Frederick M. wedded Edith Gibson, and re- 
sides in Kalamazoo, Mich., where lie is now serving 
as Secretary of the Kalamazoo Paper Company. 

Dr. Hodge is now serving liis fifteenth year as 
pastor of the F"irst Baptist Church of .lauesville, 
and has won a strong hold upon the respect and 
affections of his congregation. From a character 
sketch of him, which was written by a fellow 
clergyman, we quote the fullowing tribute to his 
ability aiul pure Christian life: " His sermons are 
all clear expositions of the Divine Word. Theo- 
logicallj' ex.act and scri|)tural, alw.ays thoroughly 
prepared with the riches of a ripe Christian exper- 
ience, he brings to his people in his ministrations 
a (iospel feast. His people like to see him in the 
pulpit; lliey are sure to be instructed, and as a le- 
sult he indoctrinates his congregation and huilds 
them up. Few congregations are better instructed 
in the doctrines of the Word of (loil. than the 
churches of .lauesville and Kalamazoo during his 
ministry over them. As a p.astor. Dr. Hodge is 



wise and sympathetic, knows Lis people thoroughly, 
is their recognized leader and guide, and feeds his 
flock like a shepherd, giithering the lambs in his 
arms and carrying them in his bosom. With his 
fine abilities as a preacher, his decided executive 
talents .and excellent gifts for p.astoral labor, he has 
for many years been regarded as one of the ablest 
of Christian ministers. In the State where he now 
resides, and in the city where fourteen years of his 
life have been spent, he is known .as a good man 
and a faithful herald of .lesus Christ, watching for 
souls." 



\tOHN H. cooper, a leading citizen of 
Clinton Township, residing on section 1,'), 
was born in Rockingham, Windham County, 
_ Vt., Nov. 22. 1804. and is a son of John 
and Diana (Dimes) Cooi)er. who were descendants 
of an old Connecticut family. Their family num- 
bered four children, namely: Fannie, who became the 
wife of Hope Lathop; Caroline who married 
.losiah Drury; John II.. of tiiis sketch; and Will- 
iam, who is a resident of St. Albans, Vt. The 
death of Mrs. Cooper occurred in March, 1807. and 
the husband was again married, his second union 
being with .lane ^lorrison. by whom he had six 
children — Louis, Laura. N.ancy, Il.arvey, Mary and 
Warren, all of whom lived to mature years. The 
death of Mr. Cooper occurred at Alstead, N. H., at 
the age of seventy-seven jears. 

The days of his boyhood and youth our subject 
passed in his native State, receiving a liberal edu- 
cation in the public-schools. When twenty-one 
years of age, he left the parental roof, going to Ver- 
mont, where he worked upon a farm durino- the 
summer, returning home the following autumn, 
after which he engaged in teaching school. On 
the 18lh day of November, 1828. lie formed a mat- 
rimonial alliance with Miss Dolly Huston, a dauo-h- 
ter of Alexander Huston, their wedding being cel- 
ebrated in Ackworth, N. H. Eight children 
were born of this union, six of whom are now liv- 
ing — Flora, widow of Gardner Johnson, is now- 
residing in Turtle Township; .lolin A., who mar- 
ried Laura Walker, now makes his home in Jewell 
Junction; Henry, who enlisted in the 12th New 



1- 




,t 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-1- 



York Infantry for three months' service and at the 
expiration of tiiattlme re-enlisted in the 57th New 
York Regiment, and was killed at the battle of 
Antietam; Dolly married .losiah May and resides 
at Harvard. 111.; Oeorjje, who enlisted in the Slh 
Wisconsin Infantry and served with honor for 
thrc* years, participatinsj' in many hard fought 
battles and foi' the last fonrteen months was on 
detached service, carrying mail, with headriuarters 
at W.ashington, ]). ('., is at i)resent occupying a 
position in the Postollice department at the Capi- 
tol; Nanc\- is the wife of A. D. Parker, a resident 
of Shopicre; Iliram is living in the town of Clin- 
ton, where he is engaged in farming: and Solon 
resides on the old homestead, and his father ni.akes 
his home with him. Mrs. ('oojK'r. who was a most 
excellent lady and highly esteemed, died, Dec. 30, 
1854. Mr. Cooper afterward married Sarah Blood, 
whose death occurred in Shopicre in April, 1865, 
and for his third wife he wedde<l Loraine Bard. 
who dcpirted this life in Sliopierc in 1874. His 
present wife, was in her maidenhood, Miss M.ary 
Barton. 

For almost thirty-five years .Mr. Cooper has 
been a resident of Rock County. In the spring of 
1845, he first came to the West, locating on Heart 
Prairie. W.ilwortli County, where he made his home 
for ten years, when he removed to Clinton Corner, 
residing on a farm where Mr. N'anderlyn made his 
home. He made that removal for the purpose of 
•affording better educational .advantages for his 
children. Three years subsc(iuent to that time, in 
the spring of 1858. he went to Sliopiere, where he 
cng.aged in the real estate business, continuing 
in that line with good success until 1880, wiien he 
again became a resi<lent of Clinton Tt>wnship, 
where he still makes his home. He is a man of 
more than ordinary ability, is one of the strictest 
integrity' .and possesses a reputation f<)r f.air deal- 
ing. He is genial jind accommodating and holds 
an enviable place in the regard nf his many fi lends 
In early life, ^Ir. Cooper was a Whig, but when 
Gen. ■Iacks(m was a candidate for Presidency sup- 
ported the Democratic parly. At the organi- 
zation of the Free-Soil party, he was among the 
first to espouse that cause, and being in favor of 
abolition, when the Republican party was formed 



to prevent the further extention of slaver^', he 
joined the ranks of that great organization. He 
h.a.s been honored by his fellow-citizens with sev- 
eral official positions of trust, and while residing 
in Walworth County was elected .Tustice of the 
Peace and Notary Puljlic. ha.s served as Notary 
Public of Rock County, and when there were but 
seven Supervisors in the entire county, he was 
electe<l a member of that Board for two years. 
He is a representative and influential citizen and 
h:is ever been a liberal supporter of all public en- 
terprises. 

KNRY ROGERS, of the firm of Rogers & 
Hutchinson, painters, and dealers in paints, 
oils and varnishes, is one of the leading 
business men of Janesville. The firm to 
which he belongs, was established in 1802, and is 
the oldest house in its line in the city. Tlu'v clo 
an extensive trade in paints, oils, etc.. and during 
the busy season employ aliout twenty -five men. 

Mr. Rogers was born near Bristol, in Somerset- 
shire. Kngland. on the 1st d.ay of August, 18."$9, 
and is the son of is.-uic and Elizabeth (Barter) 
Rogers, both of whom are natives of England. 
Our subject emigrated from his native country to 
America in 1855, and after landing in New York, 
came directly to R(jck County. Wis., locating at 
Beloit, where he entered regularly upon a three 
years apprenticeship to the painter's trade, under 
William Kussell, of that city. His term of service 
having expired, he continued with his employer 
until 180(1, w irking .as a journeyman painter, until 
going to Memphis, Tenn., where he engaged at his 
tr.ade for one year, or until the breaking out of the 
late war, when not relishing the idea of being 
forced into the Confederate Army, he returned to 
licldit. In 1.SG2. he came to Janesville, and fiirme<l 
the existing partnership with S. Hutchinson, which 
has continued without interruption until this writ- 
ting, covering a period of twentj' -seven years. 

Mr. Rogers was united in marriage at Jaiu'sville 
on the 28tli day of February, 1.^(15. with Miss Mary 
Robertson, who was hum in Scutland, and came to 
America in childhood. After five years of happy 
wedded life, her death occurred in Februar\ , 1870, 



4 



I. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



467 



f 



leaving one cliil'l, (leorgc H.. who is now !i resi- 
(Ifiit of Janesvillc. On tlic Mill dnv of August, 
1H71, Mr. Rogoi'.s was attain inaiiii'd, his second wife 
heing Miss May Day. a daugliler of Kdwiu'd Day. 
She was lioin in Somersetshire, Knghand. and hc- 
canie a resident of America in 18fi7. 

.Mr. Uogeis is a nieinlter of .lanesviiie Lodi;e No. 
5.j, A. F. i^' .\. M., of Janesvillc Chaptci. No. ;"), 
H. A. M. ; and of .hinosviile Comniandery, No. 2. K. 
T. lie also holds nienihersliip in Wisconsin Lodge. 
No. 14, I. O. ( ), v., and was a nietnher of the lic- 
loit Fire Department from \sr,r, until I.S(i2. On 
coming to .lanesville he joined the Fire Department 
of this city, in which he retained meniljershi|) for 
nine years. .Mr. Rogers is master of liis trade, 
having had more that thirty-five years ex|)erieiice 
in that line, and the firm nf wliich he is senior 
nieniher has won :i reputation for fine work and 
fair dealing that has brouglit them success and 
Iniilt u|) an extensive and flourishing business. 



I 



iMi -^''^'^^ ^ • I-Ol'I^O^'. «f .lanesville, is a na- 
jl \V five of ^■ermont. horn A\n-\\ 8, 1837. 
When in his tenth year, lie came with his 
])arents to this city, where he has resided 
continuously since, a jjeriotl of forty -three years. 
Here he received his education, and in early life 
learned the trade of boot and shoe making with 
his father. On the 6th tlay of February, 1861, he 
led to the marriage iUtar Miss Wealthy M. Parker, 
who was born in Oneida County, N. Y., Dec. lit, 
1836, and was a daughter of Lewis Parker, one of 
the early settlers and a prominent and representa- 
tive citizen of that county, who removeil from the 
Kmpirc State to llarleu), Winnebago County, 111., 
and there passed the remainder of his life. 

After their marriage »Mr. and Mrs. Loudon con- 
tinued to reside in .lanesville until May 27, 187'J, 
when the wife was called to her final rest. They 
were the parents of f<nir children, but only one is 
now living. Fred , I., the oldest, liorn Dec. 12, 18(il, 
died Aug. 15. I860; Susie M., born May 21, 1863, 
died .Ian. 13, 1878; Fannie II.. born .\ug. 12. 18G7, 
is still with her father; .lossie M., born Oct. 28, 
1869, died Sept. 30, 1870. After the death of his 



first wife, Mr. Loudon was again married, his 
second union which vvas celebrated Sept. 1, 1881, 
being with Miss Amelia L. Moore, a daughter of 
ll.'istings A. MooiP. Her fatiier was born in 1814, 
in Montgomery, Mass., where he was reared to 
manliood, anil married Miss Dorcas Frarc}', a na- 
tive of Southampton, .Mass. In 1H.J7, Mr. Moore 
e:une to Rock County, an<l returning to Massachu- 
.s('tts the following year l)r(jught his family to the 
West and loeateil permanently in .lanesville, in 
M;iy, 18.58. His formei- life had l)een spent in 
farming but after his airival in this city he followed 
painting until his death, which occurred in 1862. 
His wife still resides in .lanesville. They were the 
parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Loudon, 
who w.as born in Massachusetts, in 1844, is the 
eldest; Ophelia, who was the wife of Ilorance R. 
IJliss, dieil in Febr\iary. 1873; and Katie, wife of 
.Ian»cs Moore, died Dec. 27, 1888. By the second 
union of Mr. Loudon, two children have been 
born — Genevieve F. and Harry \'. 

When the late war broke out Mr. Loudon was 
among the first to resjiond to the country's call for 
troops, and in May, 18(;i enlisted in the 5th Wis- 
consin Infantry, as one of the musicians of the 
regimental band. His brother James also enlisted 
in the same regiment. He served under General 
McClellan, but after fourteen months was dis- 
charged in August, 1862, at the time when regi- 
mental bands were abolished. He is now residing in 
.lanesville, and is the owner of about three-fourths 
of the laud located by his father, which is situated 
on lilock 178. 

-J^il^ 



^ IfelLLLVM T. VAN KIRK, a leading grocer 
\rJ// of .I:inesville. Wis., was born in Carleton, 
^Af Orleans Co., N. Y., .Ian. 2.5, 1843, and his 
parents were .lohn .1. .-ind Fli/.aheth A.^'an Kirk, both 
descendants of old Holland families. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject was Oliver Van Kirk, 
who settled in Western New York about the year 
I7'.»0. Our subject came to Wisconsin with his par- 
ents in 1845. an<l settled on a farm near Milton, in the 
town of Harmony, where he attended the district 
sirhool in the winters until he arrived at the age of 
thirteen, and then attended Milton College for 



r 



468 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-f 



two terms. Ho came to Janesville in 1858. and 
was employed in tiie provision store of C. II. Con- 
rad until the winter of 18fi2-63, when he embirked 
in ijusiness for himself, opening a small grocery on 
North Main street. In January, 1864, he formed 
a co-partnership with J. II. Conr.id, now a memlier 
of the wholesale spice house of Bell, Conrad it Co., 
of Chicago, which partnership succeeded to the busi- 
ness of C. H. Conrad, with whom our subject had 
formerly been employed. This partnership expired 
by limitation in 1869, and since that time Mr. Van 
Kirl< has been nlone in business, occuiiying a store 
on South Main street, having had an uninterrupted 
experience in tlie grocery business for almost 
thirty-two years. During tliis time he has built 
up a large and i)rosperous trade, and h.is estab- 
lislied for himself a perraanent place among the 
successful business men of .lanesville. The mother 
of tiie sultject of our sketch died in Janesville Aug. 
18, 1887. The father is still living. 

On the 6th day of May, 1868, :Mr. Van Kirk was 
united in marriage with Miss Belle Bostwick. a 
native of New York, whose birtiiplace was near 
Batavia. Five children grace their union, four 
sons and a daughter — Fannie Belle, William C, 
Frank W., Joseph A., and James Garfield. The 
latter was born on the day that Gen. Garfield was 
nominated for the Presidency, and in whose honor 
he w.as named. In polities, Mr. Van Kirk is a 
thorough Repulilican, and since becoming a voter 
has cast his ballot with and labored earnestly for 
the success of th.at party. lie has lield various 
public positions of honor and trust, having served 
two j'ears as a member of the Cit}* Council, as a 
memlx'r of the Board of Trustees of the State In- 
stitute for the Blind, and Treasurer of the same 
over four j'ears; Secretary of the Hock County 
Agricultural Society six years; a member of the 
Janesville Fire Department twenty-one years, and 
President of tlie same several years. Being a re- 
cognized leader in local politics, he was twelve 
vears ago chosen Chairman of the Republicen 
County Committee, and has faithfully served in 
that capacity to the present time. Socially, lie is a 
member of Janesville Lodge No. .55, A. F. A- A. M,; 
Janesville Chapter No. 5, R. A. M.; of Oriental 
Lodue No. 22, Knights of Pytliias; Mohawk Tribe 



No. 3, Independent Order of Rod Men; and Rock 
Count}- Caledonia Society. Mr. Nan Kirk with 
several others procured the charter for the present 
Electric light plant, also the street railway, and the 
Janesville Hj'draulic Company, who afterward do- 
nated their interests in these several enterprises to 
further the city's growth and welfare, in which he 
has made his home. 

In 1883 ^Ir. A'an Kirk, with a few business 
friends, organized the Janesville Hay Tool Com- 
pan3% was elected first Vice President, and at tiie 
expiration of one year, elected President of the 
companj-, which office he still holds. Mr. A'an 
Kirk is an enterprising, successful business man ; 
broad and liberal in his views resjiecting pulilic 
policy, and can ahv.iys be relied u|)on to faithfully 
perform whatever lie undertakes. He belongs to 
the [irogressive class of Janesville's citi>-ens. and is 
well-informed on all the leading issues of the d.-iy. 
It is Mr. Van Kirk's intention to soon retire from 
active mercantile business, and we join with his 
many friends in wishing him a long life in his 
beautiful home, surrounded by his family, that he 
may enjoj' the fruits of his labor. 



■'•«Cj12127©-*@»'^^^>-^^JOT»>--, 




^j, NDREW STEVENS, an honored pioneer of 
Lill Rock County, now residing in Janesville, 



was born in the town of Stamford, Conn., 
Dec. 5, 1810. His paternal ancestry set- 
tled in that State before the French and Indian 
War, which began in 1755. The paternal grand- 
father was Seth Stevens, and the father of our sub- 
ject also bore that name. The latter was born 
March 4, 1765. and the last twenty-five years of 
his life were spent at the home of our subject, where 
he passed quietly awaj' Aug 28, 1864. Plad he lived 
but a few months longer he would have attained to 
the age of one hundred years. He retained his fac- 
ulties to a remarkable <legree. his hearing being 
perfect and his eyesight good. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Abigail Jones, died when An- 
drew was but four years of age. They had but 
one other child. Smith, who was four years older 
than Andrew and who died in 1886. 

When Andrew was but two years old his parents 



^ ^ ^ 



;!- 



ROCK COUNTY. 




469 



} 



removed to Cayuga County, N. Y., where his 
mother died, and after seven years spent in that 
place lie went, witii liis father to Orleans County. 
Leavinsj tiie parental roof at the age of eighteen he 
became a resident of Chautauqua County, whereon 
the 2d of Xoveinher, 1S.'5!), lie wedded JMiss Belva 
Bostwick, who was born in Jamestown, that county, 
June ;'). 1821. As far back as her ancestry on the 
l»atern;d side can lie traced it is ascertained that 
tliey were resiilents of New York. Her grand- 
father, Medad Bostwick, wa.s a native of the Empire 
State, a te.iciier by piofession and a man of consid- 
erable education Un- tiiat early day. He died at 
Pittslnirg, Pa., at an advanced age. Her maternal 
grandfatlier, Joiin pjvans, died in eastern New 
York, on the Hudson where he had spent his life. 
Tlie parents of INIrs. Stevens were Alexander and 
J>ucinda (Evans) Bostwick. and were early settlers 
of Chautauqua County. N. Y.. where the death of 
both occurred. 

After their marriage our subject and his wife re- 
mained residents of Chautauqua County for several 
years, and tliere two children were born to them. 
In lS43they emigrated to the West, arriving at 
Janesville on the 11th of October, at which time 
the town had but 300 inhabitants. They were ac- 
companied by D. W. Davis, who liad previously 
puichased 200 acres of land in Center Township. 
Half of this tract Mr. Stevens bouglit before they 
started for the AVest on condition that if he did not 
like the land lie w.as not bound to accept it. On 
this tup Mr. Davis was not accompanied liy his 
family but they later became residents of Center 
Towusliip. Mr. Davis died in Evansville, and his 
family have long since departed from this place. 

On reaching Center Township, Mr. Stevens 
found the land which he had purchased of .Mr. 
Davis to lie in good condition .iiid in a desirable 
locality, and at ouce began the development of a 
home. Erom time to time he addi'd to his original 
possessions until at length he owneil 4(t0 acres. 
Like most of the pioneers he did not possess a large 
amount of this world's goods on coming to Rock 
County, but by industry and good man.agement, 
together with the natural increase in the value of 
the land, he became wealthy. After continuing 
the cultivation of his farm until i.s,s| he decided 

4* 



to retire from active life, and with his wife, who 
faithfully shared the labors and trials of pioneer 
life, removed to Janesville, where they yet reside. 

The family circle of this worthy coujile was com- 
l)leted by the birth of four sons: Emerick Andrew, 
who was born in New York May 28, 1841, and now 
resides in Thayer County, Neb., married Sarah 
Coryell, and to them have been born two children, 
Su.san and Nettie, the latter being the wife of Al- 
bert Cropsy; William ('., born in New York, Jar.. 
7, 1843, now lives in Adams County, Neb; George 
.Hmith. born March 26, 1846. in Center Township, 
married Emma Burdick. and is engaged in farming 
in Jefferson County, Wis; Henr^- S., born Nov. 2, 
1851. married Lucinda Bailey, and resides on the 
old homestead. For the long period of forty-six 
years Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have been residents of 
Rock County, during which time they have gained 
the confidence, respect and esteem of all with have 
whom they come in cont.act, and are numbered 
among Janesville's most worthy citizens. 

->, ^^^ <^ 



■S^DWARD L. SPENCE, editor of the Weekly 
lis Telephone of Milton. Wis., is a native of 
/ i — ^ New York and was born in Brooklyn, .Vpril 
15, 18411. The family is descended from Scottish an- 
cestry of the old Presbyl(frian stock, and is noted 
for longevity. The maternal grandfather, who 
emigrated from Scotland anrl settlc<l in the north 
of Ireland, attained to the age of ninety -six years, 
and his wife reached the extreme old age of one 
hundred and six. The jiarents of our subject are 
Thomas and .lanette (Leslie) Spence, whoemigrated 
with their family lo Wisconsin in 1849, settling in 
W.aukesha Couiily, where thej' ^-et reside. Mr. 
Spence is now operating an oleg.<vnt hotel in AVau- 
kesha. and deals quite extensively in real estate, 
lie prob.ably owns at the present time 250 lots in 
the Hyde Park addition to Waukesha, and owns a 
business block which rents for $1,000 per vear. 
The children horn to Mr. and Mrs. Spence are five 
in number, of whom Edward of this sketch is the 
ehlest; T. II., who has been engaged in the whole- 
sale drug business in La Crosse since 1875. and 
also handles a large amount of paints, married Jliss 



■^ j f ■»-- 



< k 170 



•*^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



AfMa Wycoff; Jennie is now tiie wife fif Van II. 
I'lUii^bee. a resirlcnt of \\',miI<i's1i:i; K. Leslie lias 
been engaged in the iliui^ liusines.s in North J-a 
Crosse foi' a |RMio<l of ten years, and was also chief 
of the lire department for a nnniber of years; 
Kinnia, llic youngest, is tlie wife of H. M. Veddcr. 
a condnetor on tiie Milwaukee and St. Paul l\ail- 
road, .'uid resides in Wauliesha. 

( )ur subject was an infant on the removal of his 
I)arents to Waukesha, where he spent his earl}' life. 
He received a liberal education, graduating from 
Carroll College, Waukeslia. in the class of 18ffl). 
after which he began his business career as editor 
of the \Va\ikesha Democrat, which he conducted 
for eiglit years, lie soon removc'd to Dakota, 
where for six years he was editor and proprietor of 
tlie Aberdeen UejmbliiMii and the I-'rederick Frfi> 
Prcus, when he gave his atteiilion to the study of 
law and was admitted to |)r;u-tice in nil the terri- 
torial courts in liSHI. in the month of Xo\em- 
ber, 1.SH2, he was electecl County ,Iudge of the 
I'robatc Co\irt of IJrown County, Dak., serving 
one term. lie continued the pi'aetice of law in 
that eommuuily until tlie fall of l.SSi;, when he 
returned to the home of his i)aienls. lint after re- 
maining in Waukesha for a short time removed to 
.Milton in .September, 1887. He succeeded .1. C. 
IJartliolf .as editor and proprietor of the Weekhj 
Telephone, and is now doing a good business. 

In the month of June, lM7.'i, Mr. Spence was 
united in marriage with Miss Caroline K. De\inny, 
a resident of Detroit, Mich. Unto them have been 
born three children, two of whom are now living: 
Ada, the eldest, born in August, 1871, died in June, 
1886; Harry, born in .luly, 1«77, is now learning 
the printer's trade with his father, and Laila, b<irn 
in Feliruary, 1881, completes the family. 

Mr. Spence is a representative citizen of Kock 
County, and one of the leading business men of 
Milton. He is now located in the building just 
completed on the east side of the square, opposite 
the depot, where he has comfortalile and commo- 
dious (juarters. He has alw;iys taken a leading 
interest in the welfare of the community in which 
lie resides, and in politics has supported the I»e- 
publicaii party since attaining his majority. Social- 
ly he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the 



lnde|)endent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights 

of I'ytliias. and was a charter nienilier of the first 
lodge of the latter order ever organized in Wis- 
consin. He has held various otlices in the several 
lodges to wliicli lie belongs, and is ahiglily respected 
citizen. 



•jfJOlIN CROWLKY. an engineer running on a 
[las.sengcr train between Janesville .'iiid Cale- 
donia Junction, on the Madison division of 

. , the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, has 

made his home in .lanesville since 18.')l,and has 
lieeii with the road under its dilferent management 
since 18r)7, covering a period of thirty-two years. 
lie was liorn in County Clare, Ireland, on the 14th 
<lay of June. 1843, and his parents, Patrick and 
liriiiget Crowley, were also natives of the lunei-ald 
Isle. Ill 1818 Patrick Crowley crossed the ocean 
to Aiiieriea and settled in Mclleiiry Couiitv. III. 
His family followed soon after, and he was soon 
employed on construction on the Chicago, St. Paul 
anil Fond du Lac Railroad, with which he was con- 
nected until 187 1. 

Our subject alleuded the public schools of 
M(dlcnry County until si.Kteen years of age. when 
he entered the employ of the railroad as water boy 
on the Chicago di\ isloii. For two vears he con- 
tinued in that line, when lie became lirciiiaii, serving 
as sucli until promoted to the position of engineer 
about the time he attained his majority in KSCy. 
He was jilaced in charge of a freight train at tli.al 
time and in 188(1 was given control of a passenger. 
He has been singulaily fortunate in his woik for 
never through any fault of his has an accident been 
caused or the comp.aiiy sustained any loss. He 
receives the fullest contidciice of his employers as 
is attested by his long continued service. From an 
humble position he has worked his w.iy uji. wiiinin" 
favor with all. and he has a tliorough knowledge of 
the engine in all its details. 

On the oth day of Novemlicr, 1873. Mr. Crowley 
was married, Miss Mary Fetherstone becoming his 
wife. The lady was born in Burlington, \'t., and 
when three years of age came to McHenry County, 
111., with her parents, Michael and Catherine Fether- 
stone, who were natives of Ireland, and are now 






i 



^ 





fl: 



ROCK COUNTY. 



473 



4- 



(let-eased. Mr. aiifl Mrs. Crowley li.-ive .a fainiiy 
of seven cliildieii. six of wlmni are yet living — 
.Mieliael .V., wlio Wius horn A|iril .'4(1, 1875; Mary 
h., lpt)rii Sept. 28, 187(); .lolin .Ir., l)Oi-ii April •>(!, 
1878; Kitlie, 1m. rn Mareli 21, 1880; Irene, horn 
.May 12, 1880; and Lillian, horn Sept. 1, 1887. All 
were horn in Janesviile. Genevieve, the fifth 
child. vvJKi was hoin .Inne 21, 188 I. died on Iherdli 
da> of .Inly, 188(i. Mr. Crowley is a snpportiM- of 
the Denioeratie party, and he and his wife are 
inendiers of St. Patrick's Catholic Chnrch of 
.lanesville. 



=^s=i=: " ^- 




\ 

4 



^\ AMCKL C. HA.MILTON, deceased, was a 
respected an<l representative citizen of 
Rock Connlyfroin lH4o nntil 18(!.5, cov- 
ering; a period of twenty-two eonseentive 
years. He was a native of New York, born on the 
1 2lh day of ( (ctoher, I8(l'.l, and his parents were 
I'reeborn and Tacy ((ireen) Ilaniillon. He was 
reared to manhood in his native State, .-uid was 
married Sept. 27, 1832, in Alleghany Connty, 
Miss Hannah liaheock becoming his wife. The 
l.ady was born in Bataxia, (iem^sec Co., N. Y., 
and is a danghter of Daniel and l.ois IJabcoek and 
a sister of Dr. iiahcock, a prominent physician of 
Kock Connty, whose sketch appears elsewlu're in 
this volume. Her father was nnmbered among 
the early settlers of .Johnstown, and his death oe- 
cnrred at .AHIton in 1867. The union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Hamilton was ble.ssed with two childicn, 
a son and daughter: \Valter(T.. the eldest, was born 
on the -llh day of June, 18;i;i, and was a leading 
citizen of Milton, where he made his home fur 
many years. He was the firsti i)ostmasler under a 
Republican administration, having been ap|)uinte<l 
to that position in 18(50, an<l filled the ollice until 
1871, when he resigned. He then became a com- 
mission merchant, following that business until his 
death, whicli occurred Feb. 14, 1885. He w.as also 
a trustee of Milton College at the time of his 
death. Kmma. the younger child, who was born 
May 2.">. 1841. was educated at Milton College, 
.•Old makes her home with her mother. 

In 1842, accompanied by his family, .Mr. Hamil- 
ton left New York and the following 3'ear became 



a resident of Rock County, si'ttling on a farm on 
section 1, Town of Harmony. The land wa^ then 
in a wild and uninipiovcd condition, the settle- 
ments were few and far between, and wild game of 
all kinds \v;is still to be found in abundance. The 
nearest market was at .Milwaukee, to which city 
the journey was made with ox teams. Manv were 
the trials and hardships endureil by the pioneer 
settlers, yet to them is due the honor of hning the 
foundation u[)on which one of the Icailing counties 
in this great commonwealth has l)een reared. After 
engaging in the cultivation of his farm for several 
years, in the spring of 18,^(; Mr. Hamilton aban- 
doned .agricultural pursuits and removed with his 
family to ftHlton, where he contiiuied to make his 
li(jme until his death, which occurred July 13, 
1805. He was a member of the Seventh-day Bap- 
tist Church, to which his wife also belongs, .and 
from the time of its organization was a stalwart 
sMpi)ortcr of the Republican jiarty. Mr. Hamilton 
was well known thi-oughont the county, vvhere he 
h.ad man}' warm friends and was highly respected. 



DWIX K. CARPEMTER, attorney at law of 
.lanesville. Wis., was born in Moretown, 
L^ AVashington Co., Vt., May 12, 181.), an<l is a 
son of Ira and Rhoda (Spafford) Carpenter. His 
father was l)orn in the same town in 17!t8, and was 
descended from English Puritan ancesti'y, while his 
mother, who was a native of Vermont, was of Eng- 
lish descent. Our subject came to Wisconsin in 
1803, and graduated from IJeloit College in the 
chiss of 1870, after which he entered upon the 
study of law in the ollice of Cassoday & Jlerrill, 
both eminent lawyers of .lanesville, being .admitted 
to the bar in 1871. Two years later he formed a 
partnershij) with .bulge Cassoday, which connection 
continued until the jinlge w;is called to the bench 
of the supreme court of the State, in 1880. Next, 
he w:is associated in practice with S. J. Todil, of 
lieloit, for one 3'ear, the lirm having a br.anch otlice 
at that place. On the 1st of July, 1883, he formed 
a partnership with E. D. McGowan, the present 
clerk of the court, with whom he was associated 
until January 1886, when his partner retired to en- 



474 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■*^~i t""^* 



\ I 



ter upon the duties of his present office. Since 
that time Mr. Carpenter has been alone in practice. 
His oflice is sittiaterl on tlic second floor of Lappin's 
block and is composed of the suite of rooms at tlie 
corner of Milwaukee and Main streets. From a 
larwe window which is placed transversely at the 
corner, a splendid view is obtained of the most 
important business center of the city, while the 
general advantages of location and arrangement of 
the rooms make it one of the most desirable law 
offices in town. Mr. Carpenter is a Republican in 
politics, Init has never been ambitious for the hon- 
ors of public office, lie has, however, served two 
terms as City Attorney, first in 1879, and again in 
1880. 

^Ir. Carpenter was married at Janesville. on the 
ISth day of December. 1873, his union being with 
.Aliss Emma A. Lappin. who was l)orn in this city, 
and is a da\igliter of Thomas and Mary ,1. (Jack- 
man) Lappin. who are among the earliest pioneers 
of this county, and whose sketch appears elsewhere 
in this work. Two children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter — Edwin Lappin, Sept. 2, 
187;'). and Henry Fayette, Oct. 3. IS7!). The 
mother attends the Episcopal Church. Some years 
since Mr. Carpenter erected a fine building situated 
on the south side of Milwaukee street and on the 
east side of Rock River, or rather over the river. 
The title to the site was obtained by a quit claim 
deed from Thomas Lap|)in. owner of the adjoining 
propert}' to the eastward ; and the erection of the 
building mentioned led to extended litigation as it 
was claimed that the site being in the river, the 
title did not rest in the purchaser or the original 
claimant, Mr. Lappin. After Mr. Carpenter had 
given notice of his intention of liuilding over the 
river, an injunction was issued to restrain him from 
carrying out his purpose. The case was won by 
liira in tlie lower court, to which it had been taken 
on a change of venue. Judge A. Scott Sloan presid- 
ing. It was then appealed to the Supreme Court i 
of the State, where the decision of the lower court 
was sustained. A second injunction was granted 
on the grounds of obstructing the river under a 
law passed on purpose to cover the disputed point. 
Mr. Carpenter made such a strong show of defense 
tiiat the plaintiffs in the case offered to witlulraw 



the injunction, which was done. For over seven- 
teen years, Mr. Carpenter has been actively en- 
gaged in his profession at Janesville. has won a 
foremost place at the bar of Rock County, and has 
I)uilt up an extensive and lucrative practice. 



ERAMUO M. HANCHETT. senior member 
,--, of the firm of llanchett it Sheldon, whole- 
^^5«i s^lc and retail dealers in harilware. ironi 
etc., is located in business at Nos. 24 and 2() South 
Main street. Janesville. Wis. This prominent mer- 
cantile liouse was founded b^- Mr. llanchett in 
1874, and six vears later A. H. Sheldon was 
admitted into the business as a partner. They 
have built up an extensive jobbing and retail trade 
at Janesville. their annnal business amounting to 
from t!7o,000 to ^80,00(1. They carry a full and 
comi)lcte line of hardware, iron, wagon stock, car- 
riage hardware, .stoves, nails, tinware, etc. In 1887 
the}- established a branch house at Duluth, Minn., 
where they do an important jobbing and retail 
hardware business. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Oneida 
Countj', N. v.. on the lolh day of August, 1814 
and is a son of J. Mark and Juliet (Titus) llan- 
chett. His father, who was also born in Oneiila 
County, w.as of French Huguenot ancestry, while 
his mother was descended from an old Connecticut 
famllj' of English origin. When a lad of nine 
years, Mr. Hanchett came with his parents to Janes- 
ville, in 1853, and was educated in the high scliool 
of this city, also taking a course in the Janesville 
Business CoUoge. He entered upon his business 
career as clerk in the store of W. J. Doolittle. a 
hardware merchant of Janesville, and continued 
with that gentleman for three yeai-s, when he es- 
tablished himself in the hardware business at 
Cresco, Iowa. For six j-ears he operated his store 
at that place, and for three years was engaged as 
traveling salesman for a jobbing house. In 1874 
he sold out his stock in Iowa and opened his pres- 
ent store in Janesville, in which he has been quite 
successful. 

Mr. llanchett was married in the town of liar- 



■^•■ 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 75 






monv. Rock County, on tlie 4th day of Seiitember, 
186(>. Miss Anna Spauldinj^ becoming his wife. 
The lady is a daughter of .Joseph Spaukling, Esq.. 
and was born in this county, where her parents 
were numbered among the early settlers. By their 
marri.age a familj- of four children have been born. 
Delia, the eldest, is the wife of D. K. .Jeffries, a 
prominent lumber dealer of Janesville; Fred M. 
is a student of the State University, while the 
younger cliildren are Etta and Mary. Mrs. Ilan- 
ehett is a member of the Congregational Church. 
Mr. Hanchett, in his political sentiments is a Re- 
publican and soci.iUy is a Ivnight Tem])lar M.ason, be- 
longing to Western Star I^odge No. 1 4, A. F. and A. 
M. ; Janesville Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., and to Janes- 
ville ComraanderyNo. 2, K. T. He is also a mem- 
ber of Oriental Lodge. No. 22, Knights of I'ythias. 
lie is a stock-holder and director in the Janesville 
Hay Tool Compan^v, and was formerly its vice 
president. Mr. Hanchett has long been recognized 
as one of tiie leading business men of Janesville, 
and has won prominence and success by indefati- 
gable inilustry and application to legitimate busi- 
ness. 




/^AII.VRLES L. CLARK, M. D.. w.as born in 
(|( .Janesville, Wis., on the 2tith day ofNovem- 

^^' ber. 18.^8, and is a son of Luther Cl.ark. a 
well-known contractor and builder of this city. He 
was educated in the public schools of .Janesville, in- 
cluding the course in the high school, anil after 
comi)leting his literary studies for a number of 
years engaged in the drug business, where he laid 
the foundation for that profession which he has 
entered upon as his life's work. In the year 1871). 
he became a student in the ollice of Dr. Egliert E. 
Loom is, and subsequently attended a course of lec- 
tures at Rush Medical College at Chicago, from 
which he graduated Feb. 19, 1884. He opened an 
ottice in this city immediately after his graduation 
and has here since engaged in general [)ractice with 
the exception of about a year when he pursued a 
special course at the I'^ye and V,:\r lufirinary at 
Chicago. 

Oct. 21, 1886, Dr. Clark was united iu marriage 
-^« 



with Miss Fannie J. liay, a daughter of Addison 
Ray. Nearly his entire life thus far the Doctor 
has spent in Janesville. and he is held in high es- 
teem l)y those who have known him from early 
childhood. He pursued a thorough course of in- 
struction to fit him for his profession and the suc- 
cess to which he has .already attained warrants the 
assertion that if life .and health are preserved a 
successful and useful career awaits him. 




JIIOMAS POTWIN CIL\ PIN. a practical and 
representative farmer, residing on sections 4 
'^^^' and :>, Union Township, is numbered among 
the pioneer settlers of the county, having for more 
than half a century been identified with its history. 
His sketch deserves an honored place in this vol- 
ume, for few have borne so important a part in the 
great work of progress and transformation which 
has m.ade Rock the banner county in this great 
commonwealth. Mr. Chapin was born in Wethers- 
field, Windsor Co., Vt., on the 7tli day of M.a3', 
1819, and is a son of (iideon and Zerueah (Wells) 
Chapin. His father was also a native of the Green 
Mountain State, but his grandfather was born in 
Massachusetts, removing to Vermont in the early 
days of its history. Zerueah Wells w.as the second 
wife of Gideon Chapin. and of their union a family 
of five children were born, only three of whom 
are now living — 'I'liomas I'otwin w.as the first in 
order of birth; Hugh is now engaged in farmino- 
in the town of Janesville; and Cynthia, widow of 
.S. K. Dudley, also resides in that township. The 
members of the family, who have jjassed away, are 
Henry and Don F.. who died in Iowa. By his first 
marriage Mr. Chapin had two daughters, who are 
both deceased. 

Gideon Chapin, the grandfather of our subject, 
wa-s a blacksmith by tr.ade, which occupation his 
father also followed, being employed in that ca- 
pacity in the Revolutionary war. Our suJjject has 
now in his possession an old gun made bj' his 
grandfather at that time and presented to his 
father. Following bl.aeksniithing until 1837. 
(iideon Chapin. the father of Thomas V., then 
left his home iu the E:vst. and accompanied bv 



476 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•►Hh-* 



liis family emigrated to tiie Territory of Wisconsin, 
locating in Rock County. Laying aside his trade, 
lie turniMl hi.<i attention to farming, and entered 
about three hundred and twenty acres of land in 
what is now the town of .lanesville, which he con- 
verted intd one of tiie linest farms in tiie county, 
and upon that old homestead Hugh and Cynthia 
yet reside, l^'roni that tinu' forward he engageil in 
agricultuul pursuits, and became one of the leading 
and inlluential men of the community. lie filled 
various township otlices of trust, discharging his 
duties witii pnimptntss and fidelity, and took .m deep 
interest in all ()ulilic matters, giving liherally in 
support of any enterprise for the general welfare 
of tiie people. He helped to organize the First 
Methodist Episcopal Ciuirch of the county, and 
was .1 faithful and consistent niend)er of that so- 
ciety until his death. In political sentiment he was 
a Whig until the Drganization of the Republiean 
party, when he joined its ranks ami became one of 
its warini'St .adherents. His wife, wlio was also a 
devoted mendier of the Methodist Episcopal 
( liurrh, departed this life in IMIIl.and the death 
of Mr. ('liai)in occurred in 18()(!, at the age of 
eighty-three 3ears. The memory of this worth\ 
couple will long be enshrined in the hearts of their 
many friends, and their names will ever figure 
prominently in the history- of their adopted 
county. 

Our sul]ject passed the days of his boyhood and 
youlli in his native count}-, where he received a 
liberal education, beginning his school life in the 
common schools. In 1837 he came with his parents 
to this county, aiul from that time until the pres- 
ent lias here made his home. The now populous 
and thriving city of Janesville with its schools and 
colleges, its many fine residences, its large mercan- 
tile establishments, manufactories and business in- 
dustries, was then a little hamlet, containing but 
three log cabins and two frame buildings. On com- 
ing to the county, he worl?ed at the bl.acksmith's 
trade with his father for about two years, and in 
184(J he erected a shop on the banks of the Rock 
Hivcr, where the Bates Block now stands, and there 
made his first start in life. Intil 184.') he followed 
the trade of lilacksmithing in Janesville, and then 
removed to the town of Union, settling on land 



which he had entered the same year. He still has 
in his possession the certificate. No. 9080, signed 
by .lohii Tyler, then President of the United 
States, deeding to him l.')5.6.5 .acres on section 5, 
4 north, range 10 east, and which was recorded on 
page 480. volume 18, of the land record. He also 
has a duplicate of a deed of 37.37 acres. The 
•same year of liis removal to the farm Mr. C'liaijiii 
built a blacksmilh shop ui)on his land, wliieh still 
stands as a mark of his industry, and which was 
the second frame building in Union Townshi]). 

On the 4th day of July. 1847. Mr. Chapiii was 
united in marriage with Miss Amanda Kllsworlli, a 
native of New ^'ork. and a d.Tiighler of Jonathan 
and Amanda( r>alicock)l-;ils worth, who were also born 
in the Km|)ire .State. Their union was celebrated in 
Madison, D,ane Co., Wis., and unto them have been 
born eight children — Mary A., who is now the wife 
of .loliii liiirgess. a resident Larmcr of Inion Town- 
ship; Thomas S., wlu) died at the age of twenty- 
three years; Celia married Eugene Bullard, and 
now resides in Evansville; .lulia is the wife of 
Dakin Maine, who makes his home in Eitzburg. 
Dane Co., Wis.; Emma became the wife of Er.ank 
Iiuckmaii. a resident of Add, Iowa; Lillian was 
united in marriage with Dr. William Howe, of 
Brooklyn. Wis.; Fred ^V. and .lames are still with 
their parents. 

Mr. Chaiiin ha.s added to his original purchase of 
land until now he owns 310 acres, 300 of which are 
in one body. At the time he entered the .same 
from the Government, it was in a wild and 
uncultivated condition; not .•! fence had been 
built, a furrow turned or an improvement made, 
but the care and labor which he Inis bestowed upon 
it and the work of cultivation which has been 
steadily carried forward have transformed that 
wild prairie into one of the finest farms in southern 
Wisconsin. His entire possessions have been ac- 
quired since becoming a resident of Rock County, 
and are the result of his industry, econom3% good 
management and business ability. From the humble 
little blacksmith shop on the bank of Rock River, 
he has steadily worked iiis way upward to a jjosi- 
tion of ease and attiucncc. and it can truthfully be 
said that he is a self-made man. He has ever taken 
a deep intei-est in the welfare of the community in ^ 



^ 



>» m"^ 



■•^Hl^-^o 



ROCK COUNTY. 



477 



which he makes his honn-, and to sue!) men as 
Thonias P. C'hnpin the county owes a delit of grati- 
tude whicli can never he rcjiaid. Ry tiiem tiie 
<;i'eat work of advancement has been carried on 
until now a school and a church fjrace nearly every 
hilltop. |)rosperity is attendant upon its cities and 
villages, and the connti'v is populated by an intelli- 
gent and contented people. All i)raise is due to 
those noble pioneers who left their comfortable 
homes in the Kast, came to this Territory in the 
early days, and endured all the trials and ditliculties 
of frontier life. When the settlements were few 
and far between, at the home of Mr. Chapin the 
weary traveler always received a hearty welcome. 
Hos|)italitv there aliided.and the warm greeting ex- 
tended to all gained for the inmates of that house- 
hold a friendship and regard which will eu<lure 
while life lasts. The little cabin of pioneer days 
hits long since been replaced by a fine two-storv 
residence, but the same kindly feeling there 
abounds. In his social relations. Mr. Chapin is a 
member of the Masonic Fraternity of Kvansville, 
and politically is a stalwart supporter of the He- 
|)ublican parly. Thus we have given a brief sketch 
of the life of one of Kock County's most honored 
citizens, probably the oldest settler now living in 
the count}', knowing that it will be read with 
pleasure by his man}' friends. 



-S- 



#^ 



-i- 




-t 



ANIKL CLOW is one of the early and es- 
toeine(l citizens of .I.anesville. lie w.os 
born in the town of Sch.aghticoke. IJensse- 
laer Co., N. Y., in 1812. His father. 
I'eter (low, one of the pioneers of Rensselaer 
County, w.as a representative of one of the earlv 
families of the Knipire State, where he continued 
to reside until his death. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
county, and po,sscssing considerable talent in that 
direction, learned the tr.ide of a machinist, an<l 
subsequently engaged in the manufacture of agri- 
cultural implements in Cayuu;a County, N. Y. In 
1 818 he came tt) .lanesville. and for several years 
was engaged in building. In 18.j2. in company 
w illi .losepli II. Itudil. he est.ablished a machine shop 
4»_ 



in Janesville on rpiite an extensive scale. They 
imrchased the machinery nece.s.sary to conduct their 
business in the Eivst. and it is said that theirs was 
the first portable steam eui;ine in Wisconsin west of 
Milwaukee. They diila large business ami the en- 
terprise prospered, but at length, on account of se- 
vere and prolonged illness, .^^r. Clow was com|K>lied 
to withdraw, selling his interest to his partner. 
I'mlerthe skillful m.anagement of our subject, who 
is an excellent machinist, the business lirought rich 
returns, but after his withdrawal sales fell olT, and 
the enterprise finally ceased to exist. 

Soon after retiring from the above mentioned 
tirm.our suliject purchased a farm of 200 acies in 
Rock Townslii[), whicli he owned and operated 
for aniunber of years, lie possesses great invent- 
ive genius, and in I8.')lt the result of this genius 
was placed before the public in the form of a "Clow 
Reaper," on which he received a patent. This was 
a most successful machine and became widely 
known. It was manufactured on an extensive 
scale, thousands being sold annually, ancl Mr. Clow 
continued to realize a handsome income from the 
sales of his reaper, until it was eventually sii|K'r- 
seded by still more improved methods of harvest- 
ing. It is as tin inventor and a p.atent ollice attor- 
ney that Mr. Clow is nuist widely known, lie has 
acted for many 3'cars in the latter ca|)acity, and has 
olitained many patents for other parties. In this 
position he has been brought into correspondence 
with persons in foreign countries, who have .-solic- 
ited his assistance in connection with the I'nited 
.States Patent Office. His latest invention is a to- 
bacco planter, which is a remark.able machine, and 
of its success and i)ractical utility there can be no 
doubt. The combination of a rotary water tank 
with the main wheels of the machine is the essen- 
tial and peculiar feature of this invention, and it is 
the oidy machine of its class that involves tins 
principle. Two rows are ])lanted simultaneously 
and watered by the automatic action of the ma- 
chiiu'. In August, 1887, he received a patent on 
his invention. 

While residing in New York, .Mr. Clow was 
united in marri.age with Miss Anna Yates, a native 
of the I'",mpire State, whose death occurred in .lanes- 
ville on the loth day of November, 1881. Two 



i i 478 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^•^TT^ 



E 



-r 



children were boru unto them — Helen, now the wife 
of George W. .Strunk, a resident of Kansas; and 
Harriet, wife of 0. F. Stafford. 

Mr. Clow, as is indicated by liis inventive skill, 
possesses a large amount of tiie constructive ele- 
ment in his mental character. But he has by no 
means devoted all his attention to mechanical pur- 
suits. He is an extensive and varied reader, pos- 
sesses rare conversational powers, is well informed 
on the leading topics of the day, and is one of 
Janesville's honored and respected citizens. He is 
a firm believer in thesecoiul .advent of the Saviour, 
and hiis contributed much to current literature on 
this topic. He shuns politics, his last vote being 
cast for Abraham Lincoln in 18ti0. 



DWARD H. SMITH, an Attorney-at-law .-uul 
.Tustice of the Peace, of Kdgerton, Wis., was 
/ jL-^ born in the town of Grafton, Worcester Co., 
Mass.. on the 31st day of January, 1829, and is of 
English descent. His paternal grandfather, how- 
ever, was a native of Connecticut, and his father, 
Henry Smith, is also of New England birth. The 
latter married Miss Louisa Stone, a native of 
Northboro, Worcester Co., Mass., and they con- 
tinued to reside in Grafton, where they had lived 
for many years, until their de.ath. The father died 
in May, 1875, at the age of seventy-si.K 3'ears, and 
the mother was called to her final rest in June, 
188G, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. 
Their family numbered seven children, five sons 
and two daughters, of whom three sons and a 
daughter are living, n.aniely: James, who is the 
eldest of the family; Edward, of tliis sketch; Mrs. 
Nancy Nichols, who makes her home in New En- 
gland; and Daniel Waldo, who is a resident of 
Brooklyn, N. Y. Those who have passed to their 
final rest are: Charles, who died at Uxbridge, 
Mass., a number of years ago; and Samuel, who en- 
listed in a New York Regiment in the late war, 
serving as Orderly Sergeant of his company, and 
w.as killed at the battle of Gettysburg, July 3. 
18G3. 

The subject of this notice remained under the 
parental roof until sixteen j-ears of age, when he 

A* 



began learning the jeweler's trade, serving an ap- 
prenticeship in that line. He made his first trip to 
the West in the month of February. 1856. and 
coming to Wisconsin located at Madison, where he 
engaged with a jeweler until 18.58. Tlien he re- 
moved to Edgerton. Rock County, and engaged in 
the jeweler's business for himself, continuing in 
that line until 1861. when the Civil War broke out. 
He responded to the President's call for troops to 
put down the Rebellion, enlisting in Compau}' H, 
13th Wisconsin Infantry. For the long period of 
four years and two months he followed his C(jun- 
try's fl.ig, marching over all the seceded States, 
with the exception of South Carolina and Florida. 
He w;is verj' fortunate in his military experience, 
never in his whole term of service receiving a 
wound, nor w.as he confineil in the hospital by sick- 
ness. He was never on detached service, but was 
always found at his post of dut3-, and participated 
in many of the hardest-fought battles and skir- 
mishes of tli.at struggle. His regiment bclungeil to 
the Western Array, which was commanded b\- 
various generals, including (irant. Rosecrans, 
Thomas and Sherman. When Lee surrendered, and 
hostilities were brought to a close, he was dis- 
charged. 

Returning to his home Mr. Smith once more re- 
sumed business in the jewehy line, which he car- 
ried on until 1875, when he turned his attention to 
farming, and followed agiicuUural pursuits for 
several years, after which he again returned to 
Edgerton. He began the study of law in 1885, 
though he had given the subject considerable at- 
tention before th.at time, and is now engaged in the 
practice of that profession. In the spring of 1887 
he was elected Justice of the Peace for two years, 
and so ably did he disch.arge the duties of tiiat 
office he was re-elected in the spring of 1889. 

On the lOth d.ay of September. 18.")0, Jlr. Smith 
led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah Arnold, ;i na- 
tive of Middlesex County, Mass., and a descend- 
ant (if English ancestry. Fnto them h.as been 
born a family of eight children, three sons and five 
daughters, of whom Henry Edward, the eldest, 
died in Edgerton. in the spring of 1860, at the age 
of nine years, his disease being scarlet fever; Mrs. 
Eleanor A. Nichols now resides in her father's town 



k 



-4•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



il'J ( 1 



ill tlie old Hay State; Mrs. Jessie Davidson makes 
lici- lioine in Kdgerton ; Benjamin Franklin is now 
livin_<>: in Minntniiolis, Minn.; Mis. Lnhi Learn is 
residing in Albion, Dane Co., Wis.; Glenn and 
Rosa are still at home vvitli llieir parents; and Liz- 
zie died witli scarlet fever at alioiit tiic same time 
of her brother's death. 

'i'hiis have we given a brief sketcli of one of the 
older residents fif Edgerton, and one of Wisconsin's 
gallant soldiers, whose loyalty to ids country is 
only equaled by his faithful adherence to his 
friends. t)n the 1st day of March, 1878, he was 
called upon to mourn the death of his wife, a most 
estimable latly, at whose death a feeling of sadness 
pervaded the whole community. 







AVID CONGEU, one of the leading real es- 
tate dealers of .lanesville, has been a resi- 
dent of the city since 1879. He was born in 
Mt. Clemens, Macomb Co., Mich., in Ma}', 
1838, and is a son of David B. Conger, who was 
born in Ontario County, N. Y. Ilis father was 
there reared to manhood and was educated in the 
Canandaigua schools, graduating at the college in 
that cit}' in the same class with Stephen A. Doug- 
las. Soon after completing his studies he went to 
Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the law office of an 
elder brother, who was practicing that profession in 
Cleveland. Later, returning to the State of New 
York, he married Miss Clarissa Decker, and it w:is 
some time after before he made a permanent loca- 
tion. As early as the year 183.5 he located in 
Michigan, but subsequently returned to New York, 
and in IS-l-l came to Wisconsin, when it was yet a 
Territory. Locating at Sheboygan Falls, he en- 
gaged In the practice of his chosen profession, and 
also followed agricultural and mercantile pursuits. 
He bifcame one of the prominent citizens of that 
town and was sent to the Legislature in 1852. In 
the fall of that year he removed thence on 
acrount of failing health, and resolveil to go to 
California, in the hope of being benefited by the 
salubrious climate of the Golden State. On reach- 
ing the city of New York he was induced to 
change his mind on account of the tlattering re- 



ports that were being received from Australia, and 
sailed for the latter country on the .second ship 
that ever left the port of New York for that desti- 
nation. After two years he returned by the Isth- 
mus of Panama, having sailed entirely around the 
world. His health was much improved by the 
Australian climate and the ocean voyage, and he 
acquired considerable money in mining operations, 
but was so unfortunate as to be robbed of his hard- 
earned wealth while crossing the Isthmus. Re- 
suming business in Sheboygan County' after his 
return, he continued practicing his profession until 
the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion. In 
18G1 he raised and organized a company of 112 
men, of which he was elected Captain. This com- 
pany became part of the 8th Wisconsin, the famous 
Eagle Regiment, and Capt. Conger remained in 
command for a year, when he resigned on account 
of failing health. He commanded the company at 
the battles of Fredericktown, Island No. 10, New 
Madrid, and the battles at Corinth on the 8th and 
28th of May, 18G2. On retiring from the arm\- he 
removed to the city of Fond du Lac, Wis., and in 
1864 went to Montana, where he lemained two 
years. Returning to Fond du Lac, he was elected 
to the Legislature, serving during the sessions of 
1867 and 1868, and in the spring of the latter vear 
removed to<irand Haven, JMich.. where he eiiu-a"-ed 
in fruit-growing. His death occurred there in 
August, 1884, at the age of seventy -one years. 
Capt. Conger was in man}- respects a remarkable 
man. He was possessed of great activity .'tnd en- 
ergy, and always took a prominent pnrt in affairs 
in whatever community residing. He was the 
youngest in a family of nine children and outlived 
all the rest. His wife is still living at Grand 
Haven, Mich. They were the parents of six chil- 
dren, four sons and two daughters. Those living 
are David, of this sketch; Charles E.. editor of a 
newspaper at Grand Haven. Mich., and Byron, who 
also resides in tliat .State. The deceased were Diana, 
Charles and Clara Adelaide. 

David Conger, whose name stands at the head of 
this sketch, was reared both to agricultural and 
mercantile pursuits. On the 1st day of June, 1861, 
he enlisted in the company of .which his father was 
Captain, in the gallant 8lh Wisconsin Ixegiment, 







480 



ROCK COUNTY. 



and served until November, 1864, a period of over 
three years. On the organization of the companj' 
he was elected fourth sergeant, and on June 2.'), 
1862, was commissioned .Second Lieutenant of tlie 
company, continuing to act as such until the ex- 
piration of his term of service. He took part in all 
tiie battles in which his regiment engaged, and 
though he escaped the bullets of the enem}'. his 
health was permanently impaired liy the privations 
and exposure incident to armj' life. 

Soon after his return from the war Lieut. Conger 
was united in marriage at Fond du Lac, Wis., with 
Miss Fannie A. Uaymond, a daughter of Alonzo 
Raymond, who was one of the representative early 
settlers of Fond du Lac County. Two children 
were born of the union of this worthy couple — 
Jessie Jane and Louie. After his marriage Mr. 
Conger located witli his young bride at Grand 
Haven, Mich., where he continued to make his 
home until the fall of 1875. Going to Milwaukee 
at that time, he was engaged in the postoffice in 
that city for three and a half years, when he came 
to Janesville, and since that time he has been en- 
gaged in the real estiite and produce business. He 
was a gallant soldier in the late war, and is a 
worthy and esteemed citizen of Hock Ct)untv. He 
is a straightforward Republican, and attends the 
Baptist Church, of which his wife is a member. 
Socially lie alliliates with the (!. A. R. and A. F. 
Ar A. M. 



Jr J. JOHNSON, one of the early settlers of 
I this county, residing in the town of Clin- 
I ton, is a self-made man, having by his own 
1/ efforts risen from a humble position until he 
is now numbered among the well-to-do farmers and 
extensive land owners of .Southern AVi.scousin. He 
is a native of the Empire Slate, having been born 
in Cortland County on the 2'.1th day of July. 1811, 
and is the son of (u'orge L and liersheba Johnson, 
who were the parents of nine children, :dl of whom, 
with the exception of our sul)ject. have [lassed 
away . 

.1. J. .lohnson, wlmse name heads this sketch, 
grew to manhood in his native county wliere he re- 
ceived such educational adv.antages as were gener- 



ally afforded to farmers' sons at that date. In 
1837, he there led to the marriage altar Miss Cath- 
erine Trowbridge, a daughter of .Seth and Lucretia 
(Spoor) Trowbridge, the former a native of Con- 
necticut and the latter of the I}a\- State. In an 
early day her parents emigrated to Cortland 
County, where they were numbered among the 
early settlers. Unto them were born thirteen 
children, but of that once numerous family, only 
three are now living. 

In 18.'>.5 accompanied by his wife and children, 
Mr. Johnson, with a view of bettering his tinancial 
condition, came to the West and settled in Hock 
County, Wis., on what is now known as Jeffer.son 
Prairie, where he i)urchased eighty .acres of land. 
That formed the nucleus of his ])reseut line farm 
and to it he added until his landed possessions ag- 
gregated 436 acres, 340 of which he still owns, hav- 
ing flisposed of the other ninety-six acres. His 
pleasant home with its entire surroundings indi- 
cates thrift and refinement, the improvements are 
all that is necessary to the model f.arm of the 
nineteenth century and his stock is of the best 
grades. Mr. Johnson's life li.as been one of indus- 
try, and by his per.severanee, energy and good 
management, he has accumulated his large property. 
In political sentiment, he is now Independent, 
voting for the m.an and not for the party. For 
many years he supported the Greenl>ack parly 
and feels a pride in being numbere<l among its ad- 
herents. He is bitterly o])posed to the National 
Hank system; claiming that any banking law based 
upon the indebtedness of a country is detriment^d, 
and that it is a swindle upon the people. 

For more than half a century Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnson have traveled life's journey together and 
no couple residing within the boundaries of Hock 
County are held in higher legard or are more worthy 
the respect and confidence of their friends. Their 
union has been blessed with four children, *s fol- 
lows: Ellen is now the wife of Ira Hastings, a 
resident of Aberdeen. Dakota, and to tlieni have 
been born four children. Perrine II.. .\rtliui', K;itie 
and Paul;. I. L.. who still makes his honii' in this 
county, ni.arried Miss Emma Elcthorp and they are 
now the parents of six children. Truer, Carrie, Ilue- 
lah, Pe:ul, Maud and Katie: .Seth. a resident farmer 



I 




^ 



V 








"5 



"^ 



^ 



^^► ^ 1 <• 



ROCK COUNTY. 



483 



of the town of Clinton wedrled jMiss Emiua l>abcock, 
l)j' whom he has two cliil'Iren, Robbie and Ilariy; 
iiciilah, who is an aeconiplisiied lady and a gradu- 
ate of Lawrenee ITniversity, of Appleton, Wis., 
married DeWitt T. Johnson, and l)y their union 
three' childrt'u li.'ive been born — DeWitt S., I>ryant 
and lieulali. .Mis. ,I(>iins(jii, tiie mother of tliis 
f;iniily, who w:is a most estimable l.ady, died on tiie 
1th d;iy "f November, ISSl. 

-MH-I- 

'^Ti I.lJKirr HOLMES, who is enijagcd in farm- 
l @yLl| i ing or. se.etion 10, in the town of Milton, 
is one of Rock County's pioneers, having 
for forty-seven long years, made his home 
within her borders. He was born in Stoddard, X. 
II.. .Ian. 11), 18;52, and is a son of Luke and Sally 
1'. llulnies, the former also a native of New Hanip- 
sliire, ami tlu' latter of Massaehusctts. They were 
niaiiied in the old (iranite State, where iMi'. Ilohnes 
Sr. followed the oeeu|)atiiin of farming, and unto 
them was there born a family of nine ehildren, si.\ 
of whom grew to Tnauliooil and woni.-mhood, wiiile 
four are yet living. Cliarles, who is now a i-esi- 
dent of the town of Milton; Frank, who is engaged 
as carpenter .■luil builder in l''ayelte County. Iowa; 
M. .1.. who is transfer agent at Chicago, in the em- 
ploy of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Kail- 
road Compaii}', and Albert of this sketch. 

In IM2 the family left New Hampshire and re- 
moved to OiH'ida County, N. Y.. where they con- 
tinued to reside for ten ve.Mrs, and at the end of 
that tinu- emigrated to the Tei'iitory of Wisconsin, 
locating on the northwest quarter of the southeast 
([uarter of section 10. in the town of Milton. Mr. 
Holmes there entered a claim of fort}' acres, and at 
once began the development of the faim upon 
which lie roideil until hi> death, which occuncd 
.Ian. 22, ls7l,at the age of seventy-seven years. 
His wife survived him until April 7, 188'.). depart- 
ing this lite at the verj' advanced age of ninetv 
years, nine months and four d.ays. On the death 
of Mr. Holmes the county lost one of its best citi- 
zens, one who was always in ihe front rank of all 
public enterprises. an<l was a liberal suppolter of 
all the institutions calculated to be of public ben- 



T^ 



cfit. His wife was a member of the Universalist 
Church, and althongh ho did not belong to any re- 
ligions organization, he gave liberally of his means 
toward promoting their interests, and led a life of 
tlie slricacst integrit}-. In him the i)Oor found a 
true friend. Benevolent and charitable, he w.as 
ahviiys ready to extend a helping hand.and by many 
he is held in loving remembrance for his timely 
assistance in the hour of need. In politics he was 
a radical Democrat, and one of the most inllexible 
.adherents of that party. 

When our subject was an infant, his parents re- 
moved to New York, where the first ten j^e.ars of 
his life were spent. He then came to Rock County, 
and from that time ha.s witnessed its growth and 
develoi)nient. He was reared to manhood upon 
his father's farm, receiving his education in the 
common schools, .and on the 2.jth d.'iy of Decem- 
ber, 18;J4,was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- 
beth Hawkins, who was born in Oneida County, N. 
Y., Oct. 12, 18;!"), and is a daughter of Thomas and 
Ann (Taft) Hawkins, who were also natives of the 
Empire State. The family came to Wisconsin in 
l.sil), making their first location in Jefferson Coun- 
ty whence they removed to this county in I8.'(l. 
becoming' residents of the town of Lima, where 
Mr. Hawkins yet resides. In 1885 he was called 
upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death 
occurred on the 1st day of June. 

'I'vvo children have been born of the union of 
Mr. and .Mrs. Holmes. Blanche, who is now the 
wife of R. S. Thompson, hardware merchant of 
.Milton .lunction. by wlioni >lie has two children — - 
Eva L. and .Vlicc E. ; Addie the younger, who is at 
home with her parents. Both have received good 
educ.'ilional advantages, and are ladies of culture 
and i-etinement. 

For forty-seven yeai's Mr. Holmes has been num- 
bered among the citizens of Rock County and 
is residing upon the old homestead first located b}' 
his father, where the pioneer days were passed — 
the days when the counly w.-is in its infancy, when 
few settlement.- had been made, when its prairies 
were still in their primitive condition, and the 
smoke of Ihe In<lian wigrtani li.a<l scarcely cleared 
.away. He has been an active |)artieipant in the 
nianv changes which have taken place since that y 

■» ■ 4* 






*t^f^^ 



484 



ROCK COUNTY. 




y aft 



tiini', lias aided in its i)n>ui-ess and development, 
and has been i)iomineiit in the inoniotiuii of its so- 
cial, educational and religions interests. In politi- 
cal sentiment, he has followed in the footsteps of 
his father, and is a staunch supiiorterof the Demo- 
cratic parly, while socially he is a inemlier of the 
1. O. (). V. The eounly has no better citizens than 
Albert Holmes and his wife.nliosc many kind deeds, 
acts of charity and upright lives have won for them 
the highest respect of all. Their circle of friends 
is extensive, and the regard in which they are held 
is well merited. The [jortraits of this worthy cou- 
ple will be seen upon anothci' page. 



LLEX S. r.AKKR, of the liaker Manufac- 
turing Company of Kvansville, is a native 
of Rock County, born at Kvansville, Jan. 
12, 1K42. and is a descendant of one of the 
early 'Virginia families. On the patern.al side, the 
family is of English descent, and on the m.aternal 
side of German parentage. Ilis paternal grandfa- 
ther, Daniel Baker, was born in what is now the 
State of West Mrginia, but in early life removed 
to Ohio, settling near Cincinnati, where botli he 
and his wife resided until called from this earth by 
death. They were the parents of several sons and 
daughters, but John T., the father of our subject 
and Aaron were the onl^' members of tlie family 
who ever came to Wisconsin. The former became 
a resident of Rock County in 18:57, and the latter 
also settled in this county several years later, but 
smvived for only a few years. 

.lohn T. Baker was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, 
in October. 1800; and in the fall of 18:i7, made a 
settlement in the town of ,\von. Rock County, 
wheri' he entered a claim, upon which the family 
resided until the autumn of 1810, when seljing out 
he removed to the town of I'nioii. Again cnti'r- 
ing land, he developed a farm, the old honicsti'ad 
of the family, where he lived for man}' years, 
lie died in the village of Kvansville in April, 187(). 
He was twice married, his first union being with 
Miss Jennie Robinson, a n.ative of Ohio, who died 
in the town of Union, in llic fall of 18;')0, 
after which he weddeil Mrs. Jane (! ray Sale, whose 



maiden name of Jane Cray Sandford. .She still 
survives her husband ami resides in Kvansville. I'.y 
his lirst marriage. Air. Raker had a family of nine 
children, seven sons and two daughters, the lirst 
and last born being daughters. 'J'he eldest sister 
and two sons are now deceased, and the surviving 
members of the family are David K., who resides 
at Claremont. Iowa; Kdwar<l J., whose home is in 
Marysville, Mo. : P^ rank A., living in Kvansville. 
Stephen J., also residing in the same place; .Mien 
S., of this sketch; and Caroline, wife of John Dav- 
enport, of .San Rafael. Cal. The deceased daugh- 
ter w.a.s Mary Ann, who died after reaching wo- 
manhood ; Thomas, the 30ungest son, died at the 
age of nineteen 3-ears; and Aaron died in 1865, when 
twenty-seven years of age. 

In his earl^' years, Allen S. Baker, the subject of 
this sketch, served an apprenticeship to the trade of 
a blacksmith, which he followed as a livelihood for 
several years. AVhen the Civil War broke out he 
was one of the first to respond to the country's call 
for troops to crush out the Rcbcllicin in its infancy, 
and on the 20th day of April, 18(1 1, he became a mem- 
ber of Comp,any II, 2nd Wisconsin Infantry. His 
regiment formed part of the famous Iron Brigade, 
and with that gallant company hc-^crved in several 
of the most important battlesof the war, including 
the engagements at (Jainesville, Fit/.hngh Crossing. 
Chancelloi-sville and tiettysbiirg. At the lirst 
named battle he received a severe flesh wound in 
the right shoulder, and was sent to the lios[)ital .-it 
I'hiladelphia. remaining there until in Kebriiary, 
186.S, when having sufHciciitly regained his 
strength, Ik; rejoined his regiment. He was again 
severely wounded on the first da^- of the great bat- 
tle of Gettysburg, July 1, 18(;.S. The wound and 
the facts attending on the .same were very remarka- 
ble. Mr. r.aker was >trnck in the abdomen b\- a 
ininie-ball. which instead of i)assing through his 
body took a circular cour.se around, struck his hip 
l)(Uie, and, glancing off, became deeply imbedded in 
the flesh of the spinal column. The surgeons feared 
to attempt the removal of the ball, lest an ar- 
tery should be severed in the act, ami the missile 
remained in the same position for many ^cars 
without any apparent change, wlu'ii it began work- 
ing its w.aj' to the surface, and on the lilth d.iy 




-4•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



485 



of Maicli, ISMi), afU-r having remained in liis body 
for nearly twenty' -six years, tiie Imllel apiieareii at 
the snifaee, punctured tiie skin and w.as removed 
by Mr. Uaker easil\' without surgical aid. 

After being wounded at Gettysburg. Mr. Baker 
was not able for further service in the field and re- 
turned to his home where he resumed the bl:ieksinitli 
tra(h' and also engaged in carriage making. In the 
sjiringdf I.S73. the Haker Manufacturing Company 
was organized b^' several of the leading business 
men of Evansville, and engages spt'cially in the 
construction of pumps and windmills. 'I'liis enter- 
|>rise at first gave employment to but two men. It 
has now become one of the most ini|)ortant nianu- 
faclnring interests of Rock County, furnishes em- 
ployment to forty men and turns out about ^75,000 
worth of work annually. Mr. IJakcr h:is had the 
general management of the enti^rprise since the or- 
ganization of the company, ami to a groat extent is 
its success due to his energies and business ability. 
lie won his wife under somewhat romantic circum- 
stances during the tr\ing scenes of the war. While 
in the hospital at I'hiladelphia, having then nearly- 
recovered from his wound, volunteers were called for 
from among the inmates of the institution who were 
then convalescent and able to |)erforni minor ser- 
vices, to guard the Rhil.-idelphia. Wilmington S; Bal- 
timore Railroad. lie was one of the volunteers on 
ttiat occasion, and while thus engaged an accident 
happened which to one of the party was of a danger- 
ous and painful character, but to Mr. Baker proved 
agOoil fortune :us it led to the acquaintance which 
resulted in his marriage. A young lad named 
Robert Sayers, living with his mother and sisters 
near the Held of duty, was severely injured by 
the accidental discharge of his gun. Mr. Baker and 
his fellow-comi-ades assisted in luirsing the lad ami 
thus he became acipiainted with the sister of the 
wounded boy, Margaret Sayers. Thnacipiaintance- 
sh'p begun under such painful circumstances ri|i- 
cned into a warmer attachment, anil when the 
'•cruel war" was nearl}' over he returned and 
made the huiy his wife; their maniage occurring on 
the 2:U\ d:iy of March. 1K(!.'>. Mrs. Baker w:is born 
on the historic Brandywine b.ittle ground, in the 
Stale of Delaware, in October, 184 I, and is a daugh- 
ter of John and Sar.ah ( lvee<l ) Sayers. Ilcr father 



died when she was liut twelve years of age, her 
mother surviving until 1>S7C. There were four 
children in the family, who grew to mature years, 
three sisters and a brother— Klizabeth, the eldest, 
died in IHHf); Margaret is the second in order of 
birth; Sarah, the youngest daughter, married 
Thomas Hawthorn, of Delaware, and Robert, the 
brother already mentioned, is also a resident of 
Delaware. 

Three children have blessed the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Baker — Klsie. born in October, 1867;John 
in .luly. I SCll; and Bessie, born in November, 187;). 

Mr. Baker is one of the representative business 
men of Rock County, and an enterprising and pro- 
gressive citizen of Evansville, in whose welfare he 
has always taken a deep interest. In politics, he 
was formerly a Republican, but is now independ- 
ent, yet favors the prohibition i)rinciples, believing 
that the liquor traffic should be suppressed by the 
strong arm of the law. Religiously, he and his 
wife are members of the Congregational Church. 



^K,-^(»WARI) F. BMSS. treasurer and manager 
jf/jl' of the (iazette I'rinting Company, of Janes- 
J^^' ville, was born in Mount Carroll, Carroll 
(^ County, 111., Feb. 15, 1814. and is the .son 
of Lewis and Marj' (.lenkins) Bli.ss, the former a 
native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Connec- 
ticut. They were among the pioneers of Carroll 
County, III., settling there in 18;j;i. In his native 
count}' young Bli.ss grew to manhood, receiving a 
literary education in the common schools and a 
commercial educiiticm in active business. lie was 
reared on a farm, and when not in school assisted 
in farm labor. When twenty years of .ige he left 
home for Harvard, 111,, ndiere for the next six 
mouths he was engaged as clerk in a drug store. 
In the spring of 18(!5 he came to Janesville, and 
entered the employ of Wright A- Hunt, leather and 
saddler}' hardware dealers, with whom hecontinuc<l 
for three years. He then eng.-iged in business for 
himself in company with Adam Hayner, in the 
same line of trade, saddlery hardware, under the 
firm name of Hayner A- Bliss. .V year later Mr. C. 
linssett became a member of the firm, and the 



•^^ 



t8« 



■*► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



business was continued under the tirni nnnie of 
Hayner. Bliss it Co. About 1874. tlie senior mem- 
ber retired, and tlie Inisiness was carried on l)y 
Hassett, Bliss A- Co. In 1H7(! J. C. Kchlin pur- 
eliased an interest, anil tlie firm became known as 
IJassett. Bliss cV- Kehlin. In 1.SH3 Mr. Bliss retired 
and purchased an interest in the Gazette I'rintinir 
Comi)any, and vvas elected trea.surer and manager, 
wiiieli [(osition he has since held. While not a 
practical prititer, he lias the ri<,dit business qualifi- 
cations for a manaser. and since forming; the con- 
nection the |iaper lias been a good paying institu- 
tion. 

On the 2.)th day of October. 18G7, Mr. l'.li.ss 
was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Ilayner, 
a daughter of Adam Hayner, and a native of 
Rensselaer County, N.Y. Knur children have 
blessed their union: (ieorge II., Harry, Knima and 
Charles L. They have adopted a nephew and 
niece of Mis. Blis*. .James and Failh Willniartli. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are members of the Court 
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and liotli take 
a special interest in the work of that organization. 
Socially he is a member of .lnnesvill(> Lodge, Jso. 
.").'). A. V. & A. M.. the Royal Arcanum, Knights 
of Honor and Traveling Men's Association. In 
lioiitics he is a Republican, and for several years 
has been chairman of the Republican City Central 
Committee. He is vice-|)resident of the Publish- 
ers' Commercial Union of Chicago. As a citizen 
he is enterprising and active, having an eye single 
to the best interests of Janesvillc ami Hock 
Count}', and is ever ready to do his part in what- 
ever is calculated for the public good. 



jfs^lLO HIRLIURT CURTIS, of .lane.sville, 
(// \\\ is one of the well known, early settlers of 
ij 11' this County. He was born in Wayne 
* County, Pa., Aug. 29, 1S28, and is de- 

scended from good old Revolutionary stock. Both 
of his grandfathers served during the dark days of 
that struggle, and were with General Washington 
during his celebrated crossing of the Delaware 
River on the ice. 

Gideon Curtis, the father of our suliject, was a 



son of .losiah Curtis, and was born in Wethers- 
fielil, Conn. When a young man he went to 
Wayne County. I'a., where he met Miss Anna 
Goodrich, daughter of Charles (ioodrich. whom he 
married. JHss Goodrich wa.s born in Glaston- 
bury, Conn., her family and that of Mr. Curtis 
having been neighbors. Subsequently both fami- 
lies removed to Pennsylvania. Gideon Curtis was 
a stonecutter by occupation, and later a farmer, 
and also followed the business of lumbering during 
the winter season. He and his wife continued to 
live in the Keystone State, near the place where 
their parents lirst settled, until their death. The}' 
reared a family of five sons and five daughters. 

Our subject w.as the youngest son of that family 
and remaineil at home under the parental roof 
until seventeen years of age, when, in the spring 
of 181;'). he made a visit to the old home of his 
liarents in Connecticut. On his return to Penn- 
sylvania in the fall of I81G, he went to Luzerne 
County, where he remained si.v years. During the 
latter part of his stay he erected and operated a 
saw-mill at a point about eight miles south of 
•Scranton. Having determinecl to try his fortune 
in the AVest, and hearing a favorable report of Rock 
County. Wis., he resolveil to come hither, and the 
autumn of 1853 found liiin in .lanesviile, and in 
the following s|)ring he removed his family to this 
place. Dui-ing the tii-t year after his arrival he 
0[)eraled a saw-mill on the east side of the river 
for A. K. Norris, and was tiien eng.aged in dr.aying 
for a number of years. For several years subse- 
quent to that time he was engaged in the wood 
trade as a member of the firm of Williams it Cur- 
tis. These gentlemen operated a retail woodyard. 
running wood down the river in boats until 1 807. 
when the business was discontinued. Since that 
lime ."Mr. Curtis has done much in the operating of 
stone quarries, furnishing stone by contract for 
railroad and street purposes. He wjis also, at one 
time, prominently identified with the manufactur- 
ing interests of this city. 

While in Pennsylvania he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Elizabeth Stout, whose acquaint- 
ance he formed in Luzerne Countw where she was 
born. Mrs. Curtis was a daughter of Joseph 
Stout, who afterwards came to Wisconsin, and set- 



r 



ROCK COUNTY. 




tied in Richland County, wiiere lie lived until iiis 
(lentil. Mr. and Mrs. Curti.s luive a son, Cliaries 
10., nliu resides in Janesville. For the long period 
of tliirty-five years, our subject has been a resi- 
(U'ul of .I.iMesvillc. and lias wiliiesM'd the gr(>at 
changes that the city and county have undergone 
in that time, lie has ever been one of the indus- 
trious and progressive bu.siness men, and has borne 
no inconsiderable part in the advancement of the 
interests of the community. 



-** 



4 



kOVELL R. GILBERT, deceased, one of the 
pioneer settlers of Rock County, was a n;i- 
- ^-^1 tive of \'ermont, born in I'ulney. April 27, 
IHl 1. lie "as there reared to niiuihond. and re- 
ceived a limited education on account of the weak- 
ness of his eyes which would not permit him to 
conline himself to his liooks. lie resideil under 
the parental roof until starting out to make his 
wa3' in the world, when thinking that the ojiportu- 
nities afforded yuinig men in the West were supe- 
rior to those in the lOastcrn States, he emigrated to 
Michigan and made his home in Kalamazoo, where 
he was employed in a distillei-y. While residing 
in that city he formed the ac((uaiutance of Miss 
Clarissa Joyce, who was born in the Empire Slate 
in 1817. Their friendship ripened into love and 
in IS III they were united in the holy bonds of 
matrimony. The young couple began their domes- 
tic life ill Kalama/.oo and their home was giaddenc(l 
by the presence of two children there born unto 
llicm — Eldriilge and Chark's. 

In the early spring of IJSIO, Mr. Gilbert c.-imi! to 
\\iscoiisin with the intention of .selecting a location 
and in the course of his travels reached what is now 
the town of Cliiitoii, Rock County. Being favor- 
ably impressetl with the country and its prospects, he 
immc(lialely returned to Michigan, and accompanied 
by his family again came to Rock County. The 
township had not then been organized, but soon 
after a meeting w:is held for that |)urpose in which 
several names wcih' prippose<l. ihpiu- proving satis- 
factory however, until .Mr. (iilbcrt suggesled that of 
Clinton, calling it in honor f)f I). C. Clinton, which 
name was adopted. In tliat coinmiuiity he devel- 



oped a tine farm and for eight 3'ears held the office 
of Township Treasurer, which long continued ser- 
vice testilies to his ability and the faithfulness with 
which he discharged his duties. 

Though many were the trials and hanlships to be 
endured, time [)assed merrily in the pioneer cabin 
of Mr. Gilbert until 18-45. when a dark shadow was 
thrown over the home by the death of the loving 
wife and mother, who died on the 20th clay of 
December. He wa.s afterward again married, his 
second union being with Miss Lydia Burt, b^' whom 
he had si.x children, namely: — Amelia, wife of 
Moses ^■catch of Neimdia County, Neb.; Frank. 
who iiiaiiied Mis.s Sarah Olmstead, daughter of 
I'age ( )lmstead, a leading farmer of Clayton County, 
Iowa; I^aFayette, who makes his home in .San 
Francisco, C'al; (ieorge wedded Leltie Killeu and 
resides in Monona, Iowa; kgbert, also living in 
Monona, is the husband of Eva Green; and Alice 
is now the wife of (ieorge Carpenter, who resides 
in Jackson County, Wis. The mother of this fam- 
ily was called to her liii.il rest on the l.jtli day of 
July, 1862, while residing in Clayton County, Iowa, 
and Mr. (Jilbert wedded her sister. Miss Harriet 
Burt. Two children were born of the last marriage, 
a son and a daughter. Frederick .and Jlonie, who 
reside with their mother in Clayton County. 

In the month of June. 18')7. Mr. (Gilbert sold his 
land in the town of Clinton and removed to Clayton 
County, Iowa, making his home in Reed Townshi|J. 
where he continued to reside until purchasing a 
farm in Giard township, near Monona. In his 
political scntiracnts he was a staunch Democrat, ami 
in the fall of 1 Still was nominated by that l)arl}' as 
a candidate for the Legislature. He made a cred- 
itable canvass, running far ahead of his ticket, but 
was defeated on account of the district being over- 
whelmingly Republican. In connection with his 
extensive farming interests, in com|)aiiy with his 
son. he engaged in the sale of agricultural imple- 
ments and did a large and lucrative business. He 
was ever fair and honorable in his dealings, w:is 
never known to intentionally wrong any one, and 
possessed the contidenee and kind regard of young 
and old. rich and poor. He was essentially a self- 
made man. his successes being attaineil through 
methodical liusiness lial.iits and carefulattention to 

»» 



f 



488 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ii^H* 



t 



every detail. He possessed untiring industry and 
l)erseverance and whatever lie undertook to do he 
was sure to acToniplish. His home relations were 
the most [ilcasant, and tlK>Mgli iihiin and unassuming 
in manner, he was earnestly devoted to his family 
and friends. Sympathetic and benevolent, many 
poor men liad reason to liold liis memory in vener- 
ation for substantial favor in the hour of need. 
He died at Ids home in Clavton County, Iowa..Iune 
21, 1877. 

— ' o6o ' ~ 

JOHN .1. U. PEASE, of Jancsville. was born 
in Knfield, Conn., .lune 25, 1817. and is 
of the New England Puritan stock. His 
father, .hidge Lorrain T. Pease, w.is a lineal 
descendant of Robert Pease of England, who set- 
tled in Salem, Mass., in 1634. His mother, Sarali 
Marshall, w:is a lineal descendant of Thomas Mar- 
shall of England, who l)ecame a resident of Bos- 
ton, Mass., in 1034, and was for many years a 
deacon f)f the first organized church society of that 
town, and also a descendant from (apt. Samuel 
Marsliali, n son of said Thonuxs, who led llie Con- 
necticut Colonists in tiie bloody l)ut victorio\is as- 
sault upon the fort of the Narr.agansett Indians, 
on the litth day of December, 1075. in which en- 
gatrement he ami a large numlier of other brave 
men "died in the bed of honor." as recorded in 
tiie annals of New England. The grandfatiicr of 
Mr. Pease on both the paternal and the mntcrnni 
sides, served in tiie Revolutionary Aniiy and 
shared in many of its trials and battles. 

The residence of Mr. Pease in Wisconsin dates 
back to 1 S4II. in lime to be numbered in the United 
States Census of that year among its small body of 
settlers. For over three j'ears lie resided in (ireen 
J}.iy, spending his time as a law student and as 
clerk in the United States land ollicc, while he also 
engaged in the survey of Government lands. In the 
winter of 1843-4 he reported for the Argus news- 
|)aper of Madison, the proceedings of the Lower 
House of the Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin. 
Alioiil the fiist of February, 1844, Mr. Pease set- 
tled in .lanesville, and for a few months was a stu- 
dent in the law otHce of Hon. E. V. Whiton, then 
the leading lawyer in tlie Territorj-. During the 

4* 



summer of 1844, much .against his will, tlie law- 
books were laid :iside, and for two years his time 
was given to surveying, there being a great rush 
of new settlers into .lanesville and the surrounding 
country, who wanted work done in that line, and 
Mr. Pease was the only person available and expe- 
rienced in such work, or who would undertake it. 
In 184fi, at the beginning of the Mexican war, he 
was tendered a clerkship by an early friend, in the 
Navy OtHce at Wasiiinglon, which offer he ac- 
cepted .and remained in that position until the 
close of the war. He then returned to Janesville, 
and was soon after admitted to the bar. since 
which time he has continued in the practice of law. 

On the 14th day of July. 1851. Mr. Pease was 
united in marri;ige with Miss Cornelia Ruger, a 
daughter of Rev. Thomas J. Ruger, deceased, late 
of .lanesville, W^is. They have three children liv- 
ing, daughters, who are all residing in or near to 
the iiome of their parents. 

From the early da3's of his settlement Mr. Pease 
has been identified with the moral, educational, so- 
cial and business interests of Rock County. Re- 
ligiously he is a communicant of the Protestant 
Ejiiscopal Church, to wiiich Ids parents also be- 
longed, in politics he is a Jeffersonian Democrat, 
and believes th.at eternal justice rules through 
the whole people. He has been elected by the peo- 
ple to various town, city and county ofilces. In 
whatever pulilic (losition placed he has endeavored 
to serve tiie interests of the people, having not the 
fear or favor of any party or person in view. C)f 
the public schools Mr. Pease has always lieen a 
friend and supporter. In 1841, when he became a 
resident of .lanesville. there was an angry contest 
going on about the erection of a public school- 
hou.se. He favored the project. The friends of 
sdiools prevailed and tlie house was built. No 
other public scliool-house was constructed in .lanes- 
ville until during the years 1M5() and 1.S57, when 
Mr. PciJse was mayor of the city. In that \ear 
two large school buildings were erected and a con- 
tract entered into for the building of the [iresent 
high school house. The site was a grant from 
Rock County to the city, conditioned for the loca- 
tion of the high school thereon, and the common 
council accepted the grant and made the location. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



481' 



4 



The responsibility of accepting the jjranl and ile- 
i-i(lin<f upon llie site was with tiie t'oninion Couiicil. 
In 181 t Mr. Pease was one uf many eiti/ens to con- 
tiiljute funds toward the estalilisiinieut of the 
.Janes\ille Academy, and was also one of the trus- 
tees of the corporation. It was a school of a high 
cliMracter, was for many years snccessfnlly uiaiii- 
taineil in the huilding erected for that purpose and 
was an honor to the town. It had a wide reputa- 
tion, and was under the chartfe, at different periods 
of lime, of sncli men .as Kev. T. J. Riiucr, Hon. 
I,e\ i Aldcn, and others. 

The tirst railway to enter .lanesville was con- 
structed li\' the corporation now known a.s the Chi- 
cago, .Milwaukee iV: .St. Paul Comi)any, and was 
built from Milton to .lanesville, occupying the line 
of the .Southern Wisconsin IJailway Company, and 
was opened about .January 1, li^o-i. .\s an induce- 
nu'nt for obtaining the road a few of the citizens 
of Janesville raised a bonus in cash, which was 
paiil to the company constructing the road. Mr. 
IVasc w.'is active in promoting the project and con- 
tributed more than a reasonable share of the bonus 
re(iuired. The city of .lanesville the same ^ear 
issued and delivered to the .Southern Wisconsin 
U;ulrtay Company !i!.")0,0(IO of eight percent, bonds 
running twenty years, to further aid in the exten- 
sion of the road west from Janesville to a point 
on the Mississippi Hiver. Xot long after this the 
two companies were consolidated into one. At 
that time cx-Covernor Dewey was president of 
the Southern Wisconsin Company; Mr. I'e.ase its 
secretary; and Messrs. I'ease, Dewey, Krnest, 
Knowlton and .Stewart the directors. All claims 
against the Wisconsin Company were paid, as 
agreeil, l>y the newly consolidated company. Mr. 
lVa.se, for his services as secretary and director of the 
Southern Wisconsin Railway Company, was ena- 
bled to recover the city bon<ls, before mentioned, 
with the interest coupons .atlaclicd, amounting to 
t!l30,0(M), which he immediately transferred to the 
city of Janesville, and by the C'ommon Council 
they were accepted, canceletl and destroyed. Thus 
so great a debt of the city was extinguished with- 
out any cost whatever. 

Mr. Pease was interested in the establishment of 
the Rock County National IJank of .lanesville, 



wiiich was at lirst organized as a .State bank in 
18;").). He drew up its articles of ass<»ciation and 
obtained among the citizens a suli.scription for the 
amount of capital stock rctiuired to found the bank 
on a secure and working basis. At its organiza- 
tion he was elected vice-president of the company, 
serving in tli;it cap.'icitv for ten years, and was also 
a member of the lioard of directors. In the month 
of Octobei', IX.i'i, he became a clirector in the Chi- 
cago, St. Paul .V- Fond dii Lac Railroad Company, 
and for twelve years was an active working mem- 
ber of that board, filling the position after the 
above mentioned road had become a part of the 
l)roperty of the Chicago A- Northwestern Railway 
Coinpan\-. lie was also a director of the Land 
(iraiit Railroad Company', known as the Wisconsin 
A' Superior Companv, until its consolidation with 
the Northwestern Company. During the years of 
18.5;) and 18.51. the city of Janesville delivered to 
the Rock River ^'alley I'nion Railroad Company 
^87.000 in bonds bearing eight per cent, interest, 
running twenty years, the company agreeing to 
])a.y the interest and principal of the same. l'>ut 
the company' became bankruiit after having <lis- 
posed of the bonds, and the interest was not paid. 
The validity of this i.ssue of bonds was much ques- 
tioned, but men of responsibility considereil them 
good and believed that eventuall}' the courts would 
hold the bonds to have been lawfully issued. In 
the work of arranging this difliculty the hand of 
Mr. Pease was also seen. As the agent of the city 
he wa.s authorized and empowered to effect a com- 
promise with the holders of these bonds and obtain 
a return of the same on the best possible terms for 
the city. Seventy-six of the bonds, vvith interest 
coupons attiiched, were secured by him and trans- 
ferred to the city, and afterwards by the Common 
Council canceled and destroyed. The amount of 
city debt extinguished thereby was neaily ;5!2(MI.(mio 
at a cost of less than live per cent, of that snu). 

In the maiaifacturing interests of the community 
Mr. Pease li:us also been an .active pr<»moter. For 
a (piarter of a century he has been one of the trus- 
tees of the Oak Hill Cemetery As.sociatiim and for 
several years served as its president, and for 
twenty-eight j'ears has been one of the trustees of 
the Northwestern Mulu.-il Life Insurance Coinp-inv 



f 



-4«- 



4 oil 



ROCK COUNTY. 



"M^ 



of IMihvaiikec, Wis., now gcnernlly cDneeded to be 
the best life insurance foini)aiiy, in al' respects, in 
tlie world. Proliabiy no man has done more for the 
city of .Janesviile tlian our subject, who has spent 
the best part of his life in this community, <1evot- 
ing his time and eneruv to its advancement. 



■^^3^«Sr->- 



,^^ IIARI.KS W. IJOYIXGTON. the pi.mecr 
fll ^. blat'ksmilii of I'.radford Township, and now 



e 



^^ one of till' wellto-do farmers residing on 
section IK. was horn in Burlington. \i.. .Viiril 
2, 1813. His parents .Tosiah and Pcrlie (Ward) 
IJoyiugton were man-ied in ^'ermont. The latter 
was a native of Chittenden County, tiiat State, 
while the former was horn in Hollis, New Hamp- 
shire. Three children were l)orn to them in the 
(ireen Mountain Slate. Charles AV. of this sketch; 
Samuel H., who is now a resident of St. .\lbans. 
\t.; and Kii/a M.. who married Cliestcr Rianchard, 
Ijolh now deceased. Tiie father of this family died 
in IH2(I. and his wife was called to her tinal rest in 
1823. They were people who stood iiigh in the 
community wiierc they resided, and were members 
of the Baptist ('lunch. 

The subject of this sketch was a mere lad when 
the death of his parents occurred, and being forced 
to earn his own living at an early age. his e<hica- 
tion.al advantages were consequently limited. 
When eighteen years old he was apprenticed tf) the 
trade of a blacksmitii. .-uid after completing his term 
of service, lie embarked in the business foi- himself 
at Ticonderoga. Vt., where he remained for three 
years. 

On the 13th day of February. 1837, at Fort 
Ann, X. v.. he was united in marriage with F.liza 
Ste\'ens. a daughter of Thomas and Artueto (Cut- 
ter) Stevens, the former a native of A'ermont, and 
the latter of Washington County. N. Y. They h.ad 
:\ f.-iuiily of eleven chihireu, five of whom are yet 
living. Eliza, wife of our subject; Sarah, who 
wedded A. .S. Baker, a resident of Elgin, III.; 
I, aura wife of ,1. 1>. Tracy, who is residing in Mil- 
ton, Wis.; Vaness, whose home is in Dodge County, 
Minn.; Albertina, wife of F. A. Williams, of Wal- 



worth County, Wis. Mr. .Stevens was a soldier in 
the War of 1812, and participated in the famous 
battle of TIattsburg. In 181.') he came to the 
West, locating in Rock County. Wis., but removed 
to Kansas, where his death occurred at the ripe old 
age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Stevens died at 
Geneva Lake. Walworth Co., AVis., at the age 
of ninety-two years. They h.ad traveled life's jour- 
ne^■ together for sixty-two j'ears, when separated 
by death. They were members of the Bai)tist 
Church, and sincere Christian people, who put 
their whole trust in the promises of the Bible. 

In 1X3() Mr. Boyington became a resident of 
Fort Ann, Washington Co., N. Y.. where he fol- 
lowed his trade until 184.5, when desiring to better 
his condition, he emigrated to the AVest. taking 
l)assage on a canal packet to Buffalo, and 
thence by steamer to Kenosha, >\'is.. where he 
secured teams and continued his journey to Rock 
County, where he located permanently. The 
county was then very si)arsely settled, bands of 
Indians roamed over the i)rairies, wild game of all 
kinds abounded, and the ditficulties and trials inci- 
dent to life in an}' new settlement were sliaied by 
our subject, lie at once entered a claim of eighty 
acres on section 18, Biadford Township, and, as no 
better habitation could be iiroiiiied. moved into a 
cellar until a cabin could be Imill. Within the 
area of Bradford Townsliip ilicrc was no lilack- 
smitii sliop until the ;uriv.Ml of .Air. Boyiny-ton. 
when he built a little shoi) and continued to work 
at his trade for a few 3'cars, and then turned his 
attention to farming, engaging in the cultivation 
of his eighty acres, to which he has since added, 
until now 320 acres of the finest farming land in 
Rock County pay triluite to the care and labor 
which he bestows u|)Ou them. Every thing alxjiit 
the place denotes thrift and enter|)rise. and the im- 
provements are all that are lu-cessary to the model 
farm. 

The union of Mr. and Airs. Boyington has been 
blessed willi three children. I'erlie, wife of Dr. AI. 
C. Stunlevant, of Morris. (Iruridy Co., III.; .lud- 
son, who died at the age of two years, and Thomas 
.1., a prominent f.armer of Bradford Township. 
This worthy couple passed the fiftieth anniversarv 
of a happy wedded life Feb. I.i, 1888, having 



-^ 



% 




i 





I 



HOCK COUNTY. 



493 



4:- 







shiired with each other the trials and pleasures, the 
joys and .sorrows, common to the lot of all for half 
a century. In earlj' life Mr. Hoyinglon was a 
Wliiy;. liut later afliliated with the Kreesoil party, 
and at the ornani/.atiou of the IvcpuMicau party 
joined its ranks and still continues a laitliful ad- 
herent to its principles. He is a man of more than 
ordin.ary ahiiily. honest and upriylil in his ilcalinj^s, 
anil is a consistent Cliristian, Ijclonjiini;' to the Con- 
gregational Church, in which his wife also holds 
nienil)eishi|). 



i^^^HACY .M()NTG()MKKV,a practical and en- 
ter|)rising farmer resiiling on section 2t), 
I'orter Township, was liorn on the 12th da^- 
.March, \Hl^, in (ienesee County, N. Y., and is a 
son of Henry and Maria (Tracy) Montgomery. 
His father was a natiye of NCraiunt. h.aying re- 
moved from that State to New ^'ork in 18112. He 
settled near the town of Auburn, where he engaged 
in the occupation of farming, until the breaking 
out of the War of l!SI2. when he enlisted in his 
country's service. After receiving his rliseharge, 
he rerno\ed with his family to Genesee County. 
N. Y., purchasing 100 acres of land, wdiicli was 
then wild and uncultivated. He at once I)egan 
ch'aring a farm, and endured many hardships while 
there lesiding, as that [lart of the country' was (luite 
unsettled. After several years spent in (Jencsee 
County, he sold out. and in tlie springi yit^MS.'id 
went to Krie County, N. Y., where, he followed 
farming until the fall of 1844. when'he came to 
Wisconsin. He <lecided upon Kock County as a 
ilesirable location, ami |)urchased eighty acies of 
l.'inil in .lohnslown rownshi|). which was also in 
its primitive comlition. After carrying on the 
work of development until the S[)ring of 184(>. lu^ 
again solil out and removed to Green County, ] 
Wis., where his death occurred on the 20th day of ! 
Septendier, 184(!. 

A family of eleven children were liorn to Henry j 
anil .Maria .Montgoraer}-. of whom Tr.acy, of this 
sketch, is the eldest: C. A., the second, is residin^r in 
(ireen County. Wis.; J.ois L. is now the wife of 
Asa Gliddeu, who resides in Clarendon, Orleans Co., 



Y. Y.; John J. makes his home in Evansville. Wis.; 
the fifth child <licd in infancy; Caroline A. died in 
U'ashington in the mouth of August, 188.J; Sa- 
briiia M., wife of Willi.-ini Kcndrick, who is engaged 
in farming, resides in the town of Larimore, Grand 
Forks Co., Dak.; Kliza M. svedded I'hineas 15ald- 
win. a real-estate agent of Madison, Wis.; H. D. 
is residing ill Fulton, a suburli of Portland, Ore.; 
and the two youngest children, a son and daughter, 
were twins; the former died in infancy and the lat- 
ter at the age of six years. The mother of this 
family passed away .Tan. II. 18(;9. dying at the 
home of her daughter, Mrs. lialdwin. 

The early life of our subject was spent in the 
various places in which his parents resided in New 
York, until 184 1, when he came with them to Rock 
Coniity, Wis. At that time he purchased eighty 
,icres of land from the government in Johnstown 
Township, and at once erected a little log cabin and 
began the improvement of the land, continuing the 
work of development until the siiring of 1846. He 
then returned to his native State, where he further 
com])ieted the arrangements for a home by his mar- 
riage with Miss Persis Paulina Chadwick. their 
wedding being celebrated on the 25th day of Au- 
gust of that year. He then returned to Wisconsin 
with his young luide, who was duly installed as 
mistress of the pioneer home, where they continued 
to reside until the fall of 1 847. when, selling out, 
they removed to (ircen County. Mr. Montgomery 
purchased a farm of 200 acres in that county, and 
engaged in its cultivation until the spring of 1852, 
when, attracted by the discovery of gold in C'ali- 
ifornia, he started for the Pacific Slope. He formed 
one of a i)arty of twelve hundred, who, with three 
hundred teams, crossed the jilaiiis to California, 
live months being consumed in making the trip. 
The journey was a long and tedious one. There 
were no settlements in Nebraska, and while passing 
through that Territory- they were surrounded by 
Indians, who demanderf bre.-id and meat, but the 
party being superior in numbers, and having plenty 
of guns and amunition to protect themselves, was 
secure from an attack. They arrived at Downic- 
ville. Sierra Co., Cal., Aug. 28, 1852. and Mr. 
Montgomery immediately went to work wheeling 
dirt out of the tunnel n"iaes, for which he received 



494 



u. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



*5 per day. lie boarded himself, renting a room 
for which he paid $10.50 per week and furiiitilied 
his own beddiiiff. After working in that county 
for a few week.s. he went to Nevada County, where 
he engaged in cutting saw-logs until the spring of 
lH.j:{, when he began teaming, following that occu- 
pation until February, 185,'). While engaged in 
tliat way he was enabled to save some money, 
which he loaned for three per cent a month. He 
intended returning home al)out that time, but .as he 
eould not gel the money which he bad loaned, he 
was compelled to lengthen his Stay in California, 
and engaged to work for a short time with the man 
who had borrowed his money. While in his em- 
iiloy, engaged in raising quartz from a shallow 
shaft, he spent his idle moments in hunting for 
specimens. There was a stream close by. and taking 
the lid from his dinner pail he would fill it with 
dirt, whicii he afterwards washed, and at the end 
of a week he had procured -?H;00 worth of gold. 
This lie carried home and jMesented to his employer, 
outside of wliat he had hauled from the mine, and 
after receiving the money which he had loaned he 
slartetl on his homeward journey. 

Mr. Montgomery was at that time making his 
home in Green County, where he resideil until 
18(i."), when, selling his farm, he returned to Kock 
County and purcluused a farm of KiO acres, situated 
on section '29, Porter Township, where he yet le- 
sides. lie has now a fine farm, under a high state 
of cultivation, whicli he has secured by his indus- 
try, economy and good management. Me has been 
honoreil by liis fellow eitizens witii various ollicial 
positions of honor and trust, having fdled most of 
lli(! town offices. Since the organization of the 
liepublican party he has been one of its faithful 
adherents and staunch sui)portcrs. In the welfare 
of the township and county in which he resides he 
lias taken a deep interest, and has been prominent 
in the promotion of its social and educational ad- 
vancement. 

Three children have been born fif the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery', two sons and a daugh- 
ter: Frank A., who was born in Johnstown Town- 
ship, Sept. 21, 1817. and wedded Mary C. O'Brien 
on the 28th day of September. 1871. has passed liis 
entire lite on his father's farm, of which he uow 



f 



has the management. Mrs. Frank A. Montgomery 
died June 12, 1889. Their union h;is been blessed 
with seven children, as follows: Owen T., Orrel E., 
Frank 1'.. .lohn II.. Mary Marg.aret, Lydia Irene, 
and one ciiild who died infancy. Kllen J., the 
second in order of birth, was born Sept. 25, 1850, 
and is now the wife of J. AV. Hendricks, a resident 
farmer of the town of Porter; Luther IJ., who was 
born Nov. 2, 1859, is still under the i)arental roof. 
We are pleased to present this brief sketch, to- 
gether with the portrait of this honoretl man. 



:'0SF:1'H IIOHANSHELT. who is engaged in 
farming on section 'M, Plymouth Township, 
is a native of the Keystone State. He was 
born in Northampton Count}', and is a son 
of John an<l F^lizabeth Ilohausiielt. of whose 
large family of children, but two are yet liv- 
ing: (ieorge. F^lizabeth and Daniel are all de- 
ceased; Joseph of this sketch is the ue.vt in order 
of birth; Susan, Polly, Catherine ;iud Sally have 
now passed awa}'; and Jacob is now residing in 
Iowa, wliere lie is engaged in farming. 

The subject of this sketch was born Nov. I. 
1805, and in his native State was reared to man- 
hood. In 1828, at the .age of twenty-three y^ars, 
he led to the marriage altar Miss Christina Houch, 
who is also a native of Pennsylvania. I'nto them 
were born a family of lifteen children, seven of 
whom died at an early .age. Those who still sur- 
vive are Simon, who Is uow a resilient of Michigan, 
and who married Knima Ann Fox, by wliom he 
has five children, three yet living; Isr.ael. who re- 
sides on the home farm, is married and has si.x 
children. f<jur now living; (ieorge. who makes his 
home in Iowa, wedded a Miss Butlei'. and to them 
were born live children, four 3'et living; Henry, 
who married Caroline Nonemaker, by whom he 
has five children, is also living in Iowa; Elizabeth 
W. is the wife of .John Mclntosli. and their union 
has been blessed with four (•liildren, all yet living: 
Alexander, who married a lady residing on his 
grandfather's farm, Jennie. Henry and Kosetta; 
Matilda wedded John Butler, and they are now 
the parents of eight children, six of whom are liv- 

■■ ■■ ■» 



^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



495 , i 



iiig; Mentava married M. Hoiick, a resitlcnt of 
Iowa, and they liave four eliililrcii, all living. 
Christina is the wife of Noah Securs, and their 
union has been blessed with six cliildreu, four yvX, 
living: Henry, Mary, Carrie, Mclia, Lnuisa and 
Era ma. 

Jn 18.'}7, a('Con)|iaiiic(l liy his t'auiily, Mr. Ilo- 
hanshelt started for the West, going by way of the 
Krie Canal to Huffalo, where he took a steamer 
to Milwaukee, whence he procecdecl to .lanes- 
ville. At that time the now populous and thriv- 
ing county se;it of Rock County contained but 
two stores and .two taverns, one on the site of 
Myers Hotel and the other where the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church is located. For some tinfo 
lie lived on the farm of Mr. Stone, about three 
miles from Janesville, when he erected a house on 
the land of .Tolin Arnold, into which he moved 
willi his family. At the time of his arrival he luul 
but §10 in money, with which he bought a cow 
and a calf. AV'lien he left the Arnold farm he be- 
came a resident of Hanover, building the first 
house in that town, a log cabin. He has been 
prominently identified with the growth of that vil- 
lage, and not only built the first residence, which 
is still standing, but also built the first hotel and 
gave seven acres of land for the railroad. He re- 
moved to his present farm on section 31, I'lymouth 
Township, in 1870, purchasing eighty acres, but 
he has since disposed of half that amount. In 
connection with his other business interests, Mi'. 
Ilohanshelt has followed the stone ma.son's trade 
anil has gained a reputation for building the best 
chimneys to be found in the county. 

Industrious and enterprising, he is a self-inade 
man, having from his early years been dependent 
on his own resources. While residing in Pennsyl- 
vania he not only worked upon the farm during 
the daytime, but spent his evenings in making 
shoes, and in the same manner of apparently untir- 
ing energy, his early life in this county was spent. 
He lias always labored faithfully for the advance- 
nient of the interests and promotion of the welfare 
of the community in which he resides, and is a 
Worthy and valued citizen. Since becomiiiir a 
voter he has supported the Democratic party, and 
in religious belief is a Lutheran, lioldini; luember- 



shii) with the church of th.at denomination in Han- 
over. .\ portrait of this worthy citizen will be 
found upon another page. 



VT|AC()1J S'I'RANCJ, a general farmer and 
|| stock-raiser residing on section 30, in the 
l| town of Center, is numbered among the set- 
^/' tiers of this county of 181;'). He is a na- 
tive of the Empire State, his birth having occurred 
Sept. 19, 1818, in Piitman County. 

The father of our subject. .lesse Strang, was also 
born in New York, and w;isof Dutch descent. He 
followed the occupation of farming throughout his 
entire life, and was united in marriage with Miss 
Deborah Lounesberry, who wasdescended from Hol- 
land ancestry. She was born on the fUli day of 
.January, ITllGand her death occurred May II. 1881 
Her parents were Isa.-ic and Mary Loiinosborry. 
The father w:is lioru .Vpril 23, 17()8, and died May 
28, 1840; the mother was born Nov. 30, 1770, 
and died .Iiiiic, :U). 1 .s.JS. They were the parents 
of four children, three sons and a daii^htur — 
Isaac, who was lioiii .lul\- 29. 181(;. mariii-d Eliza- 
belh Siiooii..-! iiatiycof Pennsylvania, and to them 
were born the followini;- cliildien — Isaac I,., ;Mar\- 
L., George. Elizabeth, l-redeiick anil !\Iattie, all of 
\vliom are yet living and .ill are married with the 
exception of Frederick. Jacob was the next child 
in order of birth; Nelson, who was born March 7, 
182(1, and died Feb. 8. 1 88;i, formerly resided in 
Sauk County, Wis; he wedded Miss Jane Price, of 
Center Township, IJock County, and seven children 
graced their union — Curtis. I )eborah, George, John, 
Nancy, I'^llen, and Nelson; his first wife (lying, the 
husband again married and had seven children by 
his second union. Susan, the youngest child of the 
family, who was born Nov. l\, 1822. is the wife of 
Uicliard Ilorton, a resident of Fishskill. Dutchess 
Co., N. v., and they h.-ive one child. 

Our subject received a common -.school educa- 
tion in his native county, where he was reared to 
manhood. Thinking that the growing West fur- 
nished better opportunities for a 3-oiing man. in 
181."), Mr. .Strang emigrated to Wisconsin, locating 
in Rock County, where be has since made his home. 







••^ 



496 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



His first purchase of land consisted of eighty acres 
on section ."50. Center Towiiship. wliieh formed llic 
basis of his present farm. With tliat energy' whicli 
characterizes all his actions, he at once began the 
improvement of the land, which he soon placed 
under a high state of cultivation. Hy subsequent 
purchase from time to time, he hns extendeil the 
l»oundaries of his farm until it nuw comiirises 42(1 
acres, 400 of which are aiahlc land, the remaining 
20 acres being a tract of timber. 

After his arrival in Uock County, Mr. Strang 
made the acquaintance of Miss Anna Si)oon. and on 
the 6th day of April. 1818. in the town of I'ly- 
niouth, she became his wife. The lady was born 
in I'erry Count}', Pa., April 2. 1824, and is a 
daughter of Abraham and Mai'tha (Krnest) Spoon. 
Her father was also a native of Perry County, 
born March 3, 1801. ami there engaged in farming 
for many years, ilis wife was born Jan. 12. 18(14. 
and their uniim was celebrated in the year I82.'i. 
Accompanied by his family, in 1N4G Mr. S|)oon j 
left his home in the Kast ai'.d caine to Wisconsin, 
settling on a farm in the town of Plymouth. Rock 
County, where lie built a lionse and made a claim 
whicii became the family humestead. Both he and 
his wife were members of the Congregational 
Church.. •iiid were highly respected people. They 
had a family of nine cliildren — .Sanuiel. wlu) is now 
a [)rospprous farmer of Plymouth Townshij); Eliza- 
beth, who is living at Charles City. Iowa; Anna, 
the honored wife of our sid)ject ; Solomon, a resi- 
dent farmer of the town of .iancsville; George, 
who is located at Leadville. Col.; Conrad, who is 
living in Sauk County, Wis.; Abraham, of Wash- 
ington; Mary, wife of William Jeffris, who is en- 
gaged in farming in KocU Townshi|); and .lolm a 
resident farmer of the town of Plymonlh. 

The domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Strang was 
begun on the farm in the town of Center, which 
for more than ff)rty years has been their home. 
Their union has been blcssc'l with i\ family of eight 
children, but three die<l in early childhood — Louisa, 
the eldest, who wa.> born Jan. 9. 1849, Feb. 12. 
1873, became the wife of Daniel Sawtelle. a farmer 
ef Lake County. Dak., and to them have been born 
two sons — Le Fcn-est. born April 11. 1874. and 
Claudes, Aug. 19, 1883. Silas A., who was born 



.\ug. 17, 18.50, and is engaged in farming near Los 
Angeles, Cal.. married Edith Foster, Dec. 24. 188.'), 
and they have one child. Solomon and .'^iisan 
Mary, (twins) were born Oct. 20, 1851. but ilie lat- 
ter died Aijril 9. 18J3; Solomon, who is now living 
at Footville. Rock County, was unite<l in inairiage 
in 1883, with Miss Ellen Beck, and of their union 
three children have been born; Daniel .S., born 
Sept. 2(1. 1858, died March 16.1859; Robert W. 
.lune 1, 1860. wedded Miss Lucy Nott, Jan. 7. 
1885. and they have two children — Myrtle Belle, 
who was born July 12, 1886; and an inf.ant son. 
Minnie T., born April 28, 1864,liecame the wife of 
Edward B. Barlow, of Plymouth Township, Dec. 
23, 1884; :\[artha. who was born Aug. 8, 1866, 
died on the Kith day of December, following. 

Mr. .Strang has provided his children with ex- 
cellent opportunities for securing an education, 
such as would fit them for the practical duties of 
this life, and his two sons, Roliert and Solomon, 
have received the advantages of the Silsby Com 
mercial School. He has taken great interest in the 
leading enterprises of the county, has been identified 
with its growth and progress for nearly forty-five 
years, and is regarded as one of the prominent cit- 
zens of the communit}'. In politics, he is a sup- 
porter of the Republican party, and although his 
e<Uicational advantages were limited, he h.as im- 
proved his leisure time by re.ading and observa- 
tion, thereby gaining an extensive knowledge and 
securing a general fund of information on all the 
leading questions of the day. Mrs. Strang, who is 
a most estimable lady, is a consistent member of 
the Congregational Church. This worthy couple 
are held in high esteem by the Large circle of 
friends and rank hiirh in the social world. 






■•-» — -.•N/w- 



i 



.5^ AMIJEL J. CUCKOW, a retired farmer. 

^^^ resiiling in Janesville. was born in the city 

'Mj_Jfj of Rochester. Kent County. England, on 

— ^ the 16th day of January. 1815. His father, 

Thomas Blackburn Cuckow. first emigrated to 

America in 1818, locating with his family in New 

York; but ab(jut three years later he returned with 

them to England. He made three diflferent trip.i 



r 



-^*- 



R(K'lv COUNTY. 



497 4 






to Ameiica. and finally, after I'c.-iiling in New York 
for several years sultseqiient t<» this third trip, 
eame Id Wisconsin and ni.ade his home with his 
son, Samuel .1., until his deatli. which occurred at 
tlie advanced age of ciijhtj'-seven years, lie was a 
wheeluriyiit by trade, following tiiat oceupativJU 
throuiihout his entire life, and was a highly re- 
spected citizen. His wife died in England several 
years previous to the deatli of her husband. Mr. 
and Mrs. C'uckow were the parents of five cluldren, 
who grew to mature years, but our subject is the 
only one of the number that has made a permanent 
settlement in the I'nited .States. He has two sis- 
ters still living in England, but is the only sur- 
viving son. 

In his native land Samuel .1. C'uckow learned the 
trade of a printer, and in 18;5(!. when about twenty- 
one years of ago. went to New York City tlie 
second time, having accompanied his parents in 
their trip to the United States, in 1818. wiien iiut 
three years of age. He had now altaineil his ni.i- 
jority, was in possession of a good trade, and had 
come to staj-. He remained in the metropolis for 
a number of years, and while there was engageil as 
compositor on several of the leading newspapers of 
the city, and frequently met many of the promi- 
lu-nt journalists of that day. He was employed for 
a consideral)le time on the Ereiiinr/ Post, and was 
well acquainted with William Cullen Hryant. (he 
eminent poet, wlio was then the editor of that jour- 
nal. He also made the acquaintance of Horace 
( iieely, James and F<-rastu.s Brooks, James (iordon 
Hennett, Sr., James Watson Webb, and other news- 
jiaper men of a national reputation. 

In 1810. the health of his wife rajiidly declining, 
notwithstanding his determination to reside perma- 
nently in America, Mr. Cuckow returnetl to Eng- 
land with the hope that the climate of her native 
land might again re^^tore his wife to health. Ih' 
accordingl}' took up his residence in Loudon, where 
he continued to reside for ten years, during which 
lime he was connected with the newspaper busiucs, 
and for a time was engaged on the Weekly Dispalrli 
of that city. The change proved beneficial to his 
wife, but she never fully recovered her health, and 
died in 18l'.l. Two years later, in 18.')!, Mr. 
Cuckow reliiriud to the I'liited States, coming di- 

4*- ^ 



rectly to Wisconsin and locating on a new farm in 
the town of Bradford, Rock County. The busi- 
ness of agriculture was a new one to Mr. Cuckow, 
and the enterjirise of farming was an experiment, 
his whole life |)iecediiig that time having been 
pa.ssod in cities, his employment being widely' dis- 
similar to the new occupation which he entered 
ui)on. Yet ho was more than ordinaril3- successful 
as a farmer, and increased his first purchase, which 
consisted of I)iit twenty acres, to 320 acres. Of 
this he made a splendid farm, which he still owns. 
It is under a line state of cultivation, and in the 
way of buildings and other imin-ovements is second 
to none in the town of Bradford, In 1886 lie re- 
tired from the active duties of life, and removed 
to Janesville. 

On his return to the riiited States in 1851, Mr. 
Cuckow was accompanied by his four children, 
born of his first marriage, all of whom are living in 
188!), with the exception of one. Thomas J., the 
eldest, is a resident of Dell Rapids, Dakota; Eleanor 
B. is the wife of l?eujainiii Fullagar, of Yates 
County, N, Y. ; Eliza is the wife of Henry C. Cooke, 
a resident of Chicago; Mary Ann, who for a num- 
ber of years was a successful teacher, died at Evnn,«- 
ton. 111., in 1880. Mr, Cuckow's second wife was 
Eliza Siininons Filmer. a native of Kent County, 
England, and by this union two children have been 
born: .Samuel Filmer, who wedded Mrs, Ida Leap, 
nee Crump, of Brooklyn. N. Y., and now resides on 
the old homestead farm in Bradfonl; Ruth O,, wife 
of M. E. Northrop, an insurance agent of Janesville. 

Mr. Cuckow is a man of extensive and varied 
reading, and is well informed on the various toi)ics 
of the day. His occupation as a printer, which 
continued until he had nearly obtained middle age, 
was an important element in his education, and af- 
fftrded him an opportunity to obtain a knowledge 
of the world and of men which is denied to those 
who spend all their lives in .agricultural pursuits. 
Although born on English soil, and loving the land 
of his birth, he yet believes that we have one of 
best forms of government on the globe, and that 
our institutions confer as great a degree of happi- 
ness on the people as do those of any other nation. 

Ill the days when slavery existed in our lamL ho 
was one of its strong opposers. and when the Re 



r 



-I 



•a»» 



498 



KOCK COUNTY. 



(.ublifan party was formeil to prevent its further 
extension, gave that urjranization his warmest syni- 
patliy ami helped to organize the party in Bradford 
'i'ownsirip. On the fiuestion of tariff he differs 
from tiie views iield liy the Hc'|)ublii'an party, be- 
lievinii that as England prospers under the system 
of free trade, tliat America would do well, and 
that it would lie for the best interests of the Re- 
publie, to essentially modify tlie existing tariff Laws. 
Mr. Cuekow may now be regarded :is indepen- 
dent in polities. In religiims alliliations, he and liis 
wife are members of the Congreg.ational Church. 
lie possesses a broad charity for all whose aim is to 
do well and to leail an upright, honoiable life. 
For nearly- forty years he has been a resident of 
Kock County, and has witnessed the great and 
rai)id transformati(m which has changed its prairies 
into beautiful farms, its little villages into rich and 
pr<isperous cities. In 1885 he made a visit to 
England, and there also noted that many changes 
had been wrought, yet they could not compare 
with the rapid progress and unceasing development 
of the new world. 



E' 



•f 



■^p^ DWAIU) M. HYZKH. junior member of the 
law firm of Winans & Ilyzer, of .lanesville, 
was born in this city on the 10th day of 
December, 1851, and is the son of Jacob B. and 
Marv A. (Chase) Ily/er. of whom see sketch else- 
where in this work. Edward was educated at the 
.lanesville high school and at I'rof. I laire's Classical 
Academy, and began the study of law with Judge 
John B. Cassody, now of the Supreme Bench of 
\Vi.sconsin. and after three years of study was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1871). He began |)ractice in 
company with J. B. Doe, Jr., and that connection 
w!us continued until 1883. For the next two years 
he was in partnership with C. L. Clark, the present 
postmaster of Janesvillc, and in September, 188;"), 
he formed the existing partnership with the Hon. 
John Winans. 

Mr. Ilvzer was mariied at Janesville Oct. 1, 
188'), to Miss Harriet M. Lappiii. .a daughter of 
Thomas and Mary J. (.lackTuau) Lappin. Mrs. 
Hvzer wa-s born at Janesvllle. where her father w.as 



an earlj' pioneer and the first merchant, whose 
sketch is given elsewhere. Mr. Hvzer is independ- 
ent in politics, was City Attorney for four years, 
and is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 22, K. of 
P., and of the New York Medico Legal Society. 
He is a lawyer of superior ability, and the lirni of 
of which he is a member ranks second to none at 
the Rock County bar. 

-* #^# !- 



v^ WILLIAM C. HOLMES, merchant tailor, of 
\jfj/i Janesvillc, Wis., was born in Manchester, 
W^ England, on the 23d d.ay of February, 
1830, and his parents, James and Isabella (Collier) 
Holmes, were also natives of the same countrv. 
His father was a merchant tailor and engaged in 
business in Goole, Yorkshire, until 18 1!l. 

Our subject received his education in his native 
town, and in his father's shop learned the tailor's 
trade. In 184',) he came to America in company 
with his iiari'iits. the family locating at Kockton. 
111., where the father opened a tailor shop, which 
William suhseipiently carried on from 18,')2 until 
1853, inclusive. In the Last mentioned year he 
went to Chicago, where he worker! one year for 
Davison iVr Merrill, merchant tailors, in the cap.acilv 
of cutter. His eniplo.\<'is having llieii gone out of 
business, Mr. Holmes soliciteil woik anil ctu'ricil on 
the shop for himself luilil 18.")5, when he removed 
to Arlington Heights, a suburban town of Chicago, 
engaging in business at that place. In 1857 he 
removed to Duraud. III., where he prosecute<l his 
trade until 18(;il. when in the early spring of that 
year he came to Janesvillc. Inime<liatcly after his 
arrival in this city he engaged wilji M. C. Smith, 
one of the leading merchants of .lanesville, in the 
tailoring department of his establishment, continu- 
ing his connection with that gentleman for ten 
years, when in the spring of 1870 he began busi- 
ness for himself in a small way. By 1875 .Mr. 
Holmes had sei iireil sullici-'ul capital to put in a 
good stock of goods, and since thai time has done 
au excellent business, being now cla.ssed as one of 
the leading merchant tailorsof this cit^'. In June. 
1879, he moved into the store which he now occu- 
pies, situated on the river l)ank at the west end of 



"^^T^ 




ROCK COUNTY. 



499 



Milwaukee street bridge. For over twenty-nine 
years lie lins been identified witii the tailorinir 
business of Janesville, and has secured a good line 
of eiistoni among the best citizens of the town. 

On tlie l.5tii day of Jaiuiary, IH;");), in Chieago. 
Mr. Holmes and Miss Janctle Douglass Langmuir 
were united in m.arriage. Tlie lady w.is born in 
Cleveland, Ohio, of Scotch i>arentage, and is a 
daughter of William and Janette Langmuir. Four 
children grace their union, three sons and a daugh- 
ter — William Henry, .lames Duncan, Isabella C. 
and Claj'ton Langmuir. The <langhter is now the 
wife of Dr. William H. .ludd of this city. Mr. 
Holmes and his family are all liberal in their re- 
ligious opinions and attend All Souls Church. In 
politics he is a suiiporler of the Republican party, 
but has never sought or desired public office. 
Socially, he is a Knight Templar Mason, a member 
of Janesville Lodge, No. 55, A. F. and A. M.; 
Chapter No. 5, H. A. M. ; and Janesville Com- 
mandery. No. 2, K. T. ; and also belongs to Olive 
I'.ranch Lodge, No. 30, A. (). I'. W. of Janesville. 

James Holmes, the father of our subject w.as a 
prominent Mason and a member of the same 
Masonic bodies to which the son belongs. He re- 
sideil in Janesville the latter [lart of his life and 
was highly res|)ected and greatly esteemed by his 
fellow townsmen. His death occurred in this city 
at the .age of sixty-four years. His wife died in 
Chicago in December. IJS5L .Vn item of interest 
in connection with the history of the Ilobues family 
worlliy of mention here, is the fact of the rcniark- 
:ililc longevity of Uich.ird Holmes, the gramlfalher 
of Williani ('.. who li\ed to be our hundred years 
old. 

VliOIlN DKXTKU NORTHROP, residing on 
section "21. town of Clinton, is numbered 
.■imong the leading farmers of this coninui- 
nity. .Vmong those who have been identi- 
fied with the history of Rock County since the 
days of its inf;nicv and have witnessed its (mtire 
growth, none are held in higher regard, or more 
ileserving of the respect and honor of their fellow- 
citizens, tlian he wliose'iiame heads this sketch. Mr. 
Northrop was born in Onondaga County. N. V., 



"^ 



f 



*^*-^ 



r 



June 15, 1832, .and his parents were liaison and 
Sally C. (Atwood) Northrop. He resided in his 
native county until attaining his fourteenth year, 
when, in 1815, in company with the f.amily, he 
came to Wisconsin and assislcil his father in the 
development of a farm. The cultivation of the 
land of that d.ay was then no easy task, for not a 
furrow had been turned on the prairie, and culti- 
vators were not in use. After .several years spent 
in .agricultural pursuits, in connection with his 
brother he embarked in the lumber business in 
Beloit, where he resided for a period of ten years, 
from 1852 until 18(;2, when, selling out, he pur- 
chased his farm in the town of C^linton. Within its 
boundaries are comprised 2()(] broad acres, all of 
which are under a high slate of cultivation, and his 
home, with its pleasant surroundings, is one of the 
most beautiful in the coniniunity. 

In 185G Mr. Northrop was united in marria-'e 
with Miss Mary i\I. Hodge, a daughter of S. S. 
and Eliza 'Hubbard) Hodge. Two children gr.aced 
their union, a .son and a <laughtcr, the latter, 
Eleanor M., being now the wife of Daniel G. 
Smith, one of the leading farmers of the town of 
Turtle, while Charles I), is now operating the 
home f.arin. He married Miss Helen Morse, daugh- 
ter of W. 11. and Annie (ll.ackny) Moi>e, who 
were natives of New York .and emigrated to Du- 
buque, Iowa, in the Territorial days of that State, 
'i'hc death of Mr. Morse occurred in Lancaster, 
Wis., in 1888. The lainc year, in the month of 
December, the hand of death was laid upon Mrs. 
Northrop, and she p.assed to her final rest respected 
by all who knew her. Not only her immediate 
family mourned her loss, but deep grief was felt 
by a large circle of intimate friends. 

Mr. Northrop is a warm supporter of the Re- 
publican party, but has never been a politician in 
the sense of otlicc-soeking. For nearly half a cen- 
tury lie liJis been numbered .aniong the promiiuait 
an<l inlluenlial citizens of Rock Coiintv, and none 
are more widel\ and honorably known. .\l the 
the time of his coming, the (■oiintry was still in its 
primitive condition, and the future brightness of 
the county could not have been imagined. The age 
of wonders is surely upon us, for who would have 
dreamed fifty years ago that the little h.amlet of 



4 



■«»• 



.00 



ROCK COUNTY. 



*T^ 



Janesville would liecome one of the leading cities of 
Wisconsin, or that Rock County, nitii its few scat- 
tered settlements, would be the banner county, in 
manj' respects, in this great conimonwealtii. To 
those noble pioneers who left tiieir homes in tlie 
Kast to brave the trials, nay dangers, of pioneer 
life, is due this wonderful result, and words fail ns 
with wiiieh to show our appreciation of their 
efforts. 

— ^^ -i^m ♦t^" 

ON. THOMAS T. CROFT, superintendent 
j^ of the Janesville Water Company, was born 
y in York, England, Aug. G. 1841, and is a 
son of Joseph L. and Ann (Theakstone) 
Cioft. lie came to America with his parents in 
infancy, and when but ten months old took up his 
residence in Janesville, in whose city schools he was 
educated. Four and a h.alf years of his life were 
then spent as a druggist's clerk, when lie enlisted 
for tiie late war on tiie Ttli day of August. 18(J2, as 
a private of the ritli Wisconsin Battery of Light 
Artillery. He was promoted Orderly Sergeant, and 
paiticii)ated in tlie battles of luka, Corinth, Cham- 
pion Hills. Jackson, Miss., and tlie forty-nine days' 
sie"e of \'icksburg, during wiiicii he was under lire 
a "reat part of the time. In tiic battle of Ray- 
mond he was also engaged, and at Missionary' 
Ridge, Allat(jona Pass, Savannah and Bentonville, 
(ia. After the march to tlie sea he was made Ord- 
nance Sergeant in charge of the Arsenal at Savan- 
nah, lie w:us mustered out in May. 180.3. after the 
close of the war. 

On his return from the army Mr. Croft vv.as in 
charge of a drug-store in Janesville for a short 
time, lint in April, ISfiO, went to San Francisco, 
Cal., where he engaged in the drug luisiness two 
year.s. At the expiration of that time he returned 
to Janesville and eng.aged in the drug business in 
company with Dr. Smyth, under the firm name of 
Croft & Smyth, which connection continued until 
tlie Doctor sohl out to (;. K. Curtis, and the 
business was continued under its firm name of 
Crofts it Curtis. In 1807 Mr. Croft sold out 
and entered the service of the Union Pacific Rail- 
way at Omaha as chief clerk in the ear building 
department, where he spent the succeeding three 



}-ears. Returning to Janesville at the exjnralion 
of that time he then went on the road as salesman 
for Harrison & Judd of Janesville. and later for the 
Janesville Jlachine Company. He spent four years 
in travel, the greater part of wiiich time he was in 
the service of the latter fiini. after wiiich. in the 
autiiiiin of 1876 he purchased a drug business and 
sold an interest to Frank Sherer. In 1880 he 
formed auotiier partnersliip with Ed. \'. Wliitmi in 
the same line thus having an interest in two stores. 
During this time he also joined Messrs. Haiichett 
& Shelden. S. C. Cobb and William W. Wills in the 
manufacture of single buggy sjiring gears, of which 
IMr. Wills was the inventor. In 1883. having closed 
out his business connections, he accepted the agency 
of the (Miicago. Milwaukee it St. Paul Railroad 
Comjiany at Janesville, serving in that capacity 
four years, or until 1887, when he was appointed 
suiicrintendent of the Janesville Water Company 
and coiiipleled the construction of the plant, since 
which tinic III' has rctaineil charge of the business. 

In politics .Mr. Croft is a Democrat and has 
served several years in local olliees; first he was 
School Commissioner for two years, this was fol- 
h)vved \)y a term of two years as Alderman of the 
First Ward, and in the spring of 1882 he was 
elected M.ayor to succeed the lion. A. 1'. Lovejoy. 
after which he was again elected to the Council. 
For three years he served as Presideiitof tiial liody. 
presiding in the absence of the Mayor, and was also 
chairman of the finance committee for four \ears. 
During his administration as Mayor the cilv char- 
ter was reviseil and perfected, a task involving 
much time anil lalior. He was also .actively inter- 
ested in the fire department, and for one year served 
as chief engineer. When the W. H. Sargent G. A. 
R. Post was instituted he was one of the charter 
members, is also a member of Oriental Lodge No. 
22. K. of P., and was one of the incorporatoi's of 
the Janesville Business Men's Association, in which 
he luis served asa member of its Board of Trustees. 
Mr. Croft W!is one of the prime movers in ilie or- 
ganization of the Janesville Giiards, a militia com- 
pany, and was chosen the first captain of that crack 
company. 

The history of the fioiigjshing city of Janesville 
is corxtenii)orancous with the personal history of 



■*T^ 



ii«i»- 



'N^' 




^^9rd^ 




ROCK COUNTY. 






our subject. Wlicii his paienLs brouglit him to the 
village of .lanesvilio it is saifl to have consisted of 
two stores, ton (iwcliiiigs, two taverns, and its pop- 
ulation nunihered from seventy to eight}' pcoi)lc. 
It is MOW a lieautifiil cily of more than 12.000 in- 
haliilanl-s and is aeknowledged to be one of the 
richest and handsomest towns of its size in the 
Stiite. Mr. Croft has always taken a warm interest 
in everything that was ealcuiatcd to ]ironiote the 
growth and development of the town, and has been 
a(ti\('ly identified willi its best interests, both com- 
iriereially and ollleially. In all his intercourse with 
his fellow-citizens, both public and private, he has 
bet'ii found true to ever)' trust; competent and 
faithful in every jiosition to which he li.as been 
called, anci alw.iys an upright, honorable man and 
a patriotic and enterprising citizen. 



— V 



^#^ 




,.,KV. DKXTKR CLARY. This remarkable 
man was born in Conway, Mass., Feb. 1,1 798. 
After his fourth year his father removed 

^S@ to Northern New York, where for a con- 
siderable time previous to his twent3'-second year 
he was a clerk in a store. When about twenty-two 
years of age a remarkable change took place in his 
character in connection with the inducnee of cer- 
tain religious teachers of that time. It was the 
period of the historic revival of religion in our 
country in the earlier part of this century, and what- 
ever may be true of that influence generall}', the 
change in Mr. Clary was the beginning of a most 
noble and productive lift;. Leaving the store be- 
<-anse of somewhat imjiaired health, and spending 
a year in travel, he then devoted himself to study 
in preparation for the Christian m.inistry, and was 
orilained to that .sacred otlicc without charge in 
IHi'.S. The ordination sermon was prcaihed by the 
celebratcil evangelist. Rev. Jederliah Burch.ard. Of 
the next twelve years the larger part was spent in 
labors as an evangelist in New York, Pennsylvania 
anci New .lerscy — the last two in Canada, where it 
had become Mr. Clary's intention to labor in be- 
ii.'df of the Freneli Roman Catholic population. 
The Ihoughl, luiwever, had been shaping itself in 
Ills mind of devoting his life to the preaching of 



the gospel in the West, and upon an invitation 
from Heloit while he was on a visit of exploration 
in Rockford, III., he came to the pl.ace which was 
to be his home and the field of his wide .and benefi- 
cent labor. He w:xs pastor of the First Congrega- 
tional Church in Heloit from 1840 to IH.jO, a man 
of real!)- apostolic chanacter and influence, and to 
his virile preaching and strenuous life the qualities 
which have ch.'iracterized Heloit and Heloit College 
are in considerable degree due. His influence may 
be estimated bj' the account he gives of him.self. 
In some brief account of his life, made for a 
special purpose, he says: "'As to facts and inci- 
dents, the fiist great fact in my life is, I was a sin- 
ner .against God. The second is, I was born of 
the Holy Spirit and liad my sins blotted out 
through and by the blood of Jesus Christ, The 
third is, after passing through a long series of fear- 
ful temptations and conflicts, I was conscious of 
being called by the inward witnessing of the Holy 
Spirit to preach the Gospel of CJod, our Savior." 

In 1850 Mr. Clary resigned his pastorate and 
was ajipointed the District Agent of the Home 
Missionary Society for the Northwest. The 
churches of Wisconsin are widely indebted to his 
influence; of many of them he was the father, and 
nearly all of them have been nourished by his in- 
fluence. He was Secretar)- of the Hoard of Trustees 
of Bcloit College for many years — its ardent friend 
and suppoitei-. He died in Beloit in 1870. Mrs. 
Clary, the ((iiiiij.inion of all his ministry, still sur- 
survives Inni, universally Iteloved and " reverecL 
Her home is with her daughter, Mrs. Sarah C. 
Strong, widow of the late H. P. Strong. M. I)., 
widely known to the profession throughout the 
Slate. 

-^ ^-^ "^ 

^^ HALMFRS IN(;KRS0LL. popularly known 
[|( ^.^ ;is '• Cham " Ingersoll, I'ditorand proprietor 
^^^ of the Free Press, at Beloit, was born in 
Weslfield, Chalauqua Co.. N. Y., October 28. I8:{8. 
He moved to Greenfield, Ma.ss., in 18.il. and learned 
the iirinter's trade there while attending school. 
He came west in 18.')C, and at the outbreak of the 
War of the Rebellion, was living in Chicago. He 
enliste<l in 18G1. in Co. "G," 8lli Illinois Cavalry. 




n 



■•► 



504 



ROCK COUNTY. 



and re-enlisted as a veteran in the winter of 1863- 
'64, receiving his discharge from active service in 
the fall of 1864, by reason of sici<ness, but serving 
afterwards until the close of tiie war in the Fron- 
tier (Quartermaster's Department, at Fort Smith, 
Ark. 

In 18GG Mr. IngersoU began the puliliialion of 
the Free Press, a Repultlican weekly newspaper at 
Beloit. In the spring of 1867, he purchased tlie 
good-will of tlie Beloit Jmirnal, which had been 
established in 181H, and consolidated that pajwr 
with the F)-ee Press. He disposed of the Free 
Pi-ess in 1871 and engager! in farming, but resumed 
its publicati(.n in 1872. In 1874 Henry F. Ilobart 
became associated with him in its management, and 
became sole proprietor in 1877. Mr. Ingersull 
eno-aging in manufacturing. In thespringof 1881. 
the latter re-purchased a half interest in the Free 
Press, and by a subsecpient purchase in 1882, again 
became tlic sole owner. Tlie iJaih/ Free Press was 
established in I^<78 by Mr. Hobart, .and from a four 
column sheet, with a circulation of 100, has grown 
to a six column jiapcr with a circulation of 050. 
Mr. IngersoU has licld various local oltices, and 
was ajipointed jiostmastcr of licloit by President 
Arthur, in December. 188.'), and served until after 
a change of administration in 18,S5. He ranks 
among Beloit's wide awake progressive citizens. 

~ » "^ ' 3 ' W * S ' |" — 



^;AMKS a. F.VTHERS. bom in Chicago. 111.. 
Mav •'', 185!l, came to Janesville with his 
parents in 1860. He attended the public 
_ schools of this city. In 1 S7;5 he entered the 
emplov of F. A. \Yheeler i\r Sons, for the purpose 
of learning the trade of a carder in their woolen 
mills. He continued in this cmi)loyment until 
1877, when he became dissatisfied with the busi- 
ness, and was ajiiirenticed to Charles H. I'.ayne for 
the purpose of learning the trade of a harnessmaker. 
His apprenticeship continued in this business for 
four vears, and proved a most fortunate move on 
his part. At this time he had not only ct)mpletely 
mastered the trade of harnessmaking in all its de- 
tails, but had become so familiar with the busi- 
ness that he was induced to purcha.se the interest 

m* ^~"" 



of Mr. Payne, which he did in 1881. Mr. Fathers 
is a ■•hustler," and believes in building up his 
business by fair dealing with his customers. His 
establishment is one of the laigest in Southern 
Wisconsin; his stock of harness and horse-furnish- 
ing goods generally is most comiilete. and excelled 
by none. He is one of the permanent fixtures of 
the city. In politics Mr. Fathers is an outspoken 
Republican of the "Plumed Knight" order. He 
represented the Third Ward in the Common Coun- 
cil from April, 1885. to April, 1889, and was Pres- 
ident of that boily for two years — 1887 and 1888 — 
besides being Chairman of several Important com- 
mittees and taking a leading part in all municipal 
alTairs. In 1881 Mr. Fathers was joined in mar- 
riage with Miss Emma A. Scolield. daughter of 
Theodore Scofleld, a farmer of Cent<?r Township. 
Their family now numbers two children — KIsle J. 
and .lohn T. Their eldest child. Rosa Ma3'. a 
charming daughter, died in 1882. 



<spi)DWAHl) BLHTON HKIMSTKKKr. the 
llw leading druggist of Janesville, established 
j\ ' — <^j business in this city in 18G8. and has car- 
ried it on continuously since with marked succes.s. 
His slock comprises a full line of drugs, iiatcnt 
medicines, paints, oils, glass and artists' materials, 
and in the last mentioned class of goods he does 
both a retail and wholesale business. His estab- 
lishment is one of the largest and finest drug 
houses in the State, and four clerks are employed. 
Mr. Ileimstreet is a native of New York, and 
was born in Lansingburg, Rensselaer County, on 
the ;lrd day of January, 1848. His father, Ste- 
phen Heimstreet, was born in New York, Nov. 24, 
181:5, and was a well known druggist of I^ansing- 
burg. His mother, whose maiden name w.as Km- 
eline .Spicer, was born at Charlotte, \'t.. and was 
descended froni an olil New England famil\-, her 
father, the Rev. Tobins Spicer. being a prominent 
Methodist itinerant minister, of New England. 
In January, 1867, his parents became residents of 
Janesville, where the}' made their home until Octo- 
ber, 1886. at which time they retunierl to the East 
on a visit. The death of the father occurred at 



t 



-4*- 



ROCK COUNTY. 






Troy, N. Y., in January, 1887, at the age of seven- 
ty-four years. He was a devoted member of tlie 
Mftliodist Episcopal Cliu roll. Ills inotlicr is still 
livinii; in Troy. X. Y. 

The subject of this sketch received a liberal ed- 
ucation, attoudinir the Methodist Episcopal Col- 
lege of l'«)ultncy, Vt., and subsetjucntly became a 
student of .lonesville Academy, at .lonesville,. 
N. Y.; later at Mcchanicsvillc Acadonu'. He then 
studieil medicine under Dr. H. B. Wliitonof Troy, 
N. Y., for two years, also attending Albany Med- 
ical College. 

Ater several vain attemi)ts tu enlist in the vol- 
unteer service of the late war, in January, 1865, 
he succeeded in being enrolled .as a private of 
Company F, of the 14th Regiment, I'nited States 
Regulars, and serveil until August, following the 
close of the war, when through the inHuence of his 
father, who had been trying to induce liim to 
leave the service since he had entered it. lie was 
hoiiorat)l3' discharged. 

Mr. Ileiinstreet was employed in his father's drug 
store from early boyhood and became thoroughly 
instructed in the business. In 1867. he removed 
lo Jauesville, Wis., intending to perfect himself in 
the study of medicine, but tindiug an opportunity 
to buy a ilnig store at a good advantage, he did so 
and has carried on the business continuously since. 

On the Ulh day of Janu.ary, 186«, Mr. Hcim- 
street was marrieil at Jauesville. Miss Stella How- 
ard, daughter of William H. Howard, then .Sheriff 
of Rock Count}', becoming his wife. The lady 
w.as born at Shullsburg, (4r.ant Co., Wis., where 
her parents were among the earl_v settlers. Two 
children have been born of their union, Alice M., 
and Charles S., both born at Jauesville. 

Mr. Heimstreet has been identified with the lead- 
ing interests of Rock County, since becoming one 
of its residents. He was one of the foremost mov- 
ers in securing the State I'liarmac}" law and worke<l 
l<mg and faithfully to secure its piussage. He is 
credited with being the founder of the Wisconsin 
Pharm.aceutical Association, of which he is the 
present secret^iry, and is also secretary of the State 
Board of I'harm.acy, in which position he h.os served 
for seven years. He has .also served as secretary 
of the Jauesville City Hospital since its establish- 



ment in 1888, for three years w.as secretary of the 
Rock County Agricultural Society, for ten years 
served as secretary of the Jauesville Horticultural 
Society, for thirteen years held the oflice of secre- 
tary of the Janesville Fire Police, and five years 
was collector of the Janesville Fire Department. 
He is also Adjutant of the W. H. Sargent J'ost, 
No. 20, G. A. R.; a member .and P.ast Chancellor 
of Oriental Lodge, No. 22, K. of P.; P. G. of Wis 
consin Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F.. .and Sachem of 
the order of Red Men. Mr. Heimstreet and his 
family attend Christ Church ( Episcopal), of which 
Miss Alice is a communicant. 

Mrs. Heimstreet. a bright, active and highly in- 
telligent woman, renders her husband Taluable as- 
sistance in his business corresponfience, and in the 
clerical duties of the various society secretaryships 
which he holds, and without her clieerfully ren- 
dered services it woidd be impossible for him to 
successfully discharge the varudis duties imposed 
upon him without neglecting his private business. 
Mr. Heimstreet is recognized .as one of the wide- 
awake, progressive business men of Janesville. 
Public spirited, broad in his views, of unquestioned 
integrity and always up with the times, his inter- 
est and efforts in the cause of wholesome laws in 
regard to pharmacy, have won him distinction 
throughout the State. 

^^ HARLES C. BOWERMAN, of Janesville, is 
(li /^ *""^ "^ '■''^ pioneers of Wisconsin, who in 
^^'' the fall of 1812, settled in Racine, six years 
before Wi.seonsin entered the sisterhood of States. 
He is a native of Ontario, then called Canada West, 
and was born almost opposite the city of Osweijo. 
N. ^^ His father, Stei)h<'n Howeiiuan. was also a 
native of Canada, but his i)aternal grandfather was 
born in the SUite of New York. 

Stephen Bowerniau in the year lf<;{t; removed 
with his family from Canada to Michigan, settling 
first in Detroit, and latt-r in Battle Creek, where 
he continued to make his home until his death. 
His wife al.so died in the same town. They were 
the parents of seven chihlren, six of whom grew to 
mature years, and five are yet living, namely: 



■♦■ 



4= 



506 



'♦- 



ROCK COUNTY, 






Charles C. who is the eldest; Sarah Ann, wife of 
Charles Vail, of Battle Creek; Ziilcma, a maiden 
lady, also living at Battle Creek; Milton, whose 
home is in Springfield, Mo.; and TIioim.ts Henry, 
wlui is living in Cold Water, Mich. 

The suhjeet of this .sketch removed witii the 
family to Michigan in 1836. and in the fall of 1843. 
came to Rock County, where he purchased fort}' 
acres of land in the town of Fullon. and also en- 
tered a claim of 12o acres. In 1841. he settled on 
that land, inimcdiately hoglnning its cultivation, 
and the follnwing year further completed his ar- 
rangeraenti; for a home hy his union with Miss 
Mary Walworth, a daughter of .lohn Walworth, 
who served his country in the War of l.'s|2, and 
<lied in December, 1812, in Lenox. Madison Co., 
N. Y., leaving his wife with seven children, four 
sons and tliree daughters. After the death of her 
husband, in the autumn of 1 844. Mrs. Walworth 
emigratiMl with her family to Wisconsin, locating 
in Racine County, and two years later came to 
Rock County, and settled in the town of Fuhon. 
The mothei' passed the last } ears of her life with 
her children, and dieil at the home of Mr. ;md Mis. 
15owerman. Aug. 17, 187;"!, at the advanced age of 
eighty-two years. This lady was a native of 
(iermany. but when an infant was brought by her 
parents to America. One son and two daughters 
of the family ai'e deceased, while the remaining 
three brothers are residents of the town of Fulton. 

Mr. r.owerman improved the farm upon which 
he settled previous to his maniagc. and continued 
to reside thereon until his removal to .lauesville in 
the autunui of Is7ll. He li;is since sold the old 
homestead, where he first located, but is the owner 
of two fine farms in South Dakota. The discoverv 
of gold in California having attracted his attentif)n, 
on the 1st day of January. 1 8.tO. he started for the 
scenes of the excitement, accompanied bv Robert 
.Stoue. The time necessary to make a trip to the 
I'acific Co:»st. and the dangers incident to such a 
journey forty years ago are in wide contrast to 
the pleasure excursions by r.ail which are made at 
the present day. The travelers procceiled by stage 
to St. Louis, and thence to New ( )rleans on .a 
Mississippi steambo.at, remaining at the Crescent 
City for about two weeks. They then took passage 



on a sail vessel called the •' Joseph Fish," com- 
manded by Capt. Seaver, and made the stormy 
and dangerous pass.age around Cape Horn into the 
Pacific Ocean and on to .San Francisco, the p.-uss-age 
consuming the long period of six months. The 
vessel m.ade but one landing after leaving New- 
Orleans until reaching its destination, and that was 
.at A'alparaiso, Chili, where they remained for four 
days. Owing to the heavy storms and adverse 
winds thai prevailed while •• doubling the cape," 
the"Joseiih Fish" sailed several thou.sand miles 
more than would be necessary could she have taken 
a direct course. In just seven months after leaving 
Jancsville, Mr. Bowerman and his companion 
landed in .San 1' rancisc<j. There they took i)assage 
on a small sloop and went to Stockton, then a little 
village, where they chartered an ox team for a point 
on the Tualonia River, where they engaged in 
mining, prosecuting th.at occupation for six or seven 
montlis. when the death of one of his children and 
the sickness of other members of his family, in- 
duced Ml'. I'lowerniMii. ;it the solieit.-Uioii of his 
wife;, to return. Tiie journey home was made by 
the way of the Islhiiuis of Panama, stopping at 
Havana on the return trip, ami thence to New 
York. In 1882, Mr. Bowerman went to Dakota 
and secured .■)20 acres of land in I5ea<lle County, 
a distance of but four miles from Huron. He 
has also a farm of HiO acres about eighty miles 
from Huron. 

( )ii the 2.'!d ilay of July, 1853, our subject w:ls 
called upon to nuiurii the death of his wife. I5y 
their iiiarriaye four chihlren were born, three sons 
and a ilaughter — Cordelia F... born Oct. 17. 1815. 
is now the wife of John Catlin. a resident of Ne- 
br:iska: Nelson H., born Dec. 1. 1846. resides in 
Beadle County. .South Dakota, his farm adjoining 
th.at of his father's; I'.yroii N., born Jan. 2(1, 1847, 
is in Colorado; Milton .S . born May 1, 1852, re- 
sides at Sioux City. Iowa; Charles O.. who died 
while his father was in California, was born Dee. 
12. 1811). On the 18tli day of October, 18.')l.Mr. 
Bowerman was married to Miss Xaiuy Catherine 
W.alworth.a sister of his former wife, anil the only 
surviving daughter of the family. By his second 
union five children have been born, four of whom 
are living — .Stephen F.. lioin .Inly 2."), 18.').'). is now 

♦- 



.1^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



507 



7 anc 



living in Albion, Xel). ; Byantlia A., horn Nov. 0, 
IKi'iT, niiirrietl George W. Cluise. and lives in Iliinm, 
S. I):ik.; INIinn A., horn Marcli 20. hS.V.i, is the wife 
of K. W. Spencer, of Farihuull, Minn.; (;icun is 
the youngest and resides in Janesville; Willis is 
now de<'eased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jiowernian reside in a pleasant 
home on linger .Vveiuie, whieli was erected in 
18H7. In ])olitics. he is a Repnlilicau, hut has 
never asjjired to political distinction, liotli .'ire 
nnnihered among the respected citizens of Janes- 
ville. and we are plea.sed to reconl their sketch in 
the history of their adoi)ted county. 



^^KORCK KALLAWAV COl.LINli. ,,ne of 
III J— ^ the well-known citizens of Janesville, and a 
^^^ijl leading contractor and builder. Iia.s bi'cn 
uuuiliered among its residents since 18.J6, and 
since 1805 lias followed his pre.sent line of busi- 
ness. He is a native of Exeter, Devonshire, Eng- 
land, born in 1821> and is a soi' of Henry K. Col- 
ling. His grandfather. William Colling, was a far- 
mer and reached the age of ninety years. The 
Colling family' has .attained notoriety in the field of 
arciiitecturc, James K. Colling, of London, a cou- 
sin of our subject, being a leading architect of that 
cily, while other mendiers of the family have also 
gained distinction in the .same line. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henr^' K. Colling were born 
five children, four sons an<l a daughter, all of whom 
are now living, with the exception of the youngest 
son, Ilenry, who served as a soldier in the English 
army during the Crimean War, and died of choleia 
at Halaklava. the scene of the famous charge of the 
English Light IJrigadc. The surviving members 
of the family are William, who is ;i resident of 
Janesville; Mary, whose home is in I'lymouth, 
England; (!eorge K., of this sketch, and John, who 
is also residing in Plymouth. England. 

Our subject was reared to manhooil in his native 
land and there learned the cari)enter's trade, wdiich 
he has followed throughout his life. He was mar- 
ried in England, his union being with Miss 
Rebecca .Sargent, who was also horn in Devonshire, 
and in 185G emigrated with his family to the Uni- 



ted .States. After landing on the shores of Amer- 
ica, he came directly to Janesville, Wis., where his 
brother William had previously located, and here, 
for thirty-thiee ye.ars he has made his home. He 
hiis witnesseil the many changes and the great pro- 
gress made by both town and surrounding country 
(luring the |)asl third of a century, and has aided 
in their growth and development. 

licfoi-e their emigration to Amerii^a three chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Colling, two of 
whom accomi)anied them to this countr\'. Eliza- 
beth, who is now the wife of Al. Boomer, of Carey 
.Station; and (ieorge Henry, who grew to man- 
hood but died in Mexico, in 1886. A little daugh- 
ter died in England. Three children were born to 
this worthy couple in .lanesville. but two died in 
infancy. Mary, the other child, is the wife of 
Harry E. Merrill, of Janesville. .Mr. Colling lakes 
prominent rank among the men of his occupation 
in Rock County, and is esteemed as a worthy and 
valued citizen. He is a consistent member of the 
Episcopal Church, and is liberal and charitalile in 
his religious life. 



''-*«e£'®i@*^^^'<'^~a/J3^ > 



<;tr^J>HRlD(;E (;ERRV EHTELD, an early 
^ pioneer of Wisconsin, was born near Gil- 
, ' — ^ manton Corners, whicli is about fifteen miles 
northeast of Concord, N. H. His birth occurred 
on the 2d daj' of February, 1817. His parents, 
Samuel and Abigail (Leavitt) I'ilield. were natives 
of New iMigland. The father w:us engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits in New Hampshire, and when our 
subject was three years of age removed with his 
family to Chittenden County, Vt., settling on a 
new farm. Elbridge piussed his boyhood on his 
father's farm, where, when be was old enough to 
be useful, he w:is trained to habits of industry, 
and. .as the farm was heavily' timbered and very 
rocky, such habits meant plenty of h.ard work. His 
early education was that which the district schools 
of the limes atTorded, and later in life w.as supple- 
mented by an academic course at Montpelier. 
After sixteen years' residence on the farm, Jlr. 
Fifield. in JLay, 1837, joined a family of eleven 
mem Iters and started for the Far West. Traveling 



* 



^ 



-4•- 

508 



-■► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



was not as easily or as rapitUy iK-rfornied in lliose 
eaily days as at pivsfiit. 'riic tiist stages were 
made in an oid-fasliiuncd Concord eoaeli, wliicli 
was followerl l)y c-:inai-boat and steamer transport- 
ation nntii llie l>arty leaclied Detroit, when it was 
determined to go aeross the lower peninsula of 
Michigan inst;'ad of aroinid hy water. As it was 
impossible to lind conveyance for :dl the party, or, 
perhaps, a matter of ecouoniy malving it dcsiiahh . 
the young men of the party, of whom our subject 
was one, walkeil from Detroit to St. .loseph. Mich., 
a distance of 280 miles, wlience they secured pass- 
age on a small schooner, and during tiie first week 
of June reached Chicago, then a city in its infancy, 
containing a population of about three thousand. 
I'rom Chicago he went to Milwaukee with his 
party, making llie trip in a sciiooner. an<1 reached 
that village on the lltli of .hine. h.'iving been 
twenty-six days on the journey. 

Mrs. Brown, of their part\', expected to meet her 
son, K. (i. Darllni;, at Milwaukee, but found that 
he was at H:uk Hiver, now Hebron, Jefferson 
County, buiding a sawmill for the Rock IJiver 
Land Company. !Mr. Kilield volunteered to walk 
to liark Iviver and notify Rlr. Darling of tiie 
arrival of the party, lie was directed to follow the 
blazed line and w.igon tracks through the Mil- 
waukee woods to Prairie \'illage, now Waukesha, 
and from there to take the Rock River Trail to 
Bark River. I'roeceding on his journey, he in due 
time reached a double log iiouse, built of tamarack 
logs, and, on inquiring the distance to Prairie A'il- 
lage was informed that he was already there. He 
next inquired for the Hark River trail and the 
probable chance of finiling a good place to spend 
the night, and was told that he would find a house 
about a mile distant, but bej'ond for a distance of 
thirty miles to Bark River he would find no human 
habitation. He spent the night at the house desig- 
nated, and the following morning started on his 
lonely journey. After traveling a few miles, he 
was overtaken by a man mounted on an Indian 
pony, whom he at first mistook for an Indian in- 
tent on securing a white man's scalp, but, on closer 
inspection, found the stranger to be a white man, 
who turned out to be iSheriff Aldrich. of .Milwau- 
kee, who was trying to overtake him for the sake 



of company, as he, the sheriff, had learned that a 
young man had just started aiiead of iiim, both 
bound for the same destination. The sheriff proved 
an agreeable eoraijanion. and very kindly shared 
the use of his pony on the (ilan of -'ride ami tie," 
as he termed it. One would ride a mile or two, 
then tie the horse and proceed on foot. The other, 
coming up, would mount, overUd^e the first one, 
pass on a mile or so, and rejjcat the oper.ation. In 
this novel manner iUcy re.-ichcd Bark River alxmt 
3 o'clock in the afternoon. 

Having discharged his business, .Mr. Filicld 
found himself fairly launched on his new life in 
the Far West. His cash assets amounted to the 
munificent sum of ¥2.50, wliile he was burdeneil 
witii a debt of *42, which he had contracted on 
leaving home in borrowing money for the ex- 
[lenses of his journey. As it would cost §1 pci- day 
for boaid at the log boarding-house where the 
company's iianils stopped, lie saw that he must se- 
cure Work at once, which he did by iiiiing to Mr- 
Darling U> drive a four-ox team, employed in 
hauling logs to the new mill. From the .saw logs 
hauled by Mr. F'ifieM was sawed tin' Uunber which 
Mr. .lanes purchase<l, and out of wliich was built 
the first frame house erected in .lanesville. He 
paid six *20 gold pieces for 6,000 feet of lumber. 
Our subject continued to engineer the ox-team for 
upwards of ten months. The Bark River mill w.-us 
tiie first sawmill built in the Rock River A'alley, in 
U'iscousin. There was not a frame house in the 
valley above Beloit, and not an established ferry; 
their nearest postotfice was at Milwaukee, and all 
the provisions had to be hauled by team from that 
place or from the south. J-)urlng the year of 1 8;i7 
he drove his team of oxen several trips to Milwau- 
kee and return, in that line of freighting. Prices 
of provisions were rather high in those days. Pork 
w.as worth in Milwaukte from ^30 to *34 per bar- 
rel, tlour from *18 to ¥20, and *2 a hundred addi- 
tional to get it hauled to Bark River. Pork and 
bread, with coffee, formed the principal bill of 
fare, whde milk was an unknown luxury. Wolves, 
both of the prairie and large gray varieties, were 
numerous, and the lonely traveler in the wilder- 
nesss was often entertiiined by the music of their 
voices, but they were seldoni troublesome. An In- 



f 



-^»- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



509 



-\- 



4 



(liiiii seari' oi'ciirred in the fall of 1837. It was 
iiniiiiii'd tli'it they v/vie trailiiii^ fiir.-s for guns and 
MmiiiiiniLioii, and liad organized for an allaciv on 
tlie whites of Iiuek River \'alley. Two Indians ap- 
|)eaied one day at the mill in war [lainl and 
feathers, and liy their wild, noisy manner eansed 
ft little exeiteincnt, as it was surniise<l that they 
might be the advance of ;i large body bent on 
mischief. 'I'hey proved to be engaged in luinting. 
an<l were on their way to Milwankee to biij' whisky. 
During the summer of 1837 Mr. Filield made a 
claim on the bank of Unek River, three miles above 
tielferson, and in December following, provided 
with a ham of pork, an ax and a blanket, walked 
down to .letferson, where he bought st)me bread of 
K. (i. Darling (wIkj liad just built the first house 
at that point), and burrowed a boat of him, 
then, proceeiling to his claim, made the necessary 
improvements to hold it till spring. He worked on 
his claim four weeks, m.aking a clearing, building 
fences, etc., and during that time made the ac- 
((uaintaiiee of .Vnson and ^'irgil Pope, of Pope's 
Rapids, near Janesville. who were sbantying near 
b}', getting rail timber. At length .Mr. FiHeld re- 
turned to Bark River to work until spring, ami 
during the winter picke<l enough cat-tail Hags to 
make a bed, also caught and salted a keg of fish. 
bought a yoke of oxen and prepared to go on the 
claim in the spring. In April, 1838 he borrowed the 
hind part of the running gear of a wagon, put on a 
temiiorary tongue and box, loaded up his effects 
anil drove to l'"t. Atkinson, where lie cros.sed the 
Rock River on a ferry, thence to Jefferson, where 
he crossed tiie Crawfish River on a ferry, cut 
his own nmd through the woods for a distance 
of thicc miles and then reached his home. < )n 
the following day he loaded the section of n 
wagon on a boat, liorrowed of .Mr. Darling, and 
returned it to liark River, rowing the distance of 
twenty miles. lie returned to his claim the fol- 
lowing day, and engaged in farming in earnest. 
Having clcareil about two acres, which he culti- 
vated with a wood-tooth harrow, he planted the 
field with corn and potatoes, the latter bought of 
Samuel St. .lohn. near .lanesville, while for the 
seed corn be paid 14 per bushel ; the first corn 
planted <lid not come up, and for new seed 



he paid sixpence an ear. However, he raised 
a splendid crop of l)oth potatoes and corn, and 
was on the high road to prosperity. That spring 
ho vv.as joined by his ))rother Leavitt, who came 
to make his home with him, and with whom 
he shared his claim. During the season of 1838 a 
large (juantity of lumber wa-; rafted down the Rock 
River, both from Goodhue's and Bark River 
mills, some going ;w far as Dixon's Ferry, 111., and 
his brother and himself made several trips on rafts 
that season. The nearest gristmill was at Beloit, 
and several .letferson County settlers took their 
corn there to be ground. One of Mr. F^ifield's 
neighbors did his own milling in a primitive man- 
ner called "plumping." A cavity was hollowed 
out of the top of :ui oak stump for a mortar, in 
which the corn was pounded into meal in quanti- 
ties to supply a I'lrge family. 

Having secured homes to live in and raised 
.something for food, the settlers next turned their 
attention to securing communication with other 
settlements. By vi^lunteer work roads were cut 
through the woods, connecting the towns, streams 
were bridged and corduroy causeways were built 
across the marshes. Mr. Fifield heli)ed to open the 
road from Jefferson to Bark River mills, a distance 
of ten miles; from Jefferson to Gohlen Lake, fif- 
teen miles; at that point they met the I'rairie \'il- 
lage folks, who opened the road from their town 
to meet them, and, with the help of the Watertown 
people, a road w.as opened between that town and 
Jefferson. In the winter and spring of 1838-31) 
the Inited States Government opened a territori.al 
road from Milwaukee to Madison, crtwsing Rock 
River near Belleville, now Johnson's Cree.k. Mr. 
Fifield and his brother hel|)ed to open the teii-i- 
torial roail from .\ztalan, two miles e;i.st of Rock 
River, working for the contractor. Chester Busli- 
nell, and he also drove the first team, an ox team, 
over the road from Rock River to Milwaukee. A 
ferry was established on that road across R(»ck 
River that season. On the 8th da}" of January. 
183!), .Mr. Filield walked ten miles ia attend a ball 
which w:is given at Bark River. The tickets were 
written by .lames M. Cushman, no pi'inting-oflices 
then being known west ol Milwaukee. He still has 
his ball ticket for Ih.at occasion, which he jirizes 



t- 



-^•- 



•«► 



510 



ROCK COUNTY. 



} 



hisrlily as a relic of pioneer days. Parties from 
.Jefferson, Ft. Atliiiison and Whitewater attended 
the l)all. wiiicli was a grand suceess as a social 
event. 

In 1840, wlicn Irouljie w.os tlireatcned l)y the re- 
fusal of the Winnebago Indians to reraove peace- 
ably from the Rock River Valley to their reserva- 
tion, (!ov. Dodge issned a proclamation calling for 
volunteer companies of mounted riflemen to assist, 
if necessary, in their removal. Mv. Fifleld joined 
the company raised at Jefferson, and was commis- 
sioned as Second Lieutenant, his commission, which 
he still retains, being signed by (lov. Henry Dodge 
and Secretary of the Territory. William B. Slaugh- 
ter. As it happened that no resistance was offered 
l)y the Indians, the companies were not called into 
.actual service. 

Mr. Fifield continued to improve and cultivate 
his farm, working .at times on the river rafting 
lumber, until 1845, when he sold his land, and 
the following year removed to Janesville, where he 
opened the first regular lumber yard of that place. 
The business was carried on by him until 1852, 
when he sold out to his brothers. The 3'ard has 
been kejit u|) continuously since, and has always 
been carried on by some member of his family*, 
and since the spring of 1887 hiis been the property 
of the present proprietors, being now owned and 
ojierated by Mr. Filield and sons, under the firm 
name of Fifield Brothers it Co. After selling out 
in 1853. Ml'. Fifield engaged in the real estate busi- 
ness, dealing hirgely in i)iiie and farming lands. 

In 185.'{ he went Fast, and in ( )ctober, of that 
i'ear, at I'.ridgewaler. .Mass., married Miss Sarah 
H. Copeland, born at liridgewater, and a daughter 
of .loiiatimn Copeland, of that place, who w:ls of an 
old New Fngland family. Six children were 
t)oin of their union, four of whom are living: 
Frank I'",., the eldest, married Miss Kate Gilchrist, 
and is the senior brother of the lumber firm of 
Fifield Brothers & Co., of Janesville: C;itlierine R. 
resides at Janesville; Helen C. is tlie wife of Frank 
.Shercr, the well-known druggist of this cit}- ; Charles 
T. and Frances both die<l in infancy: J:iines S. 
wedded Jessie A. Cowles, and is the junior mem- 
ber of the firm of Fifield Brothers A- Co. 

.Soon after his marriage Mr. Fifield returned to 



Wisconsin, and continued his residence at Janes- 
ville for two years, wlien he removed to Jefferson. 
There he was engaged in the mercantile an<l real 
estate liusiness until 1803, when he returned to 
Janesville and resumed the lumber business, also 
continuing to deal in real estate. lie is now th<^ 
owner of several farms, , a stock ranch in Osborne 
County, Kan., and a large quantity of wild lands 
in Northern Wisconsin. His Kansas stock ranch 
contains 500 .ncres. and is stocked with horses, 
cattle and mules. 

In politics Mr. Fifield is a positive Republican. 
Originally he was a Free-Soiler, and a strong anti- 
slaveiy man. He hasalwaj's been in .active sympathy 
with the temperance movements of his day, and is 
a member of the Temple of Honor, a leading tem- 
perance society. During his residence at Jeffer- 
erson he was a member of the Town Board of 
Trustees for two years, and since residing in Janes- 
ville has held the otlice of Alderman two years, 
and also served two j'cars on the School Hoard. He 
and his wife are members of the Swedenborgiaii 
Church, and have been of that faith for many 
years. Mr. Fifield is one of the few left of Wis- 
consin's earliest [tioneers. His exi)ericnces embr.ace 
not only the pleasures of the free and exciting- 
life of a frontiersman, but its hardships and |iiiva- 
tions as well. Although seventy-two 3'ears of age. 
he is well preserved, both mentally and physically, 
and his memory is rich in interesting incidents of 
pioneer times. His life has been .an .active and use- 
ful one. and not without its substantial results in 
the way of propertj' and iiilhieiKc. Ili.s course has 
ever been upright and honorable, and such that it 
can truly be said of him, tiiat the world is better 
for his having been it. 



'^ Il.VRLKS H. CONRAD, was born at Long 
fl(^ I'oint, Can.ada. April 25. 1801!, and died at 
^^(^ J.anesville, Wis., April 27, IXTC. Winn 
what is known as the Clerical Rebellion broke out 
in Canada, in 1837. caused by the attempt of the 
English Government to establish a .State Church, 
and by the collection of tithes and endowments of 
crown lands to build Rectories, Mr. Conrad shoiil- 






i 




^^ 



^ 






u 



ROCK COUNTY. 



51:5 



(li'i'cd his musket and with maiij' of liis nciglibors, 
under tiie !ea<l of AIcKenzie. resisted. The Rebel- 
liDii r;iiliuL>;, he was talxeii |)iisoiier and Iodised in 
jail. Man}' of his compatriots were tried, convic- 
ted of treason, and some of lliem lianyed. By a 
fortunate change in the administration of tiie Ilduic 
(iovernment. Mr. Conrad was released from inipris- 
onment and in 1839, moved to Rockford. 111., 
wliere lie cnijaged in business, but subsetiucntly re- 
turned to Canada. After remaining some lime 
and becoming dissatisfied with affairs, jiolitieal 
and linancial, he again returned to Uockford, 
whence he removed to Janesville. Wis., in 184G. 
Iteing a milhvrigiit and carpenter by profession lie 
built the ■•IJig" mill. Tiie following year he com- 
menced merchandising, on the site now occujiied 
liy a part of tlic Myers House. Kroni the time he 
first commenced business until he leliicd in 18C.'i, 
he was eminently successful. 

Pfissessed only of the most ordinary cdiicalidii. 
yi't ho had an intuitive faculty in regard to values 
anil a nerve in investment, tlial in tliese later d.ays 
won 111 have made him a prince among merchants. 
In politics he was an original Abolitionist and a 
Republican until 1872, when he joined the Liberal 
party, tliat led to the nomination of Horace Gree- 
ley. From that time until his death he was an In- 
dependent, and wore no part}' collar. Mr. Conrad 
was a member of the first City Council and sev- 
t'ral subsequent Councils, and was for many years 
a member of the lioard of Supervisors and a Direc- 
tor in the First National IJank. He was a man of 
positive ideas, strict honor, gre.at integrity, and 
in his death tlie State lost a man of decided natu- 
ral aliility. Of iiis family three children .•ire yet 
living — J. Ilemy Conrad, of the linn of Bell. Con- 
rad A- Co.. Chicago. HI.; and Charles 15., and Wil- 
liam I!., of the linn of Conrad Brothers, of Janes- 
ville, Wis. 



-+^S'=?5^=t^-^-- 



^¥( AMKS HOl'KI.N.S, who hiis been a prominent 
I and inllueiitial citizen of this county since 
IS48, and who resides on section 3. Center 
Township, is an importer and breeder of fine 
iiorses. He w.as born in Sussex, England. March 



12, 1827, and of a family of five children, was the 
fourth in order of birth. His parents, John and 
Sarah ((iiccii) Hopkins, were also natives of Sus- 
sex and in that vicinity the father engaged in farm- 
ing for many years. Accompanied by his family 
he left his native land in 1834, when James was but 
seven years old, and crossing the broad ocean be- 
came a resident of Canada. He located in ]3urham 
County, in the Province of Ontario, where he fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits until the year 1818. He 
then came to Rock County, Wis., where he pur- 
chased 32(1 acres situated on sections 3 and 10, 
Center Township, at 4>C [ler acre. He became one 
of the leading farmers of the count}' and engaged 
in the cultivation of his land until 18.53. when 
calk><l from this earth by death at the age of sev- 
enty-seven years and seven months. His excellent 
wife survived him until 187(J, when she too passed 
away, dying at the age of eighty -seven years and 
three months. The father never w;is an active 
politician, [ireferring to devote his time and atten- 
tion to his business interests. Religiously, he was a. 
member of the Fipiscopal Cliurch. to which his 
f;uiiil}- also belonged. Of his family. John is now 
married and is engaged in farming in Canada; Wil- 
liam is married and resides in Union Township. 
Rock County; Saiah. now .Mrs. Bowman, is living 
in Canada; James is the next in order of birth; 
George, who came to Rock County in 184(1. mak- 
ing it his home until 18G8, when he removed to 
Kden County, Mich., died in that counly in I. '^7(1. 
leaving a family. 

The subject of this sketch was retired to farm 
life and in a little log house — one of the dis- 
trict schools of Camilla — laid the foundation of his 
future careei*. He assisted his father in the culti- 
vation of l:ind until 184H, when he started out in 
life for himself, and emigrating to Rock Count}-, 
Wis., (uirchased a farm of 32(J .acres in Center 
Township twenty-live acres of which had been 
broken, while the only other improvement njion the 
|)lace wjis a little log cabin. With char.nctcristic 
energy he began the work of developing a farm, 
and to the original purchase he has added until he 
is now the owner of 140 acres of fine arable land, 
which is highly improved and cultivated. The 
buildings upon the place, both the residence and 
i» 



r 



•t^ 



511 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ 



tlie outbuildings, are of a substantial and handsome 
chaiactcr. and it is cliielly owinj; to his own indus- 
try and good management that he is the pofsessor 
of suc-h a fine property. Like all pioneers his earl- 
ier years in this county were spent in a log cabin, 
but as his financial resources increased, he erected 
the tine brick residence, wliicii is now his home and 
which cost over ^(i.OOd. Other improvements to 
the amount of |(6,000 have been made and tiie 
farm is one of the best in tiie county. Of late 
years lie has given c()nsideralilc attention to the 
breeding and raising of line horses, including Eng- 
lisli Shire, Cleveland Kays and Yorkshire C'oacli. 
He niakes his own purciiases, going to England for 
that purpose, an<l the past year, 1888, made two 
importations. At his stables in .Tanesvillc. he has 
some very fine horses of spccinlly iiigh pedigree, 
and |)rol)al)ly no man in the county has done more 
to advance the grade of stock than he. His office 
is with Mr. Holt in the city, and he also has a 
liratich stable near the depot iu Doe's Addition to 
■lauesville. In connection with the breeding of 
luirses he also niakes a specialty of shorthorn cattle. 
He has lately erected a very Ini-gc barn in .laues- 
ville. wliere he will keep most of his imported 
stock. In the cultivation of tobacco he is quite 
largely engaged. 

In this county in the year 1H.')4. Mr. Hopkins was 
united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Adee, a na- 
tive of the town of Andes, in Delaware Co., N. Y., 
and a (hmgliter of Joshua and Kliy.al)eth (I'eters) 
Adee, who were also born iu that state. Her father 
was a farmer by occupation and resided in New 
York until his deatli, which occurred in 1811. His 
wife departed tliis life in 18.51. The household 
circle of our subject and his wife was completed by 
the birth of three children — lolin R., who is mar- 
ried and is now engaged in farming in Sanborn 
County. Dak.; Amanda K., now Mrs. Stevens, of 
Center; and Sampson J., wlio makes his iiome in 
Janesville. He is connected with his failu'r in the 
stock business and is an energetic and enterprising 
man. In politics. Mr. Hopkins is a lve|)ul)lican 
and has served his township as Side Supervisor. 
He bore a prominent part in the organization of 
the school districts and lias always been in favor of 
any movement which is for the heiiclil of the com- 



munity or is calculated to elevate the tone of so- 
ciety in general. 

The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Iloiikins are given 
on the opposite page. 

if^ ENRY AUCiUSTUS ANDERSON, a grocer- 
and one of llic leading business imn of 

=>^- Clinti>n, Wis., was born in Tittsburg, J'a.. 

'^p Sept. 9, 1844, and remained under the par- 
ental roof until nine years of age, when the death 
of his mother occurred and he went to live with a 
distant relative. At the age of fourteen years he 
started out in life for himself, to make his own way 
in the world, and detcriiiining to try his fortune in 
the NVest. came to Wisconsin. He landed at Mil- 
waukee, where lie rcniaiiifd ;i short lime, and then 
came to Rock County, where he worked at any 
eniployiuent which he could tiiid. 

The year 181)1 found Mr. Anderson in .biiics- 
ville, and when the Civil War broke out he en- 
listed from that city, being among the first to enrol 
his name with the ilcfeiKlcrs of liis country. He 
enlisted in what was called the Hocky .Mountain 
Rangers, but that regiment was subsequently dis- 
banded, ami in Septt'mber, 18C1, he became a mem- 
ber of tlie l.Hth ^Visconsin Infanlry. being mustered 
in at Camii Treadway, .lanesville, where the com- 
])any remained for three iiioiiths. They then re- 
ceived orders to proceed to Chicago, and thence 
on to (^uiucy. where they camped one night in an 
old rouiidliouse. At tiiat time winter had set in. the 
river was partiall\' frozen over, and the ground was 
covered wilh a deepsiiow. I'henext morning they 
were forced to cross tiie .Mississippi on cakes of 
floating ice — a very dangerous undertaking — .■uid 
marclieii through the snow, carrying their knap- 
sacks, which at that time were well loade<l, as it 
was but the beginning of tiie war. On arriving at 
the place where the bridge was biirnc<l, they ex- 
pected to meet a train, but were doomed to dis- 
appointment. Almost c(implelel\ exhausted, with 
no shelter for miles around, the bra\e soldiers had 
to lie down iu the snow, and man\' there took 
colds from which they never recovered. After a 
long and weary wait the train at lentrth reached 



4 



^ 



u. 



ROCK COliNTY. 



5 1 5 



them. It consisted of cattle cars without fire, ami the 
weather was fearfully cold. Kora day and a night 
they were on the road before arrivinu; at their des- 
tination in Western IMis.souri. The nij^ht was 
(iassed in a market place, open at hotli ends, through 
which the wind whistled until their blood seemed 
congeal i II g. The next morning they continued on 
their marcii to Leavenworth, where they did garri- 
s<)n duty for two weeks, and were then sent to Ft. 
Scott, camping the first night at Johnny Cake, 
where they arrived at about II o'clock. Their 
blankets had been sent with the teams, which had 
not 3'et arrived, and the boys were forced to build 
fires to keep from freezing. The next day after a 
hard and wearisome march they encamiied in some 
ol<l liuildiugs which had beeti vacated, and on .ac- 
ccount of the condition of some of their numbers, 
remained in that place for two daj's. While there 
a man by ttie name of llickenell, a veteran of the 
Mexican War, i)rop()sed to show tiie boys what 
■.winy life was. ;iiid wiiuld da>li tiu'dugh tiic water 
and mud in a most reckless manner, but before 
leaching Ft. Scott, his death (iccurred. lie did not 
seem to realize that he was much older, and his 
constitution was impaireil l)y age. 

After the little interval of rest the company i)ro- 
cee<le(l on their way, and during the march caiu[)ed 
one night on the old John Itiown camping gnmiid, 
to which they gave the name of Camp Hominy, as 
that :irticle of food foiiiicd their entire meal. Tlie 
country round about was Hooded, and they had to 
cut down trees upon which to pl.-ice their beds to 
keep them out of the water. They linally reached 
Ft. Scott, where 'they reiuaiiied in camp for some 
weeks, when they went to Lawrence, camping on 
the low lamls in the Kansas V^allej', where many of 
the boys were attacked with fever. At Ft. Rile\- 
occurred the first death in his regiment, being that 
of Eugene Tuttle. a young man of Rock County, 
whom they there buric(i, ])lacing on the grave a 
rough headstone, carved by J. M. Crotzenburg. 
His remains were afterward removed to Clinton 
Cemeterv where the stone which marks his resting 
place can still be seen. 

The regiment had been ordered to go to Ft. 
Riley to'join an expeclition for Santa Fe. N. M., liut 
remained there but three weeks, when they received 



• 1Lj ^' _^: 



orders to go to Leavenworth, making a forced 
march of nearly forty miles a day. At that |)oiiit 
they took l)oats for St. Louis, then the head(iuarters 
for the Northwest, and proceeded by boats to 
Cairo, when orders came to go to I'ittsburg Land- 
ing, but instead they were sent to Columbus, Ky., 
where the}' were engagetl in digging up torj)edoes 
which the rebels had planted, repairing forts, ete. 
While at Moscow a tornado swei>t over the eani|t, 
leveling nearly all the tents, with the exception of 
that occupied by the Chaplain. The Colonel did 
not fare so well, as his tent was blown over, antl in 
his nightshirt made his way to the Chaplain's tent, 
calling Qut in his Irish brogue. "Cliaplain let me 
in, me tint luisgoneto the D — ." While stationed 
at Moscow, Mr. Anderson had charge of a scpiad of 
men forming an escort to a United States Pay- 
master, who had in his possession ^1,000,00(1 with 
which to pay the army at Corinth. They were al- 
Uickcd by Wheeler's cavalry at Trenton, but after a 
few shots had been exchanged the enemy retreated. 
They pressed on to Corinth, and from there return- 
ing to Columbus. Ky., they were soon ordered to 
Fts. Henry and Uonelson, and participated in sev- 
ral expeditions, in one of which they hafl a skir- 
inisii with the rebel cavalry at IIo[)kiusville. killing 
twentv-five and ca|)turing several prisoners. While 
lying at the forks of a road a messenger came hurry- 
ing up, reporting that the rebels had attacked the 
.■>tli Iowa Cavalry, an<l with an order to march on 
double-<piick to their relief at Garretsburg, where 
some five or six had been killed. Not finding 
them at that [xiiut, they were ordered tiirough a 
swamp, in whicli they came upon the enemy cook- 
ing liieir meal, which they left witliuut contention. 
That night our forces slept under the shelter of a 
straw stack, and then returned to Ft. Henry, where 
they laid in camp for some weeks, and thence pro- 
ceedetl to Clarksville. participating in a skirmish 
at Rickett's Hill and (ueeii River Bridge. Return- 
turning to Ft. Henry, they were sent to Ft. Donel- 
son, arriving just too late for the battle. They 
went into wiuti'r quarters at Ft. Henry and in the 
spring went iv Ft. Donelson, where they remained 
several months, and in the summer were ordered to 
Steven.'<on, Ala. Later they were sent to Nashville, 
but soon returned to the former place. 



•^ M ^» 



-4^ 



-•► 



ol6 



ROCK COUNTY. 



While at that place, Mr. Andei-son liad charge of 
a company selected to coiuliict sixty prisoners of 
Wheeler's Cavahy to Nashville, and wliile in that 
city was quartered in Zollicoffer's Barracks, lie- 
turning to Stevenson, tiiey guarded tlie road over 
which thesupi)lies fur Kosencranz's army were con- 
veyed, and in the winter of 1 H(;.S-()4, did duty as 
provost guard at Nashville. About that time, tiie 
term of eidistment of the regiment having expired, 
the greater part of tlie men re-enlisted, and re- 
turned home on veteran furloughs of thirty days. 
Once more going to the front, they were ordered 
to Iluutsvillo, Ala., guarding the railroad i)etvveen 
that point and Stevenson, and then did guard duty 
on the Tennessee River between Point Rock Creek 
and Decatur, the enemy being on one side, the 
I'nion forces on the other. 'I'he following winter 
the regiment U> wliii h Mr. Anderson belonged lie- 
came a part of the llli Army Corps, under Gen. 
Stanley. The 3d I'.rigade was commanded by 
William P. l.yon. The next s|)iing they were or- 
dered to Kasl Teuiu'ssce, and while on the way the 
news reached them of the assai^si nation of President 
Lineiihi, !in(l while at (Jreensbori/they heard of the 
suneM<ler of (ieii. Lee. 'I'hey returned to Nash- 
ville with the expectation of being mustered out. 
but disap|)ointment awaited them, fur they were 
sent to New Orleans, later to Inilianola, Texas, 
and to Green Lake, where they remained a few 
weeks, and where they suffered greatly from thirst, 
much of the water being unfit for use. While at 
the latter |)lace they received orders to be dis- 
charged, which was done at San Antonio, and they 
soon afteiward returned to New Orleans, going 
thence to Madison, Wis., where the reginu-nl was 
mustered out of service Dec. 25, 18C5. 

.\flerover four yearsof continuo\is service on the 
Southern battlefu'ld. Mr. Anderson returned to 
Waterloo. IJlack Hawk Co., Iowa, from which pla<'e 
he subse(|uently moved to Clinton. Wis. He was 
married in l^'70 to Miss .losephine Hoskinsou, 
daughter of Josiah Iloskinson, an early settler of 
I)eloit. The f.'iniily now consists of four children^ 
Lora Iv, Nellie, George an<l Praidx. 

In 1876 Mr. Anderson established his present 
business, in which he has been (piile successfid. 
He is a leailing and enterprising citizen in that 



thriving little village, and well deserves a liberal 
share of the public patronage. He has always sup- 
ported the Republican party, casting his tirst 
Piesidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 18G1, 
and in his social relations is a member of (iood 
Samaritan Lodge No. 58, A. F. it A. M., also of 
Waterloo Chapter and the G. A. R. of Clinton, .and 
w.as a charter member of Victoria Lodge No. 196, 
A. F. iV A. M., in Waterloo, Iowa. lie was a 
faithful and tried soldier during the darkest days 
of our country's history, and is now a valued citi- 
zen, held in high esteem by all. 



JOHN FATHERS, malster, born in liatli, 
England, Dec. 30, 1824; died at Janesville, 
Wis., Oct. 12, 1882. The subject of this 
sketch was the youngest of a large family of 
children. He left home for London when nine 
years of age, and obtained employment with 
Downs it Co., malsters, IJichmond, Surry, wiiere he 
remained five years. At fourteen years of age he 
entered the employ of Daniel Light as foreman, 
and took charge of that gentleman's extensive malt- 
house in Loudon, where he remained until Sept. 1, 
1857, at which time he sailed for America, coming 
direct to Chicago, and entering the employ of Lill 
it Diversey, the great brewers of that city. In the 
s|)ring of 1858 Messrs. Lill it Diversey gave Mr. 
Fatlieis charge of their malthouse at .lanesvillc, 
and hither he came with his family, and continued 
to reside here until his death. On Jan. II, 18i;i, 
he was unile<l in marriage with Miss Ann Hart, 
born in London. March 6, 1828. This union was 
blessed with live children — four sons and one 
daughter: William, born in London, England, 
Oct. 28, 1851; Samuel, born in Lon<lon, dune 23. 
1851, and died in .lanesville, Oct. 5, 1887 ; dames A., 
born in Chicago, III.. May 5, 1850; Nellie, born 
in Chicago, A|)ril 18, 18(50 ; Georgie, in .lanesville, 
Aug. 2, 1861, who died when an infant. The 
widow and surviving children are now residing in 
.lanesville. The Fathers family have long been in 
the public service of (ueat Hritain. The father of 
the subject of this sketch served as a soldier in the 
British army during the war with Egypt, and lost \ r 



i 



n 



t 



4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



517 



his e_ve-sight on aceount of the <lesert stinri. .lolin 
Katliors was a most excinplary fitizen, takinj^ an 
active interest in all local affairs after becoming a 
citizen of the United Stales. Honest and upright 
in all his dealings with his fellow-men. he <licd 
greatly lieloved, not onl_y by his own fiiinily Imt 
liv a very large eircle of friends. 



-^' 



J 



|OSKl'll iM. BOSTWICK. senior member of 
! the firm of .1. M.15ostwi-k iVr Sons, the leading 
dry-goods house in Rock Countj', was born in 
the town of Bethany. Genesee Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 3, 1834. and is a son of Joseph Hostwiek (of 
whom see sketch elsewhere in this work). Our sub- 
ject removed with his parents to Stafford in the 
same county in 1836, an<l after eleven years' resi- 
dence there came to .I.anesville in 1847. He was 
educated in the common school.s, and in 1H48, when 
foul teen years of age. began clerking with Bailey 
i^' Diinock, general merchants of .Tanesville. One 
year later the firm became Dimock iV Clarke, and 
still later II. (). Clarke .V Co. In I8.-)4 the coni- 
panv failed and Mr. Bostwick entered the employ 
of .1. \V. Wheelock. Later in connection with 
William Knowles he bought out the stock of Mr. 
Wheelock. but sold it again within the next six 
months. He then joined O. K. Bennett, and the 
firm of Bennett k Bostwic-k purchiised the stock of 
H. O. Clarke it Co., that connection continuing 
four and a half years, when they divided tlie stock 
and Mr. Bostwick formed a partnership with .M. ('. 
Smith under the firm name of .Smith A' Bostwick, 
dealers in dry-goods, carpets ;uid clothing. That 
firm carried on an extensive business, the connec- 
tion continuing over a period of twenty-one years 
or until IHSl. when the stock wa.s diviileil an<l our 
subject reluiiied to the old >tand on Smilh Main 
street, where he and Mr. Bennett formerly carried 
on business, and there opened a large stock of dr\- 
goods, carjwts. cloaks and genUs' furnishing goods. 
In 1S82 his sons IJobert M. and Joseph I,, were 
admitteil a.- partners into the business uniler the 
firm name of J. M. Bostwick k Sons. This firm has 
two .separate stores on .South Main street silu.'itecl 
only two doors apart, at Nos. ll> and 20. The 



r 



lower one is stocked principally with cloaks and 
upholstery goods, while the one on the north car- 
ries a full stock of dry-goods, notions and carpet-s. 
Taken together they comprise the largest assort- 
ment anil heaviest stock in that line in the county. 

On the .'iOth of November, ISrj.'i, Mr. Bostwick 
was married to Miss Harriet M. Allen, daughter of 
Orange Allen, Es(|., of Genesee County, N. Y., 
and a native of Aurora, that .State. The ft)llowing 
children have blessed their union, all of whom are 
living except two: Fr.ank M., the eldest, is a lieu- 
tenant in the United States Navy on the ship of 
war "Palos," and is now stationed in Japanese wat- 
ers. He married Mrs. Alvira Ilartwell, and makes 
his home .at \'allejo, Cal.; Rf>bert M. is in business 
with his father; Henry Clark died in .\ugust. 1865, 
.aged three years; Joseph L. is the junior partner 
of J. M. Bostwick iVr Sons. The younger members 
of the family are Harry A.. Marion, Racine; Ed- 
ward, who died Aug. 21. 1881, ami Harriet. 

Mr. Bostwick is a Republican in politics, but h.as 
never sought or desired public oflice. preferring to 
devote his undivided attention to his extensive mer- 
cantile business. In 1875 he served as Alderman, 
which fully satisfieil his aspirations for official hon- 
ors, since which lime he has iledined to be a candi- 
date for any public trust. He has been the architect 
of his own fortune, for starting in life without 
capital oi- inlluence, he has by industry, strict in- 
tegrity and the observance of correct business pi'in- 
ciplcs achieved marked success. At the time of his 
father's death, being the eldest son. he assumed the 
management of the affairs of the family, aided and 
advised by his mothei'. and did much to preserve 
the family organiy.alion and ad viince their interests. 
IIi> life liMS been an active one and his efforts well 
direeleil by intelligent forethought. Nothing in 
the glitt«rof brilliantly-promising speculation ever 
temiited him from the well-beaten i)atlis of legiti- 
mate mercantile pursuits, and to-d.ay after fort)' 
years of experience in merch.audising he sUmds at 
ihe he.ad of one of the most important mercantile 
houses in Rock County. While still rugged and in 
the prime of life he has the satisf.-iction of know- 
ing th.at his sons, as fast as age permitted have be- 
come useful and respecteil members of society, far 
ailvauced in business pros|H'cts beyond those en- 

,» 



518 



-«► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



jojed by liimself at their age; and be has won and 
retains the respect and esteem of the best of liis 
fellow-citizens with wliom lie has been associated 
in liusiness and social relations for so inan^- years. 



^^ 



-> 



-T" 



^^ AMUEL HOLDREDGE. of the firm of 
^^^ Oreen & Holdredge. dealers iu leaf to- 
"ll^^ bacco, Janesville, Wis, was born near 
^=^ Utica, N. Y.. on the '28th day of May, 1828, 
and is the son of Samnel and l.ucina (Harvey) 
lloldredge. His father was born iu Connecticut 
and was descended from an old New England fam- 
ily, while his mother was born in A'ermont. her 
ancestors being among the early New England 
colonists. Her grandfather was a soldier of the 
War of the Revolution, and lived to the remark- 
able age of one hundred and seventeen years. He 
preserved his faculties and physical powers so per- 
fectly that at the age of one liuinlred and six- 
teen years he addressed a nieeting of 10,000 
people and upwards, at New York City. When 
one hundred and twelve years of age, having 
purchased some suburban lots in Utica, and 
his residence being five miles distant, it w:\s 
his custom to walk to his property, work there 
durinf the day and walk back at night. He used 
two canes, but made as good time .as the average 
pedestri.an. This remarkable gentleman was liorn 
in America, and was of Scotch line.Tge. 

.Samuel lloldredge, the subject of this sketch, 
w.as educated at Whitestown .\cademy and was 
reared on a farm. When twenty-three years of age 
he l)egan his business career as a clei'k at Utica, 
N. Y., and was married at Cedarville on the 6th 
day of July, 18.')l,to IMiss Mary R. Lee, a daughter 
of the Rev. Stephen Lee. Mrs. Holdredge wa.s 
lioiu in Herkimer County, near Utica. In 1855 
Mr. Ilohlredgo with his family removed to Rock 
County, Wis., and seltle<l in the town of Magnolia, 
where he engaged in nien'liandising. He also 
bouiiht considerable land, which he hired, im- 
proved and worked. He continued in business at 
ALignolia until elected Treasurer of Hock County in 
the fall of 18G0, when he removed to .lanesville 
and entered upon the duties of the ollice in .lanu 



arj-, 1861. His administration of the business of 
the office was so satisfactory that he was twice re- 
elected and served in all si.v years. The succee<l- 
ing four j- ears were spent in contracting and iiiiild- 
ing as a member of the firm of Nettleton, Jacks 
& Holdredge, which did an extensive business, and 
had a numljer of large contracts which the\' carried 
through both in Janesville ami neighboring towns. 
That connection continued until Mr. Nettleton's 
death in 1872. Mr. Holilrcilge then engaged in 
milling in companj' with N. O. Clark, which busi- 
ness was carried on for two years, when he sold 
out, .ind with M. M. Conant engaged in the gro- 
cery trade, under the firm name of M. M. Conant 
ik Co. Four years later he bought out Mr. 
Conant's interest and continued the business alone. 
In 1881 he engaged in the leaf tobacco business, 
which he carried on in connection with his grocery 
trade, but on the 1st d.ay of October, 1888 he sold 
his stock of groceries to his son Romaine C. and 
Edwin C. Bailej-, who carried on the business 
under the firm name of Holdredge it Bailey until 
February, 1881), when the son sold out to Mr. 
Bailey and joined his father in the leaf tobacco 
I'usiness. This firm's annual sales amount to from 
$75,000 to *100,00(l. 

Mr. and Mrs. Holdredge are the parents of five 
children, three of whom are living. ISurrell L.,tlie 
eldest, filed aged two and a half years; Mary C. 
died aged two years; Minnie J., wife of S. B. Ihick- 
nnister, the present su|)erintendent of the Madison 
Insane Asylum, is a graduate of the Boston School 
of Oratory, and was elected to the chair of elocu- 
tion and oratory in Lawrence University, of Apple- 
ton, Wis., in 1879; Romaine C. is now associated 
with his father and Mr. (ireen in the leaf tobacco 
business; Ada A. is the wife of Harry S. Ash, gen- 
eral agent of the Nonotnck Silk Company, and is 
located at St. Paul, Minn. 

Mr. and Mrs. Holdredge arc members of the 
Court street Methodist Episcoi)al church of Janes- 
ville, of which he w.as one of the founders. He is 
a Republican in politics, and h.as been identified of- 
ficially with the educational interests of the city, 
having served four years as a member of the Board 
of Education, two of which he was President. He 
also represented his ward two 3'ears in the City 



*r 



-♦- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-■^ 



.510 



Council. :iiul has served six years as County Treas- 
urer. He is a ineniher of Badger Council, No. 223. 
IJoyal Arcanum, of .T;niesvillo. 

Mr. Holdredtfc has been a resident of IJock 
County for more than Ihiity-foiir years, nearly 
tiiirt\' of which have liccn passed in the city of 
.lanesville. In his otiicial luisiness relations with 
his fellow citizens he has always proved competent 
and faithful to ever}' duty, while in the line of 
private business he is known as an euterprisiuy. 
reliable man. who possesses got )d business qualifica- 
tions and unquestioned integrity. He is an unas- 
suming, earnest man. well informed, genial and 
courteous in manner, and enjoys in the fullest \ turned on the land, or a stick laid, but they imme- 



M. U. Janes, makes her home in the same city; 
Herrick is the next in order of birth; .Alary is the 
wife of Hamilton Pratt, of Pl.acersville, Cal.; 
Martha, widow of Jacob Rankin, is a resident of 
Kden I'rairie, Minn. 

In 1811, Nathan Itartlett made a trip to Wiscon- 
sin, and being pleased willi Rock County and its 
vicinity, resolverl to there make his future home. 
Acting upon this resolution, he, on his return, sent 
his two sons Cliancey and Herrick to Roek County, 
they locating 200 acres of lan.l on section 22. in 
what is now Newark Townshi|>, Ijuying the same 
from the government. Not a furrow li.ad been 



degree the conlidence and esteem of all who know 
him. 

— -^i^i^- — 

ERRICK r.ARTLK'n', one of tlie leading 
farmers and dairymen of Newark Town- 
ship, residing on section 22. has been a 
resident of the county since l.SJ.'j. He was 
born in Caledonia County. \'t.. .Inly ."il. 1827. .-ind 
is the son of Nathan and .Mary (Cutler) I'.artlett. 
who were natives of Worcester County, Mass. 
The father w.as a farmer bj' occupation, and en- 
"an'ed in agricultural |)ursuits throughout his entire 
life. The paternal grandfather of our subject aided 
the Colonies in their struggle for inde|)eiidence, 
and was one of the 1.500 men who acted as are- 
serve when W.'Lshington crossed the Delaware. Mr. 
Hartletl still h.as in his possession the old Hint-lock 
musket which was used by his grandfather during 
that war. The Bartlett family in .\merica was 
fouu<led during the early colonial days for several 
of its mendiers participated in both the War (jf the 
Revolutionary and the War of 1812. 

The family of which our suliject was a nu'Uilicr 
numbered ten children — Chancey. who died in 
1872, an<l w.as buried in the Newark Cemetery; Ira 
died in Sar.atoga County. N. V.: Kli/.abetli is a 
widow of (ieorge Brazier. and resides in Beloit; their 
son Nathan served in the late Rebellion, and then 
joined the regular service and died of yellow fever; 
Nelson is living in Michigan; Luke C. is a carriage 
manufacturer of Brodhead. (Jreen Co.. Wis.; J^ucy 
C. is also living in Beloit; Maria L.. widow of Dr. 



diately built a little log cabin, into which the fam- 
ily moveil. There the children grew to manhood 
and wom.'uihooil an<l one by one left the old home, 
which is now in possession of our subject. .Since 
he became the owner, he li.as made manv improve- 
ments, until now the farm is one of the finest in 
the county. Death visileil the pioneer home, and 
in 18(12. the mother w.a.s taken from the familv. 
She was a most estimable lady, beloved liy all. and 
was a member of the Congregational Church. The 
death of the father occurred March !(. 1«72, at the 
age of eighty-five years. In early life, he was a 
supporter of the Whig paity, but was amon" the 
first to atlvocate the princi|)les of the Republican 
party, with which he continued to vot« until his 
death. He posessed a benevolent and kindly spirit, 
and was a man greatly beloved for the many kind 
.acts which he |)erformed. 

In the .schools of his native state, our subject re- 
ceived his education and laiil the foundation for 
his future career. The studious habits of his early 
life have never left him. He is still a great reader, 
and in addition to his good library, his home is 
rich in newspapers and the leading journals of the 
day. He is well infornu'd on every question of 
general interest, both political anil otherwise, and 
is possessed of a sti)re of general knowledge which 
ct>idd not be gained from te.\t books. 

(Jn the 27th of April, 18;i.i. Mr. Bartlett and 
Miss Nancy G. Deuel were united in marriage. The 
lady Wits born in Philadelphia. Jefferson Co.. .\. V.. 
Jan. 2t, 1831, and is a daughter of Reuben K. and 
Betsy (Cross) Deuel, the former a native of New 



r 



-4»- 



-•► 



520 



ROCK COUNTY, 



York, and the latter of New Hampshire. Tliej' 
are now living in Afton. Rock Co.. Wis., Iiulh li:iv- 
in^ passed tlieir ninetieth birthdays, yet tiie lady 
still attends to the hotispliold affairs, while Mr. 
Deuel does the work around the house, keeping a 
horse and cow. I'.oth are still in ijood health and 
are highly esteemed people, who receive the resiiect 
of all who know them. 

l!y the union of Mr. and Mrs. liartiett nine chil- 
dren have been born — lohn '1"., is still living .-it 
home; Choate A., is a real estate and loan agent of 
Minneapolis. .Minn.; I). B.. is the wife of Kdgar C. 
Gilman. a farmer of I'.utler County, Kas., and was 
for eight terms a teacher in the public schools; Lil- 
lie M.. is an artist of much ability ; Harry U.. is a me- 
chanic of I'.assadena. Cal.; Kdith V. like her sister, 
possesses much artistic talent, and many oil paint- 
ings, the work of their hands, adorn the pleasant 
home; Guy Klroy. the youngest son is still at home; 
Mary E., is eng.aged in teaching; aiid Luc^- Ktta, 
completes the family. Mi', anil Mrs. i'.arllctl have 
given their children good educations, and all are 
well qualified for teachers. Kor the long period of 
forty-four years, Jlr. IJartlett has been a resident 
of Rock County, and the greater |)art of that time 
has been spent upon the farm, upon which he set- 
tled on his arrival, where his children were born 
and where he still resides. The many improve- 
ment-s which have been made and the highly culti- 
vated condition of the land show th.at his life has 
not been an iille one, and the success in the various 
directions in which he has labored is due entirely 
to his own efforts. He is now the owner of 210 
acres of land. 200 of which are under cidtivation, 
and upon the farm wdl be found a good grade of 
all kin<l of stock. In connection with his farming 
interests, Mr. Hartlett and his son for some time 
have been engaged in operating a dairy and they 
keep twenty-six .Jersey cows, from whose milk is 
manufactured butter of the highest grade which 
fiu<ls a ready sale in the markets. 

In the work of advancement during the past 
fortv-four years. .Mr. Hartlett h,"is borne his part, 



facture of spiritous liquors and does all in his 
l)Ower to aid in abolishing the same. I'olitically, 
he is a st;dw:ut supporter of the Re|)ulilican party, 
but though feeling an interest in political affairs, h.as 
steadily refused to accept public office. For many 
years he has been a member of the Masonic Fra- 
ternity, and is recognized as one of the leading and 
prominent citizens of the community in which he 
resides. His wife was one of Rock County's first 
school teachers, and in its [lioneer <lays taught in 
the log school house, which was then so common. 
They have one of the most pleasant homes in Newark 
Township, and are respected l)V all who know them. 



|lr^EV. O. F. COMFOHT was born in South- 
Vjf port, N. Y., in the year 1812. While a 
t4iM|\ voung man he resolved to devote his life , 

w 



to the cause of the Master, and was ordained 
a minister of the .Methodist Kpiscopal Church. He 
was united in marriage with Eleanor Lawsha. who 
died and w:is buried in Geneva. N. Y. Tliey.h.ad 
a family of three children, but Mrs. Flora West, 
wife of ■lames R. West, is now the onl}- survivor, 
her two brothers having departed this life in Mis- 
souri. 

After engaging in pastoral duties for several 
years in the P>ast the Rev. Mr. Comfort, accompanied 
bj' his family migrated to Wisconsin in 1M4H. For 
one 3'ear he had charge of the church at Lake (Jen- 
eva, Walworth County, and for the same length of 
time i)erfornied the duties of the pastorate of .lanes- 
ville, when his health failing him he was obliged to 
abandon the ministry, and purchasing a small farm 
near Evansville turned his attention to agricult- 
ural pursuits. l"V>r two years he resided upon his 
farm, preaching only occasionally to supply a v.a- 
cancy or on extra occasions. He then again entered 
the ministry and became Pastor of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in Madison. Wis., but afU^r one 
year's service was again obliged to remove to his 
farm near Evansville. The first and onlv hon.se 



and with the educational, social and moral interests | which he ever built is still standing in that tA^)wn. 
has ever been identified. The temiu-rance cause His death occurred in Dow City. Iowa, in the year 



finds in him a true friend, anil he labors earnestly 
in its behalf. He is opposed to the use and manu- 



1877. The Rev. Mr. Comfort was an old time minis- 
ter, but unlike many, not all. of his eolemporaries. 



•^ 



^^ 




dfCj/j^^^j^ 



■^•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 




523 



was a fearless advocate of anti-slavery principles 
for several years prior to llie war. He was also a 
tirni advocate of total aljstinence, and many a hard 
lilow did he strike for the right in both these issues, 
his energy never llaji^in": or faltering while health 
was ijiven to him. lie was also feeble, but for 
nian\- years worked and preached and wrote, con- 
tendin<,' with a disease which w.as surely carrying 
him downward to the grave, but his end was peace 
.•uid he died fully trusting in the God of whose 
love he had so long iireached to others. 



-S^^« 



RTHUIJ C. KENT, manufacturer, of .biues- 
3^0| ville, was born in Canada, on the line 
I Is between that country and the State of New 
^ York, Seiit. 1 , 1837, and is the son of Cart- 

wright and Caroline M. (Smith) Kent, both of 
whom were natives of England, the former born in 
Lincolnshire, and the latter in London. They 
came to America in 1827, and settled in Canada. 

The subject of this sketch received his primary 
education in the public schools, after which he at- 
I elided Magill College, in Montreal, Canada. In 
the spring of 1 853 he eng.iged .as a clerk in the 
Intel-national Hotel, Niagara Falls, and there rc- 
m.iiued three years, hi 185G he went to Chicago, 
where he found em|)loyment with the Lake Shore 
A: Michigan Southern Railroad in the ticket oHice. 
In 18.')'.) he went to Denver, Col., as a member of 
the Original Chicago Mining Comp.au}', where he 
remained one year, engaged in mining. Returning 
to Chicago, he remained there but a short time, 
and then went to London, Canada, where he was en- 
gaged in distilling for one year. St. Louis, Mo., 
was his next place of residence. He there engaged 
in the slate and marble business for a short time, 
and then went to Cincinnati. Ohio, and thence 
to Lexington. Ky., wheri' he engaged in the same 
line of business. 

While Mr. Kent was in Lexington the Rebellion 
commenced, and he cami; North to AVisconsin, 
locating .at Janesville. Relieving in the righteous- 
ness of tlic Union <-:iuse. on the Gth day of Novem- 
ber. ISfil. he enlisted as a private in Company E, 
:>d Wisconsin Cavalry, for three 3'ears' service. Ik- 



was mustered in at Janesville Nov. 27, and soon 
after was sent to the front. On the Gth day of 
January, 1802, he was appointed Sergeant, and 
Aug. 13 following was commissioned Second Lieu- 
ten.ant, .and served .as such until Dec. 2, 1862, when 
he w.as commissioned First Lieutenant. On the 
13th day of June, 1863, he resigned, and returned 
to Janesville, which has since been his home. 

On returning to Janesville Lieuti Kent engaged 
in the manufacture of high wines and vinegar, in 
which business he continued until 1877, when, hav- 
ing patented his corn-planter, which he christened 
"The Triumph," he began its manufacture. Sub- 
sequently he added to his business the manufacture 
of fauning-mills, clothes -wringers, steel-fiaine pul- 
leys and imitation cigar-box lumber. At the pres- 
ent time, in the spring of 1889, he emplo3-s on an 
average twent3--five men, his sales amounting to 
about §40,000 annually. 

Mr. Kent was united in marriage Oct. 23. IHGC, 
with Miss Hannah M. Liddle, a native of Can.ada 
and daughter of Frazier and Catherine Liddle. 
Three children were born unto them, all of whom 
died in infancy. 

Few men are more entcri)rising than the subject 
of this sketch, who never finds time to be idle. On 
all questions i)ertaining to the welfare of his 
adopted city ho takes front rank, always willin" to 
contribute to its material advancement. Polilitallv 
he is an independent. Ueligiousl}' he is a member 
of the Episcopal Cliiirch, of vvliicli body his wife is 
also a member. Hothare highly esteemed wherever 
known. 

A line portrait of Jlr. Kent is shown upon the 
op.positc page. 

'i^^:- — - 



l|';OIlN HEATH, engineer on the Chicago & 
] Northwestern Railro.ad. running the entrine 
. of the da}' exiness betweiai .lanosvile and 
^f^fJ (ireeii May, entered the employ of that com- 
pany as fireman in December. 18C2, and in July, 
l.S(;:>. was promoted to engineer. He is a native of 
this State, having been born in the town of Delafield. 
Waukesha County, on the KUh day of Janiiarv. 
1812. and is a son of .b)lin and .Margaret ((iarrilv) 

Hcatli. His fallii'r was born in England, ami when 

T / 
»► ■ ^« 



i 



4= 



524 



"^ 11 <• 



ROCK f^OUNTY. 



n! 



-1 



a young man eraignited to Canada, where lie was 
married, Iiis wife being a native of tlial connliy. 
Ill 183S he removed with lii.s family li> Wisconsin, 
settling at Ocoiiomowoc, wlierc lie spent three 
years and tlien hecaine a resident of Uelafield. lie 
there engaged in tiie erection of two mills, after 
wliich he removed to Snilivan. .IctT'erson County, 
wliere lie .also built two mills, called the Heath 
^^iil^<, on l'.ark .River. His death occurred in July, 
1.S7;'), and his wife departed tliis life in 1«G8. 
They were tlie i>arents of seven children, all of 
whom arc living with the exception f>f one. 
Michael C, who married Lena Kellogg, is engaged 
in the lumber business in Nestoria, IJaraga Co., 
Mich., where he still resides; Margaret is now the 
wife of George Cox, a farmer residing near Lin- 
coln, Neb.: John, of this sketch, is the next in 
order of birth; William died at the age of fourtteii 
years; Albert married Kliza Gilxson, f)f Republic, 
Wis., and is engaged in lumbering; Eliza is the 
wife of William 'IMiompson. a farnier in Waupaca 
County, Wis., and Nellie, the youngest, is the wife 
of Warren Axtel, a carpenter of I'ine City, Minn. 

When about three years of age our subject re- 
moved with his parents to the pl.aee now called 
Heath Mills, in the town of Snilivan, .Jefferson 
Co., Wis., and later went U> I'almyra, receiving his 
education in the village schools. He began rail- 
roading in the erii|>loy of the Milwaukee it I'rairic 
du Chien Kailroa'l Company in June, 18C0, as a 
fireman, continuing in that employ until Oct. 15, 
1KC2, making two years anil four months' service. 
He was then engaged with the Illinois Central for 
a short time, after which he was fireman on the 
(ialena \' Chicago Lnion Railroad, accepting on 
the same day on which he left that road a position 
on the Northwestern, and since Dee. T). 1 .SG2, has 
been in the em|iloy of that company. In July, 
1 «(;;!, he was placed in charge of his liist engine, 
and since that time he has .serveil .as an engineer. 
When he entered the employ of the company il h.ad 
but 210 miles of road and tliirl\-live engines, but 
now owns G,000 miles of road .and HdO engines. 

Mr. Heath has been a resident of Janesville 
since March 11, 1860, at which time he was united 
in marriage with Miss Kllen M. Bliss, of Chicago, 
1 r a daughter of .\sahel and Samantha (Merrill) Bliss. | 



Mrs. Heath was born in Chelsea, Orange Co., Vt. 
Their union h.os been blessed to them with one son, 
Marcelbis Adelbert, who was born in Janesville. 
M.ay y, 1809. In 1802 Mrs. Heath removed from her 
Eastern home to Ereeport, III. In her father's 
family were four chililren — Erances, who became 
the wife of James C. Nichols, an engineer on the 
Canada, Waterloo tV Ontario Railroad, who for 
many years was in the employ of the Western 
Union and Hannibal it St. .loseph roails; Ellen M., 
wife of our subject; Erankliii, an old engineer on 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & .St. Paul, for twenty-five 
3-ears running between .Savannah and Rock Islaand. 
married Adelaide Sweet and lives at Rock Islami; 
Newton M., an engineer on the Madison Division 
of the Chicago it Northwestern Rairoad, wedded 
Isabel W. Rnndlett. and lives at Barabot), Wis. 
'I'he death of Mr. Asahel Bliss occurred on the 7th 
day of August, 1857. He was born in Lebanon. 
N. IL, and his wife, who died April 2, 1852. was a 
native of the (ireen Mountain .State. 

Mr. anil Mrs. Heath have been residents of Janes- 
ville for many years, and are highly respected citi- 
zens. He takes great interest in civic societies; is 
a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 14, A. E. & 
A. AL; of .Janesville Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.; 
Janesville Commandery No. 2. K. T.. and h.as held 
various ottices in the same. Eor two years he was 
Worshipful Master of the Blue Lodge, was for four 
j'ears and is now H. P. of the Chaiiter, and is 
J. W. of the Commaiidciy. lie belongs to the 
(lebel Council, No. 2, and is a member of the 
(Iraud Council of the St.ate, and is (! rand Principal 
Conductor of the Work. He has recently been 
apiK)inted Foreign Correspondent f)f the (irand 
Council of Michigan, near the; Orand Council of 
Wisconsin. Eor twenty-five years he has been a 
member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Kn 
gineers, and now belongs to .Janesville Division 
No. 185, of which he has been twelve years 
treasurer. He h.as been representative of thai 
order to lonventions held in Detroit, BiitTalo. Ncu 
Orleans, New York, Chicago, and Richmond, \'a., 
and has done effective work for his fellow en- 
gineers. He .as an ardent supporter of the Repub- 
lican party, and sustains the Congregational Church, 
of wliich his wife is a member. As an engineer 



^^ 



■^*- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



525 



Mr. Heath ranks liigli,and liis long term of service 
is a testimonial of his aliility and fidelity to the 
company's interests. He has never had an acei- 
(U'nt, nor has he ever heen off duty an entire 
month during; his service, with one exception. As 
lircman he lias made !);5,(j.").s miles; u|) to Juno .'?(), 
l.s,s;i. as engineer, 1)05,01 7 miles. Of the latter, 
(>1IS,2I7 were m.ade in tiic passenger service. 

^f AMES HRADSIIAW, an old and highly 
respected citizen of Spring Valle\' 'I'own- 
sliip, residing on section 17, was born on 
y tiie 22(1 day of .Inly, 18(11, an.l d.-itcs his 
residence in lids county from .Inly -1. 18-15. He 
was l)orn in Derbyshire. England, where his an- 
cestry lived for several generations b.ack. 15otli 
liis paternal and maternal grandparents were na- 
tives of th.at c(jnnty. and the families were noted 
foi- longevity-. The paternal grandfather iiad 
passed his one liundredth birthday at the time of 
his death, and his wife was one hundred and five 
3ears of .age, while tlic maternal grandfather was 
eiglity-two years of age. and his wife had attained 
her ciglily-second year. 

For more than forty j'ears Mr. Bradshaw re- 
sidc(l within one mile of his birthjilace, making ids 
home, in Liniondly initil his emigr.ation to Amer- 
ica, lie was married in Derbyshire, England, on 
the ;!(lth day of May. 1«2;5, to Miss liettie Coo()er, 
who was his companion through life's journey for 
more than lialf a century. A family of six clul- 
dren were Ijorn to that worthy couple, the birtli of 
live occurring previous to the removal of the fam- 
ily to tins country: Martha, who married Peter 
Smith, a native of Scotland, then living in Spring 
N'alicy Township, but now a resident of Wasliing- 
ton. died in 1888, leaving six of licr seven children 
to niouru tlu- loss of a mother; George died in his 
eightecntli year; .loseph died in infancy; Jane also 
dci)arted this life in lier eighteenth year; lietsy, 
who was liorn Dec. (!, 1839, became the wife of 
.lacob \'an Skike, Sept. 24, 1871, her husliand, who 
was a soldier of Company I. 9th Indiana Cavalry, 
having died Scjit. 2:3, 1880. since which time slie 
lias been living with her four children on tlie old 

<■ 



homestead; Maria, born Sept. 29, 1847, is now the 
wife of James Sterling Richards, and to them have 
lieen born four children, one of whom is deceased. 
In 1845, .acc( mi pan led by Ids family, Mr. Hrad- 
shaw left his native land and crossed the Atlantic 
to America. He arrived in Janesville, Wis., on 
the 4th day of Jul^-, of that year, and soon after- 
ward entered a claim on section 17, Spring Valley 
Township, comprising IIJO acres of land, to which 
he has since added forty acres, making in all 200 
acres of fine arable land, which he lias placed under 
a high state of cultivation. His first house was a 
little log cabin, tlie usual home of the pioneer, and 
it is still standing, being used as a work and tool 
shop. Of an energetic and practical disposition, 
Mr. Br.adshaw has made a success of farming. 
Nothing which he undertakes proves a failure, for 
his industry and perseverance, alwaj's at last, if 
not in the beginning, accomplishes the result for 
which he is striving. He lias always been in the 
habit of laying his plans after retiring for the 
night, and on rising in the morning was re;idy to 
proceed to the labors of the da3'. He li:us never 
sold as much as 200 bushels of corn, believing it 
more profitable to feed his produce to his stock 
than to send it to market. He lias raised all kinds 
of farm produce adapted to the soil and climate of 
Wisconsin. Some years since he rented his farm 
to his grandson, onlj' retaining four acres for his 
own use, which he planted in vegetables, selling 
the same in Hrodliead. Although Mr. Bi-adshaw 
has nearly reached his eighty-fifth year, he is still 
vigorous, arises at 6 :30 in the morning, .at 8 o'clock 
starts to r.rodhead, and on his return spends the 
morning in reading until called to dinner. He is 
fond of a good joke, highly enjoys repartee, is a 
great reader, and his mental faculties are unim- 
paired. He can converse intelligently on any sub- 
ject, is well informed on all the general topics of 
the day, and bj' his genial, kindly manner, has 
gained friends wiierever he h.as been. In 1880 his 
good wife was called to her final rest, and her re- 
mains were interred in the cemetery near the 
Scotch sciiool-honse in .S|u'ing \'alley Township. 
She had been reared in the same familj' with Mr. 
Bradshaw. and their aopiaint.ance dateil from the 
age of seven 3'ears. ( )n att.aining to years of matu- 



I 



_ ■► i < • 



^ i r^ 




520. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



turity their friendship ripened into a deeper regjard, 
and for more than half a century they traveleil 
life's journey as man and wife, celchrntinir their 
golden weildinu in IK?-'?. 



-^-H^>=S>^4+-J- 




7 

n 



II. BILLINGS, a prominent contractor and 
Imilder of Janesville, Wis., wns liurn in 
Monltjomery County. N. Y.. en llic lltli 
day of January, IH-KI, and is a son of 
Ilirani and Eliz:ilietli ( I'.rown) Hillings. His father 
was horn on llie same farm where the liirth of our 
subject occnrred, ami tliroughout his life he fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. After his marriage 
with Miss Brown tliey eontinue<1 to reside in New 
York until IsT'.t, w iicn llu'\ renio\ I'll to Uoekford, 
111., whore tiiey are still living. Tliey arc the 
parents of two children — D. II., of this sketch, and 
a daughter, who is now the widow of Stephen 
Snell. 

Our subject jiassed his early life in his native 
county, and in IHi'it), when sixteen years of age, 
first came to .lanesville with his father. The first 
house which he assisted in building in Rock County 
was erected during that senson on Turtle Creek, 
and is still standing, in 1 K.H".). Mr. Hillings' stay in 
Rock County at tliiit time was but temporary, as in 
March. 18.">7, he returned to the State of New 
Yoik. He served an apprenticeship to the carpen- 
ter trade at Amsterdam, near Albau\, and there 
continueil to work for cjglit years, when lie went to 
Michigan, where he passed the next six \'cars of 
his life. He then removed to Uoekford. III., where 
he continued for the sinne period of time, :uid at 
lenuth returiu'd to .lanesville. wiiere lie made a 
permanent location. 

In 18(!'2 Mr. Billings was united in marri.age 
with Miss Frances Fuhner, a daughter of Rev. 
\s:i:\c Fulmer, a Methodist clergyman, of Amster- 
dam. Two children graced their union — Frank, 
who is ;i macthinist liy trade anil now resides in 
Koekford, III., and F.dna, a .'Student of the high 
school of .lanesville. In 1H7!), on the '.ith of^.Iune, 
dentil robbed Mr. Hillings of his helpmate. In 
ISKl he married Miss Nettie Allen, a daughter of 
Alonzo and grandd.-uighter of Alexander Allen. 



On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion 
Air. Hillings contemplated enteiiiig the service, and 
a.ssisted in raising the first company which enlisted 
from Amsterd:im, but on account of physical 
disability his services as a soldier were not ac- 
cepted. He is at present one of the prominent 
contractors and builders of Janesville, making a 
siiecialt}' of church and store buildings, .and the 
skillful and etiicient manner in which his work is 
performed has gained him an enviable reputation. 

Mr. Hillings is descended from .several families 
of note among the early settlers of New York. 
His paternal grandfather, Caleb Billings, was one 
of the earlj' settlers of Montgomery County, and 
wedded a Miss Mallorv, who belonged to an early 
Vermont family. The great-grandfather of our 
subject niarried a Miss Van Renssel.aer, who be- 
longed to an old Holland family whose meinbcrs 
were jiioneer settlers of the Mohawk ^'.•llley. The 
mother of Mr. Hillings was the daughter of David 
Brown, who was also numbered among the early 
settlers of Moulgomerv County, N. Y. 



of 

zen 

on 



(» ftlLLIAM S. YOST, one of the pioneers 
\/\jl' Rock County of 18 13, and a leading citizi 
^^ of Beloit, w.a.s born in Johnstown, Kulti 
County, N. Y.. .M;ucli II, 1818, and is of (Jernian 
descent. His gr:indfather, Peter Yost, was born in 
Sax Cobeny, Germ.any, and emigrated to the United 
States when a young man, settling at .lohnstown. 
He was one of the founders of that place, built the 
first saw and lloiuMug mill, and w.as interested in 
many of its first enterprises. He married a lady by 
the name of Schultz, and to them were born seven 
children — John, Jacob, William, Nicholas. Ann, 
Mary and Elizabeth. 

William, the third child, and the father of c»ur 
subject, wedde<l Dorcxs Dockstader. of Mont- 
iiomery County, N. Y. They were the parents of 
eleven children: Joseph, the ehlest, is now a resi- 
dent of Fulton County, N. Y.; Eliza married .Mat- 
thew \an Horn, and emigrated to Wills County. 
III., in its pioneer days, where they l)otli dieil; 
Nicholas D. settled in Jefferson County. X. Y., 
where his death occurred; Catherine, who ilied in 



^»" 




^u 



ROCK COUNTY. 



527 1 




.lolinstowii, N. Y., was the wife of .John Liswell; 
S;ii;ili iiinriieil William Sclieiick, and came to Uock 
('()iinl\ iii I H l.'i, where holli dieil; William S.; .hiiie 
A. wedded .lohii Hayes, uf .lohnstown, where hdlli 
departed this life; Kranees, widow of Kreilericic Wirt, 
is livliii; in West Virginia; and Henry C. died in 
■lohnstdwn, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Yost were mem- 
bers of the i'',|)isc<)|ial Clnirili. in which lie serveil 
as Trustee for many years. Tiiey were kinil, ac- 
eimimodalini,'^ people, respceteil liy all, and hoth 
pas.sed tolhcii- tinal rest in .hihnstown, N. Y., wiicie 
they had lived for so many \ears. 

The sniiject of this skelch grew to m.-mhood on 
his father's farm, and like most farm lads received 
his eilnc.'dion in the common school, allendiny for 
about three months in a yi-ar, while, as soon as he 
was larj^e emiu^h to mamii;e a plow, the rest of the 
yejir was sptMit in tarm laboi'. lieing' of a studious 
nature, Mr. Yost overcame his early disadv.antages, 
.ami soon ac(iuired a liberal education. On tlie 1th 
day of March, l.SK), he was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Harriet Sadliere, who was horn in .lohnstown, 
N. Y., July 3, 1S21. Her parents. John C. and 
J.Mue (Kepi)) Sadliere, were natives of the Empire 
.State. The father was of French descent, and 
the mother was a member of a in)table family of 
New York City. 

In l«4.'5Mr. and Mrs. Yost left New York for 
the far West, going by canal to Buffalo, and thenee 
l)y the (ireat Lakes to Kenosha, Wis., where they 
secured teams and pi'ocecded to Rock County. 
They located upon land which Mr. Yost's f.ather 
had previously purchased, and moving into a little 
log cabin, began life in earnest. At that time 
bands of Indians roamed over the prairie, and were 
frequent visitors at the homes of the first settlers. 
At one time when .Mr. Yost was on a trip to Mil 
waid\ee, seven Indians came to the cabin and de- 
manded something to eat. .Mrs. Yost lieing alone, 
gave them everything she hail, and they depailed 
in peace; but we can well imagine with what relief 
she saw lliem leave, for they were not always on 
friendly terms with the settlers. In 1818 Mr. Yost 
erected a cobble-stone house, which made them a 
comfortable home for many year.s, and which is 
still in his possession. Although in limited cir- 
cumstances, on his arrival in Uock County the hard 



labor which he bestowed upon his farm at length 
brought its rewar<l. and the accnnmlalinn of former 
years now en.able them to live in ea.se, retircil from 
a(!tive duties in the decline of life. In l.H(;8he 
left ills f;inn and became a resident of I'.eloit, 
where he owns a comfortable home. 

Mr. and .Mrs. ^■(lst .are the parents of si.\ chil- 
dren: .loseph II., uhd w.as boiii .bin. I I, l.s4;!. diei] 
Jan. 1,'), 18(;;5; ftl.-itilda 1'., born .March •_'."), 184."i. died 
Feb. 18, IMC,;;; Frankey. burn Jan. 27, 18r,0, is the 
wife of Willard S. M.Hart, of Turtle Township; 
llattie L., born Jan. 1(). I8(il. died A|)ril 1, 1882; 
William S., Jr., born July 8, 1801. is a traveling 
salesman of Cliicigo; .lulm Ant hoii\', born March 
12, 1848, i.s eng.aged in farming <in the old home- 
stead in ISeloit Township. 

In the same year as his majiiage .Ml'. Yost cast 
his tirst Presidential vote for Willi.im Henry llarri- 
.sou. In 18;")!; he becami' a Republican, sn|)|)orling 
that party until the .second election of (len. Grant, 
when, not being satisfied with (JraiU's administra- 
tion, he voted for (ireely. Since that time he has 
supi)orted the Democratic party, and was a great ad- 
mirer of (irover ClevclamI .and his administration. 
For over forty-liv(! years .Mr. Yost has been a resi- 
dent of Rock County, and has been identified with 
13 leading interests. 



il li-lLLlAM llAUDKN, is a member of the 
\/yJ// lii'iii of Hadden, Bowles & Co., importers 
\y\B and dealers in I'ercheron. Fnglishshire and 
French Coach horses. This company- wiis formed 
in 1884, although the business was begun by Howdes 
A- Hadden the year previous, an<l in 1887, James 
Scott and Thomas Mouat were admitted to part- 
nershi|), and with the original i)arties constitute the 
present (irni. These gentlemen keei) a choice collec- 
tion of horses, averaging about 100 heail on hand 
at a time, and the average selling price of these 
animals is about $1,()00. The lirm has handled 
upwarils of 225 head to this time anil their bus- 
iness steadily increases. 

Mr. Hadden was born in Haddingtonshire, SciH- 
land, on the 17th day of February, 1818, and is 
the son of James and Ann (Brown) Haddeu. In 



:??r:$^' 



, i 528 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-*HK-4« 



l.s.'>(i. Ill' crossed the Atlantic witli his parents to 
Anieiica, tiic family continuing tlieir jonrneyinirs 
until rcacliins; Rocl< County, where they settled in 
the town of Milton, there spending one year, and 
at the end of that time removing to a farm i.. the 
town of Lima. 

The suhjecl of this sketch was married in .lelTer- 
son County, Wis., to Miss Elizaholh Phelps, the 
cerenKjny heiiig performed on the Tjth day of Oc- 
tober. 187.'i. The lady was horn in Mcllenry 
County. III., and is a daughter of Waterman 
Phelps. One child, a chuighter, Mamie, was horn 
of their union. 

Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Madden 
made his home in llie town of Harmony, where he 
engaged in farming. ct)ntinuiug in that location 
until 1881, when he moved to .lanesville, and 
formed a i)artnership with 'I'homas ISowles in his 
present business. They had already licen import- 
ing choice horses together for a year previous and 
have since huilt up a large and prosperous liusiness, 
in connertion with which tliey are also interested 
largely in Dakota lauds. 

Mr. Iladdiii and his family attend All Souls 
Church. ( liiitarian). In politics, he is a Demo- 
crat, lint has never heen an ollice holder, or had 
any desire in that du'ection. lie is an upright, 
honorable man, and is esteemed as such by a large 
circle of ai-(piaintauces. 



^ ' i ' | "*~ 



r 



,^^\ VHON 11. .SOVERlllLL, a leading dealer 
in leaf tobacco, of Janesville, has been a 
resident of this city since January, 1856. 
lie was born in New.ark, Wa^'ne Co., N. Y., 
.lulv 1 I. 1828, and probably is descended from 
.Samuel Soverhill, a native of Wales, who came to 
.\merica during Colonial days. He was a sailor, 
owning several coasting vessels, and at the time of 
tlie Revolution was engaged in the lumber trade 
l)elween Maine and Long Island. The British 
ca|)tured his vessels and endeavored to press him 
into their service, but he resisted their efforts, lost 
his life by so doing, and was thrown overboard 
into the sea. His son, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, for that reason contracted a great hatred for 



the British, and when the War of 1812 (which was 
caused In- the British trying to impress American 
seamen into their service) broke out, he immedi- 
ately engaged in that struggle. He was at the 
time in command of a military company in the 
State of New York, lie took part in the engage- 
ment at Sodus Point, the battle of Chip|)ewa. and 
the battle of (^ueenstowii. in which Gen. Brock was 
killed. He continued to live in Wayne County 
until his death. He had a family of three daugh- 
ters and three sons — Isaac. Hiram, and Joel, the 
latter being the only one of the family yet living, 
his home being the old homestead in Wayne 
County. 

Hiram So\erhill, the father of our subject, was 
the first white child born in Arcadia Townshii), 
W.ayne Co., N. Y., the date of his birth being Nov. 
16, 1800. He w.as reared to the oi'cupatiou of 
farming, and was united in marriage with Kliza 
.lessup, who w.as born in W.ayne County in 1808, 
and was a daughter of Lewis .Iessu[), a native of 
New Jersey, who settled in Wayne County .at an 
early day. A family of five children, three sons 
and two daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Soverhill. and all are yet living, Mj'ron II , of this 
sketch. l)eing the eldest; Andrew I), is a resident 
of Newark, N. Y. ; Edward P. makes his home at 
the same place; Sarah is the wife of John K. 
Boyce, of Minneapolis. Minn.; and Mary, a maiden 
lady, is living with her sister. 

The subject of this sketch is the only one of the 
family who ever located in Wisconsin. He was 
reared to farm life, and leceived his education in 
his native county. After arriving at mauliood. he 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Adeline Saiiford, 
a native of Wayne County. N. Y._ and a daughter 
of .loseph H. and Dorcas (lluuiphiey) Sanford. 
Her father's family nun\bcred eight children, four 
sons and four daughters, but only three are now 
living — William, of Barry County, Mich.: Eiuil\. 
wife of Pliny Macomber, of Maple Grove, Mich.; 
and iMrs. Soverhill. 

In the fall of 1855 Mr. Soverhill ni:idc a lri|i 
to Rock County for the purpose of selecting a lo- 
cation, and purchasect a farm on section 8, in the 
town of Fulton. But little improvement had been 
made at the time of the purchase, hut he at once 

■ •^- 



-^»" 



ROCK COUNTY. 



r>2'j 



l)i\s;!iii to (ievelop and cultivate tlio land, which he 
soon Iransfdrnicd into a licaulifiil f:iirii. which is 
yv\ iji liis (losscssiou. Ki'oiii l.Sf)!; until lf<M2. when [ 
retiring from farm life, he there made hi.s home. ! 
In US.'iiS he turneil his alleution to the raisiiii; of 
tohaeeo, and tli.at \ ear liarvesled a c rop. lie wn.s 
one of Ihe tirst to engage in that industry in IJoek 
County, and since the date mentione(l not a year 
lias passed in which he has failed to raise a crop of 
tobacco. He purciiased the first toliacco bought on 
commission in tlie Stale of Wisconsin, at Edgcr- 
ton, in lK(i'.l. and. though having retired from farm 
life, he still continues this business, engaged in 
the buying of leaf tobaccti and wool. The magni- 
tude of the tobacco trade and the extent to whi<'h 
Mr. .Sciverhill has dealt in this commodity is illus- 
tratt'd by the fad tiiat in the season of 1HS2 he 
pnrchascKl .■5,00(1 cases, or sufficient to load sixty 
cars with an average capacity of (!(),000 [lounds. 
lie handles more wool than any oilier dealer in 
Southern Wis<onsin. 

Mr. Soverhill is one of the representative men 
of Kock County, with whose |uogriss and .advance- 
ment he has been idenlilied for lliirly-live years. 
In his political views he was in early life a Democrat 
but when the party divided on the (juestion of 
slavery, he es|)oused the cause of fn'cdom, and at 
the organization of the Kepublican party joined 
that body, with which he has since l>een identified. 
In his religious views he is a I'resbyteiian. .Mr. 
and Mrs. Soveihill are the parents of live children, 
one son and four daughters: Sanfoid; .Minnie, wife 
of Mr. Tracy, of Chicago; Helen, wifi' of T. IJ. 
Karle, of Edgerton, Rock County; Elorcncc!. wife 
of H. I)e Forest, of Rock County; and Edith, who 
is at lionu'. 



^I^^X A Til A .N I), li AS Tl )N, the pioneer mam 
II I/I l'"''''' '■'^ Beloit, who is known and lion 
IV^i^ tliroughout Rock County as one of its 






ATIIA.N I), li AS Tl )N, the pioneer maiiufac- 

onored 
:s most 

v.ortliy citizens, was born near Auburn, N. Y., on 
llie 17th day of March, IHIO. His father, .lames 
(iasioii, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his 
mollu-r, whose maiden name was Eydia Irish, was 
uue of a family of fifteen children, twelve daugh- 



ters and three sons, born to the Rev. David Irish, a 
Haptist minister and pioneer preacher near Auburn. 
Near that city .Mr. (Jastoii and his wife were united 
in marriage, after which they began their domestic 
lile upon .-1 farm, but subsecpuMil ly I'enioved into 
the city, where the husbanil engaged in the livery 
and st.age business. There wen; boin unto them 
si.\ children, who reached nialure years, namely: 
Norman I,., who studied imtdicine, and became a 
proininent physician, locatetl lirsl at Etna, N. Y., 
and later became a resident *)f Deiavan. Wis., but 
his <lealh occuired in the fornu'r place several 
years ago; .Nathan 15.. of this sketch, is the next in 
order of birth; Laura is the wife of Caleb Bartliol- 
eiiiew, of Etna, X. Y.; Edwin 11. anil Edmund I). 
are :ilso resiilonls of I'^tna; and (h.-irles .\. is living 
in Auburn. In his [political senliments Mr. (J.aston 
was a \\'hig, and greatly admireil Henry Clay and 
Daniel \Nebster, two of America's gre;itest st.ates- 
inen. He was an active and consistent member of 
the P.aptist Church for many years, and toiled 
earl^- and late in the work of that deiioniinatioii, 
giving his time and means for the building up of 
the cause. His gtxid wife, who passed to her rest 
in August, 18(il. was also a member, and an untir- 
ing worker in the church. In her death the society 
to which she belonge<l lost one of its most useful 
members, and one who cheerfully did what she 
could that the Redeemer's cause might [irosper. 

Nathan 1!. (>astonataii early age was apprenticed 
to the trade vt a gunsmith, ;iiid after working un- 
der instructions for one > ear. in order to become 
tainiliar with the tools, started out lo battle with 
the world, (ioing to Rochester, .N. V.. he secaired 
employment at making gun locks, and resided in 
that city one ye:ir, when he went fo Albany, in 
l.H.'S'i. there passing the live succeeding years of his 
life. In the me^intime he became acquainted with 
;iiid married Miss .Vinelia C. Tillingliast, the cere- 
mony which unite<l their destinies being |)eiformed 
Feb. «, 18:5."). The lady is a daughter of ,1. I,. Til- 
lingliast, who at the time of her marriage w:is .State 
Librarian. On account of his wife's health .Mr. 
Gaston was advised to leave the city and remove 
to Genesee County, N. Y.. where he engaged in 
farming for a year. That length of time suHiced to 
conviuce him that he was not fitted for the life of 



r^^rr^' 



if 



-4•- 

530 



BOCK COUNTY. 



1= 



an agriculturist, iiiul again returning to Rociicster 
lie once moie found employment. While in that 
city tlie flealh of his wife oeeurrcd. Oct. 9. 1812, in 
Yates County, where tlie family were then residing. 
She left one child, MTiria, whT) grew to mature 
years, and became the wife of Nicholas Thorn, a 
resident of Delavan, Wis., where siie died in No- 
vember. 1HC5. 

On the SOth day of Augu.st, IMI 4. Mr. (;aston was 
married to Miss Ann Eliza Battin, a cousin of his 
former w'lfe. and a daughter of Augustine .1. Bat- 
tin. Tlie wedding journey of this worthy couple 
consisted of a trip to the far AVcst. On the day of 
their marriage they started for Wisconsin, and be- 
came residents of Rock County when but one house 
marked the site of what is now know-n as West Be- 
loit. Mr. Gaston built the first manufacturing es- 
tablishment in the city, and can truthfully be called 
its pioneer man u fact uicr. No man has been more 
active than he in close attention to his business in- 
terests for forty-four 3'ears. and 1 13' good nian.age- 
menl and economy he has accumulated a com- 
fortable competence. When the historian entered 
the works he found Mr. Gaston busily employed, 
and remarking on the fact received the reply that 
■■it is better to wear out than rust out." In all his 
labors and plans ho has been foremost in putting 
his shoulder to the wheel, bearing in mind the 
maxim of lien Franklin, "If you wish a thing done 
well, do it j-ourself.'' 

Mr. and Mrs. Gaston are the parents of seven 
children, .as follows: Anna, the eldest; Augustine 
.1.. a member of the firm of N. B. Gaston <k Son; 
IMinnie, who became the wife of Harry Easton, of 
Chicago, died in Beloit, Aug. 31, 1878; Kate, wife 
of Arthur Brower. a traveling salesman, of Chi- 
cago; Thomas E.; Theo. Irving; and Bessie, wife 
of .lames J. Wise, of Minneapolis, agent of the 
Occidental Oil Company. In his political attilia- 
tions Mr. Gaston is an inflexible adherent to the 
doctrines and princi|)lcs of the Republican party. 
He cast his first I'residential vote for W. II. Har- 
rison, in I84II. and in 1888 voted for the Hon. 
Benjamin Harrison, his grandson. He attended the 
State Convention at S3-r.acuse, N. Y., which boil^- 
sent its representatives to the National Convention 
which nominated the Tippe(;anoe hero. Religiously, 



Mr. G.MSton is an Episcopalian, having been con- 
firmed at Ithaca, N. Y., in 184 2, by Bishop I)e 
Lancey. His excellent wife is also an active worker 
in the church. For the long period of nearly half 
a century Mr. and Mrs. Gaston have been citizens 
of Rock County, dating their residence in Wiscon- 
sin back to its Territorial days. At the time of 
their arrival the whole Territor}' cont^iined not one 
fourth as manj' inhabitants as now populate Rock 
County. The first pioneers on the wild and un- 
settled prairie could hardly have imagined, much 
less realized, that rapid growth and [)rogress which 
has been made, and the wonderful work of devel- 
oiJment which has been carried on. Rock County 
owes a debt of gratitude to the faithful band of 
men and women who have so faithfully and earn- 
estly labored in her behalf, placing her in the front 
rank in this great commonwealth, and on the roll 
of honored pioneers should be written in bold and 
prominent characters, the name of Nathan B. C!as- 
ton, the first manufacturer of Beloit. 



AML'EL W. HART, who has been a life- 
long farmer, resides on section 17, Turtle 
Township. He is a native of the Empire 
State, born in Cortland County, N. Y., 
Feb. ',), 1844, and is a son of Samuel and Sar.ih .S. 
(Potter) Hart. On the paternal side, the family 
is of Welsh descent, the ancestors having come 
from Wales wiien it was an independent country, 
and located in the United States during the early 
days of our bistor3-. The father, Samuel Hart, Sr., 
was born in Onedia Count}', N.Y., Dec. 14, 1807, and 
on the 17th day of January, 1832, was united in 
marriage with Sarah S. Potter, who was born in the 
citj' of New Haven, Conn., May 3. 1813, and w.is 
of Puritan desient. Her father departed this life . 
in New Haven, after which the mother removed 
with her family to Cortland County, where the 
union of Mr. an<l Mrs. Hart was celebrated. He 
engaged in general merchandising in that coimty, 
but was a farmer by occupation and engaged in 
agricultural pursuits until 1871. when he retired 
from active life. In 1H.53. accompanie<l bj- iiis 
family he followed the course of human emigration y 




:^l^h-#. 




n 



^ 



^ 




M 






^^•- 



-*^ 



HOClv COUNTY. 



533 



westward and liei-ame a resident of Koek Couiity, 
Wis. He iniieii.'ised J 10 acres of coiii|iai:ilively 
new land on seetions 1 fi aad 17, 'rurliu Townsliip, 
and liegan liie deveiopnient of a farm, in Iheconise 
of time transforniini; his land into one of the nuisl 
fertile traet.s in the townslii[). Many inii)rove- 
nients were a(Med to the farm, along with the line 
hriek residence, wiiieh was liuilt in isil. then the 
finest dwi'lling in the eonnt\ . While residing in 
New Vork, he had taken a prominent |);irt in poli- 
eal alfairs. hut after coming to this county gave 
nu)st of Ills attention to his fanning interests. lie 
cast ills li.allot with the Republican pai'ty. In l.SSH 
he was calli'd upon to niouru the loss of his wife, 
who was summoned from this earth. She was a 
kind and affectionate wife and inolher.who.se love 
for her home and family seemed uulxiunded. For 
several ^'e.-irs prior to her death, she was an invalid 
lint she bore her sufferings with true patience and 
Christian fortitude. .She was a lady of rare intel- 
ligence, making eompanions of her books, with 
which she beguiled many weary hours. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Hart were the parents of nine chil- 
dren, eight of whom were born in Cortland Couuty 
N. Y. .I.Hiiies P., the eldest, who was born Feb. 
21, 1833, is a resident of Chicago; Edwin, born 
Feb. 20, 1H3.'(. was a member of the 6th Iowa 
Cavalry, during the late war, and is now engaged 
in fruit farming in Riverside, Cal.; William II., born 
.Vpril 30, 1«37, died March 11, 1K88, in Klnser 
S|)rings, Cal.; Mary E., born Feb. 10, 183!), became 
the wife of (iarrie Nettleton, and died in Janesville, 
May 21, 1871; Esther C, burn June 17, 181 1, is the 
wife of Cyrus Miner, a boot and shoe dealer and 
prominent citizen of Janesville, now representing 
his <listrict in the State lA'glslature; Samuel W., is 
the sixth in order of birth; Josiah F., born April 2, 
1848, died in California, March 24, 1887; Fre.I L.. 
born .Sept. 19. 1850, died Sept. 25, 1852; .Sarah 
L., Jan. 5, 1855, makes her home with her father 
who is now living a retired life in Janesville. 

Our subject entered upon his school life in Cort- 
land County, N. Y., and after becoming a resident 
of Turtle Township, pursued his studies in the dis- 
trict school, completing his education in the High- 
school of Beloit, .Since attaining to man's estate, 
he has been engaged in farming in which occupa- 



tion he has been (|nite successful. lie led to 
the marriage alt.ir Mi.ss Frankie Yost, the wed- 
ding being celebrateil in this county on the 
l.Sth day of October, 1871. The lady is a native 
of Rock ('ouiil\-. born .I;in. 27. 1850, and is a 
daughter of William S. and Harriet 1'. (Sadliere) 
Yost, ( whose sketch is given on another page of 
this Work.) l>"oui' cliildieu graced the union of 
this worthy couple, three of whom are yet livinw — 
Fred Y., born Dec. 2H, 1875; Roy 1'., Jan. 1, 1H8I ; 
and Eddie C, Feb. IC. 1881. The second child, 
Frank. W^., who was born Oct. 12, 1878, died 
April 22, 1880. 

Since 1871. .Mi-. Hart has been operating .'i.'iO 
acres of l;ind, and is an cntcriirising and progress- 
ive farmer. He owns a line grade of all kinds of 
stock and everything about the place indicates 
thrift and neatness. For the past year he has acted 
as salesman for the Rock County Co-operative 
Cieninery. lie has (illcd the position of Township 
Supervisor and has lu'ld various other local ollices. 
He is a worthy citizen and receives the respect of 
all who know him. 



ON. CORNEIJIS .MORTIMER I'REAT. 

who is a prominent antl representative citi- 
-^ zen of Clinton, Wis., is numbered among 

^j the earlj^ settlers of this community, dating 
his residence from 1847. He is a native of Alle- 
gany County, N. Y., his birth occurring on the 25tli 
daj' of April. 1817. His parents were Am.-iziah 
and Sally (Colvin) Treat, the former a native of 
Massachusetts and the latter of Vermont, In their 
young days they removed to Monroe County, N. 
Y., where their marriage was celebrated, when they 
settled in Mendon. Tliej- subsequently moved to 
.\llegan3' County, N. Y.,but after a short resilience 
in that place returned to their former home. Their 
family numbered four children, namely: Diadaiiia, 
who was born in Mendon, N. Y., married Homer 
Barrett in 1831, they then removing to Huron 
County, Ohio, where they continued to make their 
home until 1849, at which time they became resi- 
dents of Turtle Township. Rock County, where 
Jlr. Barrett died, after which his wife removed to 



t 



534 



HOCK COITNTY. 



■¥ 



her present home in Clinton; Sanih was united in 
marriage with Benjamin Park at about the same 
time of lier sister's union with Mr. Harrett, and to- 
gether tiiey removed to Huron Countv.Oliio. wliere 
they resided until heeoming residents of Turtle 
Township, Rock County, in 1817. Tliey are now 
livinsr ill tlic town uf Chnton; Cornelius M., of 
tills sketcli, is tlie third in order of liirth; Charlotte 
.\., who was joined in wedlock with Joel Miner, 
eaiiic Willi her liiisbamt to Rock County in l«4o. 
they, too. settliuij: in Tiulle Township. The hus- 
band died in Clinton. Init Mrs. Miner yet resides 
on the farm in Turtle Township. The father of 
this family <lied in Allegany County. N. V.. after 
whiih Mrs. Treat came with her children to Rock 
Conntv, in wliicli she <leparted this life. She was 
a lady of intelligence and culture, and was highly 
respected by a large ciicli! of friends and acijuaint- 

ances. 

In his early life, our suliject was deprived of a 
father's tender care and proleclion, Mr. Treat dying 
when Cornelius was but four years of age. His 
educational advantages were limited to those 
afforded by the iirimitivc schools of i)ioneer days. 
The school house was Imiltof logs wiili a pmulieon 
tloor. slab scats and an old-fashioned lueplace which 
occupied the entire end of the building. He l>e- 
iran earning his own living at the age of ten _\ ears, 
hiring out for the summer for a shilling per day or 
^;i.25 per month. His mother desiring that he 
should olitain as good an education :is possible, he 
continued to attend the public schools during the 
winter months until nineteen years of age, when 
he went to New London, Huron Co., Ohio, and 
taught school, receiving *1(] a month as a compen- 
sation for his services, from which small amount he 
p:iid his own board. For seven years he taught in 
the same district, and for two years was employed 
in an adjoining district. In l!S4(> he came to Rock 
County on a visit to his sister, with the intention 
of also purchasing land if he found the ccuinlry to 
be what it was represented. As it fully met with 
his expectations, .and the future prospects were 
pleasinsi. he returned to Ohio and completed his 
arrangements for .•settling in this community, which 
he did in the spring of 1847. 

Mr. Treat has followed various occupations since 



that day when he left his home in the Kiist to try 
his fortune on the Western frontier. After two 
years spent in Rock County he removed, in the 
fall of 1S40, to Belvidere, III., where he became 
l)roprietorof a hotel known as the American House. 
At that time the Chicago and Northwestern Rail- 
road had not been built through the town, and the 
traveling was all done in wagons. Mr. Treat wouhl 
furnish supper, lodging and bre.akfiist an<l also hay 
for tlie horses for 62^ cents. In 18ij3 he returned 
to Janesville, where he purchased property and 
emb.arked in theexpress business, purchasing a half 
interest in Sawyer's Express, which carried pack- 
ages to Chicago and returned by way cif Helvidere. 
where a team was stationed awaiting passen<;ers 
from the old stage routes. After a j'ear or two 
s[)ent in that line, he purchased a farm in Turtle 
Township, to which he removed in 1(S5G, giving 
his attention exclusively to farming during the 
summer months, while in the winter season he en- 
gai;eil in teaching school. In 18G2 he was nomiii- 
•■ited and elected to the Stale Legislature, and while 
a mcmlier of that body was instrumental in the 
pas.s.'ige of a bill in the interests of men who had 
claims against the railroad, which provided that all 
claims should be made upon the ollicers of the road 
instead of against the ticket agents. He also secured 
the passage of a bill to release the property- of Beloit 
Cojlege from all taxation. Jlr. Treat has served 
in various local positions of trust, was Township 
Superintendent of Schools, was acantlidate for the 
[wsition of Township Clerk, but was beaten by his 
opptnient. L. 1*. Harvey, who received one more 
volts and for eight ye.ars served .as County Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

While a resident of Huron County. Ohio. .Mr. 
Treat was united in marriage with Mi.ss Alvira 
Curtis, a daughter of Ch.arles Curtis, a native of 
New York. Their union was celebrated on the 
■>'.n\\ day of -Viignst, 1841. and to them have been 
boin two children — Emily I), and Curtis M. The 
former became the wife of Oscar C. Gates, and is 
the mother of three children — Cyrus M.. Fanny 
Alvira and \'oliiey Curtis. They live near Clinton. 
Curtis M. wedded Miss Jennie Farrington, of Mil- 
waukee. Two children have been born unto them. 
Lillian (icr'rndc and Leoni Farrington. lie was 



«#•- 



* 



^ 



U0( K COUNTY. 



535 - i 



iMliif.-iled in tlie liisrh school of Clinton, and also 
pursued a partial (.-ourse at Milton College. He 
fstalilislied the first |)apereve!- pulilished in Ciiuton, 
it being known as the Clinton Tiidejiendent. and it 
was said by Howell's Ke|)orter that he was the 
j'oungcst editor of a weekly paper in the I'liited 
States. He is now Secretary of the A.ssociation 
for the Advancement of the iUisiness Interests of 
Milwaukee, and was formerly connected w'ith the 
Waltrortli County Independent in connection with 
M. T. Park, who is the present Assistant Secretary 
of the State of Wisconsin. After continuing in 
that line for a short time he went to Racine, where 
he established the Daily Xews, and later was upon 
the editorial staff of the Sentinel \i\ Milwaukee for 
a number of years. 

Mr. Treat, whose name heads this sketch, is num- 
bered among the prominent and representative 
citizens of Rock County. In 1869 he built a nice 
residence in the town of Clinton, where he has since 
made his home. He is a man of good business 
ability, energetic and enterprising, anil by liis un- 
aided efforts has gained a handsome |)roperty. In 
his early life he was an earnest supporter of the 
Democratic party and a warm atliuirer of .Vndrew 
.lackson, l)ut on the organization of the Republican 
|)arty he joined its ranks, continuing a faithful ad- 
herent of the same until 1888, when he voted for 
(J rover Cleveland. In his social relations he is a 
Master M.ison, and was leading olKcer in the local 
lodge for many years. In 1888 he was elected to 
the position of (Jrand Junior Warden of thediand 
Lodge of Wisconsin. 

The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Treat arc shnwii 
upon another i)age. 



u5^\ AMl'EL HULL, one of the well-to-do far- 
mers and dairymen of .lolinstuwn 'I'own. 
ship, residing on section 12, was born on 
the 181h day of February, 1821, in Cort- 
land County. >«'. Y..and is a son of Zerah and Roxy 
(Loomis) Hull, who were the parents of eight chil- 
dren, as follows: Klecta is the widow of Arah 
Hardy, who died in .lanuary, 1880, at the age of 
,'hty-lwo years, having never seen a sick day in 





his life until his last illness; they had live children, 
two of whom are li\ ing; .logepli L. died in Lima, 
[{ock Count\-, leaving a widow- and three children to 
mourn his loss; .Michael died in Cortland County. 
N. Y.,over fifty years ago; James, a resident of Lima 
Ceulei-, is married and had four children, two of 
of whom are living; Elijah, who is engaged in 
general mcicliaudising in Lima Center, is married, 
and had five children, but only one yet survives; 
Elisha, twin brother of Klijiih, died in Eau Claire 
County, Wis., leaving a wi<liiw and one child to 
mourn his loss; Loui.sa, wife of James Stevens, has 
a family of five children, all yet living but Ella, 
who died in 188'.l. 

Our subject passed the days of his bo3-hood and 
youth in his native State, and received such an 
education as the common school afforded. In 184U, 
when nineteen years of age. he came with his 
father's family to Lima Center, Wis. The county 
was then in its infancy, and the family luul to 
endure all the trials and hardships incident to pio- 
neer life. For six weeks he was obliged to sleep 
ou :ui oak plank. In the fall of 1831) Mr. Hull had 
l)urchased a farm, ami the following spring the 
family moved into the little log house, 18x24 feet, 
which also sheltered two other families. 

Until attaining his majority, our subject re- 
mained under the [larental roof, when he started 
out in life for iiimself, working by the month. For 
three months he was in the employ of Mor'^au 
Uabcock, splitting 2,()0(1 white oak rails and taking 
care of seven head of horses. His coin|»ensation 
for these services was *10 per month, hi isil hi- 
made his first purchase of laud, consisting of eiijhtv 
acres, for which he paid ^200. It was in its jHinii- 
tive condition, not a furrow li.aving ln'cn turned 
or an improvement made?, but he at once Ijcgan 
clearing the land, building fences, and otherwise 
fitting it for cultivation. He continued his work 
in this direction until 18-11, when, without a,ssist- 
auce, he built a log house, 18x211 feet, which he 
made his home for fifteen years. I'p to the 3'ear 
1817 Mr. Hull had split 35.000 rails, G.OOO of 
which he split in one winter. In the year 1813 he 
harvested 120 acres of grain, using three cradles 
and three bindos. An average of ten acres per 
day was cut, he piiying his men ten shillings per 



■► A ^* 



5a6 



ROCK COUNTY. 



per flay, without boaril. Although llie lal>ors of 
those earl}' daj'S were iiiileed ;irihioii.'s, they at 
length brought tlieir reward, the seed sown yi>l<k'd 
bountiful harvests, and. little by little, the jirolits 
increased until our subject l)ecame one of the 
wealthy farmers of Johnstown Townshii). 

On the 2ntli day of March, 11SI5. Mr. Hull and 
iMlss Mary J. llensley were united in marriage at 
Whitewater, Wis., the ceremony being performed 
by the Uev. M. Kinney. The lady was liorn May 
Hi. 182C, and was the ehlest in a family of live 
children, wliose parents were Tiiomas and .\nna 
(Woodrutf) Hensley. Ksther. the second child, 
became the wife of Lutlier Smith, and to them 
were born five children, two of whom arc yet liv- 
ing — George and IJertie; George, who was mar- 
ried, died Oct. 27, 1871, at the age of forty-one 
years; l^aura is the widow of Gilbert Johnson, 
who died in 1 8(18, and she makes her home in 
Whitewater; Emiline became tiie wife of James 
.Sniilli, of Walworth Ciiunty. Wis., and to them 
have been lioru eiglil children, live of whom are 
living. 

The young (Mjuple began tlicii- domestic life in 
the little log cabin which Mr. Hull had built. an<l 



18G."). and after bis death wedded Henry 15. Willis, 
of Minnesota, in 187o. two children, Carl S. and 
.Mar\ K. being born of tlitir union; Augustus E., 
born Aug. 18. 11S48. was united in marriage Aug. 
11, 1870, with Miss Carrie Hamilton, who is now 
deceased. They had three children — Frederic. Al- 
venah, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Hull 
now resides in Aurora. Mo., where he is working 
at llic carpenter's an<l joiner's traile. Laura M.. 
who was born Aug. 28. 18.5(1. became the wife of 
\. W. Cary. on the 22d day of October, 1808, and 
died March 12. IK.SS. leaving two chililren — Har- 
ley and Eilwin .S.; Edward S.. who was born April 
U), 18.'):i. married Miss Clara 11. Lothrop. Nov. IX. 
188-t, and to them have been liorii two children — 
Laura -M.abel and Martha Jane; l^liza, born July 
2'J, 185G, die<l Feb. 7. 188',); Mary E., born March 
30. 1859, died on the tUli day of January. 1 s;.s4 ; 
Ernest ClilTord. born Oct. 2.i, 18(!;i, died in in- 
fancy; George W., born July C, 1870. has now- 
entered upon hi.s tliird year as a student of the 
Lawrence University, where he expects to complete 
the course. Mr. and Mrs. Hull have given their 
chililren good educational ad\:intages. litting them 
foi' the practical duties of this life, and all are 



many happy days were there passed, but in 1800 i useful members of societw who do honor to the 
the pioneer home w.as replaced by their present family name Three of the children have lu'cn 
substantial residence, a neat frame building, the 
main part being 20x24 feet, the L 12x30 feet, and 
a story and a half in height. The cost of erection 
was ^2,000, and in 1885 a good barn was also 
built. Mr. Hull now h:is all the modern improve- 
ments upon his farm, and everything about the 
place testifies to the fact that the owner is a man 
of thrift and enter|)risc. For about fourteen years 
he has been operating a dairy, and does quite an ex- 
tensive business in that line. I le has made as much as 
fi75 per year on each cow kept for dairy purposes, 
and all of the milk is used in the factory, which 
turns out a superior article of butter. For about 
twenty j'ears Mr. Hull has also engaged in the 
in the raising of sheep and horses, and alwiiys has 
some fine si)eeimens of both on his farm. 

The union of our subject and his wife has been 
blessed with eight children, but four have now 
p.assed away — Alvenah, who was born Dec. 28, 
1845, became the wife of Madison Wheeler in 



successful teachers, and Alvenah, the eldest daugh- 
ter, who received a splendid musical education, and 
is a brilliant ])erformer, was for six years employed 
as a teacher of music in the acndomy at Caledonia. 
Minn. 

Mr. Hull and his wife arc members of the .Meth- 
odist Church at Itter's Corner, and she was one of 
the first members of the church established in .lohns- 
town. rolitic.illy, he is a stanch supporter of the 
Republican party, but cast his first Presidential 
vote for Zachary Ta3'Ior. He was one of the char- 
ter nuMubers of the Johnstown Insurance Company, 
to which he still belongs, and throughout the com- 
uuinit\ is regarded as a leading citizen. IJeginning 
life in limited circumstances, he has m.ade his own 
way in the world, and, though starting out with 
no capital save a strong determination to succeed, 
has bec-ome one of the well-to-do farmers of Kock 
County. He is now the owner of 317 acres of 
arable laml. 185 of which is comprised in his home 



-•► 



f 



I 



•M^ 



ROCK COUNTY, 



•*^ 



537 



fjinn, the nMiiaiiidiT beinj^ situalod on section 12, 
.lolmstown 'r<)wn>lii|). Ilis pro^iessixe, enterpris- 
iiiH' s|iiril has leil him t<i t,al<e a frdiit ranl< in the 
npliuiiding of tiic cdunly. where for ainiusl half ;i 
centnry he h:is ni;i(h' his lioine, not only witnessini;, 
lint participatin<>', in the jjrouili and deveh)|)nient 
wliicii liave plaeed Rock on a par with any county 
in tliis great coninionweallli. The sl<etch f>f so 
prominent a gentleman as Mr. Ilnll will be pe- 
rused witli interest liy tlie leadeis of this Ai.iUM, 
and desci'vos an imiiortant place in this volume. 

Cjj^nKL.SON p. RUMl'. of .lanesville, is om- of 
l| jj' the hf>nored pioneers of Rock County, and 
,1\,^; foi' many yeai-s lias been prominently iden- 
tified with its history. He was born in the town of 
Pompey, Onondago Co., N. V., on the 1 Itli day of 
April. ISIO. His [lareuts, William and Charlotte 
(Potter) Ihinip. were , also natives of the Empire 
State. :inil his father y-.all.'int ly served his cinintry 
duiiiig the ^\ ar of LSI 2. When Nelson wa.s a 
child, his parents ri'moved to Oarien, Gcnosee 
County, where they resided for ni;iny years, liis 
mother dep:utinii this life in that comnuinity. After 
th(^ death of his wife, Willi;iin 15nnip became a resi- 
dent of Wisconsin, and dicil at (he residence f)f his 
son. William II., in IM.aunolia. Of llie family of eleven 
children born to these worthy peoitle, but four are 
now living, two sons and two daughters — Nelson 
P. and Hiram are lesidents of .lanesville; William 
11. died .March 2;{. ISHK, in Magnolia; .ind the two 
daughters. l{et,sy and Parmelia, are residing in New 
Vork. 

The sul)je('lt)f tliis sketch ren)aineil at home with 
his parents until 1 H31 . when, having attained his 
majority, he began the battle of life for himself, 
(loing to P.ulTalo, N. Y., he became clerk in the 
hotel known .as the Mansion House, of which Phi- 
ne;is IJarton w.as proprietor, ;nnl there p:i.ssed several 
years of his life. lie was next engaged on a 
steamboat on Lake lOrie for .M'vei-.-d seasons, after 
which he went to Huron, Ohio, where he was cni- 
plo\cd in the hotel liusiness. For two vears he re- 




niained in that city, but spent part of the time on 
the Lake, after which he became a resident of 
Ivower Sandusky, now called Fi-euKUit. He was 
llieii" engaged in conducting a hotel, and was also 
agent for Neal, Moore A' Co, in the stage busi- 
ness, until 1842, when he determined to cast his 
lot with the pioneers of the West, .and following 
the tide of hntnan emigr.ation, reacheil Racine. Wis. 
For four years lie rem:iined in that city. During' 
the earlier |)art of that time he conducted the hotel 
known as the Farmer's House. Later he assistetl 
Capt. Mapes in lilting out a new hotel calle(l ihe Con- 
gress Hotel, and subse(|uently became proprietor of 
the Racine House. After his arrival in Janesville 
in 184(5, he again eng.aged in the same line of 
business, having charge of the hotel known as the 
Stage House, which stooil U|)on the site of the pres- 
ent Myers Hotel. After four years spent as its pro- 
|)rietor, he turned his attention to ."igrieultural pur- 
suits, |)urch.asing a farm on the .M.-idison road, situ- 
ate(l within the present limits of the city of .lanes- 
ville. .Since tliat time he has engaged in farmin-f. 
and has owned several extensive farms. He atone 
time was the owner of several line fai'ins on the 
IVLadison road, which he snbsequenllv dis|)osed of, 
but is the jiossessor of considerable valuable-land in 
Freel)orn County, RMun. For fifteen years he was 
postmaster at Leyden. this county. 

Mr. Rump came to Rock County a single man, 
but here w.as united in niarri.agc with Miss Mary A. 
Thomas, a native of New York. To them has 
been born a family of eight chihlren, four of whom 
are now living — Franklin Pierce, wlio is residing in 
l{ri<lgeport, Conn.; Lewis Cass, who is engaged in 
the drug business in Chicago; Minnie an<l Fayette 
Durling, who are at home. 

Thus have we given a brief sketch of one of Rock 
County's oldest and most esteemed citizens, who 
for over forty years has been numl)ered among il.s 
leading business men. Hi> has witnessed almost it,s 
entire growth and development, has aided in its 
progress, and has nobly borne his part in llu- work 
of transformation which has changed it from its 
primitive state to the present a<lvanceil condition. 
Ra|)idly are the old settlers disappearing, and soon 
the bust of those who laid the foundation for this 
great county will have passed away. The story of 
l» 



♦4^ 



:> 



.•}8 



ROCK COUNTY. 



llifir lives will then he reuil with pleasure by those 
who will see them no more. Not only as .a pioneer 
seltler, Imt as a friend, a companion an<l a worthy 
citi/.en. is Mr. Hump held in liii^di re 



ai-cl 



> ^"-i^- 



^1 



i= 



AMKS H. liYKRS. a leading farmer residing 
on sectitm ><. Janesville Township, and one 
of the early settlers of the county, was horn 
in Herkimer County, X.Y., in 1824. and was 
the third in a family of six children, whose parents 
were .lames and Nancy (I)ockstadev) Byers. also na- 
tives of Herkimer County. 'I'hc father en<^aged in 
■HMieral merchandising in the town of Herkimer for 
several years and his de.ath occurred in 18411. from 
drownintr. His excellent wife survived him hut one 
vear, her death also occurring in New York. 

Our subject received his education in lln- sihools 
of Herkimer and German Flats. N. Y., and after- 
wards cn'^aged in boating. He also learned the 
trade of building fanning mills .'ind resided in his 
native Slate until 18.')0. In the villageof Mohawk. 
N. v., in the year 1845. he led to the marriage 
altar Miss Louisa Price, a native of Montgomery 
County, that Slate, in which county her jiarents. 
.lohn and Mary (Dillenbeck) Price, were also born. 
Her father engaged in the manufacture of fanning 
mills, which he afterwards sold, and in 1856. em- 
igrated to the West, locating in liock County. Wis. 
He purchased an improved f.'uni in Janesville 
Township, and engaged in its cultivation until his 
death, which occurred in I 870, at the age of sev- 
enty-six years. His wife had previously been called 
to her final rest, dying in 1801), when sixty-five 
years of age. They were the [)aienls of four chil- 
dren — Jolm H.. who resided in Kock County until 
his death in 1861. when thirty-four years of age; 
Mary Emily, who wedded a Mr. Van \'rankin. and 
died in March, 1805, at the age of thirty-two years; 
Charles, who is married, and is engaged in farming 
in Ci'uter Township; and Louisa. 

Aftei- his marriage, ^Ir. liyers r'Mnaiiie(l .a resi- 
dent of his niitive Stale until 1S5(;. when desiring 
to make his home in the West, he emigrated to 
Kock County, Wis., locating on section 8, Janes- 
ville Township. He there purchased 120 acres of 



land, which had just been broken, erected a house 
thereon and commenced the improvement of his 
farm. At ilifferent times he has bought aii<l sold 
various amounts of land Imt now owns 100 acres, 
comprising one of the best farms in the township, 
it being highly improved and cultivated. He car- 
ries on general farming, raising a good grade of 
all kinds of stock, and paj-s some attention to the 
cultivation of tobacco. The cause of education 
finds in Mr. Byers an earnest friend, and for seve- 
ral years he served as a member of the School 
Board. He takes a deep interest in political af- 
fairs, casting his ballot with the Democratic jiarty, 
and is numbered among the progressive and sub- 
stantial farmers of Janesville Township. 

Three children have been born of the union of 
Ml-, and Mrs. Byers — Bloomfield H.. who is en- 
gaged in the manufacture of cigai-s. is married and 
resides in Janesville; Mary E., is the wife of Ste- 
phen A. Cardner, of Harmony; and Clara L.. who 
wedded James K. Gardner, is living with her fa- 
ther. The family of which Mr. Byers is a member 
consisted of Mary Ann, now Mrs. Kdily, of Her- 
kimer County, N. Y.; Jane, now deceased, w.is the 
wife of Peter Pryne; James II., of this sketch: 
Frederick. wIk) is married, is a manufacturer of 
New York; Margaret, who was Mrs. Wheeler, is 
now deceased; and Kobcrl is mariicd and resides 
in New York City. 



'^1 



WWWK9S^i 



Al.ril POMEROY. the pioneer tobacco 
raiser of Ohio and Wisconsin, resides on 
section 17. Fidton Township. He is a 
^^ lineal ilescendant of l{;di>li tic Pomero}', who 
accompanied WiJIiani the Norman in the coiupiest 
of England, and w:is knighted for services rendered 
the eoncpicror. Our subject rci)rcsents tlu' eighth 
geni'ration in descent from Eldad Ponieroy. wlio 
came from England in 1 (i.'io. and was one of the 
founilers and proiirietors of Dorchestei-. M.ass. The 
latter moved to Windsor, Conn., in lO.'hi, and died 
in 1()7;5, at Northampton, Mass. whither he had 
gone a year previous. The second in this line of 
genealogy was Mcdad, born 10;i.s, Mud the third 
Joseph, born 1072. The latter settled in Snilield. 

•P 



f 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



539 



'^r 



wliich adjoins Windsor. His son, Xathanid. born 
1707, was llic father of t'apt.. Natlianicl. Iiorn 
17.'U. The sixth gciicralion brings Nalhanii'l. boiii 
1 7.">.S, who was an aiil on the staff t>f liis nncU', 
(Jen. Sclh ronicioy. in tiic Conlincnlal Army. 

'I'ha(l(h'ns, of the scvcntli generation, married 
Margaret .Sniitii, wiio was, lii<e iiimself, a native of 
SiiHield. To tiiem was l)orn in that townshl|i of 
ll;iitford Conntv. March 22. 1S14. the son wiiose 
iKinio heads this sketch. 

{{alpli I'omero}' w:is reareil on ids fathei's Snf- 
fiehl farm, and was accnstomed to tobacco cnltnre 
from the lime he w.xs twelve years old. Ilis edu- 
cation was sn|)|ilied by the common and select 
schools of his native towji. In 1838 he went to 
.Montgomery C'onnty, Ohio, and his tobacco fields 
at Carlton were the first ever seen in that region. 
On the .Oth of .September, 1H.52, at .Spring Meld, 
Mass., he was wedded to Mary, danghter of Cyrns 
and Flavia (Cotton) Wood, of I^ong Meadow, 
Mass. Mrs. Pomery is a native of Long Meadow, 
as was her mother, whose ancestry is traced back 
to the Maytlower colony. Cyrn.s Wood was a na- 
tive of SlalTord, Conn., being of the fonrtii genera- 
tion from Knglish ancestors. 

In the spring of 1853 Mr. Pomeroy set ont with 
his bride to make a home in Wisconsin. Dnring 
that se.ison he reared a crop of tobacco on .Syene 
Prairie, Dane County. In October lie purclia.sed 
the farm on which he now dwells, and beg.an ils 
adornment and improvement. Its i)resent a|)pear- 
ance denotes the thrift and progressive spirit of its 
owner. Tlie roadway in front and the yard and 
lanes are shaded by handsomer maple trees, and the 
buildings are those of a model farm. To. Mr. 
Pomeroy lielongs the credit of introducing the 
cultivation of tobacco as a (ield crop in Wisconsin- 
This product h:is become one of the staples of an 
extensive region, and its handling gives enipioy- 
nient and profit to many thousand jiersons. Tin- 
little city of Ivlgcrton, near Mr. Pomeroy's farm, 
has become the western market for its sale. 

Mr. Pomeroy wiis a Whig in his youth, and voIimI 
twice for the gran<lfatlier of our present Ciiief 
Kxecutive, .as a candidate for the Presidency. 
When th(! Pepublic.-in party succeeded t<» the prin- 
cijiles of the Whig partisans, Ibe allegiance of onr 

-4»- 



subject went with the principles. lie never sought 
an ollice, .-ind only once — when Ik^ served as Town 
Supervisor — accepted one. He sustains the Con- 
gregational Church, of which his wife is a member. 
Two of their ciiildren are noted in the sketch of 
Pomeroy .V Pelton in liiis volume. The third and 
youngest, Oriin lialpli, married Sarah Grove, a 
native of .lanesvilie. daughter of Ilenr^' and Kliza- 
bcth (irove, of Devonshire, JMigl.-ind. The chil- 
dren of Orrin arc two .sons — (ieorge ninve Mud 
Harry K.-dph. 



^|AMKS P. WE.ST, of Kvansville. is a rei)re- 
scnt.'itive of one of the pionwer families of 
^ Kock County, and is a son of .lacob We-st, 
(^^' who was liorn in Ciiampaign County, Ohio, 
in 1812. His grandparents, William and Hannah 
West, were natives of Virginia, but removed to 
Champaign County in an early day, and there I'e- 
sided until death called them fi'om this life. They 
were the parents of li\e sons and several daughters, 
of whom Jacob W'as the youngest. He w;is reared 
in ('hami)aign County, Ohio, and there married 
Miss Margaret Robinson, who w:is boin in llie 
Buckeye State. 

In the spring of 18.'$;'), accomi)aided by his wife. 

.)a( ^^■est removed to Ploomington, III., .-nid in 

the fall of the same year settled in liic town of 
Rock Grove, .Stephenson County, where he entered 
a quarter-section land, there making his home with 
his family until the spring of 1810. At that date 
Ml-. West, came to Rock County, locating in ihe 
town of Union, entering the northeast quarter of 
section "ifi, the claim lying just east of the pres- 
ent city of Kv.ansville. .\fter residing on thai f.arm 
for alioul three years the land was exchanged for 
the southwest (juarler of the same section, wiiere he 
m.ade his home until about I sr)3, when selling his 
farm he bought propei ly in Kvansville anil contin- 
ued to make his honu' in that town until his death, 
which occurred July II. 18H2. at the age of seventy 
years. Ilis wife was born Aug. 0, 1811, and they 
lived together as man and wife for upwards of half 
a century, their marri:ige having occurred on the 
1st day of l)ecend>er. 1831. Mrs. West survives 



■•► 



■«► 



340 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-t 



her husband, and is now iiiakini^ her liome with hor 
t^on James R., the sulijecl of this si^etch. 

Tilt' family circle of .lacoli West and wife was 
coniiiletod bj- the birth of eiuht children, seven of 
wiiom grew to mature years, while live are living 
at the time of this writing. 18H9. James R. was 
the second in order of birth, and is the eldest of 
the surviving ones; Leora is now the wife of Har- 
rison Thompson, a resident of Minneapolis, Minn.; 
Clarissa is the wife of James W. Osliorn. of Evans- 
ville, anil Celina J. married Albert Goddard, and 
resides in South Dakota; The deceased members 
of the family are the first ))orn. a son who died in 
infancy; Stephen, who was a member of Comjiany 
D, i;Uh Wisconsin Infantrj-, and died during the 
service at Leavenworth. Kan., in A])ril, 1SC2. after 
which his remains were brought back and interred in 
the cemetery at Evansville; John W.. who enlisted 
in tlie ranks of Company H. 4"2d Wisconsin Kegi- 
mcnt, was a successful teacher for many years and 
served six years as County Superintendent of the 
.schools of Rock County. He died about three 
months before the death of the father, leaving a 
wife and four children, two sons and two daughters, 
who are residents of Evansville. 

Jacob West was one of the most prominent pio- 
neers of his day, and |)robal>ly none exerted as 
much inHuence upon tlic educational, moral and 
religious interests of the community as did he. The 
Methodist Ei)iscopal Church of Evansville was or- 
ganized in the fall of 18 JO and Mr. West assisted 
greatly in organizing that bo<ly, and the first qu.-u'- 
terly meeting was held in his log house. He was 
for many years a Class-Leader in that church, and 
w.as Su|>erintendent of its 8al)bath-.school. Many are 
now living who received their first religious instruc- 
tion in the Sabbath-school presided over by Mr. 
West, and many will remember his v<iiee in songs 
of praise, as he acted as chorister and led (he sing- 
ing, assisted b_v his good wife, in the Methodist 
l';piscopal Church for man}' yc:irs. He was also 
prominent in civil affairs. 

After the post-office was established at this pl.ace 
he had the first contract for carrying tiie mail from 
Union to Evansville. He wa.s Justice of the Peace 
f(ir nineteen consecutive years, and served .several 
years as Town Assessor, and was Town Clerk for 



about ten years. In 1 86 1 he was appointed by 
Aljraham Lincoln. United States Assistant Assessor 
for the Second District, and held the office until 
1864. and was reappointed in 186;") and held the 
office until 186(>. He was Postmaster of Evansville 
from 1855 until 1858. In politics he was a Repub- 
lican and a strong temperance man. 

James H. West, whose name heads this sketch, 
was born at Rock Grove, Stephenson Co.. III., 
on the 28th day of June, 18;!7, and was con- 
secjuently but three years of age when his parents 
came to Rock County. In 1851, at the age of sev- 
enteen years, accompanied by S. E. Robinson, a 
youth of about his own age. he started on foot for 
Appleton, Wis., for the purjwse of entering Law- 
rence University, and remained a student of that 
institution for abovit two \ears. He then entered 
upon an apprenticeship to the tr.ade of carpenter 
and joiner under Henry Boyce. and was to receive 
$.H per month for his services during his apprentice- 
siiip. l)Ut at the enil of the first year, his employer, 
unsolicited, paid iiira *10 per month for the time 
he had already served He continued with Mr. 
IJoyce almut three years, and in the winter of 
1859-60 went to Albany, (ireen County, where he 
engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and 
blinds, and continued in tlijit line until November, 
1863, when he disposed of his interest in the busi- 
ness. 

On the 25th day of December folloH-ing his re- 
moval from Albany, Mr. West enlisted in Company 
F, of the 16th Wisconsin Infantry, assisting in re- 
cruiting the same. On its organization he was rn.ade 
Orderly .Sergeant, and entered the field in that ca- 
pacity. He served with his regiment in the gal- 
lant 17th Army Corps, and during the siege of 
Atlanta on the 21sl of Jul}'. 1864, reccired a gun- 
shot wound through both his thighs. At the time 
he was at a point on the field near where the gal- 
lant MePherson fell, ami only a few hours after 
that s.ad event. His wound clis(|ualifie<l him for 
further service in the field, and lie was brought 
home in Noveml)er following. In .March. 1865. he 
reported at the hospital in Milwaukee, where he re- 
mained until his discharge in .Inly following. He 
had been commissioned First Lieuh'nriiit of lii> 
company in .March. 1S65. 



-'^h^ 






7- 



ROt'Iv COUNTY. 



.'543 



Soon after lieinj; nuislcicd out of sorvice Mr. 
West was a|)iioiiilC(l Postiiiaslcr of Evaiisvillc, and 
oontiniied in that position until February', lK8t), a 
period of more llian twenty consecutive years. He 
was nianic'd, on IIk; lUtii of Fehrnai}', l.Sdl.lo 
Miss l'"loia Comfort, only dani;iiter of the Rev ( ). 
F. Conifoi'l,, a well-known eleigyman of I\oel< 
County durinj; the early days. Mrs. West is a na- 
tive of the Empire State, and by their union four 
cliiidren were born, two of whom are living, Mae 
M., a successfid teacher of l'>ansvi]le, and Eva. 
Those deceased are Minnie and Elbert .). Mr. 
West was a gallant soldier in the war for the Union, 
and is a worth\ •■ind esteemed citizen. lie is a 
prominent member of T. L. Sutphen I'ost No. 11. 
(i. A. K. of Kvansville, .and for live .and a half 
years was Coinmamler in that body. 

IIESTEU 15AIEEY, sui>erinlendent of the 
.lanesville Cotton Mills, since the establish - 

^^ ment of the business in 1874, was born in 
Willianistown, Herkshire Co., Mass., on the ;50th day 
of Septemljer, 1821, and is the sou of diaries and 
Liicnna (Treadwell) Hailey. His father was born 
in Petersburg, Kensselaer Co., N. Y., and was de- 
scended from an old New England family, while 
his mother, who was also descended from New 
England ancestry was born in Willianistown. Mass. 
Her father was a native of Hhode Island, and her 
mother of Williamstown. 

The suliject of this sketch was reared in his na- 
tive town, educated in the common schools, and at 
the age of fourteen years entered a cotton mill to 
le.arn the trade of a cotton weaver and has l)een 
employed in that kind of work continuously since, 
covering a peiiod of lift}' three years. During this 
time he has served in nearly all the cap.'icilies in 
eouuection with the cotton manufacturing bu.sincss 
and has been sui>eriiitendent of such industries for 
over a (piartcr of a century. For fourteen years 
he was su|)eriiitendent of th(! Arnold .Mills of North 
Adams, Mass., and for the i)ast twelve years has 
been superintendent of the .lanesville Cotton Mills. 

On the -iDlhday of .Inly. l.Hll, at lIoDsic, N. V., 
Mr. liailey was uidted in Mi:irri:ige with .Mi>s Ui'tsy 



Iv Brown, a daughter of -lolin lirown, of I'owuall. 
\'t. Of their union a family of fiuir children were 
liorn — Enimett C., the eldest, married Miss .Jane 
Tower, of North Adams, and died in 1880, leaving 
a widow anil two chihiren: Harriet. Emma and 
Alice die(l in infancy; Arthur Enimctt, the second 
of that name (grandson of Chester IJailey), is a res- 
ilient of .lanesville and has charge of Ins grandfa- 
ther's cotton-batting mill. The death of Mrs. 
JJailey occurred in May, 1881, ami our subject w.-vs 
again married on Christmas d.ay of 1882, at .lanes- 
vdle, his second union being with Mrs. Maria 
Thurbei-, widow of Elihu Thurbcr, and a daughter 
of William Cousins. She is a native of Pittstown. 
N. Y. 

In the month of .lanuary, 187;'), Mr. Hailc}- came 
to Janesville, Wis., to take charge of the operating 
de|)artment of the .hmesvUle Cotton Manufactur- 
ing Company, !uid has been in charge of the works 
up to the present time, with the exception of about 
two years, from March 1, 1884, to .lune 1, 188(i, 
when he wsis ab.sent on private business. In 1880 
he established a mill of his own at .lanesville, which 
i.^ known as the Bailger State Warp Mills, in which 
he manufjictures warp, twine and cotton- batting. 
The mill employs twenty hands and does an annual 
business to the value of $20,000. Mr. Bailey is 
sole proprietor of the establishment which he h;is 
carried on suceessfull}'. In politics he is an earnest 
Rei)ublican, but has never had time or inclination 
for the honors or emoluments of public oflice. He 
is mjister of his business, and the i)rosperity attend- 
ing the .lanesville Cotton Mills is largely due to his 
able management and faithful attention to the du- 
tii^s of his position. As a citizen he stands deserv- 
edly high in the esteem of all with whom he has 
business or social relations. 

See [lortrait upon .another page. 

— "♦ ■ > '> m< ' < ■ - ■ 



JT OIIN W. HOG AN. who has been Marshal of 
ll the city of .lanesville since the spring of 
|| 1880, covering a period of nine years con- 
1/ j^tinued service, was born in Stockbridge, 
Ma.-is., May 27, 18.")2, and is a son of I'eter .and 
Mary ilogan. who were both natives of Ireljuid. 

-•► 




544 



ROCK COUNTY. 




Tliey emigratefl to Amcrk-a riming youth. wore mar- 
ried in Massachusetts, some years later, and tame 
to Rock County, Wis., settling in ,laiu!sville. Af- 
ter four years residence in liiat cily. they removed 
to La Prairie Towiishiii. and are now living on a 
farm on section 21. wlu^re Mr. liugan owns KiC, 
acres of tine land. 

Tiie subject of this sliotcli was reared to farm 
life upon his father's faira in La I'r.iirie Township, 
and received his education in the district schools. 
He began his business career as a grocer in .)anes- 
ville, forming a partnership with his brother-in-law 
T. IL Keating, in 1X72, they carrying on the bus- 
iness for two years when he sold out to Mr. Keat- 
ing. He then returned to the farm and engaged in 
agricultural pursuits until 1878, when he went to 
W.aukesha, Wis., and served as an oflicer of the 
Industrial School for one year, in charge of the 
boys' work shop. At the end of that time he re- 
turned to Rock County, and once more engaged in 
farming until his election to the t>tlice of INLarshal, 
in the spring of IHSd. lie was lirst appointed 
Marshal by Mayor Samuel Cobb, and a month la- 
ter w.as elected to that oltice by the Council, and 
hixs held that position continuously since. 

Mr. llogan was nnirried on the 2()th day of .Ian- 
nary, 1881, in .lanesville, Wis., to Miss Klizabeth 
Lawler. a daughter of John Lawlcr. Mrs. Ilogan 
was born in this city, where her parents were early 
settlers. A family of four children have been born 
unto them, three sons and one daughter — Thomas J. 
I'crtha M., William L.. and Krank. all born in 
.lanesville. 

In polities, Mr. llogan is independent, and so- 
cially, is a mendier of the A. (). of II. , Division 
Xo. 1. of Rock County. During the years in 
which he h.os been Marshal, he has also served as 
Deputv SheritT for two years nn<lcr U. I!. Harper, 
and one year uniler George Ilanthorn. As Marshal 
he has proved .a must cflicient and popidar odieer, 
and has served without fear or favor. He is a 
man of i>owcrful physifpie, iwssessed of the es- 
sential (lualifications of a goo<l oficer; rpiiet .and 
kindiv in disposition, yet when oc-casion requires, 
(piick to act, and cool and firm in the discharge 
of dutj". That he possesses the C4)nfidehce and 

cod will of the people is evident by his retention 



in office for nine years without opposition. The 
city of .lanesville h.as a population of 12,000 peo- 
ple, nnil it is a compliment to Mr. Hogan's ability 
and cllii'icncy that with but little assistance he has 
no troubli! in preserving the peace of the city. 



-©♦o.^5A..^'^-o*o> 



OSIAII WRIGHT, who is numbered aniong 
the early settlers and prominent citizens of 
.lanesville, is of Puritan ancestry, the histor}' 
of the family having been traced Imcktothe 
early days of New England. Several of its mem- 
bers served their country in the War of the Revo- 
lution. 

.losiah Wright was born in the town of Lennox. 
Berkshire Co., Mass., on the 12th day of .lanuary, 
171)!), and was ;i son of Samuel Wright, who had a 
family of .seven children, but .all .are now de.id. 
Josiah being the last one of the family to pass 
awa^'. lie remaincil under the parental roof until 
fifteen years of .age. when he entered upon a course 
of study and was for some time a student of Len- 
nox Academy. Later he entereil PompeyHill 
Academy in the State of New York, where .•imong 
his schoolmates were numbered several who after- 
ward became famous, including Hor.atio Seymour. 
Governor of New York. Mr. Wright w.as, how- 
ever, diverteil from his deterniinalion to (Jiirsue a 
collegiate conrse by indnceiniiits In hi out by his 
cousin, Samuel Lighlbody, of Albany. X. Y.. who 
was conducting a leather establishment and who 
induced our subject to enter his emploj'. He did 
so, and there (jbtaineda thorough knowledge of the 
leather business, which became his life occupation. 
Although his school days were ended, Mr. Wright 
remained an ardent student, even piinsiiing the 
study of the classics in his leisure hours, and be- 
came an excellent scholor in both (J reek and Latin. 
He continued with Mr. Lightbody for a perio<l of 
three years, rei-eiving for his services the sum of 
$50, *75 and lilOO respectively per year. He was 
now twenty-six years of age, had obtained a thor- 
ough knowledge of the business in which he had 
been engaged, and determineil to embark in the 
same line for himself. He had also secured many 
frieixls. ami in 1825. when he wished to establish 



"t 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



rir 



business in Syiiieiise, N. Y.. wliiili was then u 
town of 1,000 iiilmbitaiits, ample means were 
jjroffered him l)y tliose men of wealth with wlnun 
he had l)ecorne aeciuaintcil in Alliany. In Syiaense 
hi- linill an extensive tannery and eairied on busi- 
ness in all lii'aiirhes of the leather industry, and. 
beini;' very suceessful. made a fortune from this 
enterprise. 

\\liile residint; in that eity, INIr. Wright wa.s 
unite<l in marriage. Aug. 4. 1K27, \vith Miss Mar}' 
Taylor, a daughter of the Rev. John Tajdor. of 
Decrlielil. Mass.. who l)elongert to one of the most 
eminent families of New Euglaml. A beautiful 
and interesting genealogical chart of the Taylor 
family in the possession of Josiah T. \Yright gives 
the following facts in regard to the life of the 
Rev. John Taylor: He w.as the fourteenth child of 
the lion. KIdad Taylor, and graduated from Yale 
College in 17f<l.under the patronage of his cousin, 
I'resiih'ut Stiles. Kntering the niinistrj', he became 
pastor of the Chiueh of Dei'rfield. Mass., Feb. 14. 
17!^7, lint on account of failing health resigned in 
ISOC), ami removed to Kntield, Conn. Having re- 
gained his heidtli, he went to Mendon, N. Y.. in 
IHlfi, .and in \H:i2 removed to liruce, Jlich., where 
he continued to jjreaeh until his de.ath, which oc- 
curre(l Dec. 20, 1810. During his life he wrote 
2.000 sermons. He was an amiable m.an and 
an excellent i)rcaclier. The Taylor family on 
both sides is descen<led from the most distin- 
guisheil early families of New England, and in- 
cluding anuing its members (iov. lir.adford, Robert 
Day and many others equally noted. The Con- 
gregational Church has found ni.an}' of its most 
eminent divines in the Taylor family, and the his- 
tory of the church bears on its pages frequent ami 
lionoralile nu^ntion of its ministers and lavmen 
eminent in Christian work. 

Mv. Wright was also a man of huge !ie:ut an<i 
benevolence, and contributed liberally to the relief 
of tlic distressed and the promoting of the best 
inlerestsof his fellow men. He was an Abolitionist 
and the fiicnd of the slave. In this work he was 
a.ssot'iate<l with (lerrett Sniith and other leading 
Abolitionists of the day. while his house w.as a 
"station oTi tiie underground r.ailroad," and .scores 
of unlia|)py and miserable wretches, who had been 

<■ 



held in slavery, were aided on their way to freedom 
by his generous and helping hand. In fact he was 
prominently connected with all anti-slavery move- 
ments and identified with many important cases of 
escaping fugitives. At a very early age he em- 
braced Christianity, and united with the First 
Presbyterian Church at Albany, and became one 
of the elders of that Church. At that time that 
denondnation was not suHiciently strong in its .nnti- 
slavery views to siut Mr. Wright, who believed 
with Gerrett Smith, William Lloyd Garrison, and 
other leading men of .advanced thought, that slaverj- 
was a wrong, and as such should be brought to an 
end. Consequently, in 1837, Mr. Wright, S. H. 
Mann (afterwards of IJeloit, Wis.), and Charles A. 
Whe.aton, also a member of the Presbyterian Chuich 
at Albau}' were instrumental in organizing the 
Congregational Church in that city. This eluirch 
flourished from the start and became a [jower in 
promoting the cause of freedom to such an extent 
that it received the distinguished title of "Nigger 
Church" from those opposed to Abolition princi- 
|)les. l!ut those early Abolitionists were heroes 
who bore the scoffs of the midtitude and braved 
the danger of ass.assination for humanity's s.ak(\ 
and many of thein. including Mr. Wright, lived to 
see the fruition of their labors in the removal for- 
ever from our land of the institution of human 
slavery, the darkest blot on our Nation's history. 
His generosity and desire to assist others led him 
into unfortiuiate indorsements which resulted in 
financial embarrassment .and reduced him to a with- 
drawal, temporarily, from business. Inconsequence 
of this nusfortune he was induced to turn his eves 
westward, to a land affording more ample oppor- 
tunities for himself and somewhat numerous fam- 
ily. In June. 185 1, accompanied b^- his son, Josiah 
Tajlor. he came west for the purpose of selecting 
a desirable pl.ace for settlement, .and after visiting 
various States, chose Janesville. Wis., which .seemed 
to otTer sui)erior advantages. Returning to Syra- 
cuse, he made arrangements immediately to remove 
to Janesville with his familw and the latter part of 
June, 18;") I, found them permanent residents of 
this city. With his son, Josiah T., he at once em- 
barked in the leather business, which increased from 
the beninninii until their .'umnal tra<lc exceeded 



-- 



a^-HI^ 



540 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i 



$100,000. About 1873 Mr. Wright retired from 
active life, and on the 8th d.ay of October, 1888, 
|)assed away, dvinK at tlie aue of ninety years. 

lie vv.'is a man of much iiatur.al ability, ami iiis 
life wa.s spent fur the l)est interests of luinianily 
and in carrying out his honest convictions. In 
chnrch work he was ever deeply inteicsted, and 
was ever forward in pronK)tinn the canse of the 
Master. Beloved by all, he survived f.ar beyon<l 
the average lime allotted to men. and then sank 
(piietly to rest. Surel}^ of him it could be said 
that the world was better for his having lived. Ills 
faithful wife preceded her husbnud to the better 
land. Of their five children who grew to maturity, 
all are living with the exception of one son. Josiali 
T. was the eldest; Mary Elizabeth is the wife of 
Robert Deakin. of riiiladclphia; Edward ()., who 
was a soldier of the lale w.ar, was killeil in the .sec- 
ond l)attle of Hull Run in 1. ■<(•>■>; Sarah I!., is the 
wifeof Edward Uuger, an eminent engineer; Henry 
T.aylor enlisted in the "id Wisconsin ISattery in the 
War of the Rebellion, but by the inllncnce of Gen. 
Mcl'her.son w:is tr.-uisferreil to one of the gnn-bo:its 
on the iMississimii River, where he s(Mved until the 
close of the w;ir. lie w.as then assigned to the 
Atlantic .Squjidion anil visited various parts of the 
world. He has now charge of the Washington 
Navy Yard, and is held in such high esteem that 
sexcral times he has been called upon to perform 
various im|)ortant connuissions pcrl.aining to the 
navv depaitment. which coidd oidy be entrusted to 
a man of ability .and woitli. 

.losiah Taylor Wright, was born on the litli 
day of Jun<-, 1.S30. He remained under the 
p:iriulal roof until twenty-live years of age, and 
in l.s.")4,niadc his first trip to Wisconsin in com- 
pany with liis father to seek a location. They 
(U'lidcd on .lanesville. and returning removed the 
family to this city during the same yeai'. The fol- 
lowing year Mr. Wright returned to New York, 
and in the city of .Vuhnin was unilt'd in marriage 
with Miss Eannie Hunt, d.-iughtcr of T. M. Hunt, 
llieir union being eelebratccl April 17, 185'>. 

In 18/)1, in connection with his fathei', Mr. 
Wright embarked in the leathei- business, though 
conducting the same un<ler his name. The part- 
nershiji continued until JST.l. wlien his father re- 



tired, since which time he has conducted the busi- 
ness alone, attaining to a high degree of success, 
which attests his .ability and enterprise. He is one 
of .Fanesville's representative men, and has ever 
been active in promoting her best interests. Me 
is prominently' crjnnected with church and Suiiday- 
Scliool work, and was Superintendent of the Con- 
gregational Sund.ay-School in this city for eighteen 
years. He makes that work his especial object, 
and for a number of 3'cars past has visited diflfer- 
ent i)ortions of the county organizing schools 
where there were none, encour.aging and aiding 
those which were we.ak and needed assistance. He 
does nuich toward pi-omoting the religious and 
moral training of the young, and is held in the 
highest esteem wherever he is known. He and his 
wife have a beautiful home at Janesvillc, where 
they have live<l for so man3' years. 

il l»,ILLIAM H. II. i;.MLEY, oneof the very 
\^// earliest pioneers of Janesvillc, and in his 
^^y^ day a leading citizen of the town, was born 
ill New Hampshire in isil. He removed to Dan- 
ville, Vt., in earl}' life, where ho was united in mar- 
riage in |K:i.i, to Miss Mary Di.xon, a sister of 
John 1'. Dixon, a well-known and pronunent early 
setllerof .lanesville. Soon after their marriage. .Mr. 
and Mrs. IJailey removed to Cincinnati. ( )hio. and 
in ()ctolier, IS.'JIi. came to .lanesxillc, where he 
joined his biother-in-law, Mr. Dixon, who had pre- 
ceded him the previous spiing. The two families 
located on claims near the river, in what is now 
the southeastern portion of the city of .lanes\ ijle, 
known as Dixon's and Hailev's aildilion. 

In 1842, i\Ir. Uailey formed a partnershi|) with 
Thomas Lappin, the pioneer merch.ant of Janes- 
villc, their store, which contained a stock of gcn- 
er.MJ merchandise, being situated on the site of the 
present L.appin block. That connection was con- 
1inne(l two years, when Mr. Bailey sold out to his 
partner, and for a few yeais was engaged in other 
business. About 1H48 he puichased :i slock of 
general nu'rchandise and went into business with 
K. L. Dimock. but two Ncars later sold out to .Mr. 
Dimock and (lark, the next few years being passed 




■•»- 



ROCK COUiNTY. 



.17 



4 



in tlie ri';il ostati' iiinl oIIkt Imsiiiess. INFr. IJailey 
\v:is a Willi; and was a leader in local polities in the 
early .settlement of tlieeomily. When Koek County" 
was oiuaiiized and a lioard of CdinniissioiuMS 
elected, Mr. ISailey was chosen clerk, April I, l.S3'J. 
In 1«10, he was elected the first register of ilei'ds, 
and also the lirst clerk of the Hoard of C'oimty 
Sn|iervisois, which for the first time was oryanizefl 
as the ci)unt_y governnient and was com|iosed of 
representatives from the various towns and vil- 
lages. In IH42, Mr. Bailey jciined Thomas Lap|)iii 
and Charles Stevens in Imilding the lirst liridge 
across Koek River, at .laiiesville. It was hiiilt at 
the crossing of Milwankee street, at a cost of I2,(t00. 
was a toll bridge and was in use for more than 
ten years. lie was also associated with A. Hyatt 
Smith in liuildintt the lirstdani across Rock River at 
.huiesville, ill the winter of l,sil-45. In 1818 he 
was one of the iiicor|iorators of the Madison it lie- 
loit Railway Company, the first railway company 
incorporated in the State. 'i'lie road was nlti- 
mately Iniilt by another company, and is the [ires- 
eiit Madison Divison of the Chicago & Northwes- 
tern Railroad. About LSI.'!. Mr. Uailej' joined A. 
II. Smith and h. H. Stone in the purchase of a tract 
of land lying along the west bank of Rock River, 
which they platted under the title of Smith, Bailey 
A- Stone's .\ddilion to .lanesville. This aildition 
is bounded on the north by Ravine Creek, on the 
east by the river, on the south by Union street and 
on tlie west by .lackson and High streets, and in- 
cludes a large part of the most valuable |)ortion of 
the business center of J.Tnesvillc. The price paid 
for the land by the company was ^\'2 an acre. Mr. 
llailev was from time to time interested in various 
business enterprises, and as lie was an energetic 
man of superior ability, prospered in business, and 
became (juite wealthy. In 18;").'), he sold out his 
possessions in the West and with his f;iiiiilv re- 
moved to Concord, N. II., and Later to Boston, 
Mass., where he met with reverses in business and 
lost heavily. Subsequently returning toJanesvillc 
he invested some ii;l,80(t in loans at Minneapolis, 
Minn., which he lost through the dishonesty of his 
agent at that place. Soon after the war he went 
So'i'.li and was engaged in the cotton and leaf lo- 
b;iceu trade, until broken down in health he re- 



turned to Jancsville, where he died on the 11th 
d.ay of March, 1x72, at the residence of his son-in- 
law, R. M. Boslwiek. 

Of the children born to Mr. and iSIrs. Baile3', 
only one is now living, Helen M., who was the 
lirst. white' girl born at .I;uiesville, .-uid is now the 
wife of R. M. liostwick, a leailing meiehant of that 
city, wdiose sketch appears elsewhere; one son. M;ir- 
sli.'iil, grew to iiiauhood and died at Shreveport, 
l-a., ill 1874. Mrs. Bailey, who was liorn in Dan- 
ville. \t., died on the .'iOth day of April. l,s,s|, at 
the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Bostwick. aged 
sixty-eight years. Mr. Bailey was recognized as 
one of the most enterprising and stirring business 
men of his day in .lanesville. lie was a man of 
great force and energy and possessed g<jod business 
((iialifications. The siiiicrior natural advantages of 
.lanesville as a manufacturing ;iiid commercial 
point were appreciated by him and he was ambi- 
tious of seeing it develop into a great city. But 
few of his old neighbors and .associates of the pio- 
neer days are to be found. .Sonic have moved to 
distant parts of the country, while many, liki' him- 
self, have joined the silent majurity across the dark 
river. Of those seen by the wiiter, Mr. Bailey is 
spoken of with marked resiiecl as a man of iiii- 
right character, true to his friends, and always re- 
liable, lie was a w;irm personal friend of President 
I''ranklin Pierce and after his return to New llaiiip- 
sliire, took an active part in [)olilics, and in |S.")7. 
was chosen first counsellor under (Jov. \\ illi.ini 
Hale. 

-^' : : d ::: o ; ; ^- 

¥« li'lLLIA.M I.. WKIOirr. a farmer residing 
on .section 2'.t. in the town of Porter, is 
numbereil among the early settlers of the 
county who shared in the trials and privations of 
pioneer days. He w;i.s born April 22, 1809, in Liv- 
ingston County, N. Y.,and is a son of Willi.am and 
Mary (Bullaril) Wright, who were also natives 
of the Kmpire State. His father was three times 
married. Shortly after his lirst marriage his wife 
died leaving one child, Abigail, who is also det'cased. 
He was a farmer by occni)ation, and removed to 
(icnesec County, N. V., where he A-edded Mary 
Bullaril. and three children were born of their 



f 



548 



ROCK COUNTY. 






union, iiiiincly: Ahnira. who tie-i-:une llie wife of 
Zilia lialcolm, wlio resided in Indiana until licr 
death; Mary, wlio died at her home in New York, 
and William I,., the subject of lliis si^etch. Tiie 
mother of this family was ealled to iier final rest while 
rcsidin-j in Indiana. The third wife of Mr. Wright 
was Mrs. Plumilla ISalcolm, a native of Connecti- 
cut, by whom he had nine children — Asa. Plumilla, 
Eli, Anna, -Julia. C'larinda, Emiline. Mcrey Ann 
and Lucy. 

In 1851 William Wright. Sr., removed with his 
family to Wisconsin, where he p.-wsed the remain- 
der of his days. His third wife died after a few 
years' residence in this State. AVhen the late war 
broke (uit he enlisted in his country's service, con- 
tinuiny; until liie close of hostilities. He w.as a 
recognized leader of the Republican party, was an 
enthusiastic and inflexible adherent to its principles 
and felt a deep interest in its success. He was a 
man well informed on all the leading topics of the 
day, was hijjhly respected in the coninnmily where 
he resided, .and his death, which occurred at the 
home of his daughter in Northern Wisconsin, was 
deeply mourned. 

Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and 
youth in his native State, and was reared to the 
occupation of farming, which he followed through- 
out his life. Leaving his Eastern home iu the spring 
of 181.') he emigrated to "Wisconsin, settling in Rock 
County, where he entered a claim of eighty acres 
of land, which he purchased from the Government 
at the land sale. His capital was then very limited, 
and knowing that he musttlepcnd upon his own la- 
bors for a livelihood without delay he began the de- 
velopment of his land. He erected a little log cabin 
i;!xl.'> feet, which he maile his home for twenty 
years, but before taking up his residence therein he 
worked in the neighl)orhood as a farmhand, reeeiv- 
inu- only fifty cents per day for the arduous duties 
which he performed. Wlien evening drew near 
he would hasten to his claim and ilevote several 
hours to work upon his cabin, while he spent the rain}' 
days in the same manner. The hardships which he 
enilurcd makes his success all the greater. For four 
years he hauled the water which he used for a dis- 
tance of two miles, when at the end of that time by 
hard labor he succeeded in procuring the lumber 



to sink a well on his farm. During th.at time he 
engaged in breaking steers iu connection with his 
other work, thereby gaining the means with which 
to continue his improvements. As time passed, 
however, the care and labor which lie bestowed 
upon the land transformeil the once wild prairie 
into a tract of rich fertility, and his efforts of for- 
mer years were rewarded Ijy l)ounteous harvests. 

On the 27th day of March, 18;5'.). in the town of 
Sheridan, Chiiutauqua Co.. N. Y., Mr. Wright mar- 
ried Miss Caroline Smith, but on the Uth day of 
November, ISi'u. the good lady passed away. He 
was again married April 14, 18.i8, his second union 
being with Isabella (^u.ayle, who w.ts born on 
the Isle of Man. a small island between England, 
Ireland and Scotland. Two children have graced 
the union of this worthy cou))le: William Jr., who 
was born .hine 5, 18ij',>, and is now operating his 
father's farm, and Kale Patterson, who was born 
Riarch (5. I8()2, and is still under the parental roof. 

Mr. Wright is a mcmlier of the .Methodist Epi.s- 
ccipal Church, and Mrs. Wright is a mcinlier of the 
Episcopal Church, and the\ have ever been active 
workers in the Master's cause. He cast his first 
Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison. sup- 
porting the Whig parly until the organization of 
the Republican party, since which time he has each 
election given his influence and his ballot in its 
support, concluding with the election of 1888, when 
he voted for our present executive, the grandson 
of the Tippecanoe hero. Mr. Wright is now in his 
declining years, and can look back over a well- 
spent life with no regret for the past or fear for 
the future. 





1.H0MAS .S. NOLAN, of the firm of Nolan it 
Cunningham, lawyers, of .l.anesville, is a 
^ native of that city, born on the 1 1th day of 

October, 1856. His parents, Simon and Margaret 
(Coss) Nolan, were born in Ireland, the father in 
Kings County and the mother in (Jueens County. 
During the days of bis boyhootl Simon Nolan left 
the Green Isle of Erin and came with his parent.s 
to America, the family settling at Albany, N. Y., 
where he married Margaret Coss. He afterwards 
removed to . lanes ville. which city he made his 



^ 



■•►-41-^ 



KUCK COUJSTV, 



5l;» 




lioinp until liis death, which occuiTed in 1858. 
His wilV (•;iine to America some years later than 
lii-r iHisharid, and is still a resident of .lanesvilli'. 
Two fliildren were born unto them, a sun and 
daujj;hter, Catherine M., who is now {\w wife of 
Dr. Walter E. Fernald. the |)resent .siipcriiitend- 
ont of the School for Feeble-Mindcd, at lioston, 
Mass. 

The son. 'i'hoinas S., Ihe sniiject of this sketch, 
received his preparatory education in the ,Ianes- 
villc city Schools, after which he was a student at 
the K'idjjetown Academy, at Riduetown, Ontario. 
Canada, for two years. He liesjan his law studies at 
York, Neliraska. in the ollice of Kdward T.ales, in 
.lidy, 1877, continuing with that jientlenian until 
January, 1878, wlien he returned to .lauesville, 
entering the law otliee of C.ossod.ay & Carpen- 
ter. I)ut two months Later became a student in 
the ollice of Eldredge & Fethers. He wa,s ad- 
mitted to the bar in September, 1879, and en- 
tcrc(l .-it once upon the piactice of his profession, 
continuing tliereat until the spring of 1880, 
when he was elected Police .Justice, which of- 
fice he held for two years. In December, l«si. 
in com))any with (larretl \'eeder and W. A. Leon- 
:ird, he incorporated the Recorder Printing CV)m- 
[lany, of which Mr. Veeder became President, while 
Mr. I,c(in;ud lield the ollice of Vice-President, anil 
Mr. Nolan was Secretary, Treasurer and editor. 
His connection with that coni|)any continued until 
.March. |H(;3, when he sold out and went to I'ierri'. 
Dak., where he pr.acticed law an<l starlecl a daily 
paper, called the Pierre Daily liecoi'der, which after 
conducting (luc yc:u- he sold, and formed a coni- 
pnuv, cst.-ililisliiiig the bank of South Dnkota at 
Harold. Mr. Nohiu was elected Proidcnt of the 
company, and continued at the head of affairs 
until October, 18.S.'), when on account of his wile's 
health he sold out and returned to. lanes villc. where 
he resumed the practice of his (jrofession. 

On the •_'-_'d day of February. 188:5, Mr, .Nolan 
was uuiteil in marriage at Jancsville with Miss 
.'c.ssie M. Mnrdock, youngest daughter of the lati- 
!•;. D. Murdock. She w:is born in this eit^', where 
licr people were among the early settlers. 

Soon alti'r his return from Dakota our sidiject j 
was chosen N'illage .\ltorney for the \"illagc of 



<^ 



Clinton, Rock County, the duties of whieli oflice 
he performed while continuing to reside at .laues- 
ville. While a resident of Pierre, Dak., he was 
clecled the lirst City .lustice under the city charter, 
w;is chairman of the first County Rei)ublican Com- 
mittee, and was one of the orgain'zers of the party 
in that Comity. Socially he is a menil)er of Ori- 
ental Lodge, No. 22. K. of P., w!>s Chancellor Com- 
mander of the order in 1888; was a delegate to 
the last session of the (irand Lodge, and now lills 
the [losition of P. ('. lie is .also a member of 
Pierre Lodge. I. ( ). O. F., of Pierre. l)ak„ and 
his wife is ;i member of the llaptisi Church, The 
present partuershi|) with John Cunningham w;is 
formed in 1 8H8, and the lirni is securing a fair 
share of the Icg.al business of Rock County, .Mr, 
-Nolan is a bright, active lavvyer, earnest in all he 
undertakes, and is a highly respected niendier of 
the bar. 



<| ;|1LLLVM PAYNK, retired merchant, has 
\^// '"^^" ■'■ '■*'sidcnt of .l.anesville since I8(;i. 
\yW lie is a native of Connecticut, born in 
\\ :iteri)nry. New Haven County, in 181 1. His 
grandfather. Thonuus Payne, was a plain farmer of 
that town, about three nules from the site of the 
present city of Waterbury, where Ra|)hael Payne, 
f;ither of our subject, was born. Tradition savs 
that three brothers from iMigland l.-inded on the 
coast of New Knglaud among the Puritjui inuni- 
granls — two of whom settled in Massachusetts, and 
the other in ( 'onuc<'lieut. The lirsl two and their 
descendants spelled their name "Paine,"' while the 
progenitor of those inentioned in this article 
adopted the spelling ust'd li\- them. 

Raphael Payne married Ruth Mix. a native of 
Meriden, and soon after the birth of our snbjtet 
removed to Meriden to resiile. When William 
was live 3'ears old, the family removed to New 
York Stale, where the father died si.v years later. 
From this time forward the .son has made his own 
way in the worhl. At the age of thirteen he re- 
turned to .Meriden with his mother, and found em- 
jjloymeut in a sljo|) which was the nucleirs of the 
piesiMit mammoth .Meriden Uiitannia Com|)any. 
He proved an ai)t and amliilious workman, and in 



r 



■^•■ 



;")oO 



^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



a strife in which lie exceeded tiie aniDiiiit of work 
done by any other employe of the establishnienl, 
he lironjjht on a [lain in his side that compelled 
liim to leave the shop. lie was nrjw seventeen 
years old, and spent some time in canvassing for 
the snle of n hook, with good success. In 18.3.5. at 
New liritaiii, Conn., ho wedded .lulia, daughter of 
Abraham Thorp, wlio was of English descent. 
Proceeding at once to Geauga County, Ohio, he 
purchased a farm at Huutsburg, and eng.aged in 
its cultivation. His old weakness soon compelled 
him to abandon farming, and he resumed the occu- 
(lation of salesman, for which he was so well 
adapted. He engaged with a friend at Klyria, Ohio, 
who nia]iufactured silverware. ISesides the product 
of this factory he tlealt in jewelry and shell combs — 
the latter being then considered an indispensable ac- 
cessor}- to the toilet of every lady. In a short time 
Mr. Payne disposed of his farm, and began to em- 
ploy peddlers on his own account. The financial 
stress of 1H,37 bore hard upon him, and he w.as 
(jbliged to close up his business, and spent over 
two years in collecting sutKcient funds to jiay up 
claims against him — every dollar of which was met, 
with interest. An exception occurred in the case 
of one creditor, who refused to accept interest 
under such circninstaiices. 

For seven years Mr. Payne sold woolen goods from 
a wagon for an Ohio manufacturer. In 1842 he 
went to Pittsburg, Pa., and engaged as salesman in 
a wholesale drygoods house. Here his extensive 
acijuaintance with Ohio merchants proved of great 
value, and when his employers were burned out, 
wliich occurred in a short time, he was at once 
secured by another firm, viz: Shacklett d- Clyde. 
In 18.")()hewas taken as partner in the concern, 
under the firm name of B. C. Shacklett it Co., and 
seven years later became sole owner. In 1858 he 
.•idniifted a partner, and the firm became Wilson. 
Payne it Co. The business jirospered, but Mr. 
Payne was obliged by failing health to retire in 
in 1860. At that time he bought forty .acres of 
Land within the present limits of the cit}' of Janes- 
villc, and, after a year of travel, settled down here 
to reside. Most of his winters are spent in Florida, 
where he has real est:ite investments. 

As a means of avoiding idleness, Mr. Payne, 



with others, established the Janesville Woolen 
Mill, tlie pro[)rietors being P.ayne, Hastings & Co. 
Wlien the concern was incorporated, he was made 
its j)resident. but has nowdisposed of his stock. He 
is a stockholder in the .lanesville Machine Com- 
pany, but gives no attention to active l)usiness. He 
has alwa3's sustained the Republican party in na- 
tional issues, and with his wife is a member of 
the Piaptist Church, of .lanesville. Their only 
child, Mrs. M. 1'. Leavitt, who "resides with them, 
is also a worker in that societ}-. 

'Sir. Payne enjoys the happj' reflection — which 
is denied to many — that no one ever lost a dollar 
through his transactions. The drygoods house of 
which he was a member did a business of half a 
million dollars per annum. It has been established 
for eighty-five years in the same city, and is 
probabl}' the oldest house of its kind in America 
that never suspended nor failed. 



=^i(UGUST WILLIAM lUGGS, dealer in 
(,@^JJ| wood and coal on North Academy street. 
14' .lanesville. Wis., is a leading business man 
(^/ of Rock County. He first engaged in 

his i)rcsent business in company with his brother, 
William Buggs, in 1872, and the partnership was 
continued until 1881. when it was dissolved, the 
brothers each continuing in the same line of busi- 
ness, though se[)arately. 

Mr. Buggs is a native <if Prussia, (ierm.any, liorn 
in 1837, and was reare<l to manhood in his native 
land, where for about three years he served jis a 
soldier in the I'russian army. He was in the ser- 
vice during the war of 18GG between Prussia and 
Austria, and took part in man}' of the important 
battles. Before leaving his n.ative land Mr. Buggs 
was united in marriage with Henrietta Hai-kbartli, 
and unto them have been born eight children, the 
four eldest of whom were born in Germany. They 
are as follows: Tillie, August, Reka, Frank. Louis, 
Minnie, Fda ;uid George. 

The family of which <.)ur subject was a member 
also consisted of eight children, four sons and four 
daughters, all of whom have left Germany. The 
sons and three daughters have become residents of 



T* 




I 






^ 



^ 



»► II <• 



ROCK COUNTY. 



••»» 



553 



Jancsvillc, wliilc tin- eldest d.-umliter, Kelca. mairied 
in Geiiiiaiij' and removed l<> Suiitli America, wlieie 
her bushand has since died and where she is slill 
livinij. Anu;nst r>ugi;s and his Ijiolhcrs are res- 
pected citizens of .Jancsvillc, and he is numbered 
among tlie substantial and snccessfnl business men 
of the town. He is a leading nieniber of tlic (iev- 
man LutliL'ran Church of .Janesvillc, of which he 
was trustee for twelve years, and is independent in 
politics. 

^ -^^3^ 5^ 



^^IvIN \"INCP]NT, a relireil farmer and |)rorai- 
11 jj nent citizen of Milton, Wis., is a native of 
^^ Allegany County. N. V., born (m the 4th 
d.av of November, 1H07. His [larents were Joshua 
and Olive Vincent, and to them were born a family 
of fifteen children, seven of whom arc yet living. 
Onr subject was reared to manhood in the Empire 
State, receiving his education in the public schools, 
and in March, 1821), was united in marriage with 
Miss Lucy Babcock, who was Ijorn in the year 
1.H1 1, and is a sister of Dr. Babcock. whose .sketch 
appears on another page of this volume. The 
young coujile began their domestic life in New 
York, but in .lune, 1818, left their Eastern home 
and came to Rock County, Wis. About three 
years previous Mr. \'incent hati made a trip to the 
West, traveling all over this State with a view to 
making a location. Being pleased with the future 
prospects of this county, he made a permanent .set- 
tlement in 1848, taking up his residence on section 
1, in the town of Harmony, where he [uirchascd 
100 acres of land. In connection with the work of 
developing and im[iroving his land, Mr. X'incent 
devoted considerable attention to the raising of 
sheep, owning the finest grade to be found in the 
county. In 18()5he abandoned agricultural pur- 
suits, and the following year settled in Milton, 
where he has made his iionic continuou.sly since, 
becoming one of its representative and leading 
cili/.ens. 

Mr. Vincent h.as been prominently identified with 
tile |)ublic improvements of the town, and has ever 
taken a deep interest in its welfare. He ha.s filled 
various local otHces of honor and trust, discharging 
his duties with promptness and fidelity; has served 



as school director, and for a number of years w;u> 
commissioner and trustee. In the cause of educa- 
tion he has been especially interested, and was the 
.second trustee of Milton College, which position he 
has .also held in the -Seventh Day Baptist Church, 
of which he is a member. He ca.st his first Presi- 
dential vote for .John (^uincy Adams, and sup- 
ported the Whig party until its dissolution, when 
he joined the new Republican jiarty, and at each 
succeeding election has cast his ballot for the can- 
didates of that great political organization. He 
voted forGeu.William Henry Harrison in 1810, and 
also for the illustrious grandson of the Tijjpecanoe 
hero in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent have never 
had any familj' of their own, but have raised a. 
number of orphan cliildren, and though they have 
traveled life's journey together for upwards of 
sixty years, they are yet halo and lu-arty for per- 
sons of their age. See portraits on another |)age. 



-+*^€S=f-i-J-- 



d^T^^ETEU HADLEY. a representative farmer 
I Jj] and stock-raiser residing on section 21, 
. j*^ Porter Township, was born near Hancock, 

I \ Vt., on the 1 Dth day of Decmber, 1 8 1 >), and 
is a son of Amos and Mary ( Farnham) lladle}'. His 
father was a cooper by trade, .-ind also followed 
the occupation of farming. In the year 1821 he 
removed to Cortland County, N. Y., where he 
worked at his trade until 1822, at which time he 
becaine a resilient of Onondaga County, of the 
same State, there continuing to reside untd his 
death, which occurred during the summer f>f 18.il, 
from cholera, which was then epidenn'c through the 
country. The family of Amos and Mary Iladlcy 
numbered ten children, but only two are now liv- 
ing. The first five, Hannah, Hiram, Robah, Har- 
riet, and Mary have all passed away. Peter, of 
this .sketch, is the sixth in order of birth. He was 
foUowi'd by Rus.sell, Clarissa M., and .lohn I.eroy, 
who are also decea.sed. Andrew, thevoungest, who 
is a carpenter by trade, is residing in Jauesville, 
Wis. 

By the death of her husband, Mrs. Iladley was 
left with a family of ten children depending upon her 
for sup|>ort. She labored ami cared for them as 



I 



■» i ^» 




4•— 

5;H 



•^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



-t 



onlv a molluT can. until litT son PcUt had nttaini'il 
hiseiglileuntli year, when he hcc-ame nianajior ami 
provider for his widowed mother and the y<nini!;er 
ihildren. Mrs. Iladley w.is a faithful and eunsis- 
Icnt Miemlier of the Molliodist K[)iseo|>al Church, 
and an earnest Christian woman, who labored 
faithfully in her .M:i.ster's vineyard and was an ae- 
live wrjrker in the cause of Christ. She made her 
home with our >ulijeel until the fall of 1845, 
wlieu her health failing her, she went to her son 
Iliram. then living in Michigan, with the hciie 
that a change of climate might prove heneficial. but 
after a vear's residence in that State, she was at- 
t;icke<l with tyi)h(>id fever and deiiarted this life on 
llie 11th day of Septeniher. 1846, deeply mourned 
liv her chihlren and many friends. 

Our subject receivevl his eilucatiou in the coni- 
niou-scliools of New York State, and later learned 
the trade of a carpenter and joiner, to which he de- 
voted himself principally until the spring of 1847, 
when thinking that he might better his condition 
in the \Vest, he came to Rock Couut\-, locating in 
Torter Townshi|). He again resuine<l his tr.ide 
which he followed until the s|)ring of 1854, and in 
in the meantime purchased eighty acres of laml in 
the town of Center, lie sold that farm, however, 
before purcluising his present farm on section 21, 
Porter Township, of which he became the owner in 
1855. It then comprised 1 Hi acres of land which 
he operated until the fall of IHiiC, when selling out 
he removed to Fulton Townshii), there engaged 
in agricultural pursuits for al)out two years, when 
in 1808, he again bought the farm on section 21, 
with the addition of four iieies, making in all 120 
acres. 

On the 20th duy of May, 1817. Mr. Iladley mar- 
ried Miss Samantha C. Pratt, who was born in New 
York and came to Wisconsin in the autumn of 
184(), her parents having removed to this State the 
year previous. Four children have been born to 
this worthy couple, all are yet living — William H., 
who was born April 11, 1848, and is a farmer by 
occupation, resides in Kdgerton; Sarah K., born 
April 20, 1850, is the wife of William Foye, a 
farmer living in Cresco, Howard Co., Iowa; Her- 
bert C, born Oct. 24, 1854, is operating the home 
farm; and Klla A., born .\pril 23. 1805. who resides 

<• =- — — 



with her parents, is a successful teacher in the pub- 
lie-schools of the county. 

.Mr. Iladley is one of the self-made men of liock 
Connt3'. having by his own efforts of industry, 
perseverance ami economy accumulated a comfor- 
table competence. lie is the owner of one of the 
most highly cultivated farms in the county, on 
whii-h may be found a good gr.ade of all kinds of 
stock, as well as all the latest imi)rovcd machinery. 
His fair dealings antl honest upright life in bolh 
the social and business world have won him many 
friends, and he richly deserves the respect in which 
he i> held by all. He has served as a member of 
the lioard of Supervisors in Porter Townshi|> for 
several terms, and has evei' been asupp(jrter of the 
Republican party, and an earnest worker for its 
interests. He has gi\en liberally of his means to 
any enter|)rise of public benelit, and is a represen- 
tative citizen. 

-->> « ^"[:|> <T— 



^jr^iLlJAH O. WIIKKI.OCK. a representative 
|l^ farmer of Hock County. resi<ling on section 
III — ^ I'liion Township, was boiii in the town 



'!>■ 

of Tnlly, Onondago Co., N. Y.. Oct. 8, 1817, and 
is a son of Luther and Nancy (St. .lohn) Wheelock. 
His mother was the tirst white child born in Fa- 
bius, Onon<lago Coiiuly, and was of English de- 
scent, her .-uicestors having emigrated from Kng- 
land to America in lG;i2, only twelve years after 
the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth K'ock. 
Locating first in Ma.-isachusetts, they later removed 
to Long Island, where the descendants of their 
family are still numerous. The paternal grand- 
mother conducted John Hancock to the famous 
"IJoston Tea Party," when a company of .\mer- 
icaus disguised as lmli;ins threw the chesl^s of tea 
into Boston Harbor. 

Luther \\'heelock was a farmer by occup.-it.ion 
and removed with his family t<» Pompey. N. V., 
where he became the owner of a good farm, upon 
which he resided until his death in the year 18(j:i. 
He was then seventy-six years of age. and was a 
liiglily respected citizen. He and his wife were 
the parents of nine children, four of whom are yet 
living- — Fannie, widow of W. 11. Douglass, who 



^ 



ROCK COLT NT Y. 



^•►Hh-^ 



resided in Janesville, died May 8, 1889. after a 
short illness of a few days; Jennie, wife of Arlliur 
Merrill, a resident of Syracnse, N. V.: Nani-y, wiio 
wedded Kdward Noljle, and makes her liotnc in 
Aul)urn, X. Y.;and Annie, wife of a Mr. Manard, 
an attorney at law, of Syracuse, N. Y. After the 
deatii of her iaisband, Mrs. Whecloek removed to 
Syracuse, where she died in 1872. 

Tlie subject of this sketch received his education 
in the schools of Tompe^-, Oiiondago County, 
which w-as tiie birth-place of sonic of the country's 
most |)roniinent citizens. After completing tlie 
common brandies in the pul)lic schools he entered 
the .ic.adeiny where his literary studies were com- 
pleted. After attaining to years of maturity, lie 
was united in marriage with Miss Maria K. Ilowell, 
their wedding being celebrated on the 14tli day of 
February, 1812. Mrs. AVheelock was a daughter of 
Isaac and Bersheba (Holland) Howell, the former 
descended from ancestry who were natives of Long 
Island, while the latter was born of Englisii parent- 
age, though her maternal grandmother was a na- 
tive of France. Many years have passed since 
Mr. and Mrs. Howell departed this life. They 
were the jiarents of thirteen children, but of that 
numei'ous family only tiiree are yet living — Maria, 
wife of our subject; Edwin whose home is in New- 
York City; and Allliea, w^dow of the late William 
.lohn.stni, of Evansville, Wis. 

After their marriage, INfr. Wheelock and his 
young bride left their E.-ustern lionie in September, 
1842, and became residents of Haeine County, 
Wis., where, renting a farm, he engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits. He soon, however, removed to 
liurliiigton, where he engaged in carpenter work in 
connection with his brother-in-law. lie also worked 
at various other occupations for four or live 
years, when pnrch.'ising 280 acres of land he again 
resumed farming in connection with which he opera- 
ted a livery stable, establishing business in that 
line in 18.")(). Six years later, he sold his farm and 
stable and came to Rock County, making his home 
in lieloit until 18()0, when he rented a farm in 
Newark Townshi|). The following year he re- 
moved to the Hailev farm in .lanesville Township, 
and in 18fi3, imrclia.'<ed 140 jicres of land, lying on 
the border of Dane, Green and Rock counties. 




The land was then liiit [lartially improved. A 
sniaii barn hud lieen built, but the work of cultiva- 
tion was scarcely begun. With characteristic en- 
ergy, he began bis labors and as the result of his 
untiring industry, is the owner of a model farm. 
Us boundaries have been extended until it now 
comprises 220 acres in one body, which is highly 
cultivated. In 1884, he largely increased tlie 
value of his farm by the erection of one of the 
finest l)arns in Rock County, and probably in the 
State. It was (ilanned by Mr. Wiieelock and his 
son, is 48x86 feet with 28 feet posts, and measures 
46 feet from the cone to the floor. A large cellar 
under a portion of the building has a capacity of 
between 2,000 and 3,000 bushels, which each vear 
he stores with carrots and beets to feed his cat- 
tle. Tlie barn has all the modern improvements, 
including an arrangement for loading and unload- 
ing hay, and stands .as a monument to tlie industry 
and enterprise of the owner. The farm is stocked 
with the best grades of horses, cattle and hogs, 
and the buildings for their care and shelter are 
models of convenience. The home with its entire 
surroundings indicate neatness .and thrift, indica- 
tive of the prominent characteristics of Mr. Whee- 
lock. In connection wilii general farming he oper- 
ates a dairy, in which he li:;s been <piite successful. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wheelock were 
seven in number, as follows: Edwin, who died in 
infancy: .Iiilia, widow of lliiani BMllaid. wIki is 
now residing in Evansville; Eldon .V., at home; 
Eugene <)., who is a leading young farmer engaged 
in business with his father. He wedded Miss An- 
nie Wliiteley. and to them h.ave been liorn two 
children, Ethel and Mabel; Henry, the youngest 
son. married Miss .Mary Mascome. and is engaged 
ill fanning in Inioii Township. Two twin bovs 
died in infancy. 

As a citizen, none stand higher in the coiiiimii- 
nity than Mr. Wheelock, and he is acknowledged 
by all to be one of the leading farmers of the 
county. He is financially a self-iiiaile man. Begin- 
ing life in Wisconsin on a rented farm in Ra- 
cine County, he has steadily worked his way up- 
ward until he has now a comfortable corapetence. 
which will enable him to pass his declining vears in 
(piiet and retirement. .Although his business in- 



j ^ <• 



*► i r .^*- 



556 



ROCK COUNTY. 



if 



terests arc extensive, lie has yet found time uj 
serve his fellow citizens in <itlici;il positions, the 
duties of which have liccn discliargcil in a prompt 
and faithful manner. Since the or<ranization of 
the Republican party, he has lieen one of its ardent 
supporters, and is a staunch friend to the tvni|)cr- 
ance movement, jjjiviui; his iulhience and supitort 
to tiie suppression of the liipn)r tralllc. We are 
pleased to record the sketch of one who has been 
so iirominently identilicd witli the history of Rock 
County, one who will while life last,-^. maintain a 
deei) interest in her welfare. 




bllK Sl'ENCKR HROTIIKRS were amonjj the 
lirst pionei^rs of Rock County, and have 

'borne a prominent i)art in her deveUipment. 
There were five brothers who located in the town 
of Union, llenr\- G. beiiiji' the first to become a 
resident. He was the fourth in order of birth in a 
family of seven sons, all of whom emigrated to 
Rock County during the pioneer days, while live 
made permanent settlenu'Uts. They were .all born 
in Spriugtield, Vt., and their parents were John ;uid 
Lydia (l-Metcher) Spencer. The grandfather was 
Simeon Spencer, an early .settler of the town of 
Siiringfield, and he reared a family of twelve chil- 
dren. His death occurred in Springiield. The 
KIctcliers, the maternal ancestry of the Spencer 
family, were also numbered among the early set- 
tlers of New England. 

.lohn Spencer, the father, was born on the 1 !Hh 
d.ay of March, 1782, ancl was united in mar- 
ri;ige iSIarch 27, 1805, with Miss I.ydia Fletcher. 
Their union was blessed with seven sons, but no 
daughters were lioin unto them. .lames .\., the 
third in order of birth, who w.as born in 1810, died 
in 1825; I'etcr F., the eldest of the family, was 
born March 12, 1807; John II. (the second), Nov. 
l."}, 1808; Henry G., Aug. 25, 1812; Hiram C, Aug. 
27, 1817: Lewis G. Jan. 20. 1820. and George F., 
on the 17th day of August, 1822. 

The first of the brothers to come to Rock County 
was Ilenrj' G., who settled on Rock Prairie in 
•1837. He was followed by Lewis G., who located 
at Evansville in 1845. and the 23d day of May, 



4*- 




1848, witnessed the arrival of George F. in Rock 
County. Hiram C. was numl)ered among the resi- 
dents who settleil in the county in the fall of 184 8, 
and I'ctcr F.. the last of the family who m."»<le a 
permanent settlement in Rock County, ilates his 
residence from 1854. John H., another brother, 
came to the county in 1850, but after remaining 
six months removeil to Fond du Lac. wheiv he iv- 
sided for many years, when he removed to Minne- 
aiHjlis. Minn. John Sj)encer and his wife, the 
parents of the six brothers, came to Rock County 
in 184H, settling in Evansville, making their home 
in the second frame house erected on the site of 
the village. It was built b\- Di-. J. M. Exans. A 
year had not j"et passed when the mother was 
called to her final rest, her death occurring on the 
17tli day of June, 1850. The father survived initil 
Feb. 7, 1865. when he loo departed this life. 

The family circle of six i)rothers remained un- 
liroken until March 6, 188'J. when Henry G. 
jiasscd away. Previous to his dece;isc no death 
had occurred in the family of children for the 
long [leriod of sixty-four years. Four of the 
brothers are still residents of Evansville. nanu'ly. 
Peter F.. Hiram C, Lewis (i. and George F. The 
Spencer brothers are well-known citizens of Rock 
County, where they have so long resided, and are 
highly' respected b\- all who know them. 

r^. TEPIIEN H()TELLIN(i,one of the ol.lest 
engineers in point of service on the Chicago 
it Northwestern Railroad, was born in L.Mki' 
County, Ohio, Oct. I.'!, 18.i5, and is a son 
of Mcnton llotelling. His parents were born ne.o- 
Poughkeepsie. Dutchess Co.. N. V.. and the family 
is of Holland origin. I'he father is still living in 
New York City, but the mother died in 187.'!. at 
the age of sixty-one years. The early life of our 
subject was s|)eut in Painesville, ( )hio. and at the 
age of sixteen j'cars he began railroading in the 
employ of the Cleveland iV l'",ric Railway Company. 
In the 3'ears 1852 and 185:?, he w;is engaged with 
the Lake Shore Ro.-id.andon the Gthd.ayof March. 
1854. went to Chicago, where the same day he se- 
cured work with the Northwestern Road, in whieli 




II 



4 



^•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



557 



enipkiy lie lias been cotitinuously since. His vun is 
now on the Green Hay iiiail accoinniodalion (in the 
I^ako Shore ilivision, on which line li(! laiil the first 
li:ir of iron. He worked on the eonstriu'tion until 
,I:iniiMr\-, 1 M'l.'), then engaged in firing for iilioiil :i 
year and in 1H5(!, was phieed in charge of bis first 
eiiiiine. He spent one year at the ( Ishkosh switch, 
.and the \i'ar I S.'i'.t, in the yards at. Chicago. Hisriin 
is generally between .lanesville ami Chicago, and he 
has lieen |uilling a jiasseiiger train for twenty-live 
or tweiit\ -six years, during which time not a single 
person has lieeii injured on one of hi;* trains. 

Since llsS'.t. .Mr. Hotelling has been a resident of 
.I.iiuisville, and has made many warm friends in 
this city. On the KHli day of .lanuiiry, l.SCil, he 
was united in marriage with RHss Mary Diistin, 
daughter of S. 1!. I)ustin,and a native of Hartford, 
Vt. They have one child. Kll.'i May, and lliey also 
lost one chihl, Minta l'>cll, who dicil in infancy. 

In polities, Mr. Hotelling is a Repulilican, and 
socially, is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, 
belonging to .lanesville Lodge, No. 55, A. F. \: A. 
M.\ .lanesville Chapter, No. 5, U. A. M. ; Diebolil 
Council No. 2; and .Tanesville Coinmaudery No. 2, 
K. r. He is a valued and worthy citizen of IJoek 
County, rcsiiected by all who know him, and a 
trusted employe of the railroad company. His 
long service is a high tesliiiionial of his abilily and 
of the confidence in which he is held. He has 
gained great favor with llu' traveling public, and 
richly merits their estceni. 



^SLNATHAN SAWTKLL, who for many 
years was a prominent farmer of Inion 
Township, hut is now deceased, was a n.ative 
of Massachusetts, born in (iroton in 171)1. The 
family w.as foiindeil in America by ancestors who 
came to this country from Fniiice in the early col- 
oni.il days and settled in M.assachii setts. Our sub- 
ject w:i.s reared to manhood in his native State, and 
on arriving at years of maturity was joined in wed- 
lock with AH.ss Millie Pitt, who was of Knglish 
origin. I5y oecii|iation Mr. Sawtell was a farmer, 
and thronglKiiil his entire life engaged in .agrictil- 
tiiral pursuits. In the year IH,'$7, he rcin<ivcd with 



his family to ^'ermont. settling in Windsor County, 
where they remained for about eighteen years, 
when ill 18.'i5. they left the Fast and einigralcd to 
Wisconsin. becomiiiL; residents of IJock Coniit\-. 

\'>y the union of .Mi-, and Mrs. Sawtell, a family 
of eight children were born, and with the exception 
of one, all attained to the years of maturity'. They 
nuiiibereil six daiighlers and one son, but before 
the emigration of the f.araily to this State sctveral 
were married. Those living at the present wrilint;- 
in IKS'.) arc four in number, n;iiiiely: ]Mis. Finily 
.S. (Jreen. who was born in M;issacliu.setts, and came 
to Fvans\ ille .several years after her parents had 
settled in liock County. .She was married in .laii- 
uarj-, 1.S80, becoming the wife of IJev. Henry 
Green, recfdr of the Fpiscopal Church of l-^vans- 
ville, whose death oi-eurred M.ay 12, IHH.'i. Mrs. 
Maria M. Howe is the next in order of birth, and 
resides in l.udlow. Vt.; Mrs. Lydia .1. AVdoley, is a 
resident of San l'"raneisco, Cal.. and FInaMian. the 
only son, makes his home in Fvansville. The 
deceased children of the family are iMrs. Hannah 
15. Pettigrew, who came to Hock County with her 
husband at the time of the removal of her parents, 
and died at Sioiix Falls, Dak.. Sept., 1!*, IX/fS, 
while visiting friends in the city. Her husband 
had ilied previous to the death of his wife; Mrs. 
I'^liza \. Johnson died at Forest City, Ark., Aug. 
K'k 1875, and Mrs. Cornelia U. Long died in Jack- 
sonville, Fla.,iii Octoiier, 1KH2. 

Mr. .Sawtt'll was somewhat ailvanced in life 
when he emigrated to Wisconsin, being sixty-five 
3'ears of age at that time. He devoted liis.alten- 
ttoii to agricultural pursuits, owning a farm in 
I'nion Township, and his death occurred in Evaiis- 

: ville, ALircli 31, 187H, at the ripi'old age of eighty- 
seven years. His wife survived him about throe 

I 3-ears, and was also eighty-seven years of age at 
the time of her death. He w:is one of the highly 
esteemed citizens of Fvansville, .-iiid he and his 

I wife were for many years faithful and consistent 
members of the Congregational Church. 

FInatli.an Sawtell, Jr., the only surviving son of 
I'vliiathan and Anilic(Pitt) .Sawtell. was born in 
the Green Mountain State, on the !7th day of No- 
vember, iK22, and resided in X'ermonI until 1H55, 
when he came with his parents to Kock Comity. 



1 



•^i^^ 



* ' 'toH 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i" 



«-Ht:<!!- 



lie was united in marriage at Evansville with Miss 
Lucy A. IJiglow, of Rutlanrt Township. Dane Co., 
AVi.s., their union being celebrated Dee. 25, 1862. 
Mrs. Sawtell is a daugliter of Harvey and Lorinda 
Biglow, who settled in Dane County in 1845. Her 
father is still living in Rutland Township, but iier 
niotlier departed this life in 18-14. 

A residence of over a third of a centiuy in AVis- 
consin, has enabled Mr. Sawtell to form an exten- 
sive accpiaintance, and wherever known he is uni- 
versally respected. 

1|{„^ H. BLANCHARD, a member of the legal 
)i; fraternity of Janesville, is located at Xo. 10, 
West Milwaukee street. He makes a spec- 
iality of real estate and the foreclosure of 
mortgages, and dates his residence in tiiat city from 
.\pril, 1862. He w.os born in Schoharie County, 
N. Y. May 11, 1810, and received the name of 
William Henry Harrison Rlanchanl. his father evi- 
dently Ixing an adniirei- of that soldier anil states- 
man, who was nominated for the Presidency about 
thi- lime of the birlii of our subject. lUit the name 
being somewhat long for i)raclic;d use, Mr. Blanch- 
ard omits the first part. 

Lebbeus Blanchanl. the falln^r of our sul)ject, 
was also a native of Schoharie County, and one of 
a family of four brothers. He married Mrs. Rhoda 
lloynlon, wliose maiden name was Deuel and who was 
liorn in Alliany County, N. Y. She belongs to one 
of the early families of Eastern New York, noted 
for longevity, many of them having attained to a 
very old age. Her f.-ithcr lived beyond the age of 
one hundred \ears, and her mother died at the age 
of ninety -six. Her lirsl husband, Samuel Boynton, 
died of cholera Aug. 29, 1832. Of tlie five chil- 
dren born to them — Oliver and Samuel are now 
living in Schoharie County, N. Y.; two daughters 
and :i son — Mary, Ruth and William — died in the 
same county. Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard were tlie 
parents of four sons, all of whom are living, and 
with the exception of our suhject are residents of 
New York. I'^li, the owner of the old homestead 
farm, is living in 0"'''^cr Street village. Sehenect- 
advCinuity; Ira owns and occupies a farm in 



Wright Township, Schoharie County; H. H. is the 
next in order of birth; and Rilej' is also a resident 
of Wright engaged in mercantile business. The 
father of these children was a farmer bj' occupa- 
tion and died May 12. 1852, at the age of fort3' 
years. He was a man of strong physical [lowers, 
his death resulting from injuries received by the 
kick of a horse. His wife is still living at the age 
of eighty-seven years, having been born Feb. 22, 
1 802. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm 
life, and his primary education was received at the 
district schools, being supplemented by a course at 
the Gallupsville Academy. In 1852, when about 
twelve years of age he met with an .accident, the dis- 
location of his left hip, while engaged in play with 
his school fellows. This misfortune rendered him 
permanently lame and is one motive that led him to 
adopt a professional life. In the spring of 1863, 
he began the study of law in the office of Ilobart 
Crumb. F^sq., of Schoharie, N. Y., continuing with 
th.at gentleman until .June, 1864, wlien he came to 
Wisconsin, locating at West Bend, Washington 
Conntj', where he engaged in the law-ollice of 
Frisby it Weil. He w.as .admitted to the bar in 
that place in October, 18()4, by Judge .lohn K. 
Mann, who was then .luilge of the 3d .Judicial cir- 
cuit of Wisconsin, and is now County Judge of 
Milwaukee County. While at West Bend, Mr. 
Blanchard formed a partnership with Henry J. 
Weil, under the firm name of Blanchard iV Weil, 
which connection continued until 186X), when it 
was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Blanchard 
continuing alone until May, 1871. At that time 
he r(>moved to Waterloo, Wis., where he resided 
until August, 1872, when he became a resident of 
Jefferson. In the month of Ai>ril, following he 
established an odice and has since been engaged in 
practice. 

On the 3d day of November, 1885. Mr. Blanch- 
ard coni()l('tcd liis arrangements for a houie by 
wedding Mrs. Mary H. Thomas, their union l)eing 
celebratoil at Janesville. The lady, who w.as a 
widow of Kvan Thomas, aTid whose maiden name 
was Dennett, was born in the town of Milton. .Iinie 
10, 1846. Her first husband w.as a native of 
Wales and came to this country when a youlli. lie 



-h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



5oi) 



was .1 boot aiifl slice merchant of .lauesville, and 
(liodOcl. 17, 1882. .leremiali Demiclt. !lic I'.iIIkt 
of Mrs. IJlancliard. was horn al I'ortsnionlli, N. II.. 
aliont 18(10, and learned the trade of w cariienter. 
Mis wife, whose maiden name was Mary .luiinston, 
was horn in < il.asn'ow, Seotianil in 1S08, and came 
l(» America with her parents in ciiildhood. Slioi'tlv 
after their inarriaLje. Mr. and Mrs. Dennett re- 
nioveil to Can.-ida. whei'e they lived initil 184.'). 
when they came to Hoel< Coiintj', .scttiini;' in Mil- 
ton Townshii). Here, Mr. Dennett improveil a 
faiiii. makinu it lii.s homestead nntil his death, 
wliich occurred in 1871. His wife died April 11, 
1.S8;), at tlie age of eighty-one years. They were 
the parents of live children, wlio reached matnrity, 
while one son died in infancy. Four of that luini- 
iierare now living — J.ames, who resides on the old 
homestead in Miltun Township; George, whose 
farm adjoins that of his lirother; Mary II., now 
Mrs. Blanchard; .lohn, who is engaged in fanning 
in .lanesvillc Township: Agnes K., married John 
Look, and died at her home in Sionx Falls, Dak. 
in .Vugnst, 188G. 

In his political sentiments. Mr. P>lanehard is a 
Republican, and has t;iken an active [lart in jiromo- 
ting the interests of that party, by deliverino- 
speeches and in other w.ays. His lirst Presidential 
vote was east for Abraham Lincoln in I8fi4. He 
has been Notary Public for many years, ami for 
several years acted as President of the Young 
Men's Library Association of Janesville. As a 
lawyer he ranks high, and as a citizen has the re- 
spect and esti'cm f)f all who know him. 



— !- 







rsTIN K. BURPKF, a lumber merchant of 
Janesville, w.ts born in the town of Corn- 
wall, Canada. May 8, 182'.l, during the 
temporary residence of his parents in that 
His father w.as born in Tenipleton, in A\'or- 
eesterCo., Mass., in 17!ll. and his mother w.-is born 
in the town of Sterling, M.ass., in 170.'). liothwerc 
descended from old New Fngland families, which 
were founded in America prior to the War of the 
Revolution, in which members of both branches 
participateil in the great struggle for American 



1r 



independence. The father, whose Christian name 
was Elijah, was of French descent, and the mother, 
whose maiden name was Myra P.ailey, was born of 
Knglish parentage and was a lineal descendant of 
the Bailey family, so prominent in the history of 
New England. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in .Mount 
Morris, Livingston Co., \. Y., and received his 
primary education in the public .schools of that 
village, supplemented by a few terms at the Acad- 
emy at Nunda. in the same county and .State. His 
father, who was a furniture dealer, was for many 
years engaged in business in Mount Morris. Under 
his instruction. Austin learned the same busines.s, 
and in 1811). at Danville, N. Y., commenced busi- 
ness forhim.self in that line. In 185;! he removed 
to Ilornellsville, in the same State, where he re- 
sumed business, and there resided one year, after 
which he came to Janesville. and has since then 
made this city his home. 

On coming to Janesville, he commenced busi- 
ness as a carpenter and contractor, and con- 
tinued in that line until 18()J. In ISO;? he .served 
•as City Assessor, and in IWh received the appoint- 
ment of under Sheriff of Rock County. The .same 
year he was api)ointcd Deputy United States Mar- 
shal, in which position he serve<^l for several years, 
and in 18(5(j receive<I the appointment of Internal 
Revenue Inspector, his district comprising the Sec- 
ond Congressional Distiiet. and later the Fifth and 
Sixth Districts. In 1808 the law was chanijed in 
regard to the duties of revenue inspector. .Mud Mr. 
Piurpee was then appointed Hevenuc .Vgent for the 
State of Wisconsin. For six years he served in 
that oflice. discharging its duties honestly .and fear- 
lessly. During the succeeding year and a half he 
was engaged in no regular business. He then com- 
menced the manufacture of eotton-batling. and 
continued in that business until 1879, when he sold 
out. and. in com p.any with A. P. Lovejoy. pnrchascd 
the lnml)er business of Filield Bros. Ninety davs 
later he purch.-ised his partner's interest, and has 
conducted the business .•done with good success 
since th.al time. 

At D.ansville, N. Y., July 2. l.s.'iO. Mr. I!iir(K>e 
was united in marriage with .Mi.ss Eliza F. Cliapiu, 
a native of Saratoga Cfiuuly. N. Y., and daughter 



^ 



■4^ 



ofiO 



ROCK COUNTY. 



of Jerry :in(l Mary 1". C'lmpiu. Five children were 
born to them, three of whom died in infancy'. One 
son, George L., born Jan. 19, ISGl.died April 1, 
ISHO; Fred C, the only surviving cliild, born Oct. 
14, 18Gr>, is now a pr.-icticinf;; attorney in Janes- 
ville. He wedded Miss MattieC. Barker, a daughter 
of Edwin Barker, an old settler and highly esteemed 
citizen of Rock County. 

In politics Mr. Burpee is independent in the true 
sense of the word. Ik'lieving firmly in tiie cele- 
brated maxim of President Cleveland, that "a 
public ollice is a public trust," he disciiarged the 
dulies of every olfice which he has filled as he 
deemed best for the public good, and not for par- 
tisan purposes. 

While not cl.assed amongits distinctive pioneers, 
Mr. Bur|)ec has now been a resident of Janes ville 
for about thirty-five years, and is numbered among 
its respected citizens, one who has always been faith- 
ful to the best interests of liis adopted cit}', ready 
at all times to do his part in advancing any enter- 
prise for the public good. As such he deserves a 
place among those who have placed Rock County 
first among all the counties comprising the great 
Stale of Wisconsin. 



■^-^^- 



-^ 



1i 



w 



ILSON BROWN. Among the leading and 
re|)resentative citizens of Magnolia Town- 
shiji will 111' found our subject, who is now 
residing on section 22, where he is engaged prin- 
cipally in stock raising. He was born in Lanark- 
shire, Scotland, on tlic ITtli day of October, 1840, 
and is a son of William and Ann (Wilson) Brown, 
who were also natives of the same county. His 
f.-ithci- was a stone mason, and in connection with 
his trade carried on farming. Our subject was 
the eighth in order of birth in a family of thirteen 
children, eiglil sons and five daughters. 

In 1851, Mr. Brown, accompanied his father to 
.\merica and landed in New York. Soon after he 
canu; with his brother-in-law, James W.addell, to 
Rock County, and settled in Magnolia Township. 
He had received his education in the schools of his 
native land, and at I'hiiadelpliia, Pa., and on com- 
ing to this county assistcil ^Ir. Wadddl in the 



**Akr^ 



labors of the farm. He made his home with that 
gentleman until the breaking out of the great Re- 
bellion, when on the Ith day of November, 18C1. 
he offered his services in defense of the flag of his 
adopted country, enlisting in Company D, I3tli 
Wisconsin Infantry for a term of three years. 
The regiment was organized in Janesville. and in a 
short time was sent to Leavenworth, Kansas, where 
it was equipped .and prepared for active service. 
It was then ordered to Fort Scott, and sub.sequently 
to Fort Riley. The command there inejiared for 
an expedition to New Mexico, but the regiment to 
which Mr. Brown belonged w.as pl.aced on detached 
dutj', and the greater part of the time did garrison 
duty. Company D was subsequentl}' detached 
from the regiment and sent to Hickman, K}'., where 
it performed garrison dut3- for a year, joining the 
regiment at the expiration of that time, in August, 
18C3, at Fort Donelsi^n. On the 19th d.ay of 
November, 18G4, the 13th Wisconsin was mustered 
out of service at Nashville, and paid off at Louis- 
ville, Ky., .after having been in the 1 iiion ranks 
for three years and fifteen days. 

After receiving his discharge, Mr. lirown re- 
turned to his home and again eug.aged in farming. 
On the 24th day of December. 180;"). he w.as united 
in marriage with Miss I^ucinda M. Crawford, a na- 
tive of Oneida County, N. Y., and a daughter of 
Oliver E. and Jane (Eager) Crawford. Five chil- 
dren have been born to them — William D., born 
Sept. 1. 186G; Benito D., Nov. II, 1870; Arte- 
mus, born June 27. 1875, died Sept. 2G, 1882; 
Adrain A., born Oct. 17, 1880; and Oliver. 
Oct. 28, 1882. Mr. Brown made his first purch.ase 
of land in 18G7, and upon that farm resiiled until 
1884, when he lutught sixteen acres on section 22. 
M.agnolia Township, where he h.as since made his 
home. He devotes much of his time and attention 
to the raising of stock. He is a practical and en- 
terprising stock dealer and is recognized as one of 
the leading men of Magnolia Township. He has 
always taken great interest in public affairs, and in 
politics, is a sujiporter of the Republican party, by 
which he has been elected to various township ofli- 
ces'. He is now the Township Treasurer, a position 
which he has filled for the past nine 3-ears, which is 
a sutliiieut testimonial of his ahility and faithful- 



f 



=t: 



#4v 




•^^^^ 



vr- 





% 




ROCK COUNTY. 



o63 



4 



ncss to duty. Up li.as also served on the school 
hoard for :i U ria of five years, doinif all in his 
power to prDiiiote the cause of education. Socially, 
Mr. Urovvn is a niemher of T. L. Suti)lion Post, No. 
II, <i. -A. I{..of KvansviUf. :iMd he and his wife are 
nicuihei's of the Methoilisl Church. 



ii^=^,OAII NEWELL, deccn.sed. was the son of 
Ca|>t. Eiisha Newell, and Uelncca (ierrj' 
Xcwi'li. Iiulli of Eni^lish descent, ('apt. 
Khsha Newell foujrht in the Revolutionary War. 
lie died in Octolier, 18.'i2, leavint; three sons and 
three dauiihters. Of these children, the suhject of 
this sketch was the youngest. N\)ah Newell was 
horn July C, ITM, at IJradford, \'t., and his early 
life was spent on a \'erniont farm. In Nov. 1828) 
he married Elizaheth. daughter of Andrew Peahody, 
of ALiss. Andrew Peal lody was a cousin of George 
IV.diiidy the philanthropist. After marriage he 
continued to live on the home farm until 183). 
when in company with his hrother-in-law, Isaac 
Corliss, he ui.ade an extended prosi)ecting tour 
through what was then the " far west." With the 
exception of a p.assage from Alhany to Buffalo on 
a eaii:d hoal. this entire tour was strictly a pedes- 
trian (jne. From \erinont they went through New 
York, around the lakes to Detroit — where at that 
lime there were onl}' ahoul a dozen houses, and 
scaicely anyone who could speak English — and 
from Detroit to Logansport, Ind. The .Stale of 
Indiana was then pretty thoroughly walked over, 
after which they returned to \'ermont, taking pas- 
sage on a steamboat from Detroit to Buffalo. With 
the exceptions mentioned, this entire tour was 
made on foot, without guide, and with very small 
opportunity of ohlaining information, at a time 
when all the country west of New York was al- 
most a wilderness. They followed Indian trails, 
often melting whole trihes of savages iu all their 
war-painl. They forded streams and camped out 
whenever night overlook them, sometimes traveling 
fifty miles lietween sunrise and sunset, to get from 
lh(\ cabin of one squatter to that of the next. 

This western country reali/.eil the wildest dreams 
of these N'ermonl farmers, and in the spring of 

^ 



1833 they removed with their families to La Porte, 
Ind. Mr. Newell here went into njereantile busi- 
ness, keeping — according to the then custom — a 
miscellaneous assortment of everything that an_v- 
body was likely to want, from a pound of nails to a 
silk gown. In 1836 he went on an inspecting tour 
through Wisconsin, and eighteen months thereafter 
removed his family to Kock County, where they re- 
mained one year, the period required by law to 
secure the land purcha.sed from Government. He 
bought 1200 acres at $1.2.) per acre. At the close 
of this j-ear he returned to Indiana, where he re- 
mained until 1810, when he removed to his lands 
(ui Hock Prairie. Here he cng.aged in extensive 
grain and stock farming, at the same time continu- 
ing his mercantile business. 

In 18.')5 he made a trip to Kansas. This was at 
a period, as will be remembered, when " border 
ruftianism" was most rami)ant and dangerous, and 
political excitement ran fearfully high. The steam- 
boat was received .at the landing at Leavenworth 
by a military company, with glittering Jjayjonets, 
and on reaching the hotel after numerous diflicul- 
tics, he was ushered into his room, which he found 
to contain four beds in the four corners and a table 
in the centre, upon which was laid f)Ut an arra3' of 
sharpshooters, revolvers and bowie knives, for self- 
defence in case of an attack. Through some mis- 
take he had got into the secret conclave where the 
destruction of Lawrence was being planned. 

About this time he purchased 1G80 acres of land 
in Dunn County. Wis. In 18r(8 he removed to 
Janesville, and retired from active business. In 
the winter following he traveled through the South- 
ern Stales and to the West Indies. He continued 
to reside iu .lanesville until his death in Febiuary, 
1880. 

lie was distinguished for untiring energy and 
remarkable honesty. It was ever his pride that 
the trite saying was in his ca.se literally true, and 
among business men, "his word was .as good as his 
bond." He left a widow who survived him but 
three years, and three daughters. The eldest mar- 
ried Dr. Theodore Treat. She died while on a 
visit to Tokio, Japan, in 1886. She left two chil- 
dren — Theodore N. Treat, who is at i)resent a resi- 
dent of Dakota, and Mis. Bl.ackledge of California. ' 




^ 



564 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-p 



The two remaining daughters are living, one in 
Cliicago, the wife of Dr. Ueeves .Tackson, President 
of the College of Physicians and Snrgeons in that 
city; the other, the widow of the late B. (i. Web- 
ster, is residing in .lanesville. She ha.s one son, 
Frank Newell Welister, who is in business in Janes- 
ville. Sketches of the late Mr. Wcbstei- and bis 
son will be fonnd in this work. See (lurlrait of 
Mr. Newell on another page. 

aHARLKS WIIITK. who is engaged in farm- 
ing and stock raisins; on section 15. Porter 
^ Towiishi|). is of Scottish birth. lie was 
born Aug. IH. 1S37, in Fifeshire. Scotland, and is 
a son of John and .lean (Stewart) While. While 
residing in his native land .lohn While engaged in 
the manufacture of linen goods, following that 
avocation until 1811, when selling out his interest, 
he embarked for .Vnierica. After landing in lliis 
co\intrv he spent one year in New York, during 
which lime he visited Wisconsin for the purpose of 
making a location. Heing pleased with the pros 
peels and laud of Porter Townsbip. he entered a 
claim an<l then returned to his home in the P^ast 
for his family, making a permanent settlement the 
following year. P>uildin» a little log c.-diin. he 
then began the work of cidtivation. transforming 
the wild and unimproved land into a fertile farm. 
As time passed, by industr}- and enterprise, he wa.s 
enabled to add to the original trad of lliO acres, 
which he preempted, until at length HOO broad 
acres paid tribute to the care and labor which he 
bestowed upon it. Mr. White was well known 
through the county and was an iinp(ut:int factor 
in the development and upbuilding of Porter 
Township. At the lime of liisdcith he still ha<I in 
his possession 7<iO acres of laud comprising as Rne 
a farm as can be found in Southern Wisconsin. 
In 18()1 the little log cabin which lijid been the 
liome of the family during the pioneer d.ays when 
hardships and privations were nianv. w.as re|)laeed 
by a commodious and beautiful brick residence, 
two stories in height. It is surrounded 1)3' large 
evergreens and is not only a home pleasant to look 
upon, but hospitality and good cheer abounds. 



The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John White 
were six in number, the eldest of whom, Hell, is 
deceased ; Margaret, the second child, is now the 
wife of John Earle, a resident farmer of Porter 
Township; Alexander is also living in Porter 
Township; Charles, of this sketch, is the fourth in 
order of birth; .Tames is an extensive tobacco 
dealer residing in Brooklyn. Oreen County, Wis.; 
Isal>el is the wife of .lohn Copley, a resident of 
Kdgerton. The father of this familj- departed this 
life Sept. 5. 1886, at the ripe old age of eighty- 
four years, and w.as laid to rest in Fulton ceme- 
tery by the side of his loved wife, who w.as sum- 
moned to her final home Feb. 12, 1883. Mr. and 
Mrs. White were members of the Presbyterian 
( liurch. and socially he was a mendier of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity. In |)olilical .sentiment he was an 
ardent and in(1exil)le adherent of the Rc|)uiilican 
party, a firm believer in the principles of that great 
organization. 

Charles White, the suliject of this sketch, re- 
ceived the greater part of his education in the 
common schools, but for one ^ear attended the 
Albion Academj', in Dane County. His carl\ life 
was spent in much the same manner as other farmer 
lads, he assisting his f.ather in the management of 
the farm until his marriage, which occurred Dec. 
10. 18i;.j, when Miss Mary A. Taylor became his 
wife. The lady is a native of Rock County, anil 
a daughter of Robert and M:uy (Smith) Taylor, 
who were early settlers of Rock County of 1842, 
when they located in Spring Valley Township, 
where ^Ir. T.aylor died in Jlay 1886. Mrs. T.aylor 
is still living on llieir ol<l liomestead. Nine chil- 
dren have been born of the union of Mr. and .Mrs. 
White, of whom all living are residing with their 
parents. .lolni. born .Ian. 1. 18(!(i; Mamie, now de- 
ceased; Hobert. born Aug. l;i. 1870; Susie, Sept. 8, 
1872;.Iean, .Sept. \^^, 1874; Maggie, March 8. 187(1; 
Mamie, April .10. 1878; Helen, March 27. ixsC; 
and Hazel, March 7, 1881). 

.\fter his inarriagt' Mr. White l)egan operating 
his father's farm, and in I8t;8, in connection with 
his brothers, purchased the Fulton Mills, which 
they operated ft)r fourleeu years. During tiiat 
time he slill carried on f.arming. anci is now oper- 
ating 310 acres c>f land, which is a pait of the old 



n 



4 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ii^h^ 



565 



^I'OHN AIENZIES, of JanesvilU', is one of the 
I leading and jn-ogressive attorneys of liiis 
j c-ily. who, though a eoaipaiatively joiing 
' man. is rapidly gainin<j distinction at the 
bar. He is a native of Wiseonsin, a son of 
James Men/.ies. whose sketch appears in this work, 
and was l)orii in (i-oss Plains. Dane County, on the 
2d day of .lune. 1K.J7. His jirimar^- education was 
rcceiv'd in the public schools of his native count3\ 
and supplemented b}' a course in the academical 
department of Ileloit College, which he completed 
in ISTT, graduating in the class of that j'car. 
Ininie<liately after completing his studies he began 
to look about him for some business which ho 
wished to follow, and deciding upon law. became 
a student in the law office of L. F. I'attcn. of 
.lanesvilie. in IS.Sl. ]n the s]iiing of tliat year 
Mr. I'atleii was elected Judge of the .Municipal 
Court, and he appointed our subject to the |>osition 
of Clerk, the duties of which otiice he performed 
in a satisfactiirv manner for live years, when he re 



homestead. His stock is all of the best grades, 
and he makes a specialty of the breeding of short 
horn cattle. Clydesdale horses, Shetland ponies and 
and Oxfordown sheep. His is one of the model 
farms of Rock County, the improvements on which 
arc equal to any, while the entire surroundings in- 
dicate the owner to be a man of thrift and enter- 
l)rise. On the farm of Mr. White are situated the 
Caledonia .Springs, in which is found an abundance 
of speckled trout. This is regarded as the best 
trout stream in the State. 

Pulilic S|)iriteil and progressive, Mr. White is a 
valued citizen and is a liberal supporter of all pub- 
lic enleri)riscs which have for tiieir object the pub- 
lic good. He has been prominently identified with 
the upbuilding of the community, and in the work 
of advancement and progress has borne no incon- 
siddruble i)arl. In his social relations Mr. White is 
a member of tlie Masonic Order, being a member 
of Waucoma Lodge No. 00, A. F. A- A. M.. and 
has filled the office of secretary. He is an ardent 
and enthusiastic Republican, and no resident of 
Rock County is held in higher regard. 



signed in order to enter upon the practice of his 
chosen profession. He began practice in the au- 
tumn of 188ti in Janesville, and is building up a 
lucr.ative business. In politics Jlr. Menzies is in- 
dependent; socially he is a member of the Knigiits 
of Pythias. 



ICHARI) WIGGIN, for fifteen 3 ears a resi- 
dent of Janesville, was born .Sept. 20. 1824, 
i^m in the town of Meredith, in that part of 
\^ Strafford, now constituting Carroll County, 
N. H. His grandfather. Ciiase Wiggin, came to 
Meredith from Newmarket. N. H.. where his Welsh 
ancestor settled about tw(j hundred 3-ears ao-o. 
Chase Wiggin and Mary Eaton, who were married 
and became the parents of our subject, were born 
in Meredith. Richard is the youngest of their 
eight children, seven of whom grew to adult age. 
He was reared on a farm, going from home at the 
.age of nine ^ears. AVith the exception of a quar- 
ter at the Higii School in Meredith Viil.age his edu- 
cation was wholly supplied by the old-fashioned 
district school. 

On reaching the age of seventeen, 3'oung AViffgin 
went to Boston, where he found employment for a 
year in the freight house of the Concord Railroad. 
After working four yeai-s as a stone-mason, he re- 
turned to railroad work, and became a freight con- 
ductor on the Boston. Concord & Montreal Rail- 
ro.ad in 1816. He remained in the employ of this 
corporation for seven 3onrs, during the last four 
years filling the position of station agent at War- 
ren and Woodsville, successivel3'. 

In 18.jt -Mr. Wiggin removed to Pittsbur^, Pa., 
where he secured employment as passenger con- 
ductor on the Pennsylvania it Ohio Railroad, now 
a |)art of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne A Chicago 
line. In 1872 he w.as promoted to the position of 
Master of 'I'ranspf)rtation. and the next year took 
up his residence at Salem, Ohio. In 186 J) he was 
again promoted, being .appointed Assistant .Super- 
intendent of the eastern division of the Ft. W.a3-ne 
road; and a year later became Superintendent of 
the same division. This rapid advancement 
showe<l that his ability, energy, and faithfulness 
were appreciated by his employei-s. In his (idelit3' 



^9- 



-*¥' 



4 



©►Hr"" 






■•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



to tlieir interests lie was led to overtax liis strontrth, 
and in 1874 he was compelled by failing lieaUli to 
resign his position and seek rest. In that year he 
came to .Tanesville, and pineliased a small piece of 
land in the western part of the city, on which he 
has made his home ever since. U^' suliseipient 
l)nrchase he added to the original grounds, mak- 
ing lifty-thiee acres, on which he is now engaged 
in growing tol)aceo. 

Mr. Wiggin was married Sept. !.'>, I sr)(l, at Sand- 
wich. N. H., to Miss Rehecca II. .lohnson, a n.ative 
of that town. The lady is a daughter of Isaiah 
II. ami Klmira (Wilson) .lohnsim. of Knglish des- 
cent ami New Hampshire liirtli. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wiggin aie active communicants in the .lanesville 
liaptist Church, and valneil menil)ers of society. 
Their home is a hospitable one, and is delightfully 
located in the outskirts of the city. Of their six 
children, three are buried in Allegeny Cemetery, 
I'ittsb\irg. The eldest, Myra A., ilie<l at the age 
of twenty-one, oidy three months after becoming 
the bride of Dr. Wiili.am C. Dake. Richard and 
Rebecca died in inf.ancy. Of the living, Adelaide 
A., the driest, is now the wife of Dr. W. C. D.ake, 
and resides in Nashville. Tenn. Twing Brooks is 
u practicing pliysician in Chicago, and Marion 
I'ayne is at home with her parents. 



^- 



-ff 



m^ 



4 



3\A OITN C. M( LKAN. Secretary of tlic .Lanes- 
ville Machine Company, of .lanesville, Wis., 
since .luly 1, ISS."), w.is born in Nortii An- 
dover, M.ass., on the 25tli diiy of .Inly, 18;"i0, and 
is a son of (U'orgc C. and Ts.abcl (Walker) McLean. 
(See sketch of parents elswhere in this volume.) 
Colin received his education in the common schools 
of Ills native State, anil after attaining snilicient 
age worked in the woolen mills of Connecticut un- 
til 1870. He came West in that ycai- locating in 
Minnesota, where he remained but live months, 
when he came to .lanesville. After his airival in 
this city, he was in the employ of his father for 
about six years, when he endiaike<I in merchandis- 
ing, carrying a full line of dry goods. He sold out 
at the end of a year, however, and in the spring of 
1877, went to the 15lack Hills, where he remained 



mt^ 



until the following autumn. On his return he be- 
gan the study of law in the office of AVinans ife 
AIcKlroy. and w.as admitted to the bar in 1880, af- 
ter which he eng.aged in practice for two j'ears. 
He then entered the employ of the McCormick 
Machine Compan\', of Chicago, as collector, re- 
maining with tliat company until .Vpril. U'.X,'). when 
for a slu)rt time, he worked on the road as sales- 
man f(U' II. P>ucholz. carriage manufacturer of 
•lanesxillc. On the 1st day of .luly. 1 SS."p, he accep- 
ted his present position with the .lanesville Ma- 
chine Company, and has rem.ained with them c(ui- 
tinuously since. 

On the 12tli day of .lanuary. 1H81. Mr. McLean 
wedded Miss Nonie Scarcliff, their marriage lieing 
celebr.ated in .lanesville. 'I'he lady was Itorn in 
this city, and is a daughter of George ScarcliiT. 
one of the early settlers of Rock County. Four 
chililien have been born of their unicm, a S(ui and 
three daugliters — George .S.. died at the age of one 
year; Isal)el, ICinma Augusta, and Dollie complete 
the family circle. 

Ml'. McLean has scrveil his fellow citizens in vari- 
ous official positions. He tilled the otiice of Alder- 
man for one term, is now School Commissioner of 
the Fourth Ward, and for more than ten years lia.s 
been a member of tlie .Lanesville (Guards, his being 
the hnigest continued membership of that organi- 
zati(m with one exception. He isalso a nienil)er of 
Oriental Lfidge, N«). 22, K. of I'. lie is a young 
man of good business ability and has won the res- 
pect and couRdence of all with whom business or 
pleasure have brought him in contact. 



y,.. LLKN EltiENK RICH, passenger conduc- 
(©/lJIi ton on the Chicago it Nf>rthwestern Rail- 
/// vL road, is a native of New York, born in the 
f town of I'omfrct, Chautauqua County, 

Nov. 28, 1842. His early life was spent in his na- 
tive .State, his education being received in an acad- 
emy at Fast Randolph. Cattaraugus County. In 
the fall of ISIU, when but nineteen years of .age, 
he came to .lanesville, arriving here on the ittli 
day of October. On the ;5rd d.ay of the following 
December, he began breakiiii;: for the Chicago A- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



.")()7 



Nurlliwi'stern Railway Conpany. In Septcinl)ci', 

1S(J7. lie was pioniok'il to coiKluctoi-. anil in IS72. 
piaci'ii ill cliarifc of a passcnui'i- train. For tliii- 
tci'n years liis run was between Janesville and 
Chicago, lint now it is between tlie former city and 
DeKall). III. 

For a time Mr. iJiili made liis home in t'liie.-iiio, 
l)nt since lie Ikis liad ehari^e of a passenger train il lias 
been in .Janesville. in the former eity he was mar- 
ried Aug. yi, I.S77, to Miss Margaret Sharp. 'I'liey 
have one child, (ienevievc M., born in Chicago. 
Mr. Hich is a member of the Bower City Divisicjii 
No. 11;}, Order Riilway Cundiiclors. Politically, 
he is a Republican. 

In the twenty-eight years that he has been in 
the employ of the I{ailr<iad Company, lie has made 
a record in wlii<h he may take a just pricle. Dur- 
ing all this time, he has never had a serious acci- 
dent hajipen to a train of which he has had charge. 
No |ia.s.sengcr on any of his trains has ever b en 
killed or even seriously hurt. With the tniveliug 
public he has ever been popular, and as a citizen 
he is respected by the entire comiiHinit}' iu which 
he has so long resided. 



-^ 



-■^Mt^u^. 



--w^ 



^ 



4 



1R.\M .\IKI!l;lLL, Superintendent of the 
w .lanesville (ias Company, and a resident of 
the eity, was born .Ian. 14, 182'.t, in the 
^ town of Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y. His 
parents, David and Eunice (Lord) Merrill, were 
natives of the Slate of Maine, and became pioneers 
in Wisconsin. The first ancestor of the familv in 
this country was Nathaniel Meriill. who came from 
Kiigland in l(i;!."i. and setlleil at Newbur}', M:iss. 
Here was born his son, Abraham, in Hi37. The 
succeeding generations in the line of this genealogy, 
with date of birth, are represented by the follow- 
ing: David, Feb. 20, H;77; David, .May 1. 170H; 
Melatiah, July 29, 1741; William, April 12, 17C7. 
The last was the grandfather of our subject, and 
dwelt in Maine. The time of the removal of the 
family to that .State is not known. 

David Merrill kept a hotel for a time in M:isseua, 
S'.. I,:iwrence Co., N. Y., and removed thiMice to 
Cleveland, Ohio. In 1837 he drove with horse 



teams to Milwaukee, Wis., arriving in November 
of that year. He was identilied with the business of 
our state metropolis from lliat time on during the 
balance of his active life. lie kept the 'I'raveler's 
Inn, oil \\ alkcr's I'oint, for niaiiy y(!ars, and kejit a 
store for general merchandise; also maintaiueil a 
ship-yjird, where he constructed many lake vessels, 
lie died at the residence of his sou in J;inesville, 
March 12, 1872, aged seventy-iiiue years. For 
over seventeen years he had been bereft of his life 
companion, who passed aw:iy, .at the :igv. of sixty- 
six, Nov. 10, 185.0. Of their seven children but 
three are now living: William I", and .lohn I!, arc 
well-known business men of Milwauki'C. 

Hiram, the sixth of this family, was reared chielly 
iu AHlw.aukee, receiving his education iu the pub- 
lic schools of the city. Much of his early labors 
were given to his father's ship-yard. On the .'it li 
of March, 181!), he started in a party with ox- 
teams for California. They crossed the summit of 
the Sierras ou the 27tli of .Sepleniber. I'"or three 
years Mr. Merrill engaged in mining. .Mud •spent 
two years in coiulucting water by ditches from the 
iiioiiutains, which he sold to miners for hydraulic 
mining. Returning by the Nicaragua route, he 
arrived in Milwaukee in June, 18.")4. For ten years 
he dealt there in grain and real estate, and in 18(i4 
went to Washington, N. J., where he engaged in 
milling. In all these enteriirises he was successful, 
and has now been for some time a stockholder in 
the gas works at Janesville. In July, ISGO, he 
came to Janesville to take llu' management of the 
establishment, and has been a resident ever since. 
He soon jiurcliased a controlling interest in the stock 
of the concern, and in other w;iys has identilied 
himself with the growth anil prosperity of the place. 
He has heli>ed inaugurate several of the industries 
and is now a stockholder in many of them. 

For several years Mr. Merrill was a vestryman 
in Christ Episcopal Church, of which himself and 
wife are members. He is a member of the Ma.sonic 
fraternity, and an independent Reimblicnn. While 
a resident of Milwaukee he w:is elected a member 
for the South Side of the Hoard of Three Commis- 
sioners, wlio controlled all the (lublic works of the 
city. He also served as Assessor for the South 
Side. The people of Janesville have honored him 



r 



568 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



« jiAVr WRIGHT, who i 
\/\Jl! farm of 200 acres on 
\l^^ Townsliip. is numberc 



Willi llicir sek'flion as Mayor, ami he lias also 
served as a meinber of llie Stale Lcgislaliire for 
Rock County. 

At Miicbias, Cattaraugus Co., N. V., on the "iOth 
i)f Oetuber, 185G. Mr. Merrill was marrie<l to Miss 
Louise Ballard, a native of Corydon. Warren Co., 
Ta., and dausiliter of Lorenzo and Caroline (Dur- 
kec) Ballard, of early Western New York families. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have been born three eliil- 
dren, viz: Harry E., in business in .Lanesville: 
Louise Adole, wife of Dr. T. I'.. Wiggin. resident 
in Chicago; and Jessie Eugenie, at home with iier 
parents. 

•^^- 

AIT WRIGHT, who is the owner of a fine 
section 11), Jancsville 
ed among the pioneer 
settlers of this county. lie was born in Darling- 
ton Township, Canada, in 1S29, and is a son of 
Wait and Lncinda (Stoner) Wright. His father 
was ablative of Vermont, and was a ship carpenter 
by trade, but also followed the occupation of farm- 
ing. Me married Lncinda Stoner, a native of Can- 
ada, and in 1841 emigrated from that coniitry to 
Rock Count}', Wis., locating on section 20, -Janes- 
ville Township. He purchased some land which 
had been previously entered, and also obtained 
some of the Government, his farm comprising 240 
acres of fine arable land. This he placed under a 
high stale of cultivation, but in 1849 solil to his 
sons and purchased a farm in Porter Township, 
which he improved, making it his home until his 
death, which occurred in the year 1856, at the 
.age of fifty-six years and ten days. His wife was 
called to her final rest in 1875, at the advanced 
age of sevcTit\-two years. They were the [)arcnts 
of ten children, of wlnjni our subject was the 
fouilh in order of birtii; Orin, wlio is married, 
made an overland trip to California in 1852, and 
lias since been a resident of that State; Lucinda, 
who died in 1871, was the wife of Mr. Viney, of 
Porter Township; Alvah. who crossed the i)lains to 
California in 1850, died in that State in 1852; 
Wait, the subject of this sketch: Smith, who is 
married, and is engaged in farming in I'nion 
Township; Henry, who enlistetl, at .lanesvilk'. in 



the t^tli Wisconsin liifantiy. being mustered in al 
Madison, served for three years, was with Sherman 
on the memorable march to the sea. and died from 
the efifects of army life in 1^<7:3; Daniel, who en- 
listed in the 72d Wisconsin Infanliy, at .laiiesville, 
in 18(14. was honorably discharged at the close of 
the war, and his death occurred in Iowa in 1887, , 
leaving a family; Mary, now Mrs. Street, resides 
in Evansville; Louisa wedded .lohn Ballard, of St. 
Paul, Minn.; Elizalmth is the wife of a 3Ir. Siegertl. 
of St. Paul, Minn. 

<_)ur subject was reared to manhood upon his 
father's farm, and received his erlucalion in the 
common schools of Canada and this countiy. In 
his youth he learned the trade of a carpenter, 
which he yet follows in connection with farming, 
and since liecoming a resilient of Rock Count}' 
has erected many of its liesl buildings. He came 
to this eountj- in the spring of 184G, settling on 
section 20. On the 18th ilay of July, 185;5. he was 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss 
Margaret McCarty, who was born in Irchuid. and 
is a daughter of Dennis and ISIargaret (O'Brien) 
McCarty, who were also natives of the Emerald 
Isle. Over h.alf a century .ago her father emigrated 
to America and took up his residence on Long 
Island, where he remained for several years. In 
1842 he came to Rock County, Wis., and in Porter 
Township entered land, which he improved and 
transformed into a fine farm, extending its boun- 
daries until it comprised 480 acres. His death 
occurred in March, 1887, at the age of eighty-four 
years. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Wright, died 
in Ireland in 1861. 

After his marriage, Mr. Wright became a resi- 
dent of the farm on section HI, Janesvillc Town- 
ship, which he still makes his home, and of his 
union with Miss SleCarty nine chiklren havi' been 
born, six of whom are living: Maigaret, born Aug. 
10, 1855, is now Mrs. Hagan,of Janesville; Joseph, 
born Aug. 13, 1857, died Oct. 21, 1858; Annie, 
born June 12, 1859. died April 23. 1863; Ella, 
born Dec. 1, 1863; Emma, born April 6, 1865, 
died on the 24th day of the same month; Wait, 
born June 13, 1867; Alice, July 12. 186!»; Kittle, 
May 4, 1873; and Ida May, M.ay 11. 1876. 

Believing that eilucatit)u is e-sseiitial to success 



-•^ 



4 



ROCK COUNTY. 



569 , 



ill life. Mr. Wriglit li.is fiirnislie<l his cliildreu with 
good .1(1 vantages in tiii.s dlreition, Itiey iiiiving at- 
li'nded the high st-houls at .laiiesvilk' and Evans- 
villc, whih' Wait and I-llien have l)een students of 
the Silsljee Commercial College. Mr. Wright e;ir- 
ries on general farming, and is the owner of 2<I0 
ai'res of arahje land, which is highly iniprovtMl and 
cultivated, and comprises one of the best farms in 
tile towiisliip. lie makes a specialty of r.aising 
short-horn cattle, and also has a good grade of 
horses n|ion his land, lie takes great interest in 
political alTairs, voting with the Democratic liart^', 
and is well informed on all the le.-uling issues of tiie 
ilay. lie horc a prominent part in tin' organization 
of the school districts in his to\vnslii|). .ami gives 
his support to any iMiterprise for the public welfare. 
In coninioii with the pioneers of the county, he 
shared the trials and hardships incident to frontier 
life. Often the family were obliged to go without 
wheat bread for days. foi- the nearest mill was .at 
Milwaukee. This was but one of the many incon- 
veniences to lie endured, but as time |)assed and the 
t'ountiy bei-ame nuu'e settled, ever}' convenience 
and In.xury known to the world has been intro- 
duce(l. and Rock County has no superior in the 
.Sl.ate. Practically. Mr. \\'righl is a self-made man. 
having li\ his own efforts of iiulustiy ami frugality 
gained .ill that he now possesses, and he is iiiiin- 
bered among the leading and res[)ectcd citizens of 
the coininiiuily. 

■ '"" I ' ^ ' l ' ^ ' l "'- 




j/\iEl)\M\L'K IIIIMI'IIUEV, of .Shopiere. is 
ir-\v5^ numbered among the pioneer settlers and 
,'lv, honored citizens of this coiiiit\ . He was 

born in Troy, N. Y., May 20, I.Siil, and in that 
city received his educiition and learned the carpen- 
ter's traile. serving a term of apprciiticeshiii for 
seven years, after which he engaged in that ticciipa- 
tion for a livelihood. On the 25tli day of January, 
IH2.'), ill Saratoga County. N. Y.. the marriage 
cereinoin- was performed which united the destinies 
of Mr. Humphrey and Miss Eliza Yates, and on 
the2.")tli of .lanuary, 18)Stl, occurred the sixty-fourth 
anniversary of their marriage. In I8.'5(!. they re- 
moved to Montgouicry County, X. Y , where four 



♦- 



children were born unto them. He there worked 
at his trade .and became one of the successful con- 
tractors and builders of that county, erecting many 
elegant and iisi'ful stiiK'tiires. .\fler eleven years 
spent in that county, the family emigrated to the 
west and in 1H17, located in Turtle township. Hock 
Couiit\-, Wis., where our subject entered 120 acres 
of land, his sons ciillivaliiig the same while he con- 
tinued to follow his trade. Here also he erected 
many line buildings, and in 1817, built a bridge 
across the creek at Shopiere. 

A famil\- of ten children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Humphrey, eight of whom grew to manhood 
.ind womanhooil — Harriet became the wife of James 
Kline, who emigrated to Wisc<»iisin and tlie.i re- 
moved to Minnesota, where he died, while she yet 
resides in Kingston, .Minn.; William, who is a car- 
penter by tr.ade, is living in Sharon. Walworth 
County. Wis.; Sarah is the wife of Bruce Thomas, 
of Irwin, Shelby County, Iowa; Frederick makes 
his home in Shopiere; Frank, a carpenter and 
builder, is living in Dakota; Justus, died in.l'lster 
County JS. v.. June I. 1H70; Mary became the 
wife of Slillmau Wright, of lierlin. Wis., ami died 
Dec. 17. ls7."i; two childreu dicil in infancy. - 

.Mr. and Mis. Humphrey are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years 
he has belonged to the Miusonic Fraternity. Pub- 
lic spirited and progressive, he takes great in- 
terest in the welfare of the community and lia.s 
been prominently concerned in iiolitieal affairs. 
He has filled various offices, including that of 
Count}- Treasurer, member of the lioard of County 
.Sii|)ervisors ami for many years was Justice of the 
Peace. He is a man highly respected for his honest, 
upright life, and is well-known throughout the 
couiitv. 




*ARON F. HOM.ISTEK resides on section 
lis, Heloit Township. Among the leading 



farmers and early settlers of Rock County 
will be found our subject, who was born 
in Manchester, Conn., on the 2(;th day of April, 
1823, and is a son of Fierpont and Martha (WaU 




■^•- 



570 




ROCK COUNTy. 



4 



laci') llollistor. wlio wore l)()tl] ualivcs of Connecti- 
cut. Tlie fiitlipr was widely known tlirouyiiout tlie 
State as Capt. Ilollister, ln'ing Cai)tain of llie Stale 
Militia. The training days, which occurred every 
spring and fall, were days of great festivity to the 
young lads of the neighborhood, for at tliat time 
tbey received a general holiday. Capt. Hollister 
also served his county as Sheriff, jiroving an ef- 
ficient and faithful otticer. His occuitation was 
that of farming, which he followed througlunit his 
entire life. On the 22d of July. 1810, he wedded 
Miss Martha Wallace, a daughter of William Wal- 
lace, Ji'., and to them were horn eleven children, 
five of whom are yet living — Eleanor D.. born 
Dec. 14, 1811; William Wallace, now a retired 
farmer of Manchester, Conn.; Horace W. died in 
1833; !\Iartlia M. deiiarted this life the same year; 
Christopher Columbus is now living in Arkansas 
City, Kan.; Aaron Francis, of this sketch, is next in 
order of birth; George W. makes his iiome in 
Cresco, Iowa; Grove; Pierpont, Jr., died in 1831 ; 
Asenath 8. died in 1837; Mary A. is the wife of 
Joseph C. Truman, and resides in Uoekton, 111. 
'J'lie death of the father occurred in iiis native 
State, Nov. 25, 1835, and the mother who was a 
devoted member of the Methodist Ei)iscopal 
Church, departed this life March 27, 1835. He 
was a Jacksonian Democrat, yet liberal in his views, 
and was a man of prominence and inlluence in the 
coniiimnity where he resided. Josiah Ilollister, the 
grandfather of our subject, served under (ien. 
W'.-isliington in the Revolution, and often enter- 
tained his descendants with anecdotes of his com- 
mander. John Ilollister, the founder of this Ilol- 
lister family in this country, emigrated from Eng- 
land to America about 1642. 

Our subject was educated in the schools of Man- 
chester, Conn. Being left an orphan at the age of 
twelve years, he then went to the home of an uncle, 
*n whose family he continued to reside for the four 
succeeding years, when he began working .as a farm 
hand during the summer nu>ntlis. During the win- 
ter he still continued to attend the public schools 
for some time. Until 1845 he remaiiiecl in his 
native county, when desiring to make his home in 
the West, he came to Rock County. From the 
meager earnings which he received for farm labor 



he had saved a siittieicnt amount to purchase land, 
and entered a claim of UJO acres, which was then 
in a wild and unimproved slate. His plow turned 
the first furrow c>n that pi'aiiie. ami liis hand per- 
formed the work of transformation by which it l)e- 
came one of the fine farms in the county. For 
some time he made his home in the family of a Mr. 
Winslow. and later built the first house which ho 
owned in Rock County, it being a small frame 
building, whose dimensions were 12xl() feet. 

On the 3d day of January. 1854, Mr. Hollister 
was united in marriage with Miss .Sarah .Smiley, a 
native of Pennsylvania, anil a daughter of Samuel 
and Sus.anna (Fisher) Smiley. She came with her 
l)arents to Rock County in 1845, the family locat- 
ing in Plymouth Township, where the death of both 
father and mother occurred. ^Ir. and Mrs. Hollis- 
ter are the parents of six children — Eleanor M.. 
born Jan 27. 1855, who became the wife of Russell 
liroughton, a farmer of Magnolia Township; Fran- 
cis S., born July 19, 185t). wlio is at home; \\illiam 
H., born Jan. 3, 1858, and who wodclcd Emma 
Hodge. Nov. 1, 18.S3, has devoted his life to the 
missionary cause and is now [jreaching the gospel 
to the people of India, to which country he was 
sent bv the Methodist lC|)iscopal Cliiinh in Diceni- 
ber, 1887; Violetta .M.. born May lit, ISGO, wife 
of John E. Craven, a railroad engineer residing at 
Waseca, Minn.; Mary S., born Seiit. 22, I8()3, be- 
came the wife of F. W. Cniven, dieil in 188(;: and 
Joseph Aaron, boin Jan. I, 1.^70. wlio is attending 
school. 

As the years have passed. Mr. Hollister has added 
to his original purchase, until now 205 broad acres 
pay tribute to his care and cultivation. His life 
has been one of industry, for since beginning busi- 
ness at the early age of sixteen, he has labored 
continuously, and during most of the time has fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. He is now the owner 
of one of the finest farms in Rock County, the im- 
provement of which is due to his own efforts; his 
barns and outbuildings are models of convenience, 
and upon his farm may be found a good grade of 
all kinds of stock, including sheep, to the raising 
of which he gives considerable attention. In con- 
nection with his farming interests for the past few 
years he has also operated a dairy. For almost 



1 



-4•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•*^ 



573 



forty-five years lie lias been iileiililied vvitli the his- 
tory of Rock County, and lias Imiiie a inomiiieiit 
part in the work of proijiess and development. His 
inHuence and ready support have ever been given 
to any enterprise for the public welfare, and in the 
advancement of educational, social and moral in- 
terests he is found in the front rank. Since the 
organization of the Republican party, he lias been 
one of its ardent supporters, and has been honored 
by his fellow-citizens with various local offices of 
trust. To the liquor traffic he is a strong opponent, 
working alwa^'s for its suppression, and exerting 
his utmost power to blot out the evil. For many 
years Mr. and Mrs. Ilollisler have been nieinbcrsof 
the Methodist Episcopal t'hiireh, and are untiring 
workers in the Master's vineyard. Mr. llollister 
has been very [iroraiucntly idinlitled with the 
Cluirch, having tilled all the various offices in that 
body,and w.as for many years a Class-Leader. He was 
Superintendent of the Sabbath School for several 
years, and was a successful teacher, and did much 
to promote the best interests of that imiiortant 
br-anch of the Church. Hoth have borne a prom- 
inent part in the work of the organization to 
which the}' belong, and by ever\- endeavor strive 
to teach others to follow the example set forth in 
llic life of Christ. Consistent Christian [leople, 
they are honored and reiiectcd by all. and are held 
in the highest regard by many warm friends 
throughout th(? county. 



4}^$^ 



C^rS'llOMAS 11. LITTLK, M. A., who for four- 
((^^ teen years s(» abl}' served as Superinteiulen- 
^^Jy' of the Wisconsin Institute for the Kduca- 
tion of the IJIind. was liorn in Augusta. Me., on 
the loth d.iy of December, 18:!2. His parents, 
Thomas and Klizabeth (Howard) Little, were both 
descended from Knglish Puritan ancestors. Thomas 
l^ittle. the founder of the family in Ameiiea. emi- 
grated from England in the early days of the l'i\- 
niouth Colony, and married Ann Warren, daughter 
of Richard Warren, who was a member of the little 
band of I'ilgrims that landc(i from the Mayflower 
on that ever nienuu'able 21st of December, 1C20. 
The branch of the family from which our sub- 




ject is directly descended, settled at August.-i, Me., 
and at the time of the birth of Thomas II., his 
[larents were residing at the -'old fort" (Western) 
in that city. His preparatory education was re- 
ceived at the Hiidgeton Academy, after which he 
entered iiihui a collegiate course at Uowdoin Col- 
lege, graduating in the class of 1855. The suc- 
ceeding year he spent as a teacher in the High 
.School at Cardiner, Mc. and in .September, 185G, 
went to Columbus, Ohio, where he was emi)loyed 
three years as teacher in the institution for the 
blind. From there he went to I5;iton Koiige, La., 
where he was engaged .a.s teacher in the dc^jartnicnt 
for the blind in the Louisiana Listitution for the 
Di'.af. Dumb and Blind; but owing to the atlitinle 
of the Southern people during the presidential 
election of 1 8G() and the threatened trouble be- 
tween the two sections of the country, he closed 
his connection with that institution in the f.-ill of 
thiit year, and returned to Columbus. Ohio, where 
he taught :i graiumar school until August. l.Stil. 
At that lime he accepti'd the Su[ieriiitendenc\- of 
the Wisconsin Institution for the Education of the 
liiiiid. at Janesville. 

Mr. Little had made a speci.al study of the line 
of duty which he assumed in accepting this posi- 
tion, and was earnestly anil deeply interested in 
the education of the lilind. lie enteied with zeal 
and energy into his work, in which he was ably 
supported bj' his assistant. Miss Sarah F. Cowles, 
whose interest in the impiovement of the miforlu- 
nate<inesconlided to their care, was in hariiioiiv wiili 
his own. From respect and esteem, their acipiain- 
tance ripened into a closer and dearer relation, and 
on the 1 Ith day of July, IS(;2, they were married 
at the home of Miss Cowles, in Oberlin. Ohio. The 
lady's father was the eminent divine and siholar, 
Henry Cowles, I). 1).. of Oberlin College, ami her 
mother, Alice (Welch) Cowles, had been prineijial 
of the ladies' department of the same institution. 

Immediately after their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. 
Little lolurued to their duties at the institute in 
.biuesvillc. and under their well-dirceteil and zeal- 
ous efforts the school prospered and rapidl\- grew 
in public favor. In 1867 Mr. Little made a tour 
through the United States, visiting the |>rincipal 
schools for the blind, comparing methods of teach- 



■*► 



-I 

r 



•>-hM*^ 



a 



o74 



ROCK COUNTY. 



iiii,' and uiaiiagenient, unil securing valuable in- 
foniiatiuii. He liad also [novidcd himself witli the 
best current literature on the subject, and at the 
time of his death had aceunniiated one of the 
largest and best libraries bearing on the education 
and care of the blind, in existence in the country. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Little were blessed with a family 
of four dnughters — Elizabeth II., Alice C. Clara 11. 
and Martha 1'. [.See sketch of Mrs. Little.] 

In .\|)ril, 1H71. the institution building was de- 
stroyed by fire. Although in [mor health at the 
time, Mr. Little distinguished himself by his 
bravery in rescuing some of the blind, but in doing 
so received serious injuries, from the effects of 
which he never fully recovered. His death oc- 
curred on the Uh dav of February, 1875, while 
planing the rebuilding of the institution. Tiie 
writer feels that he can ))est do justice to the char- 
acter and life work of Mr. Little l)y ()Uoting tlie 
eulogy delivered by Dr. J. B. Whiting, trustee of 
the institution and his warm and intimate friend. 
On the presentation of the memorial resolutions be- 
fore the Conveutiou of the .Vmerican Association 
of Instructors for the lllind. held in the hall of the 
I'ennsylvania InstitutifMi for the Instruction of the 
IJIind. at IMiiladeli)liia, in August, 1S7(), Dr. 
Whiting spoke as follows: 

•■ Afr. President: It is dillicult to speak fitting 
words of kindly eulogy of those we lovecl who 
have gone to their rest. I might speak of Thomas 
H. Little xs a personal friend, but when the State 
mourns the loss of a protiiincnt citizen and faith- 
ful |)ublic servant, all personal and individual 
grief is merged into and overshadowed by the gen- 
er.-d Sorrow. In IHtil Mr. Little came to Wisconsin 
to tr.ke charge of the Institution for the Education 
of tlie IMiud, as its Superintendent. From that 
time to the day of his death he devoted himself to 
his work with a constancy and faithfulness that 
challenges our admiration. In the spring of 1873 
his board of trustees, noticing with alarm that his 
health was declining under his severe and i)ro- 
tractcd labor, unanimously passed a resolution ten- 
dering him leave of absence for several months, in 
order that he might have the season of rest and 
opportunity to travel by sea which his medical 
advisor deemed essential to his recovery. This 



■► j u j^- 



was done with the hope that he might thus be re- 
stored to health, ami that the St^ite might not lose 
the services of so valuable an oHicer. 

"Although his leave of absence was tendered 
him solely that he might be relieved from l;ibor 
and care, he nevertheless entered at once ujion a 
careful examination of kindred institutions ^i 
(Ireat IJritJiin and on the Continent, thus giving 
himself little lime for rest and recuperation. While 
in \ ieiiua he was taken so seriously ill as to compel 
him to abandon all further labor, and when siilli- 
ciently recovereil to travel he returned to (ireat 
Britain, there spending a few weeks, after which he 
returned home, enriched by his experience while 
absent and .somewhat iminoved in his health, re- 
suming his Work in October. 

"In A[)ril of the following year the institution 
at .lanesville w;is destroyed by fire. In his efforts 
to remo\e the blind pupils from the liiirniug build- 
ing, he was himself so severely injured that he was 
coiifiiied to his room for .several weeks, and never 
recovered from the injuries then received. Tlie 
necessities of the case admitted of no rest for him, 
and lie continued his work, plauuing and arranging 
for the future. The plan of the building since 
built by the State for the blind was the oiitgrowtii 
of his brain, and was dictated by hiui from his 
couch, with head bandaged and hands muftled to 
mitigate the sutTering which the flaming tongue of 
lire had inflicteil upon him. Thus did Mr. Little 
labor on, forgetful of hiuisclf. niueiubering only 
the wants of the in>litution, which he loved more 
than himself. In the last days of .lanuary. l)S7j, 
he was attacked with pneumonia, which under 
more favoral)K' conditions might not have been 
fatal, but the tension of body and mind had been 
too grejit and too long-continued to emlure this ad- 
ditional strain, and on the 4lh day of February", at 
noon, the "silver ciird was loosed ' and the spirit of 
Thomas H. Little passed from earth, siugulaily un- 
coutiiminated by its contact therewith. It wa.s my 
sad privilege to Ije with him during the closing 
hours of his life and to listen to his latest words, 
and even in the midst of the delirium which 
clouded his mind at times, his utterances manifested 
the high i)ur|X)se and rare integrity of the man. 

•• Speaking of the future of the institution, at 



I 



••»> 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ 



timt lime beset with many (li.seourageiiu'nts, lie ex- 
claimed with emphasis, • 1 will furnish the |pun- 
huiiesty, (iod himself will provide Mic true policy, 
and thus success will be sure.' So tlie eiieliration 
went on formulating the noblest thoughts, though 
the clouds of delirium had gathered about him. 
( )iie of his last audible prayei's was that new avenues 
might be found along which the blind could be 
led to higher planes of usefidness. Thus died one 
of the purest men I have ever known, and if to- 
day there lives a single iii<lividual in Wisconsin 
who cherishes an unkind feeling towards him, or 
presumes to speak an unkind word of him, 1 neither 
know his name nor the i)laee where he secludes 
himself." 

The Rev. Lyman Whiting, I). 1)., of the I'ly- 
moulh Congregational Ciuireh of this city, and 
once Mr. Little's pastor, being then called upon to 
[lortray the religious character of the deceased, 
said: "Any just estimate of our decea.scd friend, 
Mr. Little, must make much account of the emi- 
nent symmetry or harmony of the forces and fea- 
tures, and the consequent comjjleteness of his 
character. The entire structure of his personality 
rose upon that as a foundation, and his religious 
character, as a kind of sumnuuy of all that was in 
him, showed Ihis pcculiaiity in noticealjle distinct- 
ness. This .symmetry was so notable that his sep- 
arate faculties seemed to be a line of encircling hills 
rouml iilioul Ihe deep interior center of all — his 
religion, it used to remind me of tlie beautiful, 
internal lakes among the hills of his native Slate — 
deep, (pilel, pellucid pools of pure, sweet waters — 
so profound, so pure, thai the heavens above were 
borne by them as in a mirror — with the stur(l\- rim 
of granite hills a changeless rampart .mI! altout theiu. 
Ho his iiiety. It was quiet, profound, pure — the 
central de|ith of his being. All else in him stood 
around it as a sheltering defense and coronal cir- 
clet. If the (irst stroke of llu' Hebrew poet's pen- 
cil, • Mark the jjcrfecl man.' miCht not be claimed 
for- liini. llie second, ' -Vnd behold the upright,' 
surely could l)e; and truly that early lamented 
death fullilled the conditi(jn of bolli tiie blessed 
portraitures. ' For the end of that man is i)eacc.'" 

From the remarks of .1. L. Noyes, Superinteinl- 
enl of the Minnesota Institution, on the same occa- 



-^ 



sioii, the writer quotes a brief extract: " It is my 
privilege here to-day to bear witness to the high, 
manly. Christian bearing of Mr. Little during 
those days of darkness and danger (those just pre- 
ceding the late war.) His faith in God and the 
right never wavered for a moment. While his 
heart, with all the tenderness and gentleness of a 
woman, w:is opened toward the unforlunate. the 
sorrowing and the suffering ones, he never allowed 
himself to be swayed by impulse or feeling alone. 
'What is duty.?— duly as a Christian man. as an 
oHicer in a benevolent institution., and as an Ameri- 
can citizen.' ' These, and questions such as these, 
must be met and answered by the aid of common 
sense, conscience and revelation. 

•• It is dilKcult to s.ay which to admire most — his 
faith, his truthfulness or his honesty. His faith 
led him to undertake and .accomplish things :q)pa- 
rently beyond his strength; his absolute truthful- 
ness was conspicuous even in the minutia' of daily 
life; and his sterling honesty in purpose, speech 
and dealing was patent to all who knew him. Of 
his ability and great success in educating the blintl 
there are many who will ever delight to be:u- loving 
testimon3'." 

After the death of hei- iiusband. Mrs. Little was 
un.'uiinuiusly chosen liy the Hoard of Trustees as 
his successor, anil has conducted the affairs of the 
Institution since with ability and marked success, 
covering a period of fourteen years, and has the 
distinguished honor of being the only lady in the 
world occupying th;it particular position. Her 
sketch will be found on another page of this work. 

It is with pleasure that we insert the fine steel 
portrait of this good man, knowing that every 
reader of this work will prize it more highly as they 
look ui)on his kindl\ ■face. 

In an obituary notice of Mr. Little the .lanesville 
Gazette sMd: ■• As a [irivate citizen he was (piiet, 
unassuming and upright; as a public ollicer, he 
was thorough, untiring, ellicient and jealously 
watchful of the interests comnjitted to his care; as 
an instructor, he was a recognized leader in his pro- 
fession — a <lisciplinariau, who knew how to govern 
thoroughly without seeming to govern at all, and 
who was to his pupils far more like a kind and 
wise father than like a superintendent; and as a 



f- 



4 



576 



-•► 



BOCK COUNTY. 



Christinii lif w:is manly, geiicruiis, hiimlilc, full of 
faith, given aliki- to |jiayei' and guoil works, seek- 
ing t(j know and to <lo tlie INIaslei's will, and trust- 
ing for salvation only in tlie merits of a criieilied 
and personal Savio-'. In his death this eointnunity 
has lost an upright an<l useful citizen; the State 
h.as lost a faithful, honest and valued servant; the 
Church has lost . an exemplary, prayerful ineniher, 
ami an ellieienl ottieer." 



- 5 1 1 -^^^^->-^ 

'■^'RCllIK IJKIl). .Vmong the list of oom- 
( ©/Lll i parativi'U' young men who are «ell antl 

I li favoralily known. iVi-ehie Heiil's name 
^// stands out prominentlj'. Although only 

thirty-six years of age, none can show a better 
reeord as a sueeessful liusiness man. and a short 
history of his e.aieer will show the growing genera- 
tion what the possihilititts are fora young man with 
the re(pii>itf amount of energy and i)luek. 

Aichie lieid is a Seotelinian. horn in Aherdeen- 
shire, Seotland, and is the seventh son of .Vrehiliald 
and Uessie l{ei<l. .\t the .age of fourteen years he 
eoneluded that there were plenty of hoys at home 
without him. lie wa.s desirous of coming to 
America, and although he had received ludy a very 
limited education in the common schools and had 
but a slight knowledge of mercantile pursuits, he 
set out alone for the I'nited States to try his for- 
tune, landing at Milton. Wis. In 1 SIIH In- went to 
work on a farm, among his duties being the ndlk- 
ing of ton cows night ami morning. After a time 
he obtained a position in the dry goods store of 
Kobcrt (leddcs with whom he remained for 
some time. As the result of this (Hisition and 
oliicrs which he held (at one ^tiine being in Cana- 
<la) he saved from his earnings the modest sum of 
^'JOO, .and in ISTiS he invested his savings in a 
stock of dry goods. From this small bi\ginning 
he rapidl}' rt)se to w hat he is to-(hiy — one of the 
most popular and substantial business men of the 
county, with a credit among the loading houses 
that is not often acijuired by old-time ilealers. His 
present location is in Carpenter's new block on 
Milwaukee street bridge, the large double store 
being taxed to its utmost capacity. In addilicui to 



this store. Mr. Reid is a [lartner in a similar one at 
Kockford, 111., being associated with Mr. Dan 
Drain, under the firni name of Reid & Drain. 
Still another interest is that which he has with two 
of his brothers in the importing of British horses 
and Polled Angus cattle, their stock, ci)nsisting of 
upwards of lOO head, being kept at their liaru in 
the citj' of Janesville. and at their farms, one just 
outside the city lindts anil the other locate<l at 
Cresco, Iowa. 

In ISHf) the subject of this sketch was united in 
marriage to Miss Ilattie Leonard, ihiughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Jacob Leonard, of Charles City, Iowa. 
The result of this union was one child, a boy. 
Archie. Mis. lieid diil not hmg survive the birth 
of her child. Her death occurred ( )ctolicr 21), 1.SM7. 

^^\LAUK K. UANOIS. freight agent of the 
(l( ^^ Chicago iV Northwestern H.ailroad, has oc- 
^!^^ cupieil his present |)ositiou since the year 
liS72. lie was born in Palmy r.a. JelTerson Co., 
Wis., April 15, 181."i, and is the son of (h.-ules and 
.lane (Underhill) Ranous, who settled in that 
county in DS.'iCi, and were theiefore among those 
who were truly pioneers and who deserve the re- 
spect of those who are now enjoy lug the benelits ac- 
cruing from the sairilices required of those who 
lirst setllecl in this beautiful country. 

The subject of this sketch was reareil on a farm 
where he remained until he was twenty one ye.ars 
of age, assisting in the f.-irin labors from the time 
he was old enough to follow the plow or drop corn. 
His educatiiui was received in the cinnnioii schools 
of his nativi' county. Kven before reaching his 
majority, he could iiol witll^tand the appeals ni.-ide 
for men to help [lut down the Kebellion in the 
Southern .States, and therefore in Kcdiniary. 1K(;3, 
he enlisted in Coiiip;iny I. l.'ith Wi>consiu Infantry, 
and served until April, ISt;."), when he was musteicd 
out at l)aveni)ort, Iowa, on account of physical dis- 
.■ibility. 

Returning home from the service, he spent three 
months in recuperation, and -luly 1. l.SC'), entered 
the service of the Chicago 4' Northwestern Rail- 
road Company, with whi<'h he has since been eon- 



*^JUJM 



t 



4 



♦- 



-«^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



tiinionsly ciiga<>c(l. He was first employed nt W:i- 
tortown, where lie ieni;iiiUMl until 1872, when as al- 
ri'a(l\ sl;iti'il. lie crime to .iMiiesville. 

While I'esidiiii!; in Wateitown. he was iinileil in 
marriage with Miss Lydia Linden, a native of \Va- 
tertown, Wis., and step-danghler of Joseph Lin<len 
ofthateity. ( )f liieir union three ehildren have 
lieeii Itorii — Harry E., Nellie and Fraiieis. 

Mr. Ranoiis li.as taken iiuicli interest in various 
henevolent organizations, and is a mcnilier of Wes- 
tern Star Lodge No. 14, A. V. .V A. M.; .lanesvillo 
Clia|)tor, No. 5, R. A. M.; .Tanesvilie Coniniaiidery, 
No. 2. K. T.; Oriental Lodge, No. 22. K. P.; Mo- 
hawk 'J'rihe. No. .'!, Red Men; and W. H. Sargent 
Post, No. 2(1, G. A. K. In several of tlie.se organ- 
izations he has p.assed all tlie eh;iiis. and is there- 
fore well posted in the work. 

For almost a (piarter of a eentiiry, he has been 
employed hy the Chicago & Northwestern Road, 
and is one of its most trusted employes. In the 
yards ami ollice under his control forty men are 
employed. .Xs a citizen he is highly esteenieil. 



M^^^^^r- 



4 



II(;H MKNZIKS, M. D., of .lanesville. is a 
representative of one of the early families 
!«V^ of Rock County. His father, .lames Men- 
>^/ zies, settled in Harinony Township in 181.'). 
and is nnmherccl .-Mnong the pioneer settlers of this 
eominuiiit \'. having residecl on the old honicslcMd 
for the long period of forty-live years. 'I'lie Doe- 
tor was horn in Dane County, Wis., on the 2.Stli 
day of November IH.'iX. while his parents were 
temporarily residing at that jilacc. At the .age fif 
about fourteen years, he became a student at a 
select s<'hool in the city of .lanesville. and on linlsli- 
ing his pri'paralory course at that school, entered 
I'.eloit College, where the sneceediiig two yf ars of 
his life were piissed. Hi' then lliiished his literal v 
course of instriiction at .Milton College. During 
all this time he had the medical profession con- 
stantly in view, pursuing those studies wliicli 
would best Lay the foundation for the profession 
which he wished to m.ake his life work. In the 
ailliimu of IST'.l. he began the study of uiedicinc 
under the direction of Dr. Ki^bert !•). I.ooiiiis of 



.lanesville, and subsequently graduated from the 
Chicago Medical College, of Chicago, in the ela.ss 
of 1HH3. After his gr.ad nation he became resident 
physician and surgeon of Cook County Hospital of 
Chicago, a positifui which is attained by competi- 
tive examination and is open to all graduates of 
the regular school of inediciue. Me occupied this 
jjosition for a year anci a half, the full time allowed, 
when to more lirmly establish his health, which 
through continement to his medical duties had be- 
come somewhat impaired, he spciif some time in 
traveling through the South. This experience 
proved highly valuable as it enabled him to study 
the di.sea.ses incident to that portion of the country 
and the remedies used in their treatment. On his 
return he settled in .lanesville, where he has since 
continued to practice. The Doctor is still a young 
man, but h.as already established a good pr.aclice 
and secured the respect, contidcnci' and esteem of 
all classes of citizens. 



^g*Ji|U^e 




^f/DDlSON .1. RAY. Sccrctaiy of the .lanes- 
IB^/ull ville Cotton Millx, is a iiiitive of New 
York, and w.as born in Otsego County, on 
the l.Slh day of April, 1820. His parents 
were Daviil .-ind Arlalissa (Uiirlingame) R.ay. His 
father was born in lierkshire County, Mass.. and 
his mother in Rhode Island. The family remove(l 
l<i the former pl.ace when Addi>on \v;is a child, lie 
w.as educated in the public schools and was em- 
ployed in the cotton mills from early boyhood 
until he w.as twenty-two years of age, when he en- 
gaged in the hardware and cliiig business, at North 
Adams, Mass. The siicccc(liiig twenty years of 
his life were spent, by him in tli.at line and ten 
years in the mannfa<'ture of cotton goods, when he 
was iiiduceil to come to .lanesville to a.ssist in or- 
naiiizinir and operating a cotton nianufactiiring 
business. He reache<l .lanesville in 1871 and took 
an active part in the organization of the .lanesville 
Cotton Manuf.acturing Company during that year. 
In 1871, he w.as chosen local agent of the coinpan\- 
and general business manager, which position he 
held during the existence of the old company. .miiiI 
since the organiz;ition of the present .lanesville 



i 



♦ 



M*- 



578 



-«► 



ROCK COUNTY. 






Cotton Mills in March. 1886. has hold the position 
of Secretary of the company, his duties Ijeing tlie 
same as formerly. A history of this enterprise 
m.ay be found on another page of this work. 

On the last day of the year 1845, at North 
Adams. Mass.. Mr. Hay was united in the holy 
bonds of matrimony with Jliss Sarah A. Wells, a 
(Laughter of Orson Wells, Esq., of that town. They 
h.-ive three children, one son and two daughters — 
Mary R., the eldest, is tiie widow of Mr. George 
Stever. and resides at Janesville; Orson Wells, the 
son, is living in Chicago. III.; Fannie J. is the wife 
of Charles L. Clark, of .lanesville. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ray and family are members of the Metliodist 
Episcopal Church of this city. Mr. Ray is a stal- 
wart Hcpulilican, and while he is an earnest sup- 
lM)rter of the principles and policy of that party, 
he has never sought or desired public office. Dur- 
ing the late Civil AVar. he served ten months as a 
musician in the regimental band of the lOtli Massa- 
chusetts regiment. He enlisted in .Iiin». IHGl. and 
was mustered out under a general order doing 
awav with regimental hanils. 



^^'<— 



HANCEY ROSS is a leading farmer and 
<lairvman of Turtle Township, and resides 
on section lf>. It is with pleasure that 
record his sketch, for since 1H54, the date 
his arrival, he has been prominently identified 
with the farming interests of the county, and with 
the growth ami development of Turtle Township. 
He was born in Herkimer County. N. Y., in the 
town of Norway. -Ian. 22, 18111, and is a son of 
of Nogle and Tempa (Kelsey) Ross. Roth parents 
were natives of Connecticut, the father born in 
Kent County. Dec. 26. 1782. the mother in Tilling- 
worth. June 25. 178;!. They were uniteil in mar- 
riage in Fnirlield. Herkimer Co., X. Y., Aug G. 
ISOC. .and had a family of twelve children, all born 
in Herkimer Counlv. namely: Dayton, who was 
born Feb. 5, 1807. and died .Ian. IS. l,H7l,.at the 
a"e of sixty-six years and eleven months; Charles 
K.. born May 5. 1809, died March 20, 18i:i; Eliz.a, 




•4^ 



born Sept. 24, 1811, is the widow of Nicholas 
Gardner; Charles, born June 28, 1813. resides at 
Lowville, N. Y.; Jemima, born .Sept. 21. 1815, is 
the widow of Heman Wafull: Daniel K., born Dec. 
15, 1817, is a resident of Newport. N. Y.; onr sub- 
ject is the seventh in order of birth; Clarina E., 
born April 24, 1822. became the wife of Henry D. 
Parkhurst of Newport, Herkimer Co.. N. Y.; Les- 
ter, born April 18. 1824. is a carpenter and ;oiner 
of Beloit; Emily M., born April 28, 1826, is the 
wife of E. J. Car[>enter. a farmer of Turtle Town- 
ship; .Sophia L.. born Nov. 28, 1828, married Ben- 
jamin L. Spencer, whose home is in Newport, N. Y.: 
Almeda G.. born Aug. 17, 1831. is the wife of T. 
J. Wafull. of Herkimer County. N. Y. 

Nogle Ross, the father of these children was of 
.Scutch descent, and served as Captain during the 
War of 1812. and was on duty at Saekett's Harbor. 
He eng.aged in farming, .and also followed thetnides 
of a carpenter and a millwright. He owned 200 
acres of land which he successfull}- oper.ated. and 
was one of the leading men of the county in which 
he lived. His death occurred at the age of ninety 
years and seven months. July 26, 1873. His wife 
preceded him to her final home, dying at New- 
port, N. Y., ^Larch 2'.», 1866. She belonged to the 
Close Communion Baptist Church and her husband 
at one time w.os a member of the Free-will Baptist 
Church, but for several 3'ears prior to his death 
was not a member of anj" church. 

The education our subject obtained w.os in the 
common schools of his native county, and during 
l;is early life he assisted his f.ather with the duties 
of the farm. He seemed to have a natural ability 
for the handling of tools, and also worked at the 
carpenter's trade, at which he became quite prt)- 
ficient. Until his marriage, which occurred July 
5, 1843, he remained under the parental roof. The 
lady of his choice was Miss Mary B. Dodge, who 
was also a native of Herkimer County. N. Y., born 
in 181!l. Her parents, Cyrus and Johannah (Ye.ach) 
Dodge, were natives of Massachusetts, and the 
mother died at Newport. N. Y. Her falher'sdoath 
occurred at Sherlanil. 111., at the .advanced age of 
one hundred years. 

After his marriage Mr. I Joss rented the old home 
1 farm in his native county, where he passed the next 



4= 



ROCK COUNTY, 



579 



ten years eri<(a<;('(I in the iMiltivation of tliat hind, 
which ct)iiipi-isi'(l a tract of ll.'i acres. Wliile there 
residing four cliildren were Ixjrn to Mr. and Mrs. 
Koss: Mervin ('.. l)orn May Ti, 1811, served for 
eighteen months in the Kith Wisconsin retriinent 
during the late war, and died Jan. 21. 1H72; Sjicn- 
cer I)., horn Oct. 12. 1817, served as a soldier in 
the War for tlic Tnion in tlic M Wisconsin Infan- 
try, and is a resident of Keloit, where he is general 
agent for the Ecli|)se Windmill Company of that 
city; Marion A., horn Oct. 12, 1811). is the wife of 
.lolin .v. Yost, a farTuer of Beloil 'rowiisliip; Helen 
(!.. horn Fel). Ill, ISol. h.as charge of the domestic 
affairs at home; Fred L.. the youngest child of tiie 
f.'iiniiv, was hoi-n after tlieir removal to RockCoun- 
tv, on the 1st ilay of August, 18.57, and is in the 
same employ as his hrother Spencer. 

In 18ol Mr. Rcss, .accompanied by his family, 
emigrated to Rock County, and for a short time 
remained in I'.eloit. until a home could he erected 
on the farm which he |iurchase<l on section 10, 
Turtle Township. It consisted of a track of .">20 
acres of wild, unimproved land, which he culti- 
vated for his children when they should grow up. 
placing the same under a high state of cultivation. 
In those early da3's, when the country was so un- 
settled, Mr. Ross could drive across the fields to 
Beloit, there lieing no house or fence to intercept 
his progress. This will serve to illustrate the un- 
settled condition of the county ;il that time, and 
Mr. Ivoss has not only witnessed the great changes 
that have since then lieen m:ule. hut has lieeii an 
active participant in the l.aliois which have luought 
about the great transforni.at ion, placing Rock Coun- 
tv ou an equal rank with any in the Slate. In 186(1 
lie built a cheese factory, which he at once began 
to operate and which jjroved a successful enter|)iise. 
The product of this factory was of the finest 
grade, an<l always found a ready sale. Although 
his private interests have been extensive, Mr, Ho.ss 
has found time to serve his fellow citizens in vari- 
f)us local oHices of trust, including that of Town- 
ship Supervisor, in which capacity he served ten 
terms, discharging bis duties with fidelity and 
promptness. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
Martin \'an IJuren, but since the organization of 
the liepul)lican p.arty he has supporteil that body. 



His honorable, upright life, before and since becom- 
ing a resident of Rock County, has won him the 
love and confidence of all. .and he is a valued .Mnd 
respected citizen of Turtle Township. 



^^jHARLES A. HOWARD, who is numbered 
vlv ID •'*'"""."'■'"' ''""'""''^''' pioueersof Rock County 
^^'y and is now residing in La Cygne. Lime Co., 
Kan., is a n.ative of the Knipire State. He wedded 
Miss Harriet Hoxie, a daughter of Allen Hoxie, 
whose sketch appe.ars elsewhere in this work, and 
in the spring of 1844, came to Rock ( ounty, his 
wife following a year later, locating in the town of 
Cooksville. He was a mason by trade, and al.so 
engaged in carpentering in this county. To him 
belongs the honor of erecting the first hiick build- 
ing in Cooksville, and many brick structures in 
that and adjacent places still stand a.s monuments of 
his ability. After residing in this county for sev- 
eral years. Mr. Howard, being attracted bv the 
discovery of gold in California, started for the Pa- 
cific slope where he engaged in mining for about two 
and a half years with reasonable success. He 
then embarked on an ocean steamer, the famous 
••Yankee Blade," hut the ve.ssel was wrecked by its 
crew during the voyage for the purpose of plunder 
and he lost everything. He pawned his watch in 
order to pay his father-in-law's i)assage home, 
while he himself returned to the mountains, but 
after a short time was called home by the serious 
illness of his wife, whom, the message sjiid, was ly- 
ing at the point of death. Several months w.-re 
then required to make the journey from Califor- 
nia, and before reaching Rock County, Mrs. How- 
ard had in a great measure recovered her health. 

Mr. Howard then continued to reside in Cooks- 
ville until IHCO. when he became a resident of 
Kan.sas, where he was residing at the time of the 
breaking out of the Civil War. 

When the news came that Ft. .Simiter had been 
fired upon and the .South had taken uparms against 
the (iovernment, inspired by the spirit of pati'iot- 
ism which fills the heart of every loyal American 
citizen, he enlisted in the service of his country, in 
the r)th Kansas ('.avalry. The following \ear. he 






4 



580 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 




was commissioned 1st Lieutenant of an Indian 
Regiment acting as Captain; wiiile engaged in 
ciiarging a hatlery, at the l)attle of Maysville, lie 
was injnied by iiaving liis iioise shot from under 
liim. This injury resulted in disease which, after 
the battles of Cone Hill and Trairie Grove, inca- 
pacitated him for active service; he was sick all the 
winter and in the spring of 1KG3, was obliged to 
tender his resignation. lie then returned to AVis- 
consin, where his family liad removed in conse- 
quence of the unsettled state of affairs in Kansas, 
and the strong determination of the rebel leaders 
to make Kansas a battle ground, remaining until 
fall when having partially rcnvered his health, he 
ri'-eidisted in the Independent Wisconsin Cavalrj', 
remaining until the close of the war. 

After the close of iiostilities. Capt. Howard re- 
turned to IJock County, and became a resident of 
Evansville, where he conliniied to reside until 
1871, when on account of his wife's failing health, 
he removed to his present home in La Cygne. Kan. 
Ills honest upriglit course during t lie years of his res- 
idence in that city, as has idways hitherto been the 
case, has secured the conhdi'ncc and respect of his 
fellow townsmen. None arc held in higher esteem 
than iMr. and iMrs. llowanl ami llie^- richly deserve 
the respect which Is tendered them by all. 

The children born of their union were five in 
number, but oidy two are ik)w living — Vic A., 
who is the wife of Henry Cainpbell. a leading farmer 
of Rock County: and Allen II., who is residing in 
\'ernon, Kan. Those who have jiassed away are 
Louis, whose death occurred at the age of twenty- 
one years, caused by a fall from a Ituilding; and 
Melvin and Ella, who died In Infancy. Serially, 
Mr. Howard is a mcinl)er of the 1. (). O. K., and of 
the Masonic Fr.'iternity ; and in politics was a sup- 
porter of the Uepulillcan jiarty until the organiza- 
tion of the I'rohibiiion part^-, when he joined Its 
ranks. He has always been found in the fore- 
most part of the temperance movement, anti has 
l)een prominent in the promotion of educational, 
social and moral inteiesls. He feels that the strug- 
gle to be made against the ll(pior trallic will be 
greater than the rebellion, though the weaiwns 
will be the liiaius and the ballot of the pi'ople, ."UkI 
lis heart and strciiuth are devoted to the Interests 



of the party formed for the blotting out of one of 
the country's greatest evils. He is uncompromis- 
ing in his views regarding the method of dealing 
with the liquor traftic, feeling that the object 
sought will not be attained until the manufacture, 
Importation and sale of everything that intoxicates 
shall be |)rohibited, and In this respect he is in ad- 
vance of the majority of prohibitionists. He be- 
lieves, when the brotherhood of men shall be uni- 
versally concedetl, that the victory will be easllj' 
won. 



i|()()TH M ALONE, the District Attorney of 
^, Rock County, Wis., and a resident of Reloit, 
i'(fM) li was born in Benton County, Miss., on the 
^^ 9th day of August, 1854, and is a son of 
Hiehard II. and Mary Cole (Cossitt) Malone. He 
received his early e<lucation in the public schools 
of Chicago, and from Heloit College, graduating in 
the class of 1877, after which, deciding upon the 
law as the profession which he wished to follow 
through life, he entereil the .Vlbaiiy Law School and 
after pursuing a full course In that institutlf)n 
graduated in 187'.i. He entered upon the practice 
of his profession in Heloit. forming a partnership 
with S. J. Todd, under the firm name of Todd 
& Malone, which connection continued until 
the removal of the senior membei' to Janesville. 
Mr. Malone has been a resident of Beloit since 
1873, and for two years served as Superin- 
tendent of the citj' schools. For one year he tilled 
the oflice of Mayor and declined a renomination 
in 1884. to accept the ollicc of District .Mlorney. 
The aliillty and faithfulness with \vlii<li he dis- 
charged the duties of the ollice led to his le-electlon 
in I88(). and again in 1888. He has been a faithful 
and competent ollieer, winning the praise of both 
his political constituents and his opponents. 

.Mr. Malone was united in marriage In Heloit on 
the 1st day of July. 187S. when Miss Alma .M. 
Bennett, a daughter of Almon Bennett, became his 
wife. Her parents were early settli-rs of Beloit, 
being numbered among the residents of 18l(i, and 
Mrs. Malone w;is born in that city in 18.'>(1. Their 



=t 



I 



I 





^ '^^e^^^A.el^ 




ROCK COLNIY. 



585 



union is hlesswl with four cliiklren, one son and 
lliroe (laughters — Mary Louisp, Helen, William B. 
and Alma. 

In political scnlimcnt, Mr. .Maloue is a faithful 
adherent to the Repiililican party. He is a Knight 
Templar Mason, belongs to .Morning Star Lodge, 
Xo. 10, A. V. \- A. M.; Heloit Chapter, No. 9, K. 
A. M., Beloit Comraandery, No. 6. K. T.. and also 
holds menibersiiip in Beloit Lodge, No. 40. K. of 
1'. Mrs. Malone is a member of the Second Con- 
gregational Church of Beloit, and they are highly 
rv'spi'ctcil citizens vf the ciimmunity. 



IICIIIB.VL!) WOODAKl), President of the 
H^VLJ' Clinton Bank, of Clinton, Wis., and one of 
III a the leading business men of that tiiriving 
little city, was born in this county on the 
liSlii day of April, 1846, and is a son of Archibald 
and Mary ( Heriim) Woodard, wlio were pioneer 
settlci's of Bradford Township. Their sketch ap- 
pears on another page of this volume. Archibald 
was an oid^- son, and his early life was sjient upon 
liis father's farm. He received liberal educational 
ad v.'uitagis. |)ursinng an academic course after 
compU'ting the rudimentary stmlies in the common 
schools. Possessing an ol)serving eye and a re- 
tentive memory, lie has alwaj-s kept himself well 
informed on the leading issues of the day, and is a 
Worthy and valued citizen. 

In isiil Mr. Woodard led to the marriage altar 
Miss .M.ar}' La Monte, where the unicm of hearts 
was consummated by the union of h.ands. The 
lady is a n.ative of New York, her birthi)lace being 
in Schoharie County. Six children have l)een born 
of the union of this worthy couple, four sons and 
two daughters, and the family circle ^I't remains 
unliroken. They are as follows: Arcliib:ild. (ieorge 
L., Morrison ('., Fannie, Daniel W. and Mar\-. Mr. 
Woodard is a man of more than ordinary ability, 
and in lioth his business and social relations stands 
high in the community. In 1886 he began the 
blinking business, which he has carried t>n success- 
fully since, it being one of the leading nionej'ed 
institutions in this p.art of the couut\-. He is very 

^ 



V 



genial, possessing a kindly disposition, and makes 
friends wherever he goes. 

On the opposite page the (lortraits of Mr. and 
Mrs. Woodard are given. 

ILLIAM IIUYKP:, residing on section 34, 
JNLagnolia Townshij), has been a resident of 
V7\y Rock County since the pioneer days, and 
li.as borne a prominent part in its up-building and 
advancement. He has not only witnessed, but has 
participated in the growth and transformation 
which have placed the count3^ on a par with anj' in 
this gre.at commonwealth, and to him it owes a debt 
of gratitude which can never be repaid. 

]Mr. lluyke was born in Montgomery Count\-, N. 
Y'., July 31, 1818, and is a son of Christopher and 
Mary (Jenkins) Huyke. Both parents were born, 
reared and passed their entire lives in Moutgomer3' 
Count3-, and were finally laid to rest in one of its 
cemeteries, the father dying in 1832, the mother in 
1825. They had a famil}' of nine children, but 
only three of that number }'et survive — Elizabeth, 
widow of William Frecmyre, resides in Shelby, Or- 
leans Co.. N. Y.; William, of this sketch; and 
Peter, who is engaged in farming in Orleans County, 
N. Y. 

At the early age of fourteen years, our subject 
was left an orphan, and thus without the counsel or 
guidance of parents was forced to begin life's 
battle. He had previously attended the public 
schools, receiving a fair knowledge of the common 
branches, but on the death of his father began 
working b}' the month. For several years he 
worked at farm labor during the summer, attend- 
ing school in the winter time. In 1840 he went to 
Orleans County, N. Y., where he again engaged in 
farniing on shares during the summer season, and 
in the fall would operate a threshing machine in 
the neighborhood. 

On the lOlh d.ay of September, 1842. .Mr. Huyke 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. Letts, 
daughter of Simon and Margaret Letts, of Orleans 
County, N. Y. Shortly after their marriage, the 
young couple remo\cd to Calhoun County, Mich., 
where in 1843 the husband purcha.se<l a farm, con- 



^ 



J. 



586 



ROCK COUNTY. 



t^h^ 



tinning its eultivalioii until June. 1844. when he 
sold out and came to Rook County. He here en- 
tered 160 acres of raw land on sections 22 and 27. 
Magnolia Township, and at once erecting a log 
cal)in liegan life on tiie frontier. Not a single im- 
provement iiad previously been made or a single 
furrow turned, but in a short time 120 acres had 
been broken, and he continued the development of 
the land until it became one of the finest farms in 
Magnolia Township. In I80.0 death visited the 
pioneer home, claiming for its victim the loved 
wife and mother. She left four children, three sons 
and one daughter, but only two arc now living — 
Clement A., of Ashland, Neb; .and Byron T., 
who is engaged in farming in Hock County. Minn. 
Amelia died at the .age of twenty-two years, and 
(leorge in the thirty-first year of his age. 

In 1855, Mr. Iluyke returned to Orleans County, 
N. Y., where he was again united in marriage, Har- 
riet Shurger becoming his wife. Two children were 
born unto them; one died in infancy, and John A. 
is working for his father. After their marriage, 
f(ur s\iliject at once returne<l to Hock County, and 
(m the 22d day of Februnry, 1862. w.as .again called 
upon to mourn the loss of liis wife. She w.as a 
member of the Christian Church, and a la<ly be- 
loved by all who knew her. For his third wife 
Mr. Ilnyke married Cordelia .Shurger, a sister of 
his former wife, but her death occurred in 1864. 
On tiie 7th day of October, 1865. he wedded Miss 
Carrie Lai\e, a native of Ohio. Their union has 
been graced by two children — William, and Fred, 
who is now deceased. 

In 1857 Mr. Huyke sold his farm on sections 22 
and 27. Magnolia Township, and removed to Min- 
ne^sota. pur'-hasing 320 acres of land in Moore 
Count}'. The following fall, however, he disposed 
of his properly in Minnesota, and returned tf) Hock 
Count V. where he again bought a faini of 120 
acres, locating on sections 26 and .'54. Magnolia 
Township, which has since been his home. The 
land at that time was a wild, uncultivated w.aste, 
but the care and labor bestowed upon it. together 
witii the improvement.s made, have transformed 
the raw prairie into one of the finest farms of Hock 
County. Truly. Mr. Huyke is a self-m.ade man, 
and his success in life i.s due entirely to his f)wn ef- 



forts. Thrown upon his own resources at the early 
.age of fourteen, without the protecting care of a 
home, he embarked upon his career as a farm iiand. 
Faithfully and well did he perform his every duty, 
and at length became able to purchase land for him- 
self, becoming one of the well-to-do farmers of the 
community. Honest and upright in all his deal- 
ings, he lia^ won the confidence of all with whom 
business or pleasure has brought him in cont.acl, 
and is a valued and worthy citizen. In 1852 he 
w.as appointed to the oflice of Deputy Sheriff, serv- 
ing in th.at position four years, and for two years he 
wns engaged in shipping grain in Janesville. with 
wiiich two exceptions he has been numbered among 
the residents of Magnolia Township fur the long 
l)eriod of forty-four years. In his political senti- 
ments he is a stalwart supporter of the Hepublican 
party, and has been an active worker in the tem- 
perance cause. Having the welfare of his adopted 
county at heart, he has done much to promote its 
interests, and has been identified with many of the 
leading enterprises. He helped to build the first 
railroad in Rock Count\-. having the contr.act for 
grading the ro.ad between Milton and .lanesville. 
and witnessed the arrival of the first train that en- 
tered the latter city. Thus wc have given a brief 
sketch of one of the prominent men of thecounlv, 
whose loyalty is beyond question, and who is re- 
pected by all. 



^wHANK K. UKllHKNDT is piopiictor of the 
J-W^ Windsor Hotel, of Janesville, an elegant 
/l^ three-stor}- brick building just completed, 

and furnished throughout witii fine new furniture, 
bedding, tableware and everything requireil to 
make a coni])lete first-cla.ss house. It contains forty 
rooms, including sample rooms, all well lighted .and 
ventilated; the sleeping apartments are large and 
cheerful and the halls are wide, fully lighted and 
afford good ventilation. The house is heated 
throughout by steam, with hot and cold water, 
bath rooms and a system of electric bells, in fact 
it is a jewel of neatness and convenience, and is 
mostcomplete in all its apjiointmcnts. Mr.Hehrendt. 
the proprietor, is a oourteons gentleman, and having 



^ 



f 



-4*- 



ROCK COUNTV. 



587 .a 



li:i(l sevenil years experit'iieo as a traveling man, it 
has taiiglit iiiiii wliat tlie niudeni traveler expects 
lu find ill a well appointed, first-class hotel, lie 
has had eharjn' of the construction and tilting ui) 
of the Windsor, which was opened on the 26th 
day of .laniiarv. 1H8'.). and has spared no pains or 
expense in niaUiiiLC his house a model estahlisliment 
of its kind. 

Mr. liehrendt was horn in .lanesville Sci)t. 21), 
l.S(;0. and is the son of Anton and Mary (New- 
man) Behrendt. lie was educated in the city 
schools, .after which he S|)ent three and a half years 
in learning the jeweler's trade, and in 1885 began 
traveling as salesman for the Leonard Silk Com- 
p.auy. Later, he was with the Nonotuck .Silk Com- 
pany, continuing with the last named until July, 
1H8H, when he left the road to superintend the 
l)uil(ling and furnishing of the Windsor. He is a 
niemluT of the Commercial Traveling Men's Asso- 
ciatiou, of .lanesville, and is one of the promising 
young l>usiness men of the city. 



■^ KV. FAYETTE ROVCE,I)octor in Divinity, 
is the youngest son of Mary Burgess and 



-m\\ Lynian Uoyce. His mother. Mavv liurgess 
^P was a daughter of .lonathan Burge.ss and 
Mary Collins, and she was horn in Saratoga County, 
N. Y., .Ian. 2H, LStlO. His father. Lyman Hoycc, 
was one of five sons of Sarah Tyler and Amos Royco, 
and he was horn .June 17, 1796, in the town of 
W.ashinglon, Litchfield Co., Conn. Robert Royce, of 
Boston, 1631, w.as the earliest American ancestor 
of the Royce family in this country. 

He was a supporter of Hutchinson and Wheel- 
wright in their religious teaching, and removed to 
Stratford before 1656. In 1657. w.ns of Nev,- 
Luniliin. Conn., where he spent the remainder of 
his life and -lived in good re|)uti'." In 1661, 
( May session) he was representative of Xew Lon- 
don in the Colonial Legislature. He died in 1676. 

He had five sons and two da\igbters, the most of 
whom settled in Wallingford, Conn., near New 
Haven. From this Uoyce settlement came David 
Royce, the great-grand -father of Fayette, the sul)- 
ject of this sketch. David Rovcc. moving from 



near New Haven, settled in Semprouius, Cayuga 
Co., N. Y.. in 17i)8. Rev. Dr. Fayette Royce was 
born in .Moravia, Cayuga Co., N. Y., April 22, 
1833. He was brought up on a farm, but the farm 
life was not to his taste. He attended the district 
school both summer and winter until twelve years 
of age; after tlmt the winter schooling h.ad to suf- 
fice, until he reached the age of sixteen. 'I'hen he 
was permitted to enter the Moravia Academy and 
attend two full terms e.ich y-ear. When he was 
eighteen he taught a district school in the town of 
Venice, Cayuga Co., N. Y.. at -SIO a month, and 
" boarded around." His efifort .at teaching proved 
so successful that the trustees invited him to con- 
tinue the school two weeks beyond the stipulated 
time of four months. During this winter he won 
quite a reputation as a public debater by defeatinsr 
in a challenged contest a middle-.aged man who 
was regarded as the champion debater in the town. 
The next winter he taught the district school in 
Montville, a little hamlet near Moravia villaoe, and 
received *20 per month. The expenses of his first 
year in college were defrayed by these earnings 
of two winters' teaching. Whilst teaching these 
winter schools he put in all the balance of the 
year in preparing himself for college at the acad- 
emy already referred to. He worked diligently. 
Four o'clock was his time of getting up in the 
morning. Then the lines of Virgil were scanned 
and studied. Sept. 3, 1853. he entered the Fresh- 
man cl.ass in Hobart College, Geneva. N. Y.,a cl.ass 
that numbered nearly thirty. He took the classical 
course and graduated with the same class .July 16, 
1857, the class graduating nineteen in number. He 
stood eighth in general rank and second in mathe- 
matics. He won the first prize at declamation in 
the Soi)hoin()re I'rize Exhibition. Six months 
before he gra<luateil he had been teaching the 
higher branches in the Cary Collegiate Seminary, 
near Batavia, N. Y., carrying on his college studies 
in the meantime. After graduating, he continued 
as teacher in said institution until Oct. 15. 1858 
when he resigned to accept the Principalship of the 
Olean Academy, Cattaraugus Co.. N. Y., where his 
duties began Dec. 6, 1.S5(S. Here he remained over 
three years and built up a large anil nourishing 
institution. Sept. 15, 1862. heentere<l the DcLancey ' 



i 



J. 



"^ 11 » 



588 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



Divinity School in Geneva, N. Y., where in nine 
months lie finished iiis tlieological studies, which lie 
had been pursuint; in part liy himself all along for 
five years amid the difficulties of a teaclier's weary- 
ing work. He was ordained to the I)oaconate in 
the Protestant Kpiscopal Chnreh by Bisliop DeLan- 
cey in St. Peter's C'iiai->el, fteneva, N. Y.. May 3, 
18(13. and on June 1. 18G3. he took charge of 
(irace C'iiurcii. Xunda, Livingston Co.. N. Y., and 
Trinity Church, (aiiaseraga. Allegany Co., N. Y., 
bolli missionary stations, and buth i)lace.s having 
been vacant nearly tiiree years. He also took 
cliarge of the 15rooks Gi-ove Mission. During hi.s 
two years and nine months pa.storate. tlie work at 
Nunda was reviveil and at Caii.aseraga the member- 
ship was increased from eleven to sixty, and a new 
beautiful gothic cliurch was built and paid for and 
consecrated. The church cost $5 OOli. with a seat- 
ing capacity of 2;')0. On Aug. 14. ISiU. in St. 
Peter's Chapel, Geneva. X. Y , he was ordained to 
the priesthood by Bishop DeLancey. being tiic last 
one ordained to that sacrcil function by that great 
and eminent bishop. Ou March 1, l.SfiG. he began 
his rectorship of Trinity Church. Bay City. Mich., 
then a rapidly growing city. It has since become 
llio thiril city in [jopulation in the State of Michi- 
g.au. During his two j'ears and eight inontlis pas- 
torate in Bay City, the meuibersliip was uearlv 
doubled and the congregatif)n becoming larger than 
the seating capacity of the cluucli could afford, the 
edifice was enlarged one-half bey(>n<l its former 
size. Tlien tlie ba|)tisnis and confiini.-itions were 
numerous and the hanlest work of his life was done 
lu're. 

lie began liis work in St. Paul's ('liunli. lieloit, 
\Vis., on the lirsl d;iy of November, 1S(!8. ;ind to 
this date. Aug. 1. 1881), ;i period of twcnt\- and 
three-fourth years, he is still Uector: — Rector of a 
lieople who have lieen. ;iiiil are. kind, indulgent, 
loyal and true. It woidd require a volume to give 
tlie full hisl(uy of these more than a score of 
years. Tiiey have been, in the main, happj- years, 
bu' they have been marke(l l>y many (li.aiiges. Not 
only has his [)arisli honoreil him by pernntling liis 
rectorshi)) to continue so long over it. but he feels 
that liis diocese, too, ha.s not kept back its honors 
from him. August 1, 1871, he was appointed Dean 



of the.Tanesville (afterward Madison) Convocation, 
by Bishop Armitage, wliich office he held for one 
year. Si.ic months later (Dr. H. W. S|)alding, then 
Dean, leaving the diocese) he w.as again appointed 
Dean, which office he has held by yearly a|>p<iintnient 
of the Bishop ever since. The Madison Convoca- 
tion com|)rises a territory of eleven counties in 
Southwestern Wisconsin. In June, 1871, he was 
elected a member of the Board of Missions of the 
Diocese of Wisconsin, then undivided, which office 
he held fifteen j-ears, and then declined to be re- 
elected. He has been elected a delegate to the 
General Convention three time.s in succession, viz.: 
In I88n, in 1883 and in 1886. He declined his 
election in 1883. From June. 1882, to June, 1887, 
he was elected and served as a member of the 
.Standing Committee of the Di(»cese. He was also 
re-elected to this committee in June, 1888. He has 
also been for many years one of the Canons of the 
Cathedi'.il. and fulfills his duties .as Canon by of- 
ficiating and preaching in the C.'ithedral ;it least 
once each year. lie has preached sermons ou 
many important occasions — once a Convention 
sermon, and sermons at ordination. He also 
has made many public addresses. He gave 
the Il.ackett Memorial Fountain .address in 15e- 
loit. on Feb. II. IM.SH. He has served four \ears 
as Superintendent of the I5eloit City Schools. I It- 
was also three years a member of the Beloit .Scho(»l 
Board. He was President of the lieloit LiteraryClub. 
On 1'>1). 24. lS8fi, the degree of S. T. D. (Doctor 
of Sacred Theolog3) was conferred upon him by 
his Alma Mater, Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. 

His family life began by his marriage to Minnie 
Hosctta \aii Antwerp, a niece of the R<>v. Dr. 
Van Antwerp, author of the popul.-ir Church His- 
tory. Themarriagi' w:is celebrated April l.i. 18."iX, 
in Grovelantl. Livingston Co.. N. Y.. at her father's 
home — James P. \'an Antwerp. She lived just 
one month beyoixl five years from that <late: long 
enough to see her husband advanced to the ministry 
which li.ad been all along her hope and her praj-er. 
A son.. lames Lyman, was born to them Dec. C>. 18C0. 
in Olean, N. Y. The son now resides at Spokane 
Falls, W.ashington, engaged as book-keeper in a 
lar<xe liardw.are house. 

Ou Dec. 27. .St. John's day, 18(;i. the home lif( 



♦►Hh-i. 



-^•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 






lii'gan again in the marriage of Catiiarine Hunt, 
(laiiglitcr i)f the late Dr. llirain Hunt, of Mount 
Morris, l^ivingston Co., N. V., a pliysieian of i-ni- 
inence and of great popularity. Tlie motlier, Mr.s. 
Mary Wadliams Hunt, is now living wKli licr 
ilaugliter Cat'iariuc, at the advanctMl age iif eighth- 
seven, comparatively free from those infirmities 
which are incident to age. 

Two daugliter.s have lieen given to them — Mary 
Hopkins, horn in IJay City. Mich., Nov. IS, ISfW;, 
and .\nnn Iiuigess. I>urn in lieioit. Wis., Dee. 10, 
1X71. 

Dr. Iioyee was baptized into the ilnnch im 
April 1, 18;"),'), and was fonlinned liy Bishop 
De lyancey. in Ilciliart ('(illige Chapel, July !(!, in 
the same ycai-. Soon after this, an<l while <ju 
a steamboat pleasure e.xrnrsion, he was walking 
arm in arm with his i>aslor who had bapti/.e(l him. 
and they were talking upon the suhjeelof the min- 
istry. The result of the conversation was a decis- 
ion to study for Holy Orders. It was a call from 
(iod, so he fell, and so he has evt-r since believed. 



.St. Paul's Protestant Kpiscop:d Church, P.eloit, 
was organized Feb. 2S, 1 S I 1 . al a niceting held 
at the house of Rev. Aaron llumphiey. Mi-. II. 
was at this time well advancetl in years, and had 
been supplying the services and ministrations of 
the Church in an infoiinal manner during the year 
prior to the eslablishmenl of St. Paul's. .\t this 
meeting C. II. F. (Hiodhiie and (!.\V. Hickiiell were 
elected Wardens; Otis P. Hicknell. .lohn C. Uurr 
and Leonard R. Humphrey, \'estrymen ; David.!. 
P>undy, Treasurer, and William II. I loli.-ut. Secre- 
tary. Rev. Aaion Huniphicy became the Rector 
of St. Paul's. and continued to labor for the Church 
until Xovendicr 184;"), when he was succeeded by 
Kev. Stephen C. Millett. .Mr. Humphrey died in 
IJcloit. ( )ctol)er 12. 1S.")8, at the age of ninety years. 
A beautiful marble talilct "in nicmoriam " has been 
recently placed in the side wall of the chancel of 
St. Paul's, on which are engraved the date.s of his 
service and his death. The public services of St. 
Paul's were held for the first three years in the vil- 



4 



Leonard Humphrey, at first for school purposes. 
This building was, during the latter part of the.se 
seven i'cars, purchased by, litted up and used exclus- 
ively for the church, and it was consecrated \>y 
Bishop Kemper in the summer of 184r). This was 
the first church edifice of any kind built in Beloit. 
At a vestry niceting held in May, 18|(!. during Mr. 
.Millett's rectorship, it was decide<l lo build .a new 
church edifice. In the spring of 1848, the corner- 
stone of the church was laid, .and in Decemlier, 
18.5 I, the services were flr.st held within its walls. 
Mr. Millett resigned in February. 18.");$. on account 
of ill health, and for a year and a half the itarish 
w!is without a IJector. He continued to live within 
the parish, serving the church in various localities 
near Beloit, .as health and strength would permit, 
until his death, which occurred on the "isth of May, 
I8(!7. A grateful congregation erected a tablet to 
his meniorj'. w'hich is placed on the east wall of 
the clijinccl in St. Paul's Clniich. In .luly. 18,')4, 
Rev. .lohn K. C. Smedes. then a Deacon, assumol 
charge of the parish. The record of official acts 
and proceedings of the parish seem to have been 
fiist kc|>t carefully and orderly in .Mr. Smedes' rec- 
torslii|i. and his successors have scrupulously fol- 
lowc(l his example. Mr. Smeilcs perfornicd .'jT 
baptisms, presented to the Bishop 17 candiilatesfor 
conlirniation. iierformed 18 maii-iagcs, olliciated at 
1 !) funerals and left 7.') communicants belonging to 
the parish when he resigned. March 27, I8.5(i, 
during Mr. Smecles' rectorship. Bishop Kemper 
consecrated the chuii-h in celeliration of its ci^un- 
plete relief from all linancial encumbrances. Dur- 
ing his rectorslii[), also, the shapely and beautiful 
spire of .St. Paul's was erected, thus completing the 
syminetry of a very graceful (Jotliic structure. 
Rev. .1. E. C. Smedes resigned .Inly 1, 18.")8. and 
after two months' interval he was succeeded by 
Rev. .1. II. Kgar. who resigned February 4. 1801, 
after a prosperous rectorship. 

Seven months later. Rev. L. W. Davis became 
Rector, and continued to serve the church until his 
resignation, October 1, 18G8. During his re«'toiship 
the society bought a rectory on the corner of 
Bridge and BliifT streets. November 1 . 18(58, the 
Rev. Fayette Royce became the sixth Rector in the 



Ingo schoollK)use, on School street, and for the sub 

sequent seven years in a brick building erected by I history of St. Paul's Church, and he is still Rector 

4* — ^ — I ■» 



r 






-■► 



RUCK COUNTY. 



The priufii)al material iinprovciiu-nts during this 
rectorate have bieii a pipe organ, cxcavalions 
uudcr tiie Church, liic putting in of furnaces, mak- 
ing a new gallery, the huilding of a chapel, the set- 
ting out of trees around the rector^-, improvements in 
the interior of the church and about the chancel, a 
new altar and credence table, a new font, and in 
keeping all the church property in good rei)air. 
The cluueh, during these twenty years, had raised 
and expended for all purposes about $60,000, being 
an average of 83,000 a year. In January, 1884. a 
vested choir, twenty strong, was organized and 
trained, which has ever since rendered acceptable 
music to the congregation. The chuich has a 
membership of 17.5. and is in a healthy condition. 
The present officers are: E. Elolmes. Senior War- 
den; E. A. Looniis. Junior Warden: F. H. .Stark- 
weather. W. M. Ihittan, George Sherwood. Charles 
(). Jlillelt, George Frederick, II. II. JMeJjeucgan. 
R. J. Burdge and 0. H. Orton, vestrymen. 



— i^^' 



t 



LARENCE L. CI-ARK, Postmaster of .lanes- 
ville, and attorney' at law. was l)(.>rn in thi^ 
5^^ city. Sept. 9. IS.j;"). His parents are Luther 
and Sarah A. Clark, and their sketch is given else- 
where in this work. Clarence received his pre- 
paratory education in the ijublicand select schools, 
and at the .age of sixteen jears began learning the 
printing business in the Farmer printing office, 
which was owned 1)3- Mr. .Stafford. After spending 
one year in that employ, he entered the t)llice of 
the Janesville Tunes, of which A. O. Wilson w.ns 
projirietor. and where he was employed for a period 
of two years. At this time, his eye-sight becoming 
impaired, he left the printing office and engaged in 
the grccery trade, being connected with E. C. 
Smith and later with Tarrant »t Dntton. Subse- 
quently, he went to Evanston. 111., and became a 
student at the Northwestern I'niversity. where he 
))ursued a three years' course, after which he en- 
tered the law office of Capt. I'liny Norcross, at 
Janesville. as a law student. A few months later, 
he entered upon a course of study in the law de- 
partment of the State University at Madison, and 
after two years graduated in the class of 1880. He 



.•It once entered upon the practice of his professic>n 
in his native cit^- in partnership with E. M. llyzer. 
This connection continued until November, 1885, 
when he assumed the management of the Janesville 
Recorder Printing Company and also served as 
treasurer of the comj)any. 

On the Gth day of June. 1883, Mr. Clark led to 
the marri.agc altar Miss Carrie L. Hodge, daughter 
of the Rev. M. G. Hodge, i)astor of the First Bap- 
tist Church of Janesville. To them has been born 
one son, Gardner Winans, born JIarch 14, 1887. 

Mr. Clark is an earnest working Democrat, li.as 
borne a pron)inent i)art in local politics and has 
been a recognized leader of the joung Democracy 
of Rock County. In February. 1888. he was com- 
missioned Postmaster of Janesville, which position 
he still retains. He resigned the position of mana- 
ger of the Recorder Conipau}' on receiving his ap- 
poiiitinent. but still continues to serve as its trcas- 
uier. We can not better close this brief sketch 
than to quote from an editorial in the G'asy^c ( Re- 
publican) t>n the event of Jlr. Clark's appointment 
to the postniastership. ■' (ientlenianly in all his 
intercourse with his fellow man. he has gained the 
respect aii<l confidence of all. regardless of politi- 
cal diffeiences. and is now one of the most popular 
3-oung men in the city. The post office, having 
gone intolhe Democratic camp, could ntit be placed 
in lietter or more compet-cnt hands." 

OliKKT JONES NOTT. foiinerly residing 
on section 29, Center Townshii), but now 
A\ of Janesville. was born in Devonshire' 
^P England, on the 4th day of Jul\. 182(1. 
He was the only son born to Thomas and Betsy 
(Jones) Nott. who were also natives of Devonshire, 
and there resided until their deaths occurred, 'i'hc 
father was a farmer bj' occupation. 

When a lad. our subject left the parental roof 
and crossed the l)ro:id Atlantic to America, making 
the journey in companj* with a relative b^' the 
name of Radley. who settled in Genesee County, 
N. Y.. in 1827. With him Robert J. remained 
until nineteen j'ears of age. when he began working 
iis a farm laborer. He received a common-school 




ROCK COUNTY. 



91 



4 



i'(hic:iti<iii ill llic disti'ict scliools of t1i;it (Miuiity, 
which he um.s only iicriiiitlt-d to mIIi'ikI (liiriiif; \\w 
winter iiumths, fur' (luiiiii^' Ihu sminiicr he ,'ii(h'il in 
Ww. l.-ilmrs of thi' f'aiin. Possessing' ;in oliscrviml 
i'\o ;iii(l ii'tentive incnioiv, he lias largely siii>|>le- 
inent<'<l his early ediieational training 1)}' observa- 
tion and liy furliier reading. He conliniied ids 
ialiors as a farm hand until IH I I, wlien he ni:irrie(l, 
and tiicn settled in lialavia, N. V.. where hi! <'n- 
gaged in gardening. iVfter two 3eurs spenl in 
that line he followed the course of endgralion 
westward, and in the fall of I « 1(1 l.Miided in Hock 
Connty, AVis., having made the journey liy way of 
the great Lakes lo Milwaukee, compleling his 
tiavels from that city in a stage eoaeh. I'liichas- 
ing eighty acres of unimproved land, he erected a 
little log caliin and began the improvement of his 
l.-md. Hiseonlinncd labors soon transformed the 
wild jirairie into a line t'arni, lo which he .-idded 
until at one time he was the ownei- of 200 acres, 
but later disposed of a portion of it, ami yet relains 
12<i acres. The little log cabin which was his 
h(n:}e during the pioneer d.ays of the county has 
long since given pl.acc to a more commodious resi- 
dince. 'I'his has not surpassed his improvements 
in other diieclions, for a large orchard has been 
l)lanled, b:irns and other outbuildings neecssarj' to 
a well-regidated farm have been built, and the 
entire surroundings indicate enterprise and refine- 
ment. 

In (leiiesee County. N. V.. Mr. Noll was united 
in marriage with Ivlitli I). Daiin, the ceremony 
being perfoiincd in the ye;tr is I I. The lady w;us 
born in Kent, Kngl.and, and is a daughter of Abia- 
liani and Anna (Fox) Dann. Her mother was 
also born in Kent, and died in her native land Dec. 
25, 13;)H. at the age of tiftv-two years. After the 
death of his wife the father, who was a native of 
.Sussex, Kngland. came with his children to this 
country, in 1^11. lie located in (jenesee County, 
N. Y., anil there worked at his trade of blacksniith- 
ing until his death, which occurred in 1860, at the 
"ge of seventy -six years. lie was a man decided 
in his oi)inion of right an<l wrong, and his inlUience 
was ever given to those enterprises which tend to 
uplili humanity, while he was a sincere and devoted 
member of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church. The 

4* 



children of his family were: Frances, wife of Sam- 
U(d Wallace, of Chicago; Abiaham, who emigrated 
from Kngland to New IJrunswick. and l.-iter came 
to Wisconsin, entered an extensive tract of land 
fion till! (lovernnient in Kock County, and here 
made his home until 1873, when he removeil with 
his wife .and children to Dakota, where he again 
made a claim, and resided thereon until his death, 
which occurred in l«7fi; Obid, who is married, 
came to Uoek County in 181(i, and now resiiles in 
Chicago; Dann, who was a resident of Hock 
County, and also of Madison, Wis., was married, 
and his death occurred in 1878. his wife being now 
also deceased; Trayton. who is m.arried, located on 
a farm in Hock County in 18 Hi. but is now engaged 
in farming in Dakota; i\Irs. Nott is the next in 
order of birth; Kbene/.er, who formerly made his 
home in this coimtj', is married, and now lives near 
Marshalllown. Iowa; Frank, who is married, makes 
his liC)me in I'ly mouth W'is. 

The union of .Mr. .-iiid Mrs. NotI- was blessed 
with a family of ten children, but only live are now 
living; Albert was a resident of Hock County until 
his death, which occurred .luiic 'J I, 188-1. al the 
age of thirty-nine years, leaving a wife and two 
children, who reside in .lanesville; William T., who 
is married and has a family of four children, is a. 
resident farmer of Dakota; Abraham 1).. who is 
married and resides in .lanesville, is a commercial 
traveler and owns a farm in Center Township; 
Hobcrt .1. died Oct. 10, 18:).'>, at the age of four 
vears; Henry Franklin, who is engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits, .is also married; Fdith K. died May 
2.). 1874, in the fifteenth year of her age; Frances 
iM. died March 2-, 18(!(). when four ye:iis of age; 
Lucy A. is the wife of Robert Strang, of Center; 
Sarah K., now Mrs. Williams, is living in Center; 
and IJessie A., the youngest, died .lime 24, 1884, 
when only one year old. Mr. Nott has given his 
children ample opi)ortunities for .securing good 
educations, and has lived to see them all become 
useful and honorable men and women. The entire 
family are members of churches. Mr. and .Mrs. 
Nott held membership with the .Methodist Episco- 
pal Church at Footville. He was the oldest living 
member in that organization, in which he held the 
positions of Trustee and Steward until his removal 



t- 



-^^ 



592 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



to Jaiu'svillo. in wliicli for thirty years he serveil 
ais Chiss-Lcador. For llic same Icnu'th of lime he 
was teacher of the IJilile class, and took a deep in- 
terest in this branch of religious work. The busi- 
ness meetings of the church were often held at his 
home. Tiieir membership is now with tlie Court 
street Church. In his political sentiments, Mr. 
Nott is a stalwart supporter of the Republican 
l>arty, with which he has atliliated since its organi- 
zation. He has served as Supervisor of the town- 
sliip. has served on both the Grand and Petit 
juries, and has been a member of the School IJoard. 
lie bore a prominent part in the organization of 
the school and road districts, and also assisted in 
the organization of the township. Sociall}', he is a 
member of Center Grange No. 35. He has been 
identified with tlie history of Rock County for the 
long period of forty-three years, and is numbered 
among its honored pioneers. He has not only 
witnessed the great and rapid changes which have 
placed it on a par with any county in the State, 
but has ever nobly borne his part in the work. As 
a liusband and father, he is kind and loving; as a 
neighbor and fi-iend, true and obliging; as a citizen 
he is loyal, and as a Christian, devoted and faithful. 



-J- 



#-# 




4 



KORGE C. BAliCOCK, Sheriff of Rock 
Count}-, Wis., was born in Chenango County, 
^^^S N. Y., in the town of South Otselic, Aug. 
26, 1834, and is a son of Harvey and Minerva 
(Tiff) IJnbcock. The parents of Mr. Babcock were 
born in Connecticut, and were descended from old 
New England families of Scotch ancestry. 

Our subject spent his earlj- life in the E.ast. and 
in the spring of 1853 came to.lanesville, but located 
at Clinton, Rock County, where he learned the 
blacksmith's trade, beginning when fifteen years of 
age. For three years he worked with his emploj'er, 
E. P. Williams, on railroad work, on the lines en- 
tering Clinton, and in the spring of 185Cwentto 
Iowa, wliore he took up a quarter-section of land 
in Mitchell County. In the fall of 1859 he was 
united in marriage with Miss Eveline Hastings, who 
died in the spring of 18G2. On the 22d day of 
August, following the death of his wife, Mr. Bab- 



cock enlisted for the late war as a private of Com- 
pany K, 27th Regiment Iowa Infantry, serving 
until the close of hostilities. He was commissioned 
First Lieutenant. May 1, 1865. His discbarge 
papers, which show that he was mustered out of 
tlie service on the 8th day of August, 1865. give 
the following list of battles in which he partici- 
pated : Fort Deressy, La., March 14, 1864; Pleas- 
ant Hill, April 9,1864; Old Oaks. Ga., May 1 8, 
1864; Dutch Bayou. Ark., June 6, 1864; Tupelo, 
Miss., July 14, 1864; Old Town Creek, Miss.. July 
15, 1864; Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 15 .and 16, 1864; 
siege of Bl.akeh', Ala., from April 4. 1865, to final 
surrender and cajituro. AjM-il 9. His compan}' was 
commanded b}' Ca|)t. Charles T. Granger, now 
Judge of the Supreme Court of Iowa. Mr. Bab- 
cock was neither wounded nor taken prisoner, al- 
though he was with his company and regiment in 
some of the hardest fighting of that great struggle. 
At the battle of Pleasant Hill alone, the company 
lost one-third of their number in killed and 
wounded. 

After the close of hostilities, 5Ir. Babcock re- 
turned to Clinton, Wis., and opened a blacksmith 
shop at that place, also engaging in ironing express 
trucks as a special business, which he carried on for 
sixteen years in addition to his regular trade of 
general blacksuiithing. In the fall of 1888 he was 
elected Sheriff of Rock County, and entered uiX)n 
the duties of the office Jan. 1. 1889. at the same 
time removing with his familj' to Janesville. He 
leased his business at Clinton with a view to return- 
ing to that place on the termination of his term of 
office. 

In the autumn of 1867 Mr. Babcock w.ns again 
married to Mrs. Susan E. Brand, daughter of 
Thomas Harnity. The lady was born in Rome, 
N. Y., and is a member of the Congregational 
Church. Two children were born of her first mar- 
riage — Emma, who is now the wife of .'^cth John- 
son of Clinton, and Eveline, wife of R. A. Wheeler 
also of that town. Of the last marriage there was 
but one child, a daughter, Mamie. Mr. Babcock 
is a member of Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 135, 
A. F. it A. M.. and of Royal Arch Chapter. No. 9, 
of Beloit. He also belongs to Ale.xis Tallman Post, 
No. 70, G. A. R.. at Clinton. He was a brave and 



I* 



ROCK COUNTY. 




oK.j 




patriotic soldioi- ;it)(l oflicer. Is an industrious and 
cni'i'nclic' niccliaiiii' and linsiiiPss man, and lias 
lived a useful and active life. lie is liut just lie- 
liinnini;' his ollieial career, hut l)iil.s fair U> adminis- 
ter tlio slierilT's odiee with clHciencv and fidelity. 
In |i(ilitics .Mr. Babcock is a Uepuhlican. and has 
always lieen a warm supportel' of that pai'ty. 

~** .o*o-@>.<^^-o4o.- V-- 

KTEI! MYKR.S, an honored pioneer of 
.lanesville. and one of its best known citi- 
zens, died suddenly on Tuesday, March 
13, 1888. From his earliest settlement 
here he was c(,Minected with the growth and pros- 
perit}'. the ])r(>gress and dcveloimient of the city, 
which for the long i)eriod of tV)rty-tliree years was 
his Ivonie. To the Janesvillc Recorder of March 
lo, we are niaiidy indebted for the facts given in 
this. biogra[ihical sketch. 

Peter Myers was a native of France, born on the 
banks of the Kiver Seine, l.")0 miles from I'aris, on 
the 8th day of February. 1819. His father, Peter 
Myers. Sr.. served in the grand army of Napoleon 
]. and while particijiating in the battle of Moscow 
sulTere<l the loss of one of his limbs. AVhen our 
subject was a mere lad. the i)arents, with a family 
of eight children left their native land and became 
residents of America, the father purchasing a farm 
of 640 acres near Lancaster. Pa. While there resid- 
ing his death occurred very suddenly. Coming 
into the house he fell down in his chair — dead. He 
had made his will which left the farm to one of 
Peter's brothers, and thus, being de|)endent ni)on 
liis own resources for a livelihood, our subject went 
to P.utTak). N. Y., where he learned the trade of a 
butchei'. For ten years he resided in that city and 
w.'is the companion and room-mate of .lolin I'lank- 
inton. now the wealthy capitalist of Milwaukee, 
who was then engaged in learning the same trade 
as Mr. Myers. From BnlTalo, he came West and 
located at Rockford. III. In that city he formed 
the aecpiaintance of .Miss .Inlia Ann IJIakesley, a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, whom he married .Inly 1.'), 
1H47. after having become a resident of Janesville, 
where he prepared a home for his young bride. 
Their marriage was celebrated in this city, the 

ij. - =^ 



ceremony being performed by Justice M. S. Pricli- 
ard, and the family circle w.as completed by the 
liirth of live children, four sons and a daughter — 
Walter R.. of Indiana; Charles, who is living in 
Chicago; .lohn 11., Peter L. and Kittle, all of this 
city. 

From Rockford. air. Myers came to .lanesville 
in 1SI;'>. the journey being ;iccompllshe<l by stage. 
Arriving at his destination, he leased th(! stone 
basement of a small wooden building situated in ;i 
ravine on the south side of Main street, just north 
of Court street, where he opened a meat maiket. 
Business nourished for some time, but on a Sumby 
morning In the spring of 18-IG. the dam broke and 
a tIot)d of water came pouring down the raxinc. 
Mr. iNIyers was just waiting on a customer when the 
flood, piled with driftwood and wrecks of build- 
ings, struck the little store, and he was compelled 
to change his place of business. He renn)ved to a 
small building which stood on tamarack poles, at 
the east end of Milwaukee street bridge, where Mr. 
Brown's shoe stoie now stands. He remained In 
that building until he purchased the land and 
erected the substantial building now on tliat site. 
Probably no man has done more for the upbuilding 
of .lanesvilh^ than Jlr. Myers, and numerous are 
the buildings which stands as testimonials of his 
enterprise, his [irogressive life and untiring ac- 
tivity. Soon after his marriage, he erected a brick 
residence at the southeast corner of North Main 
and North Second streets, which at that time was 
the only brick dwelling In Janesville. Later he 
elected the fine hotel, bearing his name, there 
residing at the time of his death. In 1 8.")0 having 
sold his meat market he embarked in the pork- 
packing business and built up an extensive and 
profitable trade, making the greater |)art of his 
money by this investment. .\bout 1 8.5 J, lie con- 
tinued the im]>rovement of the city by the erection 
of two large brick stores on .Main street which con- 
tained Young America's Hall, where at one time 
the Circuit Court convened. The renting of those 
buildings proving a protitable enteri>rise, he con- 
tinued to build additions to the north until IH.ji), 
when he commenced the erection of the Myers 
House upon historic ground, once the site of 
the old .Stage House. The Myers Hotel is the 



I 



i^fc*-* 



u. 



-•»• 



596 



ROCK COUNTY. 



--^ 

^ 



principal house in Soiitlieni Wisconsin ;ui<l has 
ever been a credit to its owner. It is four stories 
in height, and cost, not including the addition on 
the cist, some IGO.OOO. In 18G0, he began con- 
ducting the hotel himself and was its proprietor at 
tiie time of his death. AVith the traveling public 
he was known as a genial ami hospitable host, and 
those who once jiartooii of liis hospitality were al- 
ways sure to call again. After the completion of 
the hotel buihling, lie began putting on additions on 
the east toward Bluff street, and in 1K7II completed 
the Opera House, which was one of the finest in the 
state, outside of .Milwaukee, costing between *25,- 
000 and :J(.'iO,000. This was burned in 1889. In 
1881. he built the elegant brick block .at the corner 
of West Milwaukee and Franklin streets, which is 
one of the most imposing business blocks in the 
city. It includes the Armory of the .lanesville 
Liirlit Infantry, which is the finest possessed by 
any company in the regiment, the (jride of the city 
and the .admiration of the stranger within her 
gates. To many enterprises for the pubhc benefit, 
Mr. Myers contributed largely and was a willing 
supporter. He owned a large amount of stock in 
the Cotton Mill Company and was a member of its 
board of directors. In the new company, which 
was organized in llie place of the Cotton Mill Com- 
pany, lie was also an extensive stockliolder an<l took 
an active interest in the welfare of that enterprise. 
Anioni,' the pioneers and w<n-tiiy citizens who 
were the founders of Hock County and labored in 
its behalf until it was equal in rank to any in the 
State, Mr. Myers was ever a leader. He was ec- 
centric and his manner was regaided as very pecu- 
culiar by tliuse who were not intimately .acquainted 
with him, but underneatli tlie odd exterior w.ns a 
heart throbliing with loyalty for liis county and he 
manifested this noble virtue in the erection of more 
and liner buiUiings than any other man in Hock 
County. It was by careful attention to his busi- 
ness and being conversant with every detail that he 
accumnlateil wealUi. He cared little for the luxu- 
ries of this life and instead of living at ease as a 
man of his weallli could atTord to do. he still con- 
tinued business pursuits and added to his large 
iH-operty. In the accumulation of a handsome 
competence he had the able assistance of a noble 
^— 



and faithful wife. .She is a woman of more than 
ordinary ability, possessed of great energy, industry 
and fair judgment, and it is probable that without 
her encour.agement .and assistance Mr. Myers would 
have harilly attained to that degree of success 
which ciovvne(l liis laltors. The many improvements 
in the Myers House which were mailc iluring the 
year ISKS, were planned by him but upon his w fe, 
who was left a widow in the early part of that year, 
devolved the labor and responsibility of excciiliMg 
them, and this dut}' was well performed. In the 
ilcath of Mr. Myers, Janesville met with no ordi- 
nary loss. 15nt few men, even though they i)os- 
sessed the means, would have done so much for 
the city as he has done, and his life in this respect 
is certainly worthy of emulation. Coming to 
■lanesville when the city was in it« infancy he 
watched its growth from hamlet to village, from 
village to city, until it became the lliriving me- 
tro|M)lis of this part of the State. He saw the fiop- 
ulation incresise from a few scattering pioneers to 
between 12,000 and 13,000 inhabitants, and with 
his own hands he added m.aterially to the wealth 
and beauty of the IJower Cit}-. His earthly career 
was one of nsefulne.ss and in the hearts of not only 
his family but many . many friends will his memory 
long be cherished. 



to e) 



-i.— 



f^ll MUS E. UKICAHT. a leading f.irmer resid- 
Jjl ing on section 21. Turtle Township, i> 
11) numbered .among its settlers of 1856, since 
gj, which time he has been quite prominently 

identified with the history of the county. He has 
ever been ready to aid in the advancement of its 
interests, has particii)atcd in its [irogress and devel- 
opment, and is a valuable and worthy citizen. 

Amos K. Ueigart w.as born in Lancaster. I'a.. 
M.ay 11, 1822, and is a son of Kmanuel C. and 
Barb.ara (Swarr) Heigart. His parents were both 
born in Lancaster County, and were descended 
from (Jcrnian ancestry. The father was an inlln- 
ential citizen of that community, a prominent at- 
tornej' of the city of Lancaster, and represented his 
district in the St.ate Legislature. He was one of 
the committee sent to Philadelphia to alter the 



4^ 



UUCK CUUNTY. 



■•►HH^ 



5K7 



State Ciiiistitiition mid draft new laws, which were 
to liL' presoiiti'd to the Asst'inhly and voted npon 
liy that body. 

1m his early life Mr. Reiiiart was a nu'nil)er of 
the Whig party, hut joined tlie Hepuhliean parly 
on its organization. The death of his wife oeeurred 
ill 1.S38. She was a nu^iiher of the iMoravian 
C'hnieh, the oldest protestant eluirch now in exist- 
ence, while Mr. Reigart in his later years united 
with the l'resl)\terian C'liiireh, acting with that 
body until his death, which occurred in 180i). A 
family of seven children were Ikhii to Mr. and Mrs. 
lieigart, namely: .\mos E., who was the eldest; 
Henry a farmer of Clinton Township; Hamilton 
who is residing in Fluvanna County, ^'a.; .lohn II. 
who resides in Chicago but operates a farm in Rock 
County; Susan, widow of William 1'. liriltni. living 
in Lancaster, Pa.; Anna ('..widow of Samuel II. 
Sla\niaker, who was aniung the leading f.'irniers of 
the county, and Sarah, wife of II. II. McLenegen, 
a wealthy farmer residing in Turtle Township. 

The subject of this sketch received a liberal edu- 
cation in the scliools of Lancaster and York coun- 
ties, l'a.,and in early life learned the tanner's trade 
which he followed for a livelihood in his nalive 
cilv for several years. !)is|R)sing of his business 
he Ihcn liecanie proprietor of a saw-mill which he 
operated some time. Notwithstanding he met with 
losses (occasioned by high water he was (piite suc- 
cessful in this business, but at h'ligth selling out he 
turned his attentiijii to fanning anil engage<l in the 
cultivation of his father's land until 1!S.")C, when 
determining to make his future home in the \\'esl 
he became a resident of Rock County. In Turtle 
Townslii|> he purchaseil 1 4C acres of but partially 
impro\ed land which he at once began to improve 
and cultivate. .Many tine improvements have since 
been made in accordance with his plans and under 
his directions and his farm is considered one of the 
best in tiie county. It comprises 200 acres on sec- 
tion '>{, and 240 acres on section 22, which is un- 
der a iiigh st.ale of cultivation, while the home with 
all its surroundings indicate thrift and relinement. 

l'r"vions to his removal to tiie West Mr. Reigart 
led to the marriage altar, on the Tith day of March, 
1H,')(), Miss Lulitia A. .Montgomery, one of Penn- 
sylvauias' fair daughters, a native of Lancast<T 




County. Her parents, .lohn R. and Mary C.Mont- 
gomery, were also born in the Keystone Slate. 
Their union has been hicssed with two cliildrcii: 
Mary C. wedded William \'. Whitlield. who now 
has charge of the home faiin, and to them have 
been born two childien — Kllmaker R. and William 
V. Jr. ; Emanuel C.,the second child, is still at home. 
Mr. and Mrs. Reigart have provided their children 
with good opportunities for securing an e<lucation 
such as will fit them for the practical duties of life. 
The lady is a member of the Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Reigart is a man of great intelligence, devotes 
much of his time to reading, and is the owner of 
one of the best libraries in this section. 



'iSiS**^'!;^ 



^*.C-<ff5tf- 



j]j[^OI!ERT M. IIOSTWICK, dealer in .h.tliing 
,L^ and furnishing goods, of Janesville, is a 
\ I'lilive of New York, ami was born in the 
^^, town of IJethany, Genesee County, on the 
21tli day of January, 183(;, and is a son of Joseph 
and Fannie (Matteson) IJostwick. He removed to 
the town of Stafford, in the same county, with his 
parents when two years of age. He atteniled the 
pulilic schools, and ill 1847 came witli his parents 
to Janesville, Wis. \\ hen tliirteeii yearsof age he 
licgan clerking with the firm of Stone A' Gaites, 
general merchants of Janesville, continuing witii 
that firm until they went out of business, when 
he engaged with Mr. H.-iyford, remaining witli that 
house until they closed out. lie then engaged with 
H. S.Shelton, general merchant, and served with that 
gentleman as s-desman for four years. Next lie was 
with II. O. Clarke & Co., and in 1*858 acceiited a 
[wsition in the extensive mercantile house of M. C. 
Smith. In 18(!4 he formed a partiiershii) with Mr. 
Smith in the clothing business, which connection 
continued until 1872, when he bought Mr. Smith's 
interest, and since that time he has l)een alone in 
the business. 

On the 12th day of February, I8t>.'i, .Air. liostwick 
w.as married .at Janesville to Miss Helen iM. Hailey, 
the first white girl born in Janesville, and a daugh- 
ter of W. H. H. and Mary (Dickson) Bailey. Her 
parents came to Janesville in the fall of 18;5(;, and 
her father w.as one of the leading men of the [lio- 



Wi 



r 



1 a'J« 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



iiecr days of that city. (See sketcli of Mr. Bailej' 
t'lscwliere in this work.) Mr. and IMrs. Bo.-itwit-k 
are the parents of seven children, six of wiioni are 
livin;^. Morris M., the eldest, was educated in the 
city schools, studied law and was admitted to the 
har in 1885, and is now eraploj'ed in his fathei's 
store; Kenno B. was educated in the Janesville 
schools and is also clerking for his father; .John I), 
died April 24, 1883. The younger nienibers of the 
family are Kva II.. Mary B. and Mark W. The 
youngest son is clerking for his father. 

Mr. Bostwick is a democrat in politics hut has 
never sought or desired political preferment, lie 
is a mcniher of the Wisconsin Lodge No. 14, I. O. 
(). l'., .-ind also of Oriental Lodge No. 22 K. of P. 
Of the last-named lodge he was a charter member. 
Mr. Bostwick has now licen a resident of Janesville 
forty-two years, and for thirty years of that time 
has been identified with the mercantile l)usiness of 
the city. His clothing house is one of the best 
stocked in the town, and is as widely and favorabl}' 
known :is any store in Hock River ^'alle3^ As a 
business ni.an he ranks among the first in the city, 
.•ind his upright .'ind honorable dealings in all his 
ii'.tercourse with his fellow citizens have won their 
rei;:ard and conlidence. 



,^;^ AMUKL IlONEYSKTr, a representative 
^^^ taiinci- and stock-raiser rcsiiling on section 
Id//))) '' ^ I'lymoulh Townshiii, born Nov. 16, 
1828, is a native of England, where he 
p.'issed his life until 18UI. Boarding the ship 
"Avey" on the 10th of April he sailed for the New 
World, and after a voyage of six weeks lan<led in 
(■iuebec on the 30th of Ma\ . lie then went to 
Cleveland, Ohio, proceeding from that city by 
steamer to Milwaukee, where he secured a team and 
came to Kootville, Rock County. For some time 
he w!is employed by Cary Beach and others in the 
neighborhood, and in 18,')3 he made his first pur- 
chase of land, consisting of a tract of forty acres of 
timber. Cutting down the trees hegrulibed u|)tlie 
stumps, vr else disposed of them by dynamite, then 
broke the liuid with ox-teams, and in the course of 
lime placed his land ;ill under cultivation. By sub- 



«4«- 




sequent purch.aso he extended the bouu<l:iries of his 
farm until it comprised 300 .acres, lOo of which he 
has since disposed of. His faim is now one of the 
most beautiful ami productive in I'lynioiith Town- 
slwp, a result due entirely to his efforts. 

Mr. Iloneysett makes a specialty of raising Dur- 
ham cattle, and in connection with his farming 
interests works at the mason's trade during the 
summer niontlis. lie assisted in the erection of the 
Catholic Church, was employed on the resi<lences 
of Messrs. I'ankhiirst, Ogden, Duly, and a great 
many others, and his w^ork is always such as to win 
the approval of his employers. He also built many 
of the first cisterns in this part of the county, re- 
ceiving 4^12 for each. Proliably no man has done 
more for the upbuilding and advancement of the 
community where he resides than Mr. Honeysett, 
who for the long period of forty years has been 
identified with the history of Rock County. He 
built the first road to Footville, hauling brush and 
straw for about eighty rods, w'hich he covered with 
gravel and dirt. In many places he had to dig 
Slumps out of the road, breaking the ground with 
six yoke of oxen, but it is now one of the liest in 
the c(juulry and is a work of which Mr. Honeysett 
can well be proud. 

On the 27th day of Ma\. 18u(i, our sidtjcct was 
united in marriage with Miss Sophia Bailup. a na- 
tive of England, and by their union were boin nine 
children: Thomas who is now living in Spring ^'al- 
ley ; .lohn who is engaged in farming in the town 
of Center; William, who owns anil operates Uio 
acres of land, is living in Magnolia; riames has been 
in theempio}' of his father on the home farm since 
seventeen years of age; Annie died in October. 
ISoC; Samuel died on the l.'ith day of March. 18K0; 
Fiedciick an<l his wife reside on the old home f.-uiii, 
receiving >fMH) per year; Jesse is living ne.ar C.'islle 
Hock, Wash, and George. w4io has but lately at- 
tained his m.ajority, is still living at home. 

Mr. Honeysett and his wife are inenibers of the 
Baptist Church of t)rfordville. in which he has 
.served as Trustee for several years. He has also 
filled various official positions; for fourteen consec- 
utive years was .School T:easuier. and at the pres- 
ent time is a director. Since the organization of 
the Hepublican party he has been one of its faith- 



h 



ROCK COUNTV. 



599 4 



fill supporters and is a worthy and valued citizen 
of I'lynioulh Towiisliip, He lias ciulured tlio trials 
and liardsliips <pf piuncor life, hnl it is to such men 
wild iiiadc llicir lioiiics (jii the frontier, tliat Kiick 
County Kwi's iiuicli of her incseiil prosperity. 







:^/r()AKl.KV HU'rClUNSOX, junior part- 
ner of the firm of Rogers it Hutchinson, 
p.'iintcrs, of .laiH'sville, was horn in the town 
of March, in the Isle of Kly, Camhridiire- 
sliire, Kny-land, Nov. 12, lH2fi,aiid is a son of Tlio- 
inas and Sarali (Davis) HiUehiiisoii. Mr. Hiiteliin- 
son enjoys the singular anomaly of haviiiii' his 
liirth-day occur in November, while he was horn in 
March. He Iiegan liis business career as a clerk in 
ill a dry goods store in his native country, and in 
lH,')-2 emigrated to America, settling first in New 
^'ork City. In 185;") he came to Wisconsin, locat- 
ing at Dunkirk, and in 18,i9 removed to .lanes- 
ville where he has since resideil. lie leariuMl the 
painter's trade in this city, and in 1H(')2 formed a 
partnership in that line with Henry Rogers, under 
the firm name of Rogers A' Hutchinson, which con- 
nection has continued without interruption until 
the present time, covering a peri<i(l of twenty-seven 
years. They carry a full line of |)ainls, oils and 
varnishes, .and do house, sign and de<'orative (jaiiit- 
ing in the best methods and latest ap|)roved styles. 
Oil the 2oth day of August, IS52, at Orosber- 
ton, Lincolnshire, Eni;laiid, Mr. Hutchinson was 
united in the holy bonds of nialiiinony with Miss 
Sarah Kli/.abeth Ingainills, a d.augliter of Saul In- 
gaiiiills, and a native of Cambridgeshire. Ten 
children were born to them, of whom but three are 
living al this writing. Thomas S.aul, the eldest, 
was born in New York Cit}' in 1803, and dieil in 
1«56; .James Frederick was born at Dunkirk, Wis., 
in IS.tG; Ambro.se at Dunkirk in 1858, and died in 
ISiIO; .Sarah Elizabelh was born at .lanesville, in 
1S(;2. married Kdwuril H. MitrdtH-k in 1884, ami 
died in 188fi; Henrietta, born at .lanesville in 1 8(>3, 
and ilied in IS7tl: Willinin M., born at .lanesville 
in l.s(')5, died the same year; Susanna Martin was 
born at .Innesville in ISfifi; Kmma Maud, in the 
same city iii ISTO, died in 1S72; Allhea lugnmills. 



born in 1872, died in 1881; Stoakley Ingainills waj* 
born in 1873. The death of Mrs. Hutchinson 
occurred at .lanesville, on the 1 1th ilay of .lanuary, 
18H(l. 

IMr. Hutchinson is a Democrat in politics, and 
served one term as alderman ■•iiid one as supervisor 
in the Rock Count}' Board. Socially he is a meni- 
ber of .lanesville Lodge No. 55, A. F. iV A. M. 
He is well skilled in his business, having followed 
the traile of a p;iiiiler for more tli.Mii lliiity years 
with marked success; and as a n(ughbor and citizen 
has ahv.ays been known a,; a man of strict integrity 
and courteous, kindly manner. The firm of Rogers 
!.{■ Hutchinson is the oldest in their line in the city, 
;in<l does a business equal to, if not greater, than 
that done by all the others in the citv combined. 



^^ HARLlvS SKFLLY, a merchant of .lanes- 
.l( _ ville, is !i native of Reamstowii, Lancaster 
^^i' Co., Pa., and was boni .luly i:>. lS2'.t. His 
parents were .John anil Christ i:iiia (Musser) Skellv, 
of whom a sketch .appears elsewhere in this work. 
Our subject was reared to manhood upon a farm, 
and in his early years learned the carpenter's trade, 
•at which he worked l)Ut a short time. In 1848 he 
came to .lanesville. where his parents had located 
a short time [U'evious. He engaged in the grocery 
business in 1851, in which he w.as joined by his 
brother in I8G3, and continued in that line until 
18G7. He was next employed as salesman with M. 
C. Smith, a leading merchant of this city, with 
whom lie remained for thirteen years. He subse- 
quently clerke(l for R. M. Rostwick for awhile, and 
h.is since tdien charge of closing out sales of bank- 
rupt stocks. 

A marriage ceremoii}- |)erforined on the Kith 
day of .lune, 18(12, united the destinies of Mr. 
Skellv anil Miss Amanda Crall. daughter of -loliii 
and .Sarah Crall, a history of whose lives is given 
iu this volume. The lady is a native of Richland 
County, Ohio. Six children were born of their 
union, four sons and two daughters. Rnrtoii, born 
.Sept. 20, 18G3, died May 27. IMC5; Willard .1., 
born .Ian. 31. 18GG, is the junior partner of the 
firm of KiiiLT 't SkelU'. stationers and book-sellers 
. ■» 



i. 



t 



^ noo 



/ 



-«»> 



ROCK COUNTY. 



of Janesville; Charles Elmer, lioiii Sept. 6. 
1869; George W., Sept. 26. 1«71 ; Sadie C, Oct. 
4. 1874, and Florence N., horn .Jan. 15, 1880, 
died March •2!l, 1886. Mr. Skelly and his family 
attend the Episcopal Church. In political senti- 
ment he is a Democrat, but ha.s never been an 
oflice-. seeker, yet he did accept a position on the 
School Board of the city, and served four years as 
a member of tliat body. For more than forty 
years Mr. Skelly has been a resident of Janesville, 
and has l)y his niiriuht and honorable life won the 
good opinion and confidence of the best c>f his 
fellow citizens. 



►»!« ; • I "-— 



-t 



¥^ I^II.LIAM H. HATFIELD, who is numbered 
among the early settlers of Rock County, 
is a leading farmer, residing on section 21), 
Union Township. lie was l)orn in Wethersfield, 
\V\-oining Co., N. Y., and was the fourth in a 
fainilv of six chililren, whose parents were Nathan 
and Cynthia (Wetniorc) Ilatlield. who were both 
natives of the Em|)ire State. In 1833 he removed 
with the family to Huron County, Ohio, where the 
father entered land in what was known as the 
Western Reserve. His location was in the midst 
of the heavy timlier, which he had to cut away in 
order to make a phice to erect his house. He 
cleared the land and in the course of time devel- 
opeil one of the best farms in Huron County, 
which lie continued to cultivate and improve until 
his ileath, which occurred in 1846. He was a 
(piiet. unassuming man. whose interests centered in 
his home :nul family, and was a worthy and valued 
citizen. Mrs. Hatfield survived until 185;'), when 
she was called to meet the loveil one gone before. 
Of their six children four are now living. Mary 
A., the eldest, is deceased; Elmira is the wife of 
C^MUS Frances, a farmer, resident of North Dakota; 
Hannah L., widow of .lames Howell, makes her 
home in Ohio; William is the next in order of 
birth; Harriet wcdileil (ieorge Rowcliff, who is en- 
gaged in agricultural p\irsuits in Peoria County. 
111., and Charles N., the youngest of the family, 
died at the age of thirteen vears. In Huron 
County. ( )liio, the children were reaicd. and on at- 

4» 



taining matuie years were married and left the 
parental roof. 

()ur sul)jcct was educated in the common schools 
of Huron County, and remained at home until 
after the death of his mother, in 1855. lloth i)a- 
rents then having jjassed away, he started out in 
life for himself, and in February. 1856, came to 
Rock County, locating in the town of Magnolia. 
In the month of January, 1857. he married Miss 
Margaret Evans, a native of England and a daugh- 
ter of .Tohn and Jane (Evansl Evans. Her parents 
emigrated to America about the year 1851, and be- 
came residents of Albany, Green Co., AYis., where 
her mother died in 1855. Mrs. Hatfield came 
about two years later. Her father afterwards re- 
moved to Nebraska, making his home in Tecumseh. 
Johnson County, where his death occurred in 1S65. 
Mrs. Evans was a member of the E|)iscopal Church, 
and they were the parents of ten children, but only 
two of that once numerous family are now living — 
John, a retired farmer, residlnu' in Wisconsin, and 
the wife of our suliject. 

In 1857, Mr. Hatfield, having purchased ninety 
acres of land on section 2!l, in the town of Union, 
removed to his new farm, upon which he has from 
that time continuously resided. The uncultivated 
land by his energy and labor was soon transformed 
into a tract of rich fertility, to which he has since 
added until now 172 broad acres p.ay trilnitc to 
his care and cultivation. He has jfiven eighty 
acres to hi.s sons. The many fine improvements 
found thereon are the work of his h.ands, and ever^-- 
thing aliout the place indicates the thrift and enter- 
prise of the ownei'. He is a [jractical and |)r<»grcssive 
farmer, and is a leading citizen of the township. 

I>y the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield six chil- 
dren were born, namely: William E.. who wc(hled 
Wealthy Wowlcy.aml is now engaged in farming iu 
Union Township, near the old homestead; Charles 
L., who became the husliand of Seba Shaw, is the 
owner of a farm adjoiuinu' his father; Fi'cd 1!. is 
still at home; two children died in infancy, and 
(ieorge H. died in March. 1888. The death of 
Mrs. Hatfield occurred on the Hlh day of M.ay. 
1880. She was a lady beloved by all who knew 
her for her Christian virtues, her high moral char- 
acter and kindly bearing tow.-ird all. In 185'.) she 



^^U 



4 



4^ 



HOCK COUNTY. 



001 



united with the BajUist ciiiiich, as did also Mr. 
IlatrK'id.aiid her piaee in the house of worship was 
sehhmi vae;uit. Shi' hihored hniL;' and earnestly' in 
in her INIaslcr's vineyartl, and was also an iiidefati- 
•iahli' wiirl<ir In the interests of tiie Sunday-school. 
'I'lie distrcsse(l and needy found in her a true 
friend, and her death was not alone nniurned hy 
her family, l)Ut her loss was felt thrDUghout the 
conmiunity. Ciinscious of a well-spent life, she 
had no fears for the future, and when the final 
suinnions eanie she w:is ready to respond to the 
Master's call. 

Mr. Hat held was again married, his second union 
l)eini;- with a sister of his former wife, Martha M. 
Kv;nis, who is a most eslimalile lady. She was 
born in Shropshire, Kn<j;lanil, and eame with the 
family to America. She is ;dso a member of the 
Baptist Chuich, .'uid feels a deep interest in its wel- 
fare. Mr. Hatlielil started in life in limited circum- 
stances, but by energy, economy, industry and 
good business ability, has aceumidatcd a conipe- 
tene\ for his declining years. He h.as filled vari- 
ous odicial positions in the schools and church, and 
has ever been an active woiker in the temperance 
cause, and at its formation joined forces with the 
Prohibition party. .VII social, eiluc.ational and 
moral interests are sure of his support and iiilbi- 
ence, an<l he has been iiroinineutly idenlilicd with 
the leading enterprises of the community. Fcjr 
three \ears Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield resideil In Kv.ans- 
ville. where they owned a handsome residence, but 
in the spring of IMS!) returucil to the old farm. 
They ha\c one of tju' most plci.sant homes lo be 
found in the county, and .arc suirounded with all 
thai goes to make life pleasant. 



-5-+-7SK 




i'HOM.VS HOLMKS. who has retired from ac- 
tive life and now resides in the villasje of 
.Sho|>iere, is numbered among the earlv set- 
tlers of this county. He was born in Londontlerry, 
N. H., March 1(1, l«i;{, and is the son of John and 
Sarah (Anderson) Holmes, who were descended 
from the ohl I'urllan stock. Their familv num- 
bered \'\\r children, of wiiom four grew to manhood 
ami Womanhood — .lames, who was a proniin<>nt 

\-M^ 



minister of the Congregational Church, served as a 
missionary in Ohio for several years, and for the 
long period of twenty-one years had charge of the 
church at Auburn. N. H., has passed to his reward, 
dying in 188H. Thomns is the next child; Caroline 
widow of Kev. William Murdock, is a resident of 
West Boylston, M.ass.; and J. A., the youngest, 
whose sketch is given elsewhere, resides in this 
county. In ISl'.l, ilio mother of these children 
was called to her final rest, leaving her familv of 
four little ones. She was a member of the I'resbv- 
terian Church. Mr. Hohnes w.as .ag.-iin nnnrled, 
his second union being with .Miss Marv Adams, of 
Dairen, N. H.. a daughter of William A-huns. She 
gave the kindest care and attention to the mother- 
less little ones, superintending their education and 
devoting herself to thera as a.ssidu<nisly as their 
own mother coidd have done. Mr. and Mrs. 
Holmes were liolh members of the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he served as elder for m.-inv 
years. He was always foumi In his place duriuu' 
the church services and gave liberall\- of his means 
to advance the cause of Christ on carlh. His death 
occurred In Lnndoudcrrs . N. H., about the vear 
ISi'iKand but a short time after his wife also de- 
|)arted this life. 

The piimary educ.-illon of onr subject was re- 
ceived in his native city, and supplementeil b\ a 
course at the Academy of Andover, Mass. I ntll 
twenty-four years of age, he remained at home 
with his parents, when he went lo Pitlsburo-, pu., 
and engaged in the profession of teachinij durin<' 
th(^ winter of IH.'iT. 'I'he following year he was 
employed as a clerk in a wholesale grocerv house 
until he established himself in the retail boot and 
shoe business in that city. Continuing in that line 
until 1812, he then went to Watertown. Ohio, 
where he embarked in business, carrying a gencial 
line of merchandise. This stock he disposed of in 
181!), and returned to New Hampshire, visiting his 
old home and remaining with his parents until after 
the death of his father in 18i')0. His next place of 
residence was at Cordaville. Mass., where lie ayain 
operated a general merchandise store until IH.'il. 
when once more he visited his old home. In l«.');i 
he sold out his stock and trade in Cordaville with 
the intt-nlioii of making his home in the West anci 



V 



■*►■ 



-4^ 



-•► 



' ' f>0-2 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-t 



acting upon this determination, located in Rock 
County, Wis. 

Previotirs to this tinie. Mr. Ilolines was married, 
Miss Mary A. Parker l)ecoraing' liis wife on the 
l.'Uli day of August. 1840. .Siie «as l)orn in Wor- 
cester County, Mass., Jan. 17, 1812, and is a daugh- 
ter of Gabriel and Olive (Fay) Parker, also natives 
of Massachusetts, and iironiinent nieiubers of the 
Congregational Ciiurch. Her father took a verj- 
active part in tiie work of that denomination, and 
for many years served as deacon in the society to 
wliich he lielonged. Both were called from this 
life to the realms above, while residents of Massa- 
chusetts. 

In 1853, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes started for their 
Western home, the husband having previous to 
this time i)iirchased a farm on section 8, Turtle 
Township, in Kock County, and in the little log 
cabin thej' began life in tliis State. The mode 
of living in the frontier was very different from 
that in the East, where every luxury and conven- 
ience could be secured, but Mrs. Holmes willingly- 
conformed her life to her changed surroundings 
and the days passed swiftly and merrily. .She was 
in very feeble health on her arrival in Rock 
County, but in tlie fresh and bracing air she soon 
regained her usual health and attributes much of 
her present vigor to her life on the frontier. After 
tluH'C years spent upon tlie farm. Mr. and Mrs. 
Holmes, in IHoli. removed to the village of Sho- 
picrc, where the husband engaged in general mer- 
chandising until 1877, wlien he laid .aside the du- 
ties of that life and has since given his attention 
to the management of his farming interests. He is 
the owner of 570 acres of l.and, 270 acres situated 
in tills county, and the remainder in .Spink County, 
Dak. He .also owns a handsome residence in Sho- 
piere, which is the liome of this worth}' couple. 
Mr. Holmes has held various local ollices of trust. 
For seven years he fdled the position of Town 
Clerk, was live j'ears Chairman of the Township 
Board and one year was Chairman of the County 
Board of Supervisors. Although his business in- 
terests were extensive, he has never neglected his 
religious duties, but h:us long been a faithful mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church, in which he hiis 
served in the capacity of deacon for many years. 



His wife is also a member of the same denomina- 
tion, and their influence and aid have ever been 
given in the promotion of moral, educational and 
social interests. Two children have been born to 
them. l)ut neither are now living. Their son, John 
A., died in his twenty-fiftli year. He wedded Miss 
Ella P'arr. daughter of Dr. Corydon Farr. who for 
many 3'ears was a prominent iihysician of Shopiere. 
and they became the parents of one child. Nellie, 
who is a graduate of the High .School of White- 
water. ,She is now living with her mother, wlio 
has since wedded Uewitt \'an Valem, in While- 
water, Wis. 

Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have now grown old. but 
they can look back over a life whose years have 
been well spent. The}' receive the highest respect 
and love of all with whom they have become ac- 
quainted, and are honored as pioneers and citizens. 
For thirty -six years they have resided in this com- 
munity, and even when they shall have p:issed 
awaj- their memory will long be enshrined in the 
hearts of the citizens who have luad the pleasure of 
knowing these worthy people. 



(?!S^HO.MAS T. HARPER, who is engaged in 
farming and stock-raising on section 34, 
M.agnolia Townshi|), is a native of .Shetland 
Island, where his birth occurred Oct. 8, 18;?G. He 
is a son of IJohert and Su.san (Thompson) Harper, 
who were also born on Shellanil Island, and had a 
family of nine children. The father was a seaman, 
and for many years engaged in whale fishing. In 
1838, .accompanied by his family, he crossed the 
ocean to America, locating first in (ienesee County. 
N. Y.. where he resided until 1842. On landing 
he had but a small amount of money and a certili- 
catc from the pastor of his church, recommending 
him to the people of America. He soon secured 
work, iiowever, and while residing in lienesee 
County was enabled to save some mone}', which, 
on reaching Rock County, he expended for a small 
farm. Entering, as he supposed, eighty acres of 
land, he forwarded the money for the same to 
Washington, but when the land was surveyed it 
was found that he had but sixty-six acres, and the 




-♦ 



r 



4- 






'■■-5%5" 







,.^ 



-«i«- 




ROCK COUNTY. 



605 



surplus money was returned to him. Mr. Harper 
at once began the develupnieiit of a farm, and he 
became one of tlie large land owners of the county. 

The education of our subject was received in the 
<lislric'l ischool, and, until his mari'iage. lit; remained 
under the parental roof. In the nnjnth of Novem- 
ber, 18(U, he was joined in wedlock with Miss M.ary 
Ann Acheson, a native of Orange County, N. Y., 
and a daughter of William 15. and Margaret 
(Klliott) .Vcheson, who were also born in the Km- 
pirc State. The young couple began their domestic 
life upon the farm which they have now made 
their home for a fourth of a centur}'. The 
famil}' circle was completed liy the birth of nine 
children, six daughters and thiee sons — William 
.\., Robert T.. Susan K., Margaret J., Mary E., 
Thomas M.. Christina, Xellie 1). and Klla. 

When Mr. Harper k)cated on his farm it com- 
prised, as he thought, but eighty acres, but the 
original boundaries have been extended until now 
!!)() acres pay tribute to his care and cultivation. 
At the time of his (jurchase the land was in its 
primitive condition, but the labor and improve- 
ments which he has bestowed upon it have trans- 
formed the wild prairie into a farm of great fertil- 
ity and beaut}-. The shaile trees which now protect 
ihc home from the burning heat of the summer 
sun were planted and nurtured by Mr. Harper, and 
the entire siu'rounding.s indicate to the passer-by 
that the life of the owner has not been an idle one. 
During the early days of the settlement of the 
county he shareil in the trials and privations of 
pioneer life, but has lived to see his adopted county 
become the banner count}' in this great common- 
wealth. Starting in life with only a young man's 
bright hoi)e of the future and a strong determina- 
tion to succeed, he has made his w.ay in the world 
unaiiled, overcoming all obstacles and surmounting 
all difficulties, until he at last became one of the 
well-to-do citizens of the community. In his de- 
clining years he can look back over a well spent 
life with no regret for the past or fear for the future. 
In political sentiment Mr. Harper is a faithful ad- 
herent to the Rei)ublican party, and at the last 
election, in 1888, the Harper family polled fourteen 
vt>tes for Harrison and .Morton. In religious con- 
nection lioth he and his wife are n\embers of the 



Presbyterian Church of Brodhe.ad. in which for 
many years he has filled the olHce of elder. None 
.are num'. actively interested in church work or do 
nu>re to advance the cause of the Master than our 
subject. I'.ut not alone in this direction is his life 
worthy of emulation. Charitable and benevolent, 
the poor have always found in him a true friend, 
whose aid is never sought in vain. Honored hy 
all, loved by many, he is a man without enemies, 
and his life has been well spent. 




ICIIARD HOrFK, a leading and represen- 
r^ tative farmer, residing on section i), town 
of Kulton, w.as born in Vorkshire, Eii<'- 
^, land, on the 3d day of November, 1821 , 
and is a son of Thomas and Ann (Wormley) 
Houfe. His father was a farmer, and followed 
agricultural pursuits during his entire life, ivhich 
he passed near York, England. He and his wife 
were the parents of seven children, but of that 
family only two are now living — Beckwith, who 
still resides in his native land, and Richard, tlic 
subject of this sketch. 

The death of Mrs. Houfe occurred when Richard 
was but five years of age, and his father died 
before he had reached his eleventh year. He then 
made his home with an elder brother, who was a 
bricklayer and phisterer, and with him learned tb.at 
trade. His education was received in the common 
schools of his native land, and at the age of twenty- 
one years he started out in life for himself, receiv- 
ing at that time his inheritance from his father's 
estate, which amounted to §1,500. He continued 
to work at the trade which he had learned, and at 
the age of twenty-three years was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Ann Leedlc, their wedding being 
celebrated Dec. 3, 1843. The lady was also a na- 
tive of England, and their union was blessed with 
seven children, but four of whom are now living. 
Richard and Lizzie, the two elder, are deceased ; 
Ann has also passed away; Anna M.. born Jidy 5, 
1850, is the wife of F. H. Green, a resident of Ne 
br.aska; Riclianl Henry, born May 15, 1853, is 
living in the town of I'ortcr; Emma (;.. born 
.Inly 31, 1859. is now the wife of K. W. I'hillips. a 



*► ■ ■^» 



a 



4^ 

606 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Hr 



resident of Evansville; andThomns B.. tlie young- 
est, born Oct. 26, 1862, is still at liomc. The cliil- 
dren all received liberal educational advantages. 
and are now respected inen and women in the 
various coinmnnilies where they reside. 

Mr. .and Mrs.Houfe began their domestic life in 
their native land, where the Inisbaiid workeil n{ iiis 
trade of bricklaying and plastering until 18 lH. 
when he resolved to try his fortune in the New 
World, and accompanied l)y his family came to 
America. He embarked on a. vessel which sailetl 
from Liverpool, and after a long and tedious voy- 
age of five weeks and three days landed in IS'ew 
York City. His destination was Wisconsin, and 
after a short slay in the eastern metropolis he con- 
tinued his journey until i caching Cooksville, in 
the town of Porter. Looking about him for a de- 
sirable location, he purchased eighty acres of land 
in Dane County, and erected a small brick house; 
but after a year he sold out and resumed work at 
his trade, which ho followed for ten years. He was 
an expert workman and found no difficulty in get- 
ting employment, as the services of an able laborer 
are always in demand. After a decade spent in 
that line, he once more turned his attention to 
farming, and pvnchased 142 acres in the town of 
Porter, which was hut partially improved. The 
next ten years were spent in its cultivation and im- 
provement, when he sold out and removed to Kd- 
gerton, where he engaged in buying and selling 
stock. He also operated a meat market in connec- 
tion with his other business, carrying on the two 
lines fur twenty years. In I8H0 he purchased 187 
acres of arable land on section i». in the town of 
Fulton, where he has resided continuously ever 
since. His farm, which is one of the best in the 
town, is in a high state of cultivation, and is pleas- 
antly situated adjoining the city limits of Edger- 
ton. He gives special attention to the raising of 
line stock, especially Norman horses and shoit-liorn 
cattle, of which he has a very line herd. JMr. Iloufe 
hits filled the office of Treasurer of the town of 
Eulton, and since becoming a resident of thel-niled 
States, has cast his ballot with the Republican 
partv. He encourages by his inlluence and linan- 
cial support all public I'uterprises for the up-liuild- 
ing of the comnuiiiity. and is recognized as a man 

mt """ 



of sterling worth and strict integrity. His wife, 
who is a most estimable lady, is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Edgerton ami .ui 
eirnest believer in the faith of that denon)inatiou. 
Mr. Houfe and his family are well known throuyh- 
out Rock Count}', and a brief sketch of tlieii- lives 
is deserving of a jdace in its |)ernianent record. 

An interesting feature of tliis volume are the 
portraits of Mr. Ibiufe and his wife, which may be 
found on nnolher page. 



1^--?^-^ 



_^LEXANI)ER COLDKN WICGINS. who 
@/L)J! is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising on section 3."), Center Township, 
has been numbered among the citizens <»f 
this county since 1853. all of which time he has 
been identified with the leading interests of his 
township. He was born June 22, 1794, in New 
Windsor, Orange Co., N. Y., and is a son of Will- 
iam Wiggins. His paternal grandfather was born 
in 1732, and died in 180L His father was born in 
176.'), in New York, an<l was descendeil from Eng- 
lish ancestry. He married Miss Fannie Smith, in 
17!t3, and unto them was born but one chihl. our 
sul)ject. The mother died in 1794. and Mr. Wig- 
gins v\as again united in marriage in 1795, his sec- 
ond union being with Phtebe Hewlett. liy that 
marriage seven children were born: William 11., 
born in 1796; Stephen, in 1797; Francis W., in 
1798; Jacob W., in 1800; Samuel, in l,S(i5: Ceorge^ 
in 1807; ;iiid Cluarlotte, who was born in lHlii,and 
died in 1886. The death of the father occ Mincil in 
1838. 

The subjert of this sketch was reared to man- 
hood in his native county, and t)n the 24th day of 
March, 1823, wedded Miss Pha'be Still, who was 
born in Orange County, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1802. (Jn 
the 27th <l.ay of December following, she was called 
to her last rest. Mr. Wiggins was .again married 
•Inly 1 1 , 1825, when Mrs. Rachel (Newburg) Crissy 
became his wife. She was also a native of Orange 
County, born Ahiy 20, 1805. Ten chiklren graced 
their union, five sons and five daughters, namely : 
.lames, who w.as born Jan. 18. 1K27. married Miss 
Sarah Payne, and is now engaged in farming in Sioux 



H 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



607 > 



County, Iowa; Theoilore, born ^larcL 11, 1829, 
(lio(l on the 2(1 day of April following; William, 
wlio was born I'\'b. Ili, 1830, and served as a meni- 
bor of tlio ijtli ^Visl•onsin Infantry under (ien. 
(irant, losing a leg at the battle of the \\'il(lerne.si<, 
was uiiiUMJ in marriage with Mrs. Mary .lane East- 
man, anil is now llvingiu Evansville. Hock County; 
Frances J. . I)(>rn in Se|iternbei', I8;J2, wedded Henry 
Mettlei'. wiio died in 187 I. .iftei' whieh siie beeamc 
tiie wife of Henjaniin Bond; Harriot Maria, born 
Dee. 11, I8;i4. died Sei)t. ."). IX'M>; Emily, born 
Aug. 11), 18:!7. became the wife of Abel Barlow, 
and died Nov. 22, 1878; Cornelia, born Feb. 2.^, 
IM-IO, is unmarried; Alex, born May 13, 1842, now 
the iuisband of Miss Edna Helms, enlisted in the ser- 
vice of his eouutry in the ranks of the 13th Wisconsin 
Infantry, Company A. served over four years, and is 
now f.inniiig in I'lymouth Township, Rock County; 
Catherine, Ixjrn Oct. 22, 1845. is still single; 
Jjicul). born .laii. 18, 1850, is now engaged in oper- 
ating the old humeste.Md. Me wa> united in niai - 
riage Dee. 25, 18«4. with Mrs. Flora A. (Van 
Camp) Miller, who was born Dec. IK, 1855, and is 
a daughter of Nelson .nud Hannah (Colburn) Nan 
Camp. 

In 1H5.'5 Mr. Wiggins e:ist liis lot with the set- 
tlers of Rock County, Wis., and the same year pur- 
chased the farm which I'as since continued to be 
his home. He bought 380 acres of prairie land 
and a Kl-acre Wdod lot. The laud had been broken, 
but ni'ver ])lanted, and the improvemcTits were in- 
deed few. There was upon the i)laee at that time 
what is kniiwu as a griivel house, consisting of two 
rooms and an attic, but in 1852 it was replaced by 
the line structure, the present home of our sul)jcct. 
Mr. Wiggins has endured the trials and privations 
of pioneer life, and has aided in the developnien! 
of the county, having by his untiring lahor and 
energy made one of the model faims uf tlic com- 
niunity. In ItiHl he was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died on the 31st day of 
March. Tluy had traveled life's journey together 
for almost lifly-si.K years, and her death pro\ ed a 
sad loss. 

Mr. Wiggins cast his b;\llot with the ^^ hig party 
until the org;iui//ition of the l{epul)lic;in party, 
when he became closely ideiitiHed with its interests, 



continuing to support that paity until recently, 
when he l)ecanie allieil with the rrohibilioni.sts. 
His first Presidential vote was ca.st for John Quincy 
Adams, and he has lived under all the administra- 
tions from Washington to Harrison, and rcraendiers 
well the death of the first President. He is a 
niember of the Methodist Church, and has always 
done all in his |)Owei- to advance the religious, 
educational, and social interests of the community. 
An honored pioneer and worthy citizen, Mr. Wig- 
gins receives the respect of all who know him, and 
is held ill high esteem for his many excellences of 
character. 

eHARLE.S H. WILDER, the leading lumlier 
merchant of Evansville. is a native of the 
Empire State, having been born at Attica, 
Wyoming County, on the 12th day of Ajnil, 1824. 
He is descended from one of the eaijy families of 
Massachussetts, his ancestors having emigrated 
from England to America in 1G38. A complete 
genealogy of the Wilder family has been [)repare(l 
by the Rev. Moses Hale Wilder and is very com- 
plete in its charsicter, containing ab^ut six thousand 
names and extending back to 1597, forty-one years 
anterior to the time of the founding of the family 
in America. Abel Wilder, the grandfather of our 
our subject, who removed with his family from 
M.assachussetts to Oneida County. N. Y., was born 
May 15, 17(;8. He married Miss Eunice Hale, and 
the date of their removal was 1811. He died in 
1825, after which the family removed to Attica, 
N. Y., where the death of the mother occurred in 
1847. 

Charles Wilder, the father of our subject was born 
in Massachussetts, .September, 1794, and at the 
time of the removal of the family to Attica, had 
attained to man's estate. He learned the trade of a 
carpenter and builder, and wedded Miss Amanda 
Conger. For many years he resided in the village 
of Var^sbuig, in the town of .Sheldon, and was one 
of the representative men of that community. He 
served as .lustice of the Peace for many years, also 
held various other local otiices of trust and occu- 
pied the position of iSuperintcndeiil of the Poor for 



608- 



■•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



many jears. His death occurred Oct. 14, 1868. his 
wife surviving liiin over two years, lier death oc- 
curring May 22. 1871. She was horn on tlie 2mh 
day of May, 1800. Mr. and Mrs. Wilder were the 
parents of eight eliildren. five sons and three 
daughters, all of wlioni grew to yeans of maturity 
with the exception of one son, wiio died in cliihl- 
liood. Harriet, tlie eldest in the family, is the 
widow of Wynian H. Ainsworth, and resides in 
Varysljurg, N. Y.; Cliarles H., of this sketch, is the 
second in order of hirth; Lucian J., is now en- 
gaged in merchandising in Brool<lyn. Green. Co., 
Wis. •,Erotus, of the firm of Wilder. Collins & Com- 
pany. -wliolesale lunilier merchants of Madison; Lucy 
A., now Mrs. Tuttie. makes her home in Johnsons- 
burg, N. Y. The deceased members of the family 
who died after reaching in:itnre years were Mary 
Janette, who when a young lady went to Canadii, 
and engaged in teaching, and became the wife of 
Harmon Henry, a prominent farmer of Wetland 
County, Ont.. and died Oct. 20, 18GJ while on a 
visit to her parents at ^'arysburg; (ieorge M., who 
was Slieriff of Wyoming County. N. Y., at the 
time of his death, died in Warsaw, that .State, in 
February, 1875. 

The siiliject of this sketch was reared to man- 
hood in Wyoming County, and comi)leted his edu- 
cation at the Sheldon High Sclmol at \arysburg. 
N. Y. When twenty years of age he went to 
Canada, where he engaged in teaching, continuijig 
to follow that profession for several years. 

On the 22d day of Marcli. 1840. Mr. Wilder led 
to the marriage altar Miss Annette Noyes. a n.-itive 
of Bennington, Wyoming County, who w.as b(;rn 
Oct. 19. 183n. At that time he rented a farm near 
IngersoU. Ontario, and eng.aged in dairying, being 
one of the first to engage in that industry in Can- 
ada. After three years he returned to New Yoik. 
locating in the town of Bennington, where he pur- 
chased a farm, and at once began its cultivation, 
also devoting considerable attention to the raising 
of sheep. The succeeding four 3 ears were S|)ent 
in that line, when he sold his land and came to the 
West, making his home in (ireen County. Wis., 
where he again eng.agetl in agricultural pursuits 
on a farm purchased the previous year. He then 
resumed general farming but soon .-igain turned his 



<^ 



attention to dairying. His previous experience 
in that line had given him a thorough knowledge 
of the business, and he was one of the first to engage 
in that enterprise in the State. 

Soon after the death of his wife which occurred 
April 21, 1H(>4. Mr. Wilder sold out his business 
and returned to his native State, but ag.ain came 
to Wisconsin in 186.5, and at the earnest solicita- 
tion of the leading citizens of F^vansville. went to 
that town and there erected a cheese f.actory. In 
the tiianufacturc of cheese Mr. Wilder nry be 
regarded as one of the pioneers of Wisconsin. He 
erected his factory in the winter of 1865-6 and un- 
der his management, the industry became one of 
the most important of its character in the West. 
In 1x73. he began shipping the product of his 
dairv al>road and as an illustration of the business, 
it m.ay lie said that in 1«74. he shipped twenty- 
eight carloads of cheese to England, and the fiil- 
Ipwinsyi'ar slii|iped forty carloads to that country. 
Mr. Wilder was the first exporter of cheese from 
this State to Europe, and in the fall of l.s7,i. lu' 
went to the Old Wijrld to personally attend to his 
sales. In May. 1877 he embarked in the luinber 
business in Kvansville. sncct*ding the firm of 
Fifield A- (iould. He has perhaps the fini'st retail 
lumber yard in Wisconsin, and does a large busi- 
ness. His sales for 1875 were the largest foi- any 
oue year, amounting to 2.423,!)19 feet of boards 
and tiud)ers. 2,146.000 shingles, 5;54.()()0 lath, 
11,108 pounds of building paper. 476 doors, 1,038 
windows. 134 sets of blinds, and 53,942 feet of 
moulding. 

In .Iaiiu:iiv. ISIiT. Mr. Wilder was married to 
Miss Annette Lee, daughter of Zebulon T. and 
Sabra (Carter) Lee. Mrs. Wilder was born in the 
town of Daiien.fieneseeCo., N. Y., April 22, 1837, 
and tame West with her parents in 1842. The 
family settled in Darien. Walworth Co., Wis., and 
later removed to Allen's drove, where the father 
died. His wife departed this life April H), 1 S.S4. 
The family of which Mrs. Wilder is a mendier 
numbered seven children, six of whom are daugh- 
ters, the only son of the family being the youngest 
(•hild — t^uartus Lee. who died in early childhood: 
Laura Ann is now the widow of Chester I). Long, 
of Walworlh Counly : Mrs. Almlretl L. l!ah<ock 



^- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



t\\v(\ at Allen's Grove in November. 1879; Aurelia. 
is llio widow of Dr. Dickson of Allen's Grove, 
Wis; Sarah C. died in Walworth Connty; Annette, 
wife of our subject is till' next in order of birth; 
Julia became the wife of .loiin Anderson, and died 
in November, 1871. 

By his first marriage Mr. ^^'ilder has one son, 
Charles S., who was born Nov. G, IHijii. and is now 
residing in Madison, Wis. The second union has 
been blessed with three children — Louise Lee, 
Ralph Lee, and Corlyn Hale. 

Mr. Wilder is one of the representative citizens 
of I^vansville, and one of its most successful busi- 
nessmen, who by his own honest efforts, jiersever- 
ance and i)idustrv. t(>gelher with natural busine.«s 
ability, has made his own way in the world. He 
and his wife have a beautiful home in Evansville, 
erected in 1880. and are held in the highest re- 
gard by a large circle of acquaintances. 




=^KORGE SCAHCLIFF. the pi.ui.er meat 
^^^, market man of .lanesville, the longest in 
■;!^^i tli;it line of business of an^" in the city, is a 
native of Knglanil, and was born in Lincolnshire. 
.Ian. 18, 182(). His parents. Henry and Kleanor 
( llortiin) Scarcliff, was boiii in Hie same shire, and 
his father was a fanner and inkeeper. John .Scar- 
cliff, llif eldest brother of oui- siiliject. was the 
tirst of the family to come to America. He came 
in 1810. s(ieiit three years in the new world, and 
returned to Kngland in 1813. The same year ho 
returned to America with his second brother, 
lleniy. and (Jeorge followed in the spring of 1 84 L 
Oil coining to the I'liilecl Suites Mr. Scarcliff 
sp'-iit a few months at Hushville, near Batavia, 
N. v.. going from there to Rochester, where he 
learned the butcher's trade. Frcim Rochester he 
came to Kock County. Wis., on the third dav of 
July. 18 18, and opened a meal market at .lanes- 
ville. in tiimpany with his oldest brother. Five 
weeks later the brother, .lolin. was accidentally 
ibowned in the Hock River, ami the next younger 
brodier. Henry, then j()ined George in the butcher- 
ing business, under the name of H. A- CI. SearclifT 



In 1858 Henry Scarclifif withdrew, and George has 
since carried on the business alone. 

Mr. ScardilT was married at Janesville on the 
22(1 daj'of February, 1850, to Miss Sarah J. Ander- 
son, a daughter of William Anderson. Mrs. Sear- 
clifT was born in Upper Canada, and came to this 
city in 1845. .Six children have been born to 
them, two s<>ns anil four daughters, of whom only 
two are now living. F^mma A. was the wife of 
Charles B. Conrad, and died at the age of twenty- 
live years; Charlotte J. died aged twenty-three 
years; Clara Helen was the wife of Frank L. Smith, 
and died at the age of eighteen j'ears; Henry E. 
<lied in infancy; George, Jr., married Alice Allen, a 
daughter of Oscar Allen, and resides in .lanesville, 
and Norilla is the wife of Colin C. McLean, Secre- 
tary of the Janesville Manufacturing Company. 

Mrs. Scarcliff is a member of the First Baptist 
Church of Janesville. Mr. Scarcliff was a Whig in 
early life, but is now a Republican. He is the 
owner of IGO acres of farming land near Independ- 
ence, Iowa, in addition to agood pro|)erty in Janes- 
ville. Industrious and conservative in his habits. 
Mr. Scarcliff has held the even tenor of his w.-jy. 
attentive to the wants of his customers, fair and 
upright in all his transactions with his fellow men. 
and liighh- esteemed as a good neighbor and worthy 
citizen. 

^^^^^^ 

/^ HARLKS F. TURNER, photographer, at 
flf^^ No. 65 West IVHlwaukee street, established 
^^^ business in .lanesville in 1877. and. by skill 
and prompt .atlentiim to the wants of his cus- 
tomers, has built up a large ami still increasing 
business. He is up with the times in all the im- 
provements and discoveries in the line of photo- 
graphic .irt, and turns out work that is excelled by 
none. 

.Mr. Turner is a n.ative of Ohio, born in Urbana, 
Sept. 15. 1851, and is the son of Albertand .\manda 
(Matthew) Turner. His father wsis born in Lon- 
don, England, at Nn. l.Denston Road, Peckham 
Rye, and in early life crossed the Atlanti(; to 
.Xn.erica, locating at Springfield, Ohio, where he 
made his home for many years, and in that town 
was married. Thence he removed to ['rbana. and 

■» 




r 



. , 610 



ROCK COUNTY. 



=4- 




in 1858 came with his family to Wisconsin, anil 
settled at Monroe. Green Comity, where he residcil 
until 1882, wlien he lieeiime a resident of .lanes- 
ville. 

Charles F.. of this sketch, received a common- 
school education, and began the study of pholog- 
rapliy at Monroe, from which city he removed to 
Beloit. and later became a resident of Janesville, 
after which he located in Davenport, Iowa City, and 
Cedar Hapids, Towa. and then returned to Janes- 
ville. At all these various points he was engaged 
in his present business, and had a chance of per- 
fecting himself in his art. In 1877 he established 
his present g.-illery in Janesville, having now been 
in business in this citj- for twelve years, during 
which time his work h.as won popular favor, and 
his business has grown to important proportions. 

On the 13th day of September. 1876, Mr. Turner 
led to the marriage altar Miss Mary F. AVillinms, 
their wedding taking place in Janesville. The lady 
is a daughter of Randall Williams, a prominent 
early settler of Rock County, formerly of Penn- 
sylvania, where Mrs. Turner was born. Three 
children luive been born of their union, two sons 
and a daughter — Florence, Ray, and Charles Fred- 
erick, all born in Janesville. Mr. Turner is a Re- 
publican in politics, bnt h.as never sought or de- 
sired public office. He is a worthy citizen, and is 
held in high esteem by nianj- friends. 

■«■ ii ^ « ; i W > t « '? i» 111 

hA ORRIS CLARK SMITH, who was for many 

ll i\\ .^ ^'''*'''* ^''^ leading merchant of Janesville, 
jj * was born at Riga, Monroe County. IS'. Y.. 
* on the Ith of December, 1820. His par- 

ents. Lyman [and Kiuiice (Clark) Smith, were na- 
tives of Uerkshire County, Mass.. and were of early 
Pilgrim ancestry. Tliey removed to Monroe County, 
N. Y.. in early life, and were there numbered among 
the well-to-do people of the community, lieing re- 
spected and esteemed as exemplary citizens by all 
who knew them. 

Our subject w.as reared on his father's farm, re- 
ceiving his primary educalion in the distric* 
schools, Mild subseipiently look a thorough English 
and mathematical course at the Churchville Acad- 



emy. At the age of sixteen j'ears he started out 
in life for himself, entering the counting-room of 
Iv ^I. Clark (his mother's brother), a merchant of 
Royalton, Niagara County, N. Y., where he spent 
two years, and there laid the foundation of his 
commercial education. From Roj-alton he went 
to Batavin. where he spent seven years in the same 
line of business with Alva Smith. In September, 
] 84.S. he was united in marriage with Miss Bianca 
J. Allen, a daughter of Orange Allen. Esq.. of Ba- 
tavin, N. Y., and a niece of Judge Dibble, of that 
city, a very distinguished member of the judiciary 
of New York. Mrs. Smith was reared in the fam- 
ily of Judge Dibble, where she received the best 
educational and social advantages that wealth and 
the society of iieo])le of culture and refinement 
could afford. She died at Janesville. on the 26th 
day of April. 1881. leaving. Iiesides her husband, 
three sons and a daughter to mourn her loss. She 
was a lady of singularly amiable and sweet dis- 
position, who possessed that broad charily which 
so well becomes a true Christian spirit. Her de- 
votion to her family and earnest efforts in behalf of 
the temporal and spiritual welfare of her children 
marked every action of her life. One son. Edgar 
M.. died previous to the death of his mother, on 
the 13th of January. 1H72. in his twenty-third 
year. He was a bright, cultivated and promising 
young man. The surviving children are: Frank 
L., who is married and resides in Chic.igo, his, 
present wife being Kate I. Carter; Frc'Ierick A. 
who engaged in merchandising at Richland Center, 
Wis.; George H.. the youngest son. resides at 
Janesville; and Annie B., the only daughter, is 
the wife of Herbert A. Baker, a prominent grocer 
of this city. 

In the fall of 1847 Mr. Smith, accompanied by 
his famil}', removed to Janesville, and the follow- 
ing spring, with less than $1,000 capital, engaged 
in merchandising on .South Main street. His stock 
consisted of general merchandise, such as was usu- 
ally found in the pioneer stores of those days. He 
was later joined by his uncle. E. M. Clark, and, 
with capital augmented by the partnership with 
that gentleman, built a new store in 1849. and in- 
creased his stock of goods, using the old store ex- 
clusively for ready-made clothing, while in the 



^jy ■» 



i 



ROCK COUNTY. 



611 



new OIK" 111' ciuiicil a ncneinl slock of dry-goods. 
li;ii(|w;iii'. t'lc-., to wliicli, in l.srd). In: iiddciJ .a iner- 
<li:int t;iiloiiiiu; ili-pai'tinent, being ;i pioneer in 
iliai lino of business in tlic city. His career from 
iliiil lime w:is ni,nri<ed by suceess. and his popii- 
laril}- giuw witli the incre.<».sed population of eity 
and counly. His connection with Mr. Clark con- 
tinued unlil that gentleman s death, which was 
caused by cholera, in IS.'il. after which Mr. .Smith 
was alone in business for a time, but later formed 
a partnership with O. K. Beunett, a brother of K. 
H. Hennelt. under the firm name of M. ('. .Smith 
A- Co. This conneirtion continued for two years, 
when Mr. Bennett retired. In 1«(31 Mr. Smith 
changed his business somewhat, and moved into 
nioi'c coimnodious ipiarters in l.appiu's IJluck, at 
the same lime admitting to paitnership his old and 
contidential clerk. .1. .M. Uostwick (now a success- 
ful niert-hanl of .lanesville ), under the tii'm n;imc 
of .Smitli it Hostwick. which connection was con- 
tinued with marked success for the long |)eriod of 
twenty-one years. Under the new organization 
the ^^rocery and hardware business was discon- 
tinued, and the trade of the nt'w firm confined ex- 
clusively to dry-goods, clothing, carpets .-uid mer- 
chant tailoring. This became the leading house in 
that line in Rock County, the tii-m being noted for 
fair dealing and foi' the uniform good (pialily of 
stock carried. Mr. Smith was thoiduglily con- 
versant with his business, and was known as a good 
buyei. therefore enjoying the conlidence of his cus- 
tomers. In 1H7I-72 he erected the elegant and 
sulistantial brick block which still adorns the north- 
east corner of East Milwaukie and Noith Main 
streets. There he opened with an extensive stock 
of ready-made clothing, his son Frank lieing his 
partner in the l)usine$s for a period of twelve 
years. His connection with Mr. liostwick continued 
twenty-one years, or until 1S.S2. when that gentle- 
man retired to engage in business by himself. In 
l«(il Mr. Smith formed a (>arlnership with \i. M. 
I'lostwiek in the clothing business on South .Main 
s'reet, which connection continued until 1S72. In 
I'.i'.ipany with .S. C. Cheney and ,1. .M. Uostwick, 
ho opened a general store at Monroe, Wis., under 
the (inn name of Bostwick, Cheney & Co. This lirm 
eoalinued business until 1882. He also opened a 



-t= 



clothing store at Richland Center, Wis., which later 
was converted into a general store, and which is 
now owned and operated by his son Frederick. 

Mr. Smith continued in active business until 
March. I8«.'). His death occurred on the 13th day 
of February, 18X6. from typhoid pneumonia after 
a short illness. In his deatli .lanesville lost one of 
her most prominent and respected citizens, one 
who had ever lieen actively identified with her in- 
terests for nearly forty years, and who during that 
time had stood foremost among the merchants of 
the city in enterprise and extent of business in- 
terests, and in infinence in municipal affairs. In 
politics he was a Democrat, and was chosen to va- 
rious positions of honor and trust. In April, 
ISnO, he was chosen Chairman of the 'I'own Board 
of Supervisor, and was relected to that position for 
the years of 18.51 and 18.52. his last term ending 
when the city government began, in 1853. As 
Supervi.sor of the town of .lanesville. he was also 
its sole representative in the County Board of 
Supervisors of Rock County for tliree years. Dur- 
ing those three years .lanesville made rapid pro- 
gress in business importance, and achieved the dig- 
nity of l)ecoming a railroad town, the first railro.id 
being extended through the city during that period. 
When the city government commenced. ,Mr. Smith's 
private business had grown to such a magnitude 
that he was obliged to devote his undivided atten- 
tion to his persimal affairs, and. .although often 
urged to accept public <itlice, invariably declined, 
except when later in life he accepted a position (tn 
the School Board, and was a member of that body 
at the time of his death. His infliu'uce was always 
felt in all m.itters of public importance pertaining 
to the city, and his counsel and advice respected. 
He will long be remembered as one of the most 
piominent and popidar merchants of .lanesville 
during his residence here, as well as a gentleman 
of genial manners and unquestioued integrity. 
Upright and manly in all his intercourse with the 
world, independent in thought and action, constant 
in friendship and faithful to ever}' trust, he en- 
joyed, as he deserved, the Ivdlest conlidence and 
unqualified respect of all with whom he came in 
contact. His life was an active and useful one; 
industry and close application, directed by sujie- 



-•^ 



•«^ 



612 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



rior intelligence and business ability of a high 
order, won foi- liiin a brilliant success, whicli was 
untarnished b\ any act that was inconsistent with 
the most scrupulous sense of honor or commercial 
integrity. Wlien starting in life he had but a limited 
capital, and the very flattering prosperity that re- 
sulted from his efforts can be attributed only to 
his indefatigable industry and correct business 
principles. He was a member of Western Star 
Lodge No. 14, A. F. ik A. M., and of Janesville 
City Lodge No. 90. I. O. O. V. He was also a 
charter member of the Janesville Sack Comp.anj-, 
and was activel}* identified witii that organization 
for twcntj-five years. Although not a communi- 
cant, lie was in sympathy with the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, and was a liberal contributor to 
Christ Ciiurch Parish and to the charitalile and 
benevolent institutions of tiie city. 



^-i^ 



^flAMES V. TUTTLE. In presenting this 
sketch of Rock Cou.ity's oldest pioneer to 
the renders of the Ai.ium. we feel assured 
that it is one that will l)e read with great 
pleasure, not only by his contemiioraries but also 
by the 3'ounger generation, who revere and honor 
him as one of the fathers of tiie county. He was 
born on the 24111 day of -lidy. 1824, in .Teflferson 
C\)unty, N. v.. and is a son of Chancey and Amy 
(Weaver) Tuttle. His parents were also natives 
of New York. The Tuttle family is of English 
descent, and the Weaver family of (iernian origin. 
The father of our subject defended his countrj' 
against the English in the war of 1812. and was 
one of the honored pensioners of that war. To 
him and his excellent wife was liorn a fan.ily of 
nine children, two of wlujm died in infancy, while 
ihe remaining number attained to mature years. 
Cliester died in 188;'), at the age of sixt3'-four; 
James F.. of this sketch, w.as the third in order of 
biilh; George is engaged in farming in Winnebago 
County, HI.; William died in Rock Count}', about 
the year 1855; Perraelia is the wife of Henry P. 
Haskins, of Chicago; Julia is the deceased wife of 
Charles Bliss, of Texas; and Jennie is the wife of 
Lindon Rigby, a resident of Los Angeles, Cal. 



In 1834, Chancey Tuttle removed with his fam 
ily to Chicago. 111., which then consisted of a few 
shanties on a wet prairie, with a fort containing a 
garrison of atjout thirty-five soldiers. In IM.^d. in 
conipanj' witii Caleb Blodgett. the founder of l!e- 
loit, he came to Rock County, and followed an In- 
dian trail from the site of Beloit to what is now 
the farm of our subject. Being pleased with tlie 
lay of tlie land which consisted both of timber and 
arable tract.s, lie staked o\it a claim of ."SOO acres, 
and in the fall returned to his family, wliere he re- 
mained until the spring of 1837. At that time, 
accompanied by our sul)ject, he came to this wild 
and unbroken region and built a log cabin u|)on 
the land which he h.nd located, remaining until the 
following August. James was then a lad of thir- 
leen years, but ho returned alone through the wil- 
derness to Chicago, and loading up tlie liouseliold 
effects, he again started with tlie family and three 
or four teams for the new home. On this journey 
he was also accompanied by some friends from the 
East. Before winter set in, the family was snugly 
settled in the little log cabin on Turtle Creek, 
tliat being the name given the stream by the In- 
dians, and the work of developing tlie land began. 
Blany hai)py years were passed in that cabin, but 
the pleasure was not unmixed with pain, for many 
were the hardships, the trials and the dilliculties 
incident to the life of the ])ioneer settler. In or- 
der to get their grist ground, they traveled to Du 
Page County, a distance of ninety-one miles, and 
afterwards to Dundee on Fox River. In those 
early days bands of strolling Indians who had not 
yet left their native haunts were seen, while the 
graceful deer roamed over the prairie. Other 
kinds of wild game were also iilentifiil. affording 
ample opi)ortunity to indulge a taste foi- hunting. 
When we stop to consider, we marvel at the great 
change that has been made, for the n\ost far-sighted 
of the early pioneers could scarcely have imag- 
ined, much less realized the rapid progress which 
has been made in the last half centur}'. At the 
time of .Mr. Tuttle's arrival in the county, the 
moon threw its broad beams on the desolate tract 
of land where now stands the beautifid city of Be- 
loit, which is lighted by electricity and has all tlie 
conveniences which civilization alfords. 



.;- 



ROCK COUNTY 



-•»• 



615 



, 111 I 

t gar 



Tlic (I.'U'.s with llieir anhioiis duties passed swiflij- 
.•iiid iKippily to our family of pioiK'ers until 18;')5, 
wluii llu- dcalli aiigel crossed the tiireshohl of the 
liltle home and lioro the niotiier away. Mrs. Tut- 
th'Witsa devoted memlier oi Ihc iiaplist Chureli, 
and her death proved a sad loss to the conuiuuiit}'. 
The father was permitted to remain in the pioneer 
home until about 1<S(!;), when lie was called to meet 
the loved one gone before. He, also, was a mem- 
ber of the liaptist Church, in which he served as 
Deacon for many \ears. In early life, he was a 
staunch Abolitionist an<l he lived to see the system 
of slavery which he so opposed blotted from the 
land. When the Hepniiliean |>ai'ty was organized. 
lie joined its ranks and was one of the ardent sup- 
l)orters of its principles until his death. 

We have noted, somewhat, the surroundings in 
which the early life of our subject was passed. 
His education was received in the primitive log 
school house, and he was reared to the life of a 
farmer, assisting at an early age in the develop- 
ment of his fathei's land. In 1855, Mr. Tuttle was 
united in marriage, the lady of his choice being 
Miss Harriet L. West, who was born in iH.'il.in 
Dryden, Tompkins Co., X. Y., where their union 
was celebrated. ]Mrs. Tuttle was a daughter of 
'Jardncr and Lavina (Pease) West, who remained 
residents of the East until their death. Mr. and 
Mrs. Tuttle were the parents of four children — 
Delia; De Wayne, who is in the electric light works 
at Chicago; Jennie and Hattie. The children have 
all been proviile(l with good o|)portunities for se- 
curing an education. Miss .lennie is .■! graduate of 
the Beloit High School and for eight terms was a 
successful teacher, giving the best satisfactic>n to 
those who employed hei-. ( )[i tlie death of her 
mother she nobly laid aside her school duties for 
which she stv'Uied so peculiarh' fitted and took 
upon herself the domestic duties of the home, sup- 
plying as far as possible for her father the |)lacc 
left vacant by his loving wife. 

The death of Mrs. Tuttle occurred :\I.ay 1!». 188S. 
She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, 
to which the family also belong, and was a lady 
highly csleeme<l for her man3^ excellent qualities 
of heail and heart. She had seen the orchards and 
gardens planted by the first settlers, blighted with 



frost, decay and die, anil in like manner she suc- 
cumbed to the ravages of disease and lime which 
leave their mark upon :ill. She now rests where the 
gentle (lowers she lovcil and tended will each spring 
bud and lilossoin over her grave, an<l which will in 
their beauty and fragrance ever kce|) in memory 
the loved one wiiosc image will long be enshrined 
in the hearts of not only her immediate family but 
her man}' warm friends. 

Mr. Tuttle is still eng.aged in general farniinii 
and operates 10;! acres of land, which has been in 
the possession of the family for the long period of 
fifty-two years. No citizen within the border of 
Kock County receives greater respect and esteem 
than he. who so long has been identified with its 
history ;nid interests. In (lolitical sentiments he is 
a Kepublican, and also favors prohibition princi- 
ples. 



/^\0L. NICHOLAS SMITH, President of the 
(l( Gazette Printing Co. of Janesville and a 

^^y member of the State Board of Supervision 
of Cliaritable^Reformatory and Penal Institutions of 
Wisconsin, was born in Blackburn, Lancashire. 
England, Oct. 31, 18.'i7. and is the son of William 
and Sarah (Bailey) Smith, both of whom were also 
natives of England. The latter died in October, 
1810. while the former died in California in 1885. 
When but five years of age our subject came to 
America with an elder brother and an .•lunt, who 
settled in Fall K'iver. M.ass. One year later his 
father came also, and found eiii|iloynient as a cot- 
ton weaver in that village. In 1811 the laniilv 
moved to (iranl County, Wis., and a few months 
after their :nii\al Nichola.s was indented to James 
^'irden, a farmer in that ctiunly, with whom he 
lived five years. His father having remarried, 
Mr. \irden relinquished all claiin to him. He was 
now eleven years of age and was put to work in 
the lead mines in the winter, and in the summer 
worked upon a farm. Continuing his labors in the 
mines, he became a practical miner, thoroughlv 
mastering all the <letails of the business, from run- 
ning the windlass to managing the most dilHeult 
feats of lead-mine blasting. 

The following twelve years were years of con- 



t. 



M^ 



616 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^•►HK-^ 



slant toil, ureal liar(1shi|)S and pint-liing waul, dur- 
ing- which timt- lie was dejuived of every oppor- 
tunity to get an education in the schools. He 
lioti'owed a few old text-hooks, and without the 
aid of a teacher began studying thciii as best he 
could; and when twenty years old he walked 
thirty -six miles — eighteen miles to Galena and re- 
turn — to purchase a dictionary, the first one he 
had ever seen, and which cost him one suminei-'s 
labor. He was engaged in the falls of 1^57, '5H, 
'59 and "(io in running a thresliing machine for his 
father; and late in Ihe fall of the latter year he 
began teaching a small district school near Elk 
Gi-ove. in Lafayette County. Considering his ad- 
vantages young Smith made reasonably fair prog- 
ress in his studies, and in the spring of 1861 
entered the law office of the Hon. John K. Will- 
iams, of .Shullsburg. ^Vis.. with a view of prei)aring 
for the legal profession. In 1H62 he was admitted 
to the bar, but coucludeil that tiie time had not 
come for him U> enter into practice. At that time 
his adopted country was engaged in a mighty' coii- 
llict for existence, and Mr. Smith determined to 
offer his services, and in August of that year be- 
came a member of the gallant 33d Wisconsin In- 
fantry. Before enlisting, however, he was united 
in marriage witii Miss .1. Clara, the second daugh- 
ter of Dr. Moses Meeker, of Meeker's (irove, La- 
feyelte County. She is a native of Wisconsin, 
born in Iowa County, her i):uents lieing among its 
earliest settlers. 

In November. lfSG2. he was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant of Com|)aiiy H, 33tl Wisconsin Iiifan- 
trv. and a few days later started for Memphis. 
Teun.. and with his regiment took an active part 
in the t)xford and Hi^Uy Springs cami)aign under 
Gen. Grant. In April, 1863, he was promoted to 
First Lieutenant and immediately atter the siege of 
A'icksburg to Captain of Company II. In August. 
18()3, he was ap|)ointed acting Assistant Adjutant 
(Jeneral on the staff of Gen. Pugh, who was in 
command of the 1st brigade of the Itli division of 
the I 7th army corps, but declined the ai>poiiitnient, 
preferring to remain with his company. 

Captain Smith remained with his company until 
January. 1865. when, in consequence of a wound 
in the foot, he sent in his resignation, which was 

-^^ 



accepted. During his term of service, with his 
regiment he took an active part in the siege of 
A'icksbuig. the Meridan expedition anil llie Red 
liiver expedition. While on the latter expedition 
he was placed in inilitary command of the ill-fated 
steaiUk;r John Warner, which was sunk below Alex- 
andria by the rebels, wjlli 2.000.000 rations. He 
took i)ait in the expcilition through Arkansas and 
Missouri after Marniaduke. and w.as in iiunierous 
battles and skirmishes. 

On returning home from the service Captain 
Smith became a law partner of his old |ircceptor. 
Mr. Williams, of Shullsburg, which partnership 
continued until April. 1866, when it was dissohed 
and he removed to Prairie du Chien. where he 
formed a partnership with the Hon. O. 1>. Thomas, 
who. at this writing, in the spring of 188!). is serv- 
ing as Congressman from the Seventh District of 
Wisconsin. In 1867 he was appointed Deputy Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue for the 3d District, and 
in this office served about one year, when he went 
to \\aukesha and took charge of the \\aukeslia 
Freeman, as editor and |)iililislier. At the cxjiira- 
tioii of two years he was induced to return to Prai- 
rie du Chien and take charge of the Union of th.at 
place. Purchasing the office he continued in 
charge of the paper till .September, 1.S7I. when he 
accepted the position of city editor <.)f the Janes- 
ville Gazette, and Jan. 1. 1878, succeeded Gen. 
James Bintliff as editor of that paper. 

During the sessions of the Legislature in 1871, 
1872 and 1873, Mr. Smith was clerk of the Senate 
judiciary committee. For two sessions of that 
bodv he represented the Milwaukee Hentinpl as its 
regular correspondent from the State Capital. Dur- 
ing the first session of the Korty-thini Congress, he 
was the Washington correspondent of the same 
paper. In 1880 and 1881 he served on the staff 
of Gov. Smith with the rank of Colonel, and !is 
such participated in the Vorktown Cenleiiiiial 
Celebration. In .ALay, I8!S."), he was appoiuteil a 
member of the State Board of Supervision of 
Charitable Ueformatory and Penal Instiluiions of 
the State by Gov. Rusk, and still holds that posi- 
tion. 

Since coming to Janesville in 1871. Col. Smith 
has made this cit^- his home. Politically be is a , 



•T* 



I 



-4•- 



-«» 



4- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



617 , i 



stnhvarl Ke|)ul>lic!in. and as editor of the ('•ni'iltp 
has (U'alt some heavy l)l()ws at liis political oppo- 
nents. He is a nieniher of the Couicrcgational 
Cliiiicli, while his wife is a nieiiilier of the Court 
.Street Methodist lOpiscopal Clmreli. 

Colonel and Mr.s. Smith have four ehildreii. 
'I'hcii- eldest son Charles Fenton. dieil April 2(i, 
187 1. aged six years. The living are I'anline 
Lorena, Jessie Florence, and Marshall Denison. 

An excellent steel portrait of Col. Smith is 
sliown upon another page of this work. 



-J3- 



^-^Ig^r- 




AKTLKTT 11. liAl.DW IX, Yard-.Master of 
the Chicago <fe Northwestern Railway Com- 
pany, at Jaiiesville, has been in the eni|)loy 
of the Company since 18(i.'), and has occu- 
|)icd his present position since l.sCii), a |)eriod of 
twenty years, lie wa.-i born in South Maiden, 
(now Kvcrett), .Mass., Jul^- 21, 1815, and is Iho 
son of Jonathan and Kliza (Homer) IJaldwin, the 
former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of 
North Carolina. The boyhood and youth of our 
subject was passed in his native State. ~ When the 
first gun was fired upon Fort Sumter, his heart 
was stirred within him and he desired at once to 
enter the service of his country. (>n account of 
his extreme youth his parents woidd not accede to 
his request for permission to enlist. lie waited un- 
til the fall of 18(1!, when he could not longer with- 
stand the urgent appeals for men. and going to 
ChicMgo. HI., he enlisted as a private in the GUth 
Hlinois Infantry and served three months. He 
then enlisted in the 11th Illinois Cavalry, and 
was actively engaged with his regiment in all its 
marches. >kirmishis and battles until Aug. 3. 18(;i. 
when he was captured l)y the enemy, while eng.aged 
in the celebrated Sloncman raid. For thenextseven 
months his life w.as spent in rebel prisons, first at 
.Macon. Ga., ami later at Audersonville. His ex- 
(lerience while in the latter iirisoii can never be ef- 
f.iced from his memory. The long dreary mouths 
passed with comrades dying all around him. ami 
seemingly no prospect of relief but at last the 
oyful news came that they were to be paroled or ex- 
changed. On the 2(;th day of February, 18(35, he 




left Andersonville with no regrets an<l was sent to 
Annapolis, Md., where he was i)aroled. Receiving 
a prisoner-of-war's furlough, he returned to his old 
home in liostou, Mass., whci<- he remaiiu'd a few 
weeks. Hearing of the ass.assination of Lincoln on 
the nuirning of April 15, he .at once started for the 
front. Not having fidly recM.vcred from the ef- 
fects of his conliucmeiit in -Vnder.son ville. he was 
sent to a convalescent hospital where he remained 
until June 20. 18(j5, when he was honorably dis- 
chai-ged from the service, on .account of his regi- 
ment being extinct, it having virtually been anni- 
hilated in the rear of Atlanta. No regiment in 
the service saw more hard fighting than the gallant 
llth Illinois Cavalry. It was in all of .Sherman's 
campaigns and was actively eng.aged in the battles 
of Cumberland (iajjand Lookout Mountain and was 
with Hnrnside. who \vas besieged by Longstreet at 
Knoxville. On the approach of re-enforcements, 
Longstreet raised the siege and retreated. Mr. 
Baldwin was also in the engagements at Abingdon, 
\n.. Bear Station, Russellville and Barnes Cross- 
roads. The llth Illinois Cavalry marched ui)- 
wnrds of 10,(i(jli miles, not counting the dist.ance 
made by detachments, and was the I'ecipient of two 
coini)limentary notices from Gen. Grant, one for 
exterminating Gen. Thomas' Legion of Indians, and 
the other for gallantry shown at the battle of Cum- 
berland (Jap. 

On receiving his discharge, .Mr. Bal.lwin came to 
Janesville, where he entered the service of the Chi- 
cago A- Northwestern Railway Company, as a switch- 
man .and served four years, when he was made 
yard-master and lia.s served .as such till date. 
On the ;iOth day of November, 186G, at Janesville, 
he married Mi.ss "Mary Cairns, a native of .Scotland 
who came w ith her parents, Rober and .Mariraret 
((iardner) Cairns, to America in 185:3. Two chil- 
dren have been born unto them — George Cairns, 
born August, 18(;7. now with the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railway as a bnikesman, between 
Janesville and Chicago; and Carrie Bell, born Dec. 
8, 1878, now attending school in Janesville. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin attend the l'resb\terian 
Church. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a 
member of Oriental Lodge, No. 22, K. of P., has 
passed all the chairs, and has twice represented the 



A 618 



ROCK COUNTY. 



lodge in tlie (Iraiid Lodge of the State. Of the 
Royal Aicaiium, he lias been President, and has 
served the local asseinhly in the (jrand Lodge. 
A member of tlie 1. O. O. F., he has served as X. G. 
of the Subordinate J^odge, Cliief Patiiareh of the 
Kncanii)inent and N. G. of the Dangliters of Re- 
l)eeea, and was twice representative at the Grand 
Lodge. lie is I'ost Conim.-iiider of W. FL Sargent 
I'ost, Xo. 20, G. A. II., and for fourteen years has 
lieen local agent for the 1. ().(). F. hisurance Com- 
pany. 

A residence of nearly Iwciity-tive years at .lanes- 
ville has surrounded .Mr. Ilaldwin with many 
friends who acknowledge his worth and are pleased 
to award liini due credit for what he is and what 
lie has been. 

-'i^^- 

WILLIAM J. MclXTYRE, who is engaged 
in general farming and stock raising on 
scctiiin 1 in the town of Lima, is a native 
of Irehmd. lie was born in Count\' Derry. on 
the l.jth day of February. 1810, and is a son of 
Hercules and iMar^' Ann (Serson) Mclntyre, who 
were also born in the same county. While residing 
on the Kmerald Isle, they became the i)arents of 
six ehildien, and after their removal to America, 
the family circle was completed bj- the birth of 
four children. In is 18, bidding goodby to their 
native land, they sailed for the New World, and 
after landing at once came to Wisconsin. After 
remaining a short time in Rock Coimty, they re- 
moved to Jefferson County, locating in the town of 
Koshkonong, where Mr. Mclntyre purchased laud 
and engaged in farming, which occupation he made 
his life work. His death occurred at his home in 
.lefferson County un the 1 1th day of January, 18o9. 
Thougluiuiet and unassuming, he W(jn many friends 
and was held in high regard hy all. His wife was 
called to her final rest in 1885. ( )f the ten children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. ."Mclntyre, eight are yet liv- 
ing — Robert, who is now engaged in farming in 
Jefferson County; William J., the subject of this 
sketch; John S., a minister of the Methodist Kpis- 
cupal Church, who now has charge of the Four- 
teenth vStreet Church at Davenport, Iowa; Margaret, 
wife of B. F. Brown, a resident farmer of Oakland 



township. Jefferson County; Gertrude, who wed- 
ded Andrew Dixon, a farmer in the town of Lima; 
Martha, wife of J. II. Walsh, a farmer residing in 
Clay County, Iowa; Mary, and .Sarah F.. who re- 
side with thei' nrother William. The deceased 
memljers of tne family' an- Hercules and Charles. 

When a lad of eight years our subject came 
with hi-- parents to America and since that time has 
been a resident of Wisconsin. His |>rimnrv educa- 
tion receivt'd in the common schools was supple- 
mented by a course in the Fort Atkinson High 
School. Ilis early life was spent u|Hin his father's 
farm, and after com|ileting his education, he en- 
gaged in the profession of teaching wiiich he fol- 
lowed each winter until 18<io. Xo longer could 
he resist the im|)ulse to aid his country in her strug- 
gle to preserve the Union, and like so many of his 
people he became one of her must valiant and in- 
trepid soldiers. Enlisting in the 1 2th Wisconsin 
Battery for three years" service or during the war, 
lie was soon ordered to the front and particijiated 
ill many hard fought engagements, including the 
Siege of VUatoona, Ga., the Siege of .Savanah, Ga.. 
the l)attle of Columbia. S. C., and the last engage- 
ment of the Western Army at IJentonville, N. ('., 
.and numerous other engagements and skirmishes. 
The 12th W'isconsin won a brilliant reputation for 
dauntless bravery on the field of battle, and was 
mustered out of service July, 18(j,j. 

Returning to his home at the close of hostilities, 
Mr. Mclntyre taught school during the following 
winter, and in the spring of l.sCf!, made an over- 
land trip to Montana where he engaged in mining. 
That venture proved reasonably successful, and 
after speiirling three years in the placer mines, he 
returned to Hock County in 18(;',). The same year 
he invested his earnings which lie had accumiilaled 
in the West, in real estate, purchasing eighty ojie 
acres of land ou section 1, in the town of Lima, 
which constitutes a part of his present farm, h'ov 
about ten years he spent his summer months in 
farming, while during the winter season he engaged 
in teaching. By subsequent purclnise he has ex- 
tended the btiundaries of his farm until it now 
comprises 1 17 acres, all under a high state of culti- 
vation. His entire possessions have been acquire<l 
bv his own unaided efforts — the result of his Indus- 




■'-^ 



n 



-4^ 






ROCK COUNTY. 



619 



try anil untirinij energy. Soei.illy, he is a member 
of Cliarles K. Curtis Post, Xo. :! 1 . O. \. U.. and 
J.oflge No. 39, of llio A. (). I'. W., hotli of Wliite- 
\v;iter. Since tiie forniallon of tlie He))iililic;iii 
[inrty he lias been one of its slahvarl .supporters 
jiiwl lakes a deep interest in political affairs. He is 
ji man of iiitelligenee and al)ility antl is well versed 
on ail the ieadinir topics of the <lay. l)Oth State and 
National. As a citizen Mr. Mclnlyrc is public 
spiriteil and prouiessivc, and lins Ijeen honore<l 
with several local offices of tru.st. Kor twelve 
years he has held the position of Chairniau of the 
Lima I5oard of .Su])ervisors. whicli long conliTuied 
service is a high testimonial of his ability and 
liclelity to duty, and has acted for three years as 
.Side-Supervisor, lie is recognised as one of the 
leading farmers in the community, and is also en- 
gaged in liie raising of fine stock ami in the 
dairv business. 




I' 



ELSON WINS'I'ON is numliered among those 
who have been prominently identified with 
Uock County, from its early history, and 
perhaps none among its citizens are more widely 
or fa\iiral)ly known. lie is n(jw residing in Kvans- 
ville. liut is a native of the Kmpire .State, having 
been born in Albany County, on the l.">tli day of 

October. 1819. Mis father. .lohn Wins! was 

born in Albany County. .Ian. 19, 1797, and iiis an- 
cestors were among the pioneer settlers of the 
Colony of New York. Abram Winston, the great- 
grandfather of our subject, became a meml)cr of 
that colony during its infanc\'. and his son Isaac, 
the grandfather of our subject, was there born, lie 
served as a soldier in the Anu'rican army during 
the war of the Ivevolntion. and was the father of 
nine children, seven sons and two daughters, all of 
whom have now passed away. 

.lohn Winston was reared to maiilnxMl in his n;i- 
tive State, and married Miss Amamla Hently. who 
is still living at the home of her son Nelson, in 
Kvansville, having attained her ninety -lirst 3'ear. 
liy their union Ihcy became the parents of thirteen 
cliildieu. twiivc of whom, nine sous and tliree 1 



(laughters, lived to adult .age. Five of that num- 
ber, three sons and two daughters, are now de- 
ceased. The father of the family died at his home 
in Rock County, Nov. l.i, 1 80 7, when nearly sev- 
enty-one years of .age. Me was a man of great en- 
ergy- and force of character, and took an active an<l 
prominent [lart in the early development of Rock 
County. He was a successful business man, anil 
secured the confidence of bis fellow citizens by his 
honest, upright dealing with all. He led a con- 
sistent Christian life, and belonged to the Baptist 
Church, being the originator of the movement 
which residted in the organization of the first Bap- 
tist Church in Union Township. His interest in 
the cause of the Master grew stronger as his years 
increased, and lie passed away with the conscious- 
ness of a well-spent life, and of having dcme his 
dut3' as he saw it. 

Our subject was the second in order of birth in 
his family, and when a lad removed with his par- 
ents to Ciienango County, N. Y.. and later went 
with the famih- to I'erry, in W3-oming County, 
then a part of Genesee County. He was reared to 
farm life, receiving his education in the common 
schools, and in 1841, came with the family to Wis- 
consioii. they remaining for a short time in Wal- 
worth Couuty. but came almost immediately to 
Rock Countj', where both father .and sons engaged 
in farming. In 1849 Nelson Winston embarked 
upon a mercantile career, at Oregon, DaueCountv, 
in companj' with Isaac M. Bennett, under tlie (irm 
name of Winston tVr Bennett, which connection con- 
tinued until 185;"). when Mr. Winston came to Kv- 
ansville. He again engaged in merchandising with 
his father and brother Reiilieu. under the firm name 
of J. Winston A' Sons, until 18(11, when he bought 
out the interest of his partners, and then carried 
on the business in connection with Mr. Bennett, 
his partner in Dane County. In 1870 the two gen- 
tlemen secured a charter, under which the First 
National Baid< of Kvansville was organized, .-wso- 
ciating with them L. T. I'ullen, who also became a 
partner in the mercantile business. Mr. Winston 
was made \' ice-President of the bank, in which he 
and Mr. Bennett h.ad a controlling interest, owning 
about Ihree-tifths of the stock. In 187.i. whenit 
chaiiucd from a National to a State b.-itik. Mr. Win- 






620 



ROCK COUNTY. 



stun and Mr. Bennett withdrew, and soon after the 
former purchased tlie remaining interest in the 
mereautile branch of the business, and the firm of 
N. Winston & Sons was established. Tiiey carried 
on Inisincss until 1885, when, selling out. our sub- 
ject retired from active life. 

On the 27111 day of March, 1851, Mr. Winston 
was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Parsons, 
the weddiug being celebrated in Dane County. 
where the lady was then residing. Slie was born 
in Cayuga County. X. Y.. Feb. 8, 1824. and in 
1851, came with her parents to Dane County. Wis., 
where Mr. and Mrs. Parsons resided until their 
death. Mr. and Mrs Winston have been the par- 
ents of four children, three sons and a daughter, 
the latter of whom is deceased: Frank H., the eld- 
est, is now residing in New Mexico, where he is 
eng.iged in the mercantile business, and also has 
charge of a cattle ranch owned by his father and 
lirotlier: Fred H.. who was formerly associated with 
ills father anil brother in the mercantile firm of N. 
Winston & Sons, is now Expre.ss Agent at llvans- 
ville; Loretta, the only daughter, died at the age of 
twenty-four years and six months; George P.. the 
youngest son, is residing at Frederick, Dak. 

Mr. Winston has long been one of the represen- 
tative citizens of Rock County, and having been 
identified with the mercantile and banking interests 
of Evansville for so many years, h.as necessarily 
formed extensive business and social relations. His 
sue(;ess in life has been won by patient and unre- 
mitting attention to details, and by the application 
of correct business |)rinciples. In politics his early 
ancestors wore Democrats of the Jackson school, 
and belonged to the portion of that party which 
became an important part of the National Repub- 
lican i)arty when that body was organized. Mv. 
Winston was one of the organizers of the Reiml)- 
lican party in Wisconsin, is a faithful adiicrenl to 
its princi[)les, and takes that interest in political 
affairs which every true American should feel, but 
has never l»een an .aspirant for office — in fact, has 
fre(iuently refused offers of legislative honors. He 
has, however, served as Chairman of the Board of 
.Suiiervisors of his town, and has filled the office of 
Presitlentof the Board of Evansville. In religions 
■illiliations both be ami his wife are members of the 
4> 



Congregational Church, and are held in the highest 
esteem. 

Anson (;. Parsons, the father <jf Mrs. W'inslun. 
was born in the State of New York, on the 8th day 
of .Septemlier. 178'.t. He was married in Madison 
Count}', that .State, to Miss Nancy 'riiompson. who 
was born in New Hampshire, but removed with her 
parents to the Empire State, where her marriage 
with Mr. Parsons was celebrated in 1823. They 
became the parents of six children, two sons and 
four daughters, the youngest of whom. Henry, died 
at the age of four years. In 1850, accompanied bj* 
the other members of his family. Mr. Parsons emi- 
grated to the West, locating in Oregon. AVis. In 
earlier years he had learned the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed after his arrival in this State, 
and also engaged in o|)LM'ating a farm. His tleath 
occurred Feb. 15. 1881. and his wife departed this 
life just one month later, on the 15th day of 
]March. They were highly respected people, and 
their death was mouined by many friends. 

Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. 
Winston was the first ill order of biitli; .lane T.. 
the second, became the wife of Ambrose .Spencer, 
and died in 1858; Harriet married Daniel Briggs, 
and is now living in Irontoii, Wis.; .Iose])hine is the 
wife of Tristram .Story, a resident of Union Town- 
ship; and Andrew S. is residing in Oregon, l);ine 
County. 

<:= — : @: < V 

1^^ AMIEL CLARKE VAN CAl.DER. a 
^^^ general farmer and stock raiser, residing on 
(i\/_lj) section 32. 1-a Prairie Townshi|), was 
born ill Midillebury. X.Y.. March 22, 
1535, and is a son of .lacob and Rhoda (Wilson) 
Van Galder. The father, a native of \"erinont. was 
descended from Holland ancestry, anil the mother 
wiis born in New York of English (lareiitage. The 
paternal grandfather emigrated from Holland to 
this country and lived to the ripe old age of ninety- 
seven years. 

Jacob Van (Jalder. the father of our subject, was 
one of the leading men of the county in which he 
resided, being |)roiiiiiiently identified with its e(lii- 
cational and political interests and aUo with the 
work of the Church. To him and liis wife were 



J. 



4•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



621 



born a family of eleven children, seven sons and 
foui- ilauLfliteis, all of whom grew to mature years, 
but only four now survive: Jacob ()., who is a 
re.sident of .lanesville. Wis.; Michael O.. a pros()er- 
ous farmer of La Pniirie 'rnwnshii); Edwin R.. who 
serve<l three years in the 4tli Wisconsin Artillery, 
and eng.igeil for some time in the lumber business, 
is now a commercial traveler, residing in De Pcre, 
Brown County, Wis.; Phiebe mairied l'. L. Phelps, 
and both arc now deceased; Fannie P. became the 
wife of (i. Pe.ik, and both are now dead, thej' leav- 
ing one son, who is living on the old homestead in 
Wayne ('<)unt3'. Ohio; Truman wedded .Miss Mary 
Phelps, and died in Sycamore. 111., where his 
widow is still living; Henry AV. married Dorcas 
.Schenck, and died in .Mexico, Mo., after which 
Mrs. V.an (Jalder became the wife of the Rev..l(ilin 
W.ayman. a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church; Amos F., a member of the 4tL Wisconsin 
regiment of artillery, died in the service at Ports- 
mouth. \'a. ; Mary .1. Ijecarae the wife of Hugh 
Apjohn. and both died in La Prairie Township, 
their remains being laid to rest in the cemetery at 
Turtleville; Mercy E. became the wife of Lewis 
James, and died in Wayne County, Ohio. 

In the winter of 18.") 1-2 Jacob \'an Galder. .ac- 
companied by his family, came to Rock County 
and purchased 480 .acres (jf l.-md on sections ."U 
and ."i'i, La Prairie Township, the greater pail of 
which was in an uncultivated condition. With 
that indefatigable energy so cliar.acteristic of liiiii, 
he at once turned his attention to the iini)roveinent 
of the farm, but was permitted to enjoy his new 
possesssions for only the short period of three 
years, when ileath claimed him in .June. 18.5.5. In 
early life ho was a Democrat but in later years 
he acted with the Whig party, assigning as his 
reason for the change of his |>olitical views that it 
had become a question of Xorth and South, .and 
his patriotism prompted him to support the North. 
This loveof country was transmitted to his sons, for 
.at the breaking outof the Rebellion two of them en- 
tered the service, and one yielded up his life on 
the altar of his country. Mr. \aii Galder w.as an 
exemplary Christian and a member of the Free- 
will Haptist Church. His excellent wife, who died 
ill .Mediii:i County, Ohio, in 1848, was also a con- 



sistent Christian and a member of the same Church. 

Our subject began his .school life as a student of 
the district school in Medina County, Ohio, and in 
1849 came with the family to Michigan. femaiiiin<T 
until 1852, when in consequence of the ill lie.ilth 
of some member the family .again removed and lo- 
cated in Rock County, where Samuel coin|)leted his 
education. He was reared to manhood in this com- 
munity, and in 1858 led to the m.arnage .altar Miss 
Eliza Heald, a daughter of Lewis and Harriet 
(Olney) He.ald, who were numbered among thi' pio- 
neers of 1844. At that time Mr. Heald preempted 
land in La Prairie Township, and in connection 
with the occupation of farming followeil his trades 
of mason and carpenter. He erected many of the 
line buildings of La Prairie Township, wliicli on 
his arrival contained but one house, and many of 
the structures which be built still stand .as monu- 
ments to his skill. With his family he exiierienced 
nianj' of the hardships incident to rionticr life 
but bore all uncomplainingl)-. He was not a mem- 
ber of any church, but alw.ays took an active part 
in religious affairs, giving freely whenever and 
wherever he thought good would be accomplished. 
The cause of education found in him a ready sup- 
porter. To him belongs the credit of erecting the 
first school-house in La Prairie Townslii|). for he 
did not rest until he saw the coinpletion of a 
school-house and a teacher installed therein. For 
forty-four years Mr. Htald was a leading citizen 
of Ln Prairie Township, where he died .Sept. 13, 
1888. He was charitable in his jiidgim-nt of the 
.action of others, gave freely to the poor, was kind. 
liospitalile and generous to a fault. He remained 
an ardent supporter of the Republican partv from 
its organization until his death. His widow, now 
in her seventieth year, still lives on the old Ikuih- 
stead, patiently waiting the call of her .Master to 
meet the loved ones gone before. 

Eight children have l>een born of the union of 
Mr. and .Mrs. Van (ialder: .\lice. born Feb. 23, 
18,')'.). is now the wife of John llowjird. a farmer 
residing on section 28. La Prairie Township; 
Clarke T.. born March 22, 18G4, died Feb. 2(1, 
1884; Louis, born Feb. 17, 1866; Charles H., 
April 13. 1870; Lester (i. and Gr.acie A., twins, 
were born .\pi il 3, 1872. but (Jracie died March 



i 



4 



-•► 



622 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-t 



21, 1874, of lung fever; Ernest and Krvie were 
born March 24. 1874, but the former died Feb. 17, 
1877. Mr. and Mrs. Nan (iakler have given their 
cliildren good educational advantages, eminently 
fitting llipni fur resiionsihle and useful ])ositions in 
life. 

Our subject is engaged in general farming, and 
now owns and oijerates in one body 400 acres of 
land, all under a liigh state of cultivation. Upon 
tiie farm will bo found a good grade of the differ- 
ent kinds of stock, together with the latest im- 
provements necossarj' to a model farm. Mr. ^'an 
(Inlder has tilled various offices of trust in tlie 
township, and has been inominent in the promo- 
tion of religious, educational and social interestii. 
In early life he was a Wiiig, and a great admirer 
of the leaders of that party, but when the Republi- 
can party sprang into existence as an organization 
designed to prevent the furtiier extension of slav- 
ery, he enlisted in its ranks and under its banner 
has since continued to fight. In the days when 
Hock County was but sparsely inhabited, when the 
land was in a wild state and few improvements liad 
been niaile, when its brilliant prospects were hid- 
den behind the veil of the future, Mr. \'an Galder 
became a resident of I.a Prairie Township. Helms 
been iilentified with its growth and progress since 
that d:iy and is now one of its- prominent and 
prosperous citizens. 



r^HOMAS BOWLES, of the firm of Howies, 
Iladden & Co., importers of fine horses, 

0' came to .Janesville in 18G5, bringing with 
him the fir.st Norman horse ever brought to Wis- 
consin. He is a native of New York, born at 
Alexander's Hay. .lefferson County, Aug. 11, 1833, 
and is a son of Leonard and Mary Ann (Stone) 
Howies. His mother was a daughter of Lord 
Leonard Stone, of England, of which countrj' his 
father was also a native. They were married in 
England, and in April, 1833. emigrated to America. 
Seven children had been born to them in the old 
world, and our subject was the first born after the 
.•irrivMl of the family in New York, his birth being 
followed by that of four other children. The 




family located in Jefferson County of the Empire 
State, where the parents resided until their death. 
Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
countw and there learned the shoemaker's trade, 
which he followed from 18.54 until 18(14. He h.id 
previously visited California, during the gold ex- 
citement in the State, returning to his home in 
1853, and the following year was marriecL Shortly 
afterwards he removed to .lackson. Mich., where he 
carried on the boot and shoe business for some 
time, and then became a resident of .Toilet, III., on 
the 4th day of July. 18C1), making his home in 
that city until the spring of IHtiS. when he located 
in Princeton. Bureau Co.. III., again engaging in 
the boot and shoe business. Remaining in Prince- 
ton until May, 1865, as before mentioned, lie came 
to Janesville. bringing with him a stock of boots 
and shoes and the first Xorman horse ever in tiie 
State. In 1873 he brought to Wiscousiu the first 
ini[)Orted horse, which he purchased of Jlr. Dun- 
ham. He is truly the pioneer in his line in tiie 
county. .Selling out his stock of boots and shoes, 
he invested liis money in horses, and lias continued 
the V)usiness up to the present time, IMSO, with ever 
increasing success. In \>^S'A Mr. Iladden was ad- 
mitted to partnershij) in the business, and they- at 
I once began importing iiorses from the old country. 
The first year thei' imported four, in 1 884 made 
two importations, and in 188S imported a little less 
than 100 horses, principally Perclieroiis. French 
coach, English shire and French draft horses. 
They b.avc built up a fine trade, have done much 
to advance the grade of horse* in the county, ami 
have gained a wide reputation. Tiie firm of 
Bowles, Iladden S: Co. have one large brick stable, 
three stories in height, two stories of which open 
on a level with tiie ground, as the barn is situated 
on the side of a hill. The two lower stories arc 
fitted with box-s'.alls, and (he third is used for hay. 
In the rear of this building is a large wooden 
stable, three stories in height, also having two 
stories opening on the ground and liltetl with box- 
stalls. In all iiicre are 10(1 liox-stalls. Water is 
supplied from a large vat, containing 1 0(1 barrels, 
placed on the third lioor of the brick building. 
There is also a furnace for hcriting the w.-iicr. anil 
all modern conveniences are lliere siipplioil. The 



<» 



f 




/^' 






ROCK COUNTY. 



625 



stnlile (•ap.ic'ity and its perfect :i|ipointineiits are a 
surprise to tlie visitiiiij stranger, and liie class of 
horses kept are tlie choicest in tlie niarliet. 

In .letTerson ('i)Mnty, N. Y., Mr. liowles led to 
llie ni;nriage allar Miss Maiy Cheesni.-in. a daiiyiitcr 
of W'illiaui Cheesman. tlicii union being celebrated 
on the Mill day of Ma}', IH.Vl. Mrs. Bowles was 
born at Flat Rock. Jefferson Co., N. Y.. and is a 
nienibir of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Howies is a Hepiilijican in jjolilics. and is a mem- 
ber of the Ancient Onler of I'nited Workmen, at 
.lanesville. 



&0N. (iKOKGK C. McLEAN, founder of 
1 the original Mcl^ean Manufacturing Com- 
pany, of .lanesville. AVis., and the present 
,j^ superintendent and manager of the New 
McLean Manufacturing Cunipany, was l)orn in 
Inverness, .Scotland, on the 20th d.ay of December, 
1.S20, and is the son of James Grant and Eliza 
(Cain|)liell) McLean. His father was a Govern- 
ment odiccr in Scotland, and his duties required 
several changes of residence, but he made his home 
in Galashiels much of the time. 

George C. attended various schools in his boy- 
hood, his education being completed at Fisher's 
School, at Galashiels, after which he learned the 
trade of manufacturing woolen goods, at which he 
worked until 1845, when he went to Sydney, Aus- 
tralia. After spending two years in that country 
he returned, in 1847. to Scotland, and was em- 
ployed at his trade in Selkirk. While residing in 
that city he was united in marriage, in 1847, with 
Miss Isabel Walker, who was bora in Stowe, .Scot- 
land, ami is a daughter of George and Johanna 
(Hrodie) \Valker. Two chihlren were born to 
them in Selkirk: George C, Jr., who married Miss 
Jennie Oliver, of Aberdeen, Miss., a native of 
Scotland, and is now foreman dyer and finisher of 
the New McLean Manufacturing Company; and 
Eliza, the younger child, who died at the age of 
two years. 

In 184'J, Mr. McLean, by the advice of Abbott 
Lawrence, the American Minister, emigrated to 
America, settling in Lawrence, Ma.ss.. whither his 
wife anil children soon folU>wed. He subse(|uently 



removed to Sutton's Mill, at North Andover, 
and in 18G1 went to Norwich, where he was em- 
ployed by King it Elting, manufacturers of arm}' 
goods. In 18G2 he established a woolen mill at 
Lisbon, Conn., and engaged in the manufacture of 
woolen goods for. the army and navy, the mill 
being the property of Gov. lUK'kinghani <fe Co. 
In February, 1870, the establishment was swept 
away in a great flood, but as soon as possible a new 
mill was erected in its place, which wjis opeiated 
by Mr. McLean for two years. He then came 
West and operated a mill in Mankato, Minn., for a 
few months, when he came to Janesville and pur- 
chased an interest in the Payne & I Listings Woolen 
Mill Company. In 1872 he organized the McLean 
Manufacturing Company, of which he wiis mana- 
ger for ten years, and in 1882 he aided in the or- 
ganiz.ation of the present New McLean Jlauufactur- 
ing Coini)an}', of which he has since been superin- 
tendent and man.iger. Mr. McLean has had a life- 
long experience in this line of business, and is an 
expert in the line of his duty. 

Our subject and his wife have had six sons born 
to them in America, namely: James B., dealer in 
cigars and tobacco, and one of the present aldermen 
of Janesville: Colin Campbell, whose sketch ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work; Fred C, an engineer 
of the Chicago k Northwestern Railw.i}- Comjjany, 
married Miss Clara Wilcox, and resides in Janes- 
ville; Robert W. married Miss Luella King, and is 
engaged in the drug business, in this city; Charles 
P. is a employe of the American Express Com- 
pany, at Milwaukee. Mr. McLean and his wife 
are members of the Presbyterian Church at .lanes- 
ville, and he belongs to the A. F. & A. M., having 
been made a ineml>er in .Somerset Lodge No. 34, 
of Somerset, Conn. He is now a member of Janes- 
ville Lodge. 

On coming to America Mr. McLean .issociated 
himself with the Whig party, continuing his con- 
nection with that organization until its dissolution, 
when he joined the new Republican parly, sup|)ort- 
ing it with his l>allot until he became dissatisfied 
with the management and policy of that botly and 
joined the Democratic parly. He has filled var- 
ious public ollices of honor and trust. For several 
ye-irs he has been a member of the .lanesville Coni- 

*► 



t 



1 626 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



raon Council, and for six jears has served as a mem- 
ber of the Board of Education. In eacli of Uu se 
offices he has servetl the best interests of tlie city 
with fidelity- and ability. Mr. McLean has a tiior- 
ough knowledge of all the branches of woolen 
manufacture, and is indefatigable in liis exertions to 
improve and perfect the factory under his care, 
and to insure its successful oi>eration. He is a man 
of broad views 'on subjects of general iinport.ince, 
well-informed and ripe in the expeiience of the 
world. In person, he is of goodly size, strongly 
built and robust, possesses a vigorous intellect, is 
quick in perceptive faculties, and of a genial, 
kindly disposition. In all ills relations with men 
he is admired and respecteil for iiis high sense of 
honor and strict integrity. The sterling traits of 
character that distinguished his lligliland ance-slors 
are happily preserved in his personality. A por- 
trait of Mr. McLean will be found u\Mjn another 
page. 

-5 #^— ^- 

R. C. LOFTL'8 MARTIN, an early settler 
of Rock County, Wis., and a distinguished 
member and otticer of tlie Masonic Fra- 
ternity, both in Kngland and America, 
was born in IloUerton. Nottingliamsiiire, England. 
May 1, 180:5, and is a son of Mark and Mary 
Loftus (Cushman) Martin. His father, who was a 
farmer by occupation, was born in Uoncaster, 
Yorksiiire. and w.os the owner of the farm he oc- 
c'upieii. Ills mother was Imrn and reared in Not- 
tingbanisliire. 

Tlie subject of this sketch grew to maiiiiood im 
Ills father's farm, and attended school until he ac- 
quired a fair English education, which was ob- 
tained under some diHiculty, he having to walk 
four English miles daily to his school. His parents 
were thrifty, worthy people, who did .mH in their 
power to improve their children, both mentally 
and morally, ami were highly resi)ecte(l meiiilicis 
of society. 

On attaining his majority Charles L. left the 
parental roof. Being a younger son he had no 
share in the ancestral acres, and was obliged to 
make his own way in the world. After leaving 
his home he wended his w:u to Lonthin, wheic lie 




engaged as merchant's clerk, his duties involving 
those of collector as well as clerk. During his lei- 
sure hours he eutere<l upon the stndj- of anatomy 
and surgery, and for three j-ears was a student at 
St. (jeorire's Hospital of London. He subsequently 
turned his attention to veterinary surgery, becom- 
ing a student of the veterinary college of London, 
finishing the course in 182H. He then engagefl in 
the practice of his profession in London, jiroving 
skillful in that line, and acquired a wide reputation. 
Having secured some capital, he invested it in 
horses and hacks, and established himself in l)usi- 
ness opposite the (Queen's Gardens. His patrons 
were of the best people, many of tliom being uf 
the nobility. 

In 1829 the Doctor, in marriage ceremony iier- 
formed in London, united his destiny with that of 
Miss Ann Cronk, a daughter of his business part- 
ner. He continued to reside in the city until 1818. 
when with liis wife he emigrated from England tt) 
America. The first year was spent in traveling 
through the southern and western \i:nt of the 
United States, .and in 184it he purchased a fine 
farm of 200 acres near the city of Beloit. Wis., 
where he engaged in farming and raising fine 
horses. His first introduction into business in this 
State proved a very unfortunate financial experi- 
ence. He was induced to loan %ll,-400on what 
he supposed to be good security, but which subse- 
quently' proved to be worthless, so that he never 
realized but j!2()0 out of tlie investment. However, 
he prospered with his farm, which he brought to a 
high state of imi)rovement and which he continued 
to operate until lie lost his wife, who died in 185t>. 
The following year he sold the farm, which is now 
the property of II. 11. McLenigan, and one of the 
finest pieces of farm property in Rock County. 
In 1857 he removed to .lanesville, where he estab- 
lished himself in practice as a veterinary surgeon, 
and where he has since continued to reside. His 
rare skill and marked success in his profession led 
to a large and lucrative pr.actice, which, although 
now in his eighty-seventh year, he has maintained 
with ease, covering a period of thirty-one years. 

On coming to .Vmerica the Doctor atli Hated with 
the ^\'llig party in politics, but his sympathies be- 
insi in favor of liiiman liberty, he soon became 



<^ 




^^►HI-4« 



ROCK COUNTY. 



627 



identified with tlie Kree-soil party. an<l later with 
the Hepiiblicaii parly. He maintained li's connec- 
tion with the last named oriianization until a few 
years .ago, when, becoming dissatisfied with tiic 
party management, lie indorsed President Cleve- 
land's administration, and is now in sympathy with 
tiie policy of the Democratic party in national 
matters. He has never been ambitious of political 
honors, and has held no public office except that of 
Alderman in which he served two terms in the 
.lanesville City Council, and that of Coroner of 
Rock County. But in Freemasonry the Doctor 
h.as borne a conspicuous and honored part, both in 
Kngland and America. From a certificate issued 
by the Masonic Lodge called the Lion and Lamb. 
No. 227, of London, which was formed under the 
Constitution of the I'nited (irand Lo:lge of En- 
gland, it appeal s that C. L. Martin w.as initiated 
in that body, Dec. .'), 1831 ; that he is a P.ast Mas- 
ter and that he had served in all the several offices 
of thai Lodge to the entire satisfiiction of the 
brethren, who strongly rt^commended him to the 
fraternities generally, as a well-posted and liighly- 
esteenu'd l)rollier. The certificate was duly signed 
by till' proper officers and bears the .seal of the 
lodge. The Doctor served five j-ears :i5 the .Mas- 
ter of that lodge, which comprised in its member- 
ship leading business men and several of the nobil- 
ity. After coming to America he soon became 
|)romincnt in the work of the Order in this coun- 
try. He helped to organize the Chapter at Reloit, 
and later became a member of .lanesville Lodge, of 
which he has served as Master many years. In 
18.58 he was elected Grand Master of the Royal and 
Select Masters of Wisconsin, was twice re-elected 
to the same position, and has since been a promi- 
nent member of the Grand Lodge of the .State. 
In 187:? he was elected (Jrand Senior Warden of 
the Grand Lodge, also High I'riest of the ( liapter, 
which position beheld several years. lie was a 
Charter member and Eminent Commander of the 
.lanesville Comniandery. and on the 12th day of 
August, 187(5, was appointed by the Grand Lodge 
of Nevada as their re()resentative to the Grand 
Lodge of Wisconsin. On the 2.'>th day of .January. 
1877, he w.as ai)]>ointed representative to the 
Grand Chapter of Wisconsin from thcGranil IJoyal 




Arch-Chapter of West Virginia. The Doctor has 
long been recognized as one of the most promi- 
nent Masons of this Stule, and his name will be 
founil inscribed in the reports of all the (irand 
bodies of that Order in Wisconsin, as one of the 
active working members of each, and often in the 
roll of officers. He has now been a member of the 
Order for fiftj'-seven years .and has worked zeal 
ously to advance its interests and to promote unity- 
and fraternal feeling among his brethren of the 
craft. 

Dr. Martin has long been identified with the 
Rock County Agricultural Society and has served 
as Vice-president and President. When the his- 
tory of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society 
shall be written, his name will necessarily figure 
conspicuously .as one who has labored long and 
faithfully in its interests. He assisted in the or- 
ganization of the Society and has served many 
years as an officer in the same, being Vice-president 
twenty-eight years. The Hon. N. D. Fratt. Presi- 
dent of the First National Baiik of Racine and ex- 
President of the Wisconsin Agricultural Society, 
in a recent letter to Dr. Martin, suggests the ap- 
propriateness of publishing in the transactions of 
the Society short biographical sketclies of the old 
veterans in the cause, with portraits, giving a place 
of honor to his friend, the Doctor. Such a propo- 
sition from a gentleman like Mr. Fratt is a hioh 
compliment. 

On the 16th day of February. 1858, Dr. Martin 
was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 9tb 
regiment Wisconsin State Militia b^- Gov. Alex. 
Randall — an item of interest in the history of our 
subject not generally known even among his 
friends. 

He and his wife had no children but reared two 
girls. One, Miss Ann Cronk, was a niece of his 
wife, and is now the widow of James Hemming, and 
lives in Chicago. She .acknowlwlges the kind and 
fatherly care of the Doctor by filial affection and 
sincere regard. The other, Harriet (uildstone. is a 
niece of an English M.tsonic friend, and is now the 
Doctor's wife, their marriage having been cele- 
brated in 188.5. Though fourscore and six years 
of age. Dr. Martin is in full possession of his men- 
tal faculties, ami is remarkably hale and heirty. 



J. 



628 



ROCK COUNTY. 



moie so tban many men twentj- _years his junior. 
He is actively employed still in his business of 
veterinaiy surgery and maintains the confidence of 
his patrons in liis skill and abilit}'. As a man and 
citizen he is helrl in high esteem for his strict integ- 
rity and sterling qualities of head and lieart. 

It is with pleasure we present the fine portrait 
of the Doctor, which appears upon the opposite 
page. 



^I^AXIEL II. .lEXKINS, a retired farmer 
I )Y residing in Lima Center, was Ijorn in the 
/fi^^ town of Kllisburg, Jefferson Co.. N. Y., 
^^ on the 27tli (lay of Decemher, 1822. His 
father, fleorge .lenkius. was born in ^'ermont, Jan. 
24. 178(1. and in c^rly manhood remo\ed to Jeffer- 
son County, where he formed the ac(|Uiuiitance of 
Miss Parthenia Wood, and on the 2d day of A|)ril. 
1809. they were joined in wedlock. 'I'lie lady was 
also a native of the Green Mountain State, where 
she was born Oct. IG, 1791. They began their 
domestic life in Jefferson County, where the family 
circle was completed by the birth of seven chil- 
dren. ;is follows: Kstlier W., born Feb. 25, 1810. 
died Oct. 12, 1863; Abiah. born Aug. 21. 1812, 
die<l in the Kuipire .State March 8, hSKi; Frederick 
L., born July 17, 1814, died in Jefferson County 
Sept. 6. of the same year; Lidia O.. born July 18, 
ISli;. became the wife of Capt. Jc)hn Miner, who 
for many years had command of a vessel on the 
lakes, and died in 18;")! ; (ieorge A., born May li). 
1818, is a resident of Fort Atkinson, Wis.; A. W., 
Iporn July 26, 1820. was numbered among the bovs 
in blue of the 2llh Wisconsin Infantry during the 
la'.e Civil War. and n<jw resides in Kau Claire, 
Wis.; and Daniel II . t)f this sketch, is the youngest. 
George Jenkins followed the occupation of fann- 
ing llirougliout his entire life. He served his 
country during the war of 1812, and he and his 
wife were members of the Baptist Church. His 
death occurred in is.'pt. In sjieaking of the death 
of Mrs. Jenkins, which occurred March 19. 1888. 
we (piotc from one of the pa|)ersof Fort .Vtkinson. 
Wis.: "Mrs. l';irlheni:i .Jenkins, aged niuetj'-six 
years, five months and three days, was without 
doubt the oldest |)erson in the city. Her maiden 



name was Parthenia Wood, and she was born Oct. 
IG, 1791, in Middletown, Vt. Her father was a 
sergeant in the Kevolutionary Army. At the age of 
twelve years, with her parents and an aunt, she 
removed to the wilderness of New York, near Lake 
Ont.ario. She was the youngest of a family of 
eleven children, .and in April. 1809. married George 
Jenkins, a soldier of the war of 1812. She was 
the mother of seven children. Her husband died 
in 1854, and the following year she again re- 
moved to the then new country of Calumet Coun- 
ty, Wis. She and all her family w-ere members of 
the Baptist Church. Granrlma Jenkins, as she was 
generally called, retained her faculties to a remark- 
able degree until the hist. She was taken sick 
Friday. March 16, but was about and at the table 
Sunday night. Monday morning she recognized 
all those aronnd her. but soon became unconscious, 
and <|uietly i>assed aw.ay at 3:30 P. M. Among 
the last words she spoke were some snatches of 
hymns. incliKling her favorite hymn, beginning: 
•The Lord my pasture shall prepare.' and the 
.Scriptural passages, 'Bless the Lord, (), my soul.' 
ami 'All things shall work together for gocxl to 
theui that love God.' She was always ready with 
a word of .advice for the young. .Sjio lived to a 
grand old age. Her trancpiil life w.as as unselfish 
as it was useful, and the outside world, with its 
needs and progress, had a share of her interest and 
sympathy up to the last moment." 

The subject of our sketch wa-s educated in the 
district school of his native county, an<l on his 
father's farm he was reared to manhood. He re- 
mained under the p:uental roof until Feb. 9. 1843, 
when his union with Miss .Mary Kllsworth was 
celebrated. The lady was boin in Jefferson Coun- 
ty, N. Y., April 18, 1822, and is a ilaughter of 
Gardner and Polly (Pottei) Kllsworth, who were 
natives of \'ermont. The young couple licgau 
their domestic life upon the old homestead in New 
York, where they resided until 1844. when Mr. 
.b'ukins became a s:iilor. wwA for four years his life 
was spent upon "the boundless deep." At the ex- 
piration of that time he was called home by the 
serious illness of his father, by whose beside he 
remained, tenderly caring for and administering to 
his wants, until his eyes closed in the last sleei>. 



^- 



ROCK COUNTY. 






02!) 



^ 



Wlien the last sad ritos were performed and the 
liody was; eonsiirncd to its resting plai'e to await the 
sounding of the Iriinipet whiuii shall sunmn^n both 
the ([iiiek and tlie dead, Mr. Jenkins delennined to 
remain ashore, and ;is a means of providing a sus- 
tenance for his f;\mil\ turned his attention to farm- 
ing, whicli occupalioM hi' followed while residing in 
.letTerson County, with tiie exception of a few 
years spent in tlie operation of a mill. 

'I'll o\ir suUjeit and his excellent wife iiave heen 
liorn a family of three children: (Jeorge G., who 
was born M.ay 22. l«l.s. and died April 25, 1849; 
Cora ()., horn Sept. 11, 1852, became the wife of 
Kdgar Spangle, a resident of ]>ima Center, and 
they are parents of two children, William, at home. 
and Edith, )iow deceased: Edith, born April 11, 
l>s.')il, is the wife of Edward Smith, who is engaged 
In I'nrmini; in IJenton County, Iowa, and to them 
have been Ivoin one child. Louie A\illiam. 

In 1H(>(). accompanied by his famil\-, Mr. Jenkins 
left his home in tlie East, and with the desire of 
liettering his tiniuicial condition, emigrated to Wis- 
consin, lie purchased forty acres of land in Jef- 
ferson County, and In the course of time b\ suli- 
se(pieut purchase, douliled that amount, lie ma<le 
many tine and beautiful improvements, placed the 
l:ind under a high state of cultivation, and there 
coutinui'd to reside until I8Kl,when he sold his 
farm and removed to Lima Center, where he pur- 
chased a comfortable resi<lence and now has a most 
pleasant home, where the hospitable door always 
stands open and the visitor receives a kindl\- wel- 
come. I'>y his own unaiihMl industry, perseverani'c 
and energy, combined with good luisiness ability, 
he has lU'quired :i comfortable competency, which 
will eiiabU' him to pass his declining 3'eais in retire- 
ment from tin' nuue active duties of life. Mr. and 
Mrs. .lenkins have h^ng been ideiitilied with the 
I!apti-l Church, .-lud in the viiicyaid of the Master 
are earnest ami untiring workers. They have done 
much to promote the interest of the society towhieh 
they belong, and their many kind deeds have won 
for them the love and respect of all. Mr. Jenkins 
takes :in active part in political affairs, and is a 
stalwart supporter of the principles of the Republi- 
can party as taught by its eminent leaders and states- 
ine.i. Me is a member of the Independent Order 




of Odd Kellows, and his wife; l)elongs to the Re- 
liccca degree of that lodge, and also to the Ladies' 
Aid Society. He is liberal in his views of public 
jiolicy, and has been prominent in the promotion 
of the educational, moral .'ind rcliLjions interests of 
the community. His life has been one of the 
strictest integrity, and his sterling worth has made 
him a valued citizen. Surely he is worthy of rep- 
resentafioii in the history of his adopted county, 
and we are pleased to record this l)rief sketch of 
his life. 

'l^^- 

RANKLIN GOULD, a retired farmer now 
residing in Lima Center, is numbered 
among Rock County's best citizens. He 
was born in Jefferson (.'ounty, N. Y,, on the 13th 
day of March, 1825, and was there reared to man- 
hood. His educational advantages were limited to 
such opi)ortunilies as the common schools afforded. 
He assisted his father in the riillivation of the 
home farm until attaining his m.ajority, when for 
his services he began receiving a compensation, re- 
maining with his father two and a half years. He 
came to Wisconsin in Septeinlier, 1848, and on the 
27th of that month he led to the niarriag"^ altar 
Miss Mary A, Frasier, who was born in Lower 
Canada Oct. 8. 1829, and is a daughter of Jeremiah 
and Amy (Wood) Frasier. Her parents were na- 
tives of New York, whence they removed to Can- 
ada, but in 18;3o returned to the Ein|)ire State, and 
became residents of .St. Lawrence County, where 
thev made their home for twenty years. At the 
expiration of that time, in 185.'!, following the 
conrse of emigration which was sie:idily tlowing 
westward, they landed in Rock Counly. Wis., but 
after one year's residence removed to Maicpiette 
County. While there residing, the angel of death 
summoned the lo\ing wife to her final re.st, and her 
remains were interred in the cemetery at Oxford, 
and afterward removed to the Lima Cemeterj'. 
In 1872 Mr. Frasier came to Rock County on a 
visit to his daughters. .Mrs. Diantha M. Brown and 
Mrs. Gould, and while at the home of the hitter 
his death occurred, ou the 13th day of November, 
1873. They were consistent members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, and their family was con- 



^^^^' 



■«► 



630 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-t 



sci( nliously reared. Unto them were born eleven 
children, all of whom grew to maturity, while nine 
of that number, five sons and f.jur daughters, are 
yet living: Oliver E.. the eldest, a resident of 
Canada; Mrs. Rhodn M. Child. Mrs. Diantha 
Brown, Mrs. fiould. Mrs. Elvira Saxe. Lorenzo. 
Mrs. :Martlia Visgar. Loren, Lewis, Cynthia, and 
Byron. 

lu the spring of 1860 Mr. Gould and his family 
returned to Kock County, and the following spring 
he acquired his brother's interest in the store of 
general merchandise which he carried on for two 
years. In LS62 he purchased a house and eight 
acres of land near Lima Center, where he contin- 
ued to reside until June. 1864, at which time he 
removed to the farm of Asa Pratt, comprising 172 
acres of laud. For fifteen years he engaged in its 
cultivation, until February, 1879. when he took up 
his residence in his present comfortable home in 
the village of Lima Center. For the past few 
years, on account of failing health, Mr. Gould h.as 
been living a retired life, having by his efforts of 
industry, economy, and good management of for- 
mer years, accumulated a comfortable competence. 
Possessed of good business ability, his ventures in 
tlie various lines which he has pursued have been 
quite successful, and he is recognized as one of 
the leading citizens of the community. To all 
public enterprises he lias contributed his sujjport, 
and lent his influence to their promotion. Both 
Mr. Gould and his wife are members of the United 
Bretluen in Christ, and the active part which they 
have taken in the work of that denomination has 
been productive of much good. The life of Mr. 
Gould is full of encouragement to j'oung men who 
have an earnest desire to succeed, and are possessed 
of the necessary qualifications. On beginning life, 
his capital consisted of a good constitution, tem- 
perate and frugal habits, industry, and unques- 
tioned integrity of character, together with un- 
bounded pluck and perseverance. From humble 
beginnings he rose to the prominent position which 
he has held in the community for many years, and 
no man stands higher in the estimation of his fel- 
low-citizens. His life h.os been strictly temperate, 
not only as regards the use of intoxicating liquors, 
but the use of tobacco as well. Surely his example 



is worthy of emulation, and his record such an one 
as any citizen might be proud to own. lie regards 
the liquor traffic as the darkest blot upon the page 
of America's history since the days of human slav- 
ery, and with all his strength he will fight it to the 
bitter end. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Gould three children have been 
born, two sons and a daughter: Amos F.. born April 
8. 18.').'5, wedded Miss Leila .1. Spangle, by whom 
he has two children. Nora E. and Charles .1.; Mar- 
tin F., the second son, was born July 8, 1855; 
Cynthia A., born Oct. 17, 1856. is the wife t>f El 
dredge L. Lowe, a resident farmer of Lenawee 
County, Mich., fornierlj- for nearly ten years a 
telegraph-operator in Wisc(»nsin. and of their union 
one child has been born. >>'ina .^1. The children 
were all born in Jefferson Count3'. N. Y.. and no 
pains were spared in giving them good educations. 
The Gould household is noted for hospitality, and 
every one receives a kindly welcome. 




aLLIAM F. WILLIAMS. Clerk of Kock 
Count\, ^Vis., was born in the .state of 
New York, on the 13th dav of May. 1844. 
and is the son of Wright and Elizabeth (Hughes) 
Williams. In 1854 at the age of ten years, he 
removed with the family to Hacine County. Wis., 
settling in Dover Township, where the father en- 
gaged in farming for two years. In 1856 they 
removed to a farm near Darien, Walworth County, 
and in 1859 became resi<ients of Hock County, lo- 
cating on a farm near Evansville. At this time 
the only educational .advantages which our subject 
had received were such as the district school af- 
forded, and, as will be seen, his early life was 
spent upon a f,arm. At the breaking out of the 
late war, he enlisted in September. 1861. as a 
member of Compan\- 1), of the L'itii Wisconsin In- 
fantry, commanded by Capt. E. W. Blake. Of his 
family he wjis not alone in defending his country, his 
father serving as a member of Company E. of the 
33d Regiment; his brother, E. .S. Williams, was in 
the ranks of Company !L 2nd Wisconsin Infantry; 
Gilbert and John were also assigned to Company 
D, of the 13th Regiment; and George T., was .i 



s.. ♦; 



ll 



ROCK COUNTY. 



631 



4^ 



moml)er of Coiupany M. M Wisconsin Cavalry, 
liitil Sept. 17. IXfni, Mr. Williams gallantly de- 
fiMiiled the rt.iji: wliicli now lloats so |)roudly over 
onr united Nation, but at that date wju- discharged 
on aecount of physical disability, resulting from 
.■service in the field. 

On his return from the Southern battle fields, 
Mr. Williams weighed but ninety-seven and a half 
pounds. In 18t)4, he entered the Kvansville .Semi- 
nary and for two winters was a student in that in- 
stitution. As soon as his health would permit he 
devoted his time aud attention to agricultural pur- 
suits, continuing in that line for two years, and in 
the spring of 1868, went to the West, where he en- 
gaged as a contractor in the construction of rail- 
roads. Abandoning that vocation in 1870, he re- 
turned to his home, and in the spring of ihat ^ear, 
wasappointed Street Commissioner of the villageof 
Kvan-sville, filling that office for two years. In the 
fall of 1873. he went to Elk I'oint, Dak., where he 
was employed in the lumber business for JI. W. 
Sheaf, but returned to his home in the fall of the 
following 3ear. Three years were spent by Mr. 
Williams as a drayman in Evansville, and for two 
years he w:is employed on the mail route from 
ICvansville to Kdgerton. He has also served in the 
capacity of iMarsliMl and Street Commissioner of 
the village for five years, was Deiiuty Sheriff for 
four years, X'illage Clerk for twf) years. Fire War- 
den fur five years and Sexton for four j'ears. In 
the fall of 1884, he was elected County Clerk, re- 
elected in 1886, and again in 1888. entering on his 
third term on the first Monday in January. 188!t. 
In the various ollicial positions which he has occu- 
pied. .Mr. Williams has ever discharged his duties 
in a faithful aud prompt tnanner. with credit to 
himself ami satisfaction to his constituents, and the 
long terms of service in the various ottices testify 
to his ability. 

On the 27111 day of December. 1866. Mr. Wil- 
liams was united in marriage with Miss Ellen .1. 
I'.'illard, a daughter of Argalus Ballard. She was 
born in Alleg.any County. N. V.. and her parents 
v,c!\- among the early settlers of Rock County. 
.';r>. Williams is a devoted member of the Episco- 
pal Church. One child has been born of their 
union, a daughter. MyrtaClive. born July 8. 1874. 



.Mr. Williams is a member of Union Lodge, No. 32. 
A. F. >ir A. M., of I<:vansville, and of T. L. Sutland 
I'ost, No. 41. (i. A. R. He is a worthy and valued 
citizen and by his many friends throughout the 
county he is held in high regard. 





^ ' ^I ' t ' ^" "' ■ 

UGUST DAMEROW. a practical and en- 
|i tcrprising farmer of the town of Plymouth, 
residing on section 1.5. is a native of Ger- 
many. He was reared to manhood in his 
native land, and there received his education. On 
arriving at years of maturity be was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Caroline Plantz. a native of Ger- 
many, their wedding being celebrated in the year 
1864. A family of nine children have been born 
unto them, but only four are now living. Bertha, 
the eldest of the surviving ones, resides at home; 
Charles also makes his home in Rock County; 
Amelia is still with her parents, and Herman is yet 
under the parental roof. The children who have 
passed nw.iy are Edward, the eldest, who died in 
Germany; Otto, who also departed this life in 
Germany; Ida. who died in Rock County; Agnes, 
who died in early childhood, an<l Lena, who died 
in Rock County at the fige of two years. Mr. ami 
Mrs. Damerow have spared no pains in giving 
their children good educations, thereby fitting them 
for nn\' |>osition in life which they may be called 
upon to fill. 

In 1878 Mr. Damerow resolved to try his for- 
tune in the new world, and, accompanied by his 
family, sailed for America, the vessel casting 
anchor in the harbor of New York. Landing at 
Castle Garden, he immediately boarded a train for 
Janesville. Wis., whence he proceedetl to Hanover. 
Hock County, where for one year he was emi)loyed 
by Judii Owen. At the expiration of that time he 
turned his attention to .agricultural pursuit*, and 
renting a farm of eight}' acres, oiierated that land 
for a period of three and a half yeare, when, having 
accumulated some capitJil.he bought of Fred Dett- 
mar his present farm, the purchase price being 
12.000 for sixty acres. Since March, 1883. he has 
resided upon that land, and now has the whole 
.imount under a high state of cultivation, while 



r 



•>-ll^^ 



i 



-^ 



4- 



632 



ROCK COUNTY. 



inany fine improvements have been niadr. He 
gives some attention to the eultivation of toliaeco. 
the soil of Rock County being spcfially adapted to 
that product, and in connection with general farm- 
ing has also engaged in stock-raising, always keep- 
ing on hand a good grade of cattle, horses and 
hogs. He is a progressive and energetic farmer, 
and is regarded as one of the representative citizens 
of the town of Plymouth. He takes an interest in 
politiciil affairs, and since becoming a citizen of 
this country has cost his ballot with the Democratic 
party. He has served as Road master of the town, 
holding tiiat position for two years. He and his 
family are all members of the German Lutheran 
Church, and although they have been residents of 
Reck County for only eleven years, they have 
gained a large circle of friends and acquaintances, 
by whom they are held in high regard. 



-^*>- 



^#^ 



<I^^'RHDER1CK GOULD, a prominent and en- 
iJMgi tcrprising citizen of Lima Center engaged 
/l\ ~ in farming and carpentering, was born in 
the town of Clayton, Jefferson Co., N. Y.. Aug. 12, 
1830, and is a son of Amos and Cynthia (Smith) 
Gould, who were natives of the Hay State, the 
father born in Charlton and tlie mother in Berk- 
shire County. In their youth both removed with 
their parents to Jefferson County, N. Y.. where 
they became acquainted and were married in 181'.). 
Mr. Gould was a farmer by occupation and for 
manj- 3'ears engaged in tliat line in connection with 
his brother Martin. In 1816 they purchased some 
wild land which they at once began clearing and 
developed into a fine farm. .\s their financial 
resources increased they added to their lands until 
at the time of dissolving partnership, in 18.^0. their 
entire possessions aggregated 1,475 acres, situated 
in Jefferson County, N. Y. The parents of those 
two brothers were Amos and Martha (Dresser) 
Gould, who were parents of four children, two sons 
and two daugliters. Dolly and Zebina. all of whom 
have passed away. .Vfter the dissolution of |)art- 
nership Martin Gould removed to Michigan City, 
Ind., where his death occurred about the year 1882. 
Amos Gould remained a resident of the Empire 



State until 1S68, w^hen accompanied liy oursuliject 
he catne to Rock County, and being pleased w ith 
the country and its prospects, sent for his family to 
join him in liis new home. To Mr. and Mrs. Gould 
were born four children, as follows: Franklin, who 
came to Rock County in 18fi0. and is now engaged 
in farming in Lima Center; Dorinda who died in 
Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1858; Emeline who 
died in infancy, and Frederick. whf)se name heads 
this sketch. Purchasing land in the town of Lima 
Mr. Gould turned his attention to farming which 
he carried on until his death. He died at Ills home 
in this county in 1876. at the age of eighty years. 
.\s a citizen he was upright and exact, genial and 
courteous to all. and was ever ready to give his 
means and to i"ise his influence for any measure cal- 
culated to be a public benefit. He and his wife 
were both members of the Baptist Church, and in 
the vvork of that organization took an active part 
and were instrumental in advancing its interests. 
The many good and noble deeds of Mr. Gould, 
performed in a quiet and unostentatious manner, 
account in a measure for the regard in which he was 
held by the people of the community, and though 
his residence in the county was of short diu-ation 
he won many true and warm friends. In caily life 
he was a AVliig. Init when the Republican party was 
organized to prevent the further extension of slav- 
ery he joined its ranks and continued to fight un- 
der its banner until his death. His wife, who was 
a most estimable lady, died at the very .advanced 
age of ninety-three years, on the 16th day of April, 
1881. 

The subject of this sketch received a common- 
school education in his native county, and his early 
years were passed in the usu,al routine of farm 
labor. As the age of twenty-two years, starting 
out in life for himself, he left the parental roof, 
and in 1859 came to Lima Centei'. Wis., where he 
eml)arked in the mercantile business, his stock con- 
sisting of general meichandise. After two years, 
selling out his interests, lie returned to New York, 
and on the 10th day February, 1861. was united in 
marriage with Miss Cynthia .\. Carter, a daughter of 
Jerry and Ora ((iloyd) Carter. Her parents i)assed 
to their last rest in New York, and were interred 
in the burying ground at Clayton Center, Jeffer- 




i.J^-^?-7/2/reiAJ 




o-y(^ 



«» ll ^ > 






ROCK COUNTY. 



635 



son County. Two cliilflrcn h.ive been born to Mr. 
■•uiil .Mrs. (mhiIiI: MImim. Ihc clilcr. burn in .Icfferson 
County, X. V.. IX'c-. .51, IHli-'i, is now tin- wife of 
M. E. Tectsliorji, agent for the United States Ex- 
press Ci)ni|i;uiy at Winon;i, .Alimi.; Ora D., born 
March 11. 18(>7, is still with her parents. 

In 1H68, aeeoinpanie<l by his family. Mr. Gould 
again became a resident of Rock County, locating 
iu Lima Center, where he h.'is since given his atlen- 
tif)n to carpentering and farming. He is broad in 
his views of public polic\' and lil)eral in his support 
of religious, educational, and other local interests. 
He is a credit to the community iu which he has so 
long made his home, and is respected by all who 
know him. In politics he is an inflexible adherent 
of the Republican party and an able defender of 
its principles. 



— ♦'•SNfer* 



-:a x: - < » - 




^ 



NDREW .lEN.SON. the present M.ayor of 
Edgertou, and one of the largest and most 
successful dealers in leaf tobacco in Rock 
County, is a native of Norway, having 
been born in th.at country on the 4lh day of 
.luue, 1813. His falliei'. .lens Oleson, never came 
to America, but is still a resident of Norway. The 
mother of our subject died when he was two years 
of age. leaving four children, after which Mr. 
Oleson was .again married, and by his second union 
had a family of five children. 

Our subject was reared to the occupation of 
farming, and remained in his native land until 1869, 
when, believing that the New World furnished 
bettor opportunities than were afforded by the old 
countries, he crossed the broad Atlantic to America, 
.and came at once to Rock County, where was living 
a Mr. .lohusou who came from his immediate 
neighborhood in Norway many years before, and 
was well known by his people. Mr. Jenson, how- 
ever, almost immediately after his arrival, went to 
Albion I'rairie, in Dane County, where he secured 
employment with Samuel Clarke, with whom he 
continued for .about six months. He then attended 
sdiool for a few weeks, making his home witii the 
family of Clark Crandall, whom he assisted in the 
A* 



labors of the farm each night aiul morning for his 
board. In 1870 he rented l:nid on shares of Ole 
O. ,\ndersr)n. a farmer of .Mbion, whereon he 
raised a crop of tobacco. At the end of that time, 
he had become somewhat familiar with the cultiva- 
tion of the plant, and resolved to continue the busi- 
ness. Accordingly, in the season of 1871. he sent 
to Norway for a friend to assist him. and raised 
tobacco on shares for Thomas Thoranson, and was 
quite successful in the enterprise, clearing about 
*60(). In 1873 he engaged with Carr & Taylor, 
receiving as a compensation for his services §2.5 
per month, and in the winter of 1873-4 w.os em- 
ployed in p.-icking for Mr. Sawyer, who was en- 
gaged in the tobacco business in Chie.ago. The 
following season he was associated with Afartin 
Mason, on Wheeler Prairie, carrying on general 
farming, but later in the season he sold his interest 
to his partner and removed to Edgerton with the 
intention of establishing business for himself, hav- 
ing added somewhat to his capital each year. In 
the winter of 1874-5 Mr. Jenson engaged in the 
tobacco business with Thom.as Hutson, as a mem- 
ber of the firm of Hutson it Jenson. which part- 
nership continued until 1880. In 187C the firm 
erected a warehouse, which Mr. Jenson retained on 
the dissolution of the firm. In 1879 he extended 
his business by becoming a partner of Osman (iun- 
derson, at Stoughton, where he also erected a ware- 
house. In 1882 another building was constructed 
at Edgerton, known as Warehouse No. 12, and 
three years later he erected his present splendid 
brick structure, at a cost of about |;l 2,000. It is, 
perhaps, the finest and most substantial building of 
its character to be found in the State, and is an 
ornament to the city. In 1885 he still further ex- 
tended his interests by establishing a branch busi- 
ness at Westbv, N'ernon Co., Wis., where he also 
erected a warehouse. 

The success to which Mr. Jenson haa attained in 
his business career is evident from the foregoing 
.statement of the progress which he has made. In 
1869. only twenty years ago, he arrived in Edger- 
ton from his native land, a poor boy, unacijuainted 
with the language or the wa3-s of the people, but is 
now numbered among the sul)stantial and success- 
ful business men of Hock County. His life is an 



.•-I^^ 



^•►Hh-* 



i 



f.3r, 



ROCK COUNTY. 



example of what may be accomplished hy industry, 
enterprise and ability. 

On the 1st day of .laiiuary. 1S77. Mr. .lenson 
formed a niatrimonial alliance with Miss Hannah, 
daughter of .Ia(«ih .lohnfon. a resident of Edger- 
ton, and unto liiein have been born seven cliildren, 
six of wiioni. four sons and two daugliters, are yet 
living, namely: .Tosoph Alfred, Oscar Jacob, Adolph 
Herman, Lydia M.. Clara M. and Carl Andrew. 
Their third child, a little son. is now deceased. 
Mr. .lenson is r.ow serving his third term as Mayor 
of ivigcrton, wliioh teslities to his ability and the 
faithfulness witli whicli lie discharges the duties of 
his office. Previous to his lirst term he filled the 
position of Alderman for two years, lie is well 
luKJwn throughout the coniniunity, where he has 
gained a large circle of warm friends, and we are 
not only pleased to give this brief sketch, but to 
present to our readers the fine litliographic portrait 
of Mr. Jensen, who, within a period of twenty 
years, has made such rai)id advancement in what 
is to him a new country. 



•■^^^^^t^ 



«i?5w:— «5tf~ 




i^OLNEV AVOOIJ, who reside-s on section 22. 
.loliustown Township, is a leading and en- 
terprising farmer and is the owner of 228 
acres of land situated on sections 22, 23 and 26. 
He was born in I'eiinsvlvania. April 21. 1830. and 
is the j-oungest child of Silas and Olive (Kennedy) 
Wood, who were born in New York. When our 
subject was two years old, his parents removed to 
Ashtabula County, Ohio, where they spent the suc- 
ceeding four years, and in 1830, became residents 
of La Porte County, Ind. His father there engaged 
in farming for several years, when he again re- 
moved with his family, settling in Rock County, 
Wis., in 1810. He once more turned his attention 
to acricultural i)ursuits, owning a farm in the town 
of .Milton, where he made his home until his death, 
which occurred in t'ebruary, 1851, at the age of 
si.xty-five years. His wife preceded him to her 
final rest, dying in 1849. They were people held 
in hifh esteem, and their children, six in nuinlier, 
all became respected men and women. Jasi>er. 
the eldest, who wsis born July 22,1810, died in 

.^« : 



1851 ; Royal born Sept. 7,1818, has now retired from 
active life and is a resident of Janesville; Zelotes, 
born Oct. 25. 1820, is living in Ashtabula County, 
Ohio; Parmenas, born on the 4tli day of Sepleni- 
ber, 1823, died in 1853; Daniel M.. born .May 30, 
1826, departed this life in 1877; and Volncy. of 
this sketcii. completed the family. 

Since I.Htii, our subject ha> been a resident of 
Rock County, and is numbered among the honcjred 
pioneers. At the time of his coming the pr.uries 
were uucullivaleil. but few settlements hail been 
made, and the process of development had scarcely 
begun.- Settling on a farm in Milton Township, 
he there made his home for twenl3-ninc years, 
when he removed to his present lesiilence. He 
has followed the occupation of farming through- 
out his entire life, and everything about his place 
indicates the owner to lie a man of thrift and pro- 
gressive ideas. 

In the month of August. l.Sli), Mr. Wood was 
united in raarri.age with Miss Catherine L. Austin, 
daughter of John and Rebecca .\ustin, whose 
sketch appears on another page of this volume. 
The early home of the Austin family was in the 
Empire State, hut in 1815. they emigrated to the 
West .-md became pioneers of Rock County. Wis. 
Hy the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wood, six children 
have been born, and although some have left the 
piucutal roof the famil\- circle has lict-n unbroken 
by the hand of death. Louisa M., the eldest, who 
was born .May 21). 185(1. is the wife of E. P. Keith, 
a resident farmer of Kossuth County, Iowa, an<l to 
tiiem have been liorn four children — Lynn. Harry, 
Flora May. and Charlie; Eveline, who was born on 
the 15tli day of Fcliruarv. 1852. is living .at home; 
Frances E.. born April \K 1851, became the wife of 
Dr. E. L. Cary, a practicing physician of White- 
water, Wis., and to them has been born a dagh- 
ter, Florence Lillian, who was born Nov. 0. 1882; 
Cora May, liorn Jan. .3. 185St. was united in mar- 
riage Nov. 12, 1885, with E. A. Carter, and in Sep- 
tember. 1880. a son. Halpli. was born unto them; 
Flora A-, born Sept. 21). 18(iO, was joined in wed- 
lock Jan. 2(). 1888, with David Zuill. who is en- 
gaged in farming in Johnstown Township; Grant \'.. 
the youngest, horn July 0. 1805. is a resident far- 
mer of Bradford Township, and on the 23rd day 



^ 



^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•«► 



037 



of July. 1886. iiiaii-ied Miss Kva Welcli, (Iaua;hlcr 
of I'.duin F. \\\'l(li. of this <'oiintv. They also 
liavf one cliild, Ilowaid Kdwin. 

Mr. Wood lias taken an .iclive interest in the af- 
fairs of Koik County, and has served his fellow 
eitizens in various townshii) ollU-es. While resid- 
ing in tlie town of ftlilton. he held the position of 
JSii|)ervisor. and sinee his removal to Johnstown 
Tow;ishi|i has served as Assessor for six years, hav- 
ing lilled that ottiee for the i)ast four years. He 
lias also served on the School Hoard for several 
years, and for five yeais was Secretary for the 
Johnstown Insurance Company. He has ever dis- 
charged the duties of his ollice in a most satisfac- 
tory' manner, anil is a worthy and respected citizen. 
.Mr. Wood attends the Congregational Church, 
altliongh he is not a member of any denomination. 
In his political views he is in accord with the He- 
publican |)arty. 



-'e^^' 



\V IfcALLACE PAUL, an enterprising and pro- 
■ ■'"■" ' ' ~" extensive stock 



y^ALLACE TAUL, an enterpri 
gressive farmer and an ex 
W^ dealer, of the town of Mil 



I 



I ton. residing 
on section 'J. was born and reared in the county 
where his life thus far h;is been passed. His 
birth occurred on the IHh d.-vy of December, 
181.3. and he is a son of William Paul, whose 
sketch may lie found on another page of this work. 
His education was received in the district schools 
of the county, and he was reared to manhood upon 
his father's farm, where he remained until attaining 
his majority. At the age of twenty-one years he 
left the (larentftl roof and started out in life for 
himself. ( )ii "the 22d day of January, 1878, he 
formed a matriuKuiial alliance with Miss Ada H. 
Thorpe, also a native of .Milton Township, born 
Feb. 10, 185C. Her |)arents were Hollin and Hen- 
rietln (I)ensmore) Thorpe, who came to this county 
during the early d.ays of its history. Her father 
was a native of Connecticut. 

The young couple began their domestic life 
n|ion the farm on section 9, in the town of Milton, 
where lliey still make their home. Five children 
have there been born unto them, but two are now 
deceased. Alta H., the eldest, died on the 19th 



day of May, ISSC- Carl was born Aug. 17, 1880; 
H.irry was born .Ian. 13, 1883; Grade, born Jan. 
9, 188.5, died May 20, 1886; Ilattie, the youngest 
of the family, was born on the 7th day of January, 
1887. 

Mr. Paul has passed his entire life in farming, 
.and now owns one of the finest farms in the com- 
munity, under a high state of cultivation and im- 
provement. He has given considerable attention 
to the raising of fine stock, and deserves much 
credit for introducing the best grades into the 
county. He makes a specialty of Sliort-horn cattle. 
Merino sheep and Clydesdale horses, and always 
has some fine specimens on hand. He is a good 
judge of stock, and his advice has often been 
sought by those who wish to purchase. He has 
been very successful in that line of business, and 
has gained a wide reputation. In his social rela- 
tions Rlr. Paul is a member of the Patrons of 
Husbandry, having been identified with that or- 
ganiz.ation for some years,- and in political senti- 
ment is a warm supporter of the Republican party 
and a staunch advocate of its princi|)les. He li:is 
always been identified with the best interests of 
Rock County, and is a valued and representative 
citizen. He is held in the highest regard bv his 
many friends, both those who have known him 
from boyhood and his .acquaintances of later vears. 
Mr. iind Mrs. Paul are devoted Christian people, 
worshiping with the United Hrethrcn at the Olter- 
beirn Church. 

RANK N. WEB.STKR, mcrcliant tailor of 
; Janesville. was born at Riiioii, Wis.. Aug. 
_ 17, 1860, and is the son of 1!. (;.and Helen 

X. (Newell) Webster. He graduated from the 
Janesville High School in the class of I88ti, and 
began his business education as a clerk with E. W. 
Lowell, a hardware merchant. One year later he en- 
gaged in the grocery business with his brother, W. 
A.Webster, at Ri|)on. That connection continued 
two years, when he returned to .lanesvillc. and en- 
gaged as clerk with J. U. Ford, merchant tailor, 
with whom he was employed five 3'ears. In Mav. 
1888, he engaged in the same line for himself, and 



r 



k 638 



•«»• 



ROCK COUNTY. 



has built up a very satisfactory liusiness. His 
store, which is situated between the Merchants' and 
Mechanics' Savings Bank and the jjost-oHice. is con- 
veniently located, and is well stocked witli every- 
thing in the line of merciiaut tailoring. 

Mr. Webster was married on the 2athda}-of De- 
cember, 18«4. to Miss Jessie Ball. a native of Hock 
Countv. ami a daughter of James and Fannie 
(Wynans) Ball. Thej' have one chikl.a son, Frede- 
rick Ivlwin. born Dec. 31, 188;j. Mr. Webster is a 
Republican in iinliiics, but has never sought or de- 
sired public office, lie devotes his attention strictly 
to his business, and is already rated as one of the 
le;iding meichant tailors of Janesville. 




ALEB T. WINSLOW. one of tlie oldest en- 
leers on the Ciiicago A* Xorthweslern 
Railroad, now living in Janesville. was 
born at Waterford. .Saratoga Co., N. Y., Oct. 21, 
1836. and is a son of Peter Alex and Catharine A. 
(Briggs) Winslow. His father was Ijorn in I'itts- 
lield, Mass.. and was descended from iiilgrims who 
came to America in the ••-Mayflower." The family 
gained distinction in the New England States, one 
of its members having served as Governor of Mas- 
.sachusetts, and another as (Jovernor of Connecticut. 
Mrs. Winslow was born in Montgomery County, 
N. Y., and was descended from Holland ancestry. 
The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
liood in liis native county, and received Ids |)riniary 
wlucaliou in the district .schools, supplemented by 
a course in the Jonesville Academy, where he com- 
pleted his literary studies. When eighteen years of 
age, he began his business career in the position of 
fireman on the Rensselaer iV Saratoga Railroad, re- 
maining in the employ of that company- tluring the 
years 185;i and 1854. He came West in 1855, and 
in the spring was employed as fireman on the (Ga- 
lena A: Chicago Union Railroad, the first road ever 
built nut of Chicago. He leinained on that line 
from March 1. 1855, until the fall of 1850, when 
he came to Janesville. and entered the employ of 
what was then known as the Chicago, St. Paul & 
Fond du l-ac Railroad, now a division of the Chi- 
cago (.Vr Northwestern, After firing for about two 



i^^^ 



years, in November, 1858, he was placed in charge 
of his first engine, and continued as engineer until 
June 20, 1877, when he was taken sick. As soon 
as he had sufficiently recovered his iiealtli, lie was 
employed as m.acliinist in the shops of the railroail 
company at Janesville, where he is stfll occupied. 
He is one of the oklest employes of the road, anil 
one of their ablest workmen. lie is an expert ma- 
chinist, understands the engine in all its detJiils, is 
careful and reliable, and is held in high esteem 
both by his em|)lo3ers and his associates in the 
shop. 

On the 10th day of January, 1865. Mr. Winslow 
was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with 
Miss Abigail F. Wheeler, a daughter of R. M. and 
Elizabeth Wheeler. Mrs. Winslow is a native of 
Charlotte, Vt.. and is a memljcr of the Tiinity 
Episcopal Church of this city. Twochildi-en have 
been born of their union — Carrie Belle and Fred 
AV heeler, both born in Janesville. 

In politics ^Ir. AVinslow is a supporter of the 
Rei)ublican jiarly. He takes great interest in civic 
societies, and is a member of various organizations. 
In 1858. he joined the Ma-sonic Lodge at Wood- 
stock, III., is a member of the Woodstock Chapter, 
No. 3(i. and is also a Knight Templar. lie holds 
membership ill Wisconsin Lodge. No. It, and Hock 
River Encampment, No. 3. I. O. O. F., ami is Past 
(Irand aud Past Chief Patriarch of the Order. He 
is also Past Sachem of Mohawk Tribe, No. .3, Im- 
l)roveil Order of Red Men. Mr. Winslow lias now 
lieen a resident of Janesville for tliirt\-thrce years, 
and is held in high regard by his many fi-iends in 
this cit3', as a man of integrity an<l sterling worth. 

, ■ :gi^J^^^^-^ 

^f/A.MES .MILLS, B. S.. .M. 1)., a prominent 
jdiysician of Janesville, is a native of Rock 
County, and was born on the 25tli day of 
^__^/ July. 1852. His father, Peter .Mills, one of 
Rock Counts' "s early .-iettlers. was born in Perth- 
shire, Scotland, Feb. 7. 1818. He was reared in 
his native land, and there learned the trade of a 
miller. On the 7th day of November, 1841, he 
was united in marriage with Miss .lane Pe.acock, and 
in 184'.) they emigrated to .\merica, locating on 



•^f* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



C3. , ,1 



4 



Hock Prairie in Rock Coiintv, vvjiere Mr. Mills en- 
g.aged ill farming. Tlieir cliildren were four in 
numlier: Mary, the eldest, born May 3(1, 1813, is 
liie wife of Alex.ander McGregor; Peter, born .Ian. 
18, 184(5, enlisted in the late war as a member of 
tlif l.'ilh Wiscdnsin regiment, and died at Fort 
Henry, Tonn.. Dec. IG, 18(i2; Margaret, born Nov. 
27, 18.^0, died in infancy. Tlie Doctor was the 
youngest of the family, and w.as but four d.ays old 
when his f.ither died. Mr. Mills' death occurred 
on his faiin in Rock Prairie, .Inly 2il, 18r)2, from 
cholera, at the early .age of thirty-four years. 
'I'hough he died thus early in life he was naturally 
of a strong constitulion, possessing great strength 
and powers of endurance. He was well educated, 
energetic, industrious and highly esteemed. 

After the death i>f her husband the mother of 
our subject, by hard work and careful management, 
carried on the farm and provided for her family. 
In 18o4 she became the wifp of .lohn Henry. They 
now reside on the old homestead, and one child has 
been born to thcni. Margaret Jane, born March 10, 
1863. who still lives with her parents. 

The subject of our skcl(!h was reared to man- 
hood on the old honu'stead in .lohnstown. He 
worked on the farm with unceasing industrw the 
only relaxation being his altendanee at the district 
school during the winter months. In 18G9 he en- 
tered Milton College, where he attended several 
winter terms. His aniliitiini did not sliinil)ei', and 
finding himself partly de|)endcnt upon his own 
energies to secure an education, he began farming 
for himself during the summer and attending the 
college during the winter. In 1875 he taught 
school in the old school house where he first at- 
tended. He still pursued his college course, and 
for several terms was one of the assistant teachers. 
In 187'.) he graduated. Desiring to nnike the prac- 
tice of medicine his profession, he. with untiring 
zeal and well-directed ambition, entered the oflice 
of Dr. llenr\- Palmer as a student, and a year later 
entered the Chicago Medical College, from which 
he graduated with honors in 1883. During his 
last year at college he was appointed .\ssistant 
Surgeon of the Chicago cfc North ivestern Railroad 
Company, which is strong proof of the abilitv he 
possessed as a student, and whieh atTorded him a 

•4* 



wide experience in surgical [jraclice. This position 
he held for one year. A few d-ays after his gradu- 
ation he received the appointment of Assistant 
Physician in the Insane Hospital at Klgin.Ill.. where 
he remained two years. His practice here afforded 
him valuable opportunity for knowledge in the 
treatment of the insane. Desiring still further to 
extend his medical researches and widen his ex- 
perience, before entering general pnictice, he re- 
signed this position and went to Scotland, taking a 
course in the Edinburgh Medical University ami 
Edinburgh Infirmary and Lying-in-Hospital, where, 
among over eight Imndred patients, his observa- 
tions at the bedside and in the operating room 
were extensive. Going thence to London, he spent 
several months making observations in surgery in 
King's College Hospital under Sir .lames Lister and 
other eminent surgeons, also in hospitals devoted to 
the treatment of the diseases of women and chil- 
dren, and at Brompton Hospital for the diseases of 
the chest. Tliis proved a \ahiable and instructive 
school to him, in which he learned the metho<ls used 
by many of the most eminent physicians and sur- 
geons in Europe, and which has been of ine.sl imable 
value in his practice. Leaving London, he spent 
some time in Paris jjursuing the same course and 
visiting the principal places of interest, lie visited 
the chief art galleries of London. Paris and Vev- 
sailles, and brought home with him a choice collec- 
tion gathered at those places. 

While in Europe Dr. Mills wrote a scries of letters 
concerning cities, places and things of those coun- 
tries. These articles were published in the .lanes- 
ville (iitzette and were wi<lely lead ami universally 
praised. In 188.'), jirior to his leaving .Seotland, 
he became a member of the Edinljiirgh Obstetrical 
Society, a long-established and famous organiza- 
tion. He is also a member of the State Medical 
Societj'and Knights of l'yllii;is. 

In the month of August, Dr. .Mills returned from 
the old countries, and at once began the practice 
of his profession at Janesville, where he has since 
resided. Both as physician an<l surgeon he has at- 
tained an enviable reputation, such as many an older 
practitioner might well be |)roud of. his practice 
being chiedy confined to the best classes of people 
in both city and country. He is a thorough scholar 



h- 



-•► 



640 



ROCK COUNTY. 



and a true gentleman, and has the confidence and 
respect of the coniuninity. Everything he under- 
takes bears tlie nnmistalvable impress of energy and 
sound judgment. 

Fel). 13, 1888, the Hoc-k County Caledonian 
Society was organized and the Doctor was chosen 
President, which otlice he still holds. 

May 12, 1886, he led to the marriage altar Miss 
Emma F. Chamberlain, only daughter of James 
Chamberlain of La Prairie. Mrs. Mills is also a 
graduate of Milton College, class of 1878. On 
April 16, 1889, was born to them a son, "Wallace C. 
Mills. Dr. Mills has just erected a handsome resi- 
dence on East Milwaukee street, which home is an 
ornament to the city. 

Since their residence in Janesville tiiey have be- 
come members of the Presljyterian Cliurcli of that 
place. They enjoy an extensive acquaintance, 
being greatly esteemed by all wlio know them, and 
rank high in the social world. 






-> 



-r 



*M* AJOR WILLIAM H. MORGAN, who is 
ijj \\\ engaged in farming and stock raising on 
I 111 section 9, town of Milton, was born in 
* Dan vers, P^ssex County, Mass., on the .'list 

day of March, 1831, and is a son of Isaac P. and 
and Rebecca G. (Gladden) Morgan, a sketch of 
whose lives may be found on another page of this 
work. When a lad of thirteen years the family 
removed to Lowell, M.ass., and in the schools of 
that city he completed his education. In liis early 
years he learned the painter's trade, which he fol- 
lowed for a time in Adrian, Mich., engaging in 
the same occupation .at various other places until 
tiie breaking out of the Civil War. 

Wlien the President issued his call for 7.t,0(I() 
volunteers to serve three years, acting upon his 
patriotic impulse and love of country, he responded 
to the call :uid enlisted in the 7th Wisconsin Regi- 
ment, as a member of Company H. The Regiment 
was mustered into the I'nited .States service in the 
month of May, 1861, and was then drilled and pre- 
pared for war. and ordered to the front. 

Mr. Morgan took part in the various battles and 
skirmishes until tiie 'iMth day of August, 1862, at 



the battle of Gainsville, where he was wounded. 
Being left on the field he was taken prisoner by the 
Rebels, but was subsequently paroled. After ly- 
ing in the (^ueen .Street Hospital at Alexandria. 
Va., for several months he had sufficiently recov- 
ered his health to again enter into active service 
and rejoined the command at Belles Plainos, Va.. 
where the 7tli Wisconsin was in winter quarters. 
With the regiment he marched against Fredericks- 
burg, and later met the enemy on the battle-field 
at Gettysburg, where occurred one of the hardest 
fought battles of the entire war. On account of 
the wound which he had previous!}- received, he 
was then sent with his regiment to Mrginia and 
transferred to the \'eteran Reserve Corps, com- 
posed of ilisabled soldiers who did garrison duty 
at Washington, 1). C. For S()me time he held the 
rank of Orderly Sergeant, when he w.as assigned to 
Con)pany C, 23d Regiment Reserve Corps, and 
commissioned Second Lieutenant, tlie commission 
being given and signed Ity Abraiiam Lincoln. He 
remained in Wasliington until 18Gt. when lie was 
ordered to report to Col. Green, Provost Marshal 
of Wisconsin Headquarters, at Madison, whence 
he was sent to X.ashville, Tenn., in charge of some 
prisoners of war. On his return he was assigned 
ty Company A, 23d Regiment Veteran Reserve 
Corps and placed in command of the patrol guard. 
Later he was sent to Ft. Snelling. Jlinn., and was 
there during the Indian massacre which occurred. 
In a sliort time, not lieing able to perfdiiu tlie 
duties of tliat post, he was sent to Milwaukee, 
where he had command of Company A of the 23d 
Regiment and aftorwanls acted as Post Adjutant, 
but subsequently was placed in coniniaiid of the 
camp. He was afterwards sent home to await fur- 
ther orders, and on tlie 10th day of .June, l.sdfi, 
was mustered out of service by a special order 
from the War Dcpartuient. having served for the 
long period of live years. He was a true and loyal 
soldier, ever faithful to his duty, and was alw.ays 
found ill the front rank until ill health, consequent 
upon the wound received, made it necessarv for 
him to perform ligiiter labors. 

Previous to theclose of the \\ ai-. .Majm- Morgan 
had purchased a farm of l.'iO acres on section '.). 
in the town of Milton, ami on the cessation of bus- 



r 



^ 



4 



ROCK COUNTY. 



(Ul 



tilitios tnrnefl his attention to awricnltural pursuits, 
wliicli lie has since followed. He also raises a 
good grade of stock, and is recogni/.ed as one of 
the leading farmers of the coniinunity. Mo fur- 
ther completed liis"arrangenients for a homo h.v his 
union vvith Miss Lena II. Maass, the wedding cer- 
emony l)eing performed on the 27lh day of .lanu- 
ary, 1.S65. The lad^' is a native of Germany, but 
came to America with her parents during early 
childhood. To Mr. and Mrs. ^Morgan has been born 
one child. Benjamin F. He was a young man of great 
pi'omise, with, seemingl}-. the brightest possible fu- 
ture before him, l)nton just completing his school 
life, he was taken sick with the measles and died on 
the 'ittili day of April, 1HS7. He was a great fa- 
vorite with his schoolmates and teachers and the 
pride and J03' of his parents. None knew liim but 
to love him. and the life, cut down in the pride of 
its young manhood, was mourned by all. Socially 
Mr. Morgan is a member of the Masonic Fraternity 
and the (i. A. R. post of Milton. He has held va- 
rious townsinp oftices of trust, including three 
terms as Suiiervisor, and has devoted much of his 
time and attention to the advancement of the best 
interests of the community. He has atfiliated with 
the l{ej)ublicaii party since its oiganization. and .as 
a citizen none stand higher in the coniiiiuulty th.-in 
Major Morgan. 

(| jfelLLIAM M. HEMPHILL, one of the prac- 

\wn '''*^'''' '""' l'™g''^s®'^'^" fi'i'iners of the town 
'^\y of Fulton, residing on section l:\. was 
born in New Hani|)shiro on the l.'jth day of June. 
1S2(>. and his parents were .lames and .Sarah (Dens- 
moie) Hemphill. Their birthplace was also in the 
Granite State, where the fathei' engaged in farinini; 
for many years. He afterwards removed to Onei- 
da County. N.Y., where ho followed the same oc- 
cupation for fifteen j'ears, when he took up his res- 
idence on a farm in Steuben Count\-. lie thei-e 
resided until his death, and was buried in the cem- 
etery at ll;irtsville, N.V. His wife, who survived 
hini for sometime, died at the home of her eldest 
son. and was laid to rest by the loved one gone be- 



fore. 



The family numbered eight children, live of I catin" 



whom, four sons and a daughter, are living at the 
time of this writing (1889). Hobert, the el.lest. is 
living on the old homestead in the Empire State; 
William M. is the next in order of birth; James 
M. is located in Oregon; Silas makes his home in 
Pennsylvania; and Ruth is the wife of the Rev. 
William C. Whitford, a resident of :\Iiiton. Wis. 
Mr. Hem|)hill and his wife were earnest Cluistian 
people, lielonging to the Seventh-day Baptist 
Church and were held in high respect in the com- 
munity where they made their home. In political 
sentiment the fornocr was a Democrat. 

Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and 
youth on his father's farm, but on attaiiiinir the 
age of twenty years bade good-by to his homo and 
friends .and started out to fight life's battle. He 
was first employed as a pile-driver on the New 
York i\r Erie Railroad for a period of six months 
and then Iiegan working as a farm hand, engaainc 
in that line during the greater part of the time un- 
til August, 1848. Following the course of emigra- 
tion, which was steadily flowing westward, he 
reached AViscousin and cast his lot witli the pio- 
neer settlers of Rock County. For three \ears he 
again engaged in farm labor, when he returned to 
New York on a visit to his parents. In the spring 
of 1851, attracted by the discoveries in Cali- 
fornia, he started with an o.\ team to tlie P.acific 
Slope, his journey being from ocean to ocean. On 
the 3d d.ay of April he left his home and after 
crossing mountains, fording rivers and enduring 
the exposure and perils of life on the plains, 
reached his destination Sept. 13, having been five 
months and ten d.ays in making the trip. He at 
once eng.aged in mining, which he followed with 
reasonable success for throe years, when he re- 
turned home. 

Not long after his arrival .Mr. Hemphill wedded 
Martha Langworthy. the marriage eeremonv be- 
ing performed Oct. 2. 18.")."). Two children were 
born unto them, namely: William E., who is now 
deceased, and Alida S., who was born March IG. 
18(51, and is the wife of Charles M. .Morse, a resi- 
dent of Clark County, Miss. Mr. and Mrs. Hemp- 
hill spent the winter in the E:ist. and the foIiowin<>- 
S|)ring after their marriage came to Wisconsin, lo- 



land in Rock County which the husband 



f 



k 



•4 



C42 



^^^h^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



had previously purchased. A commodious liouse 
had been built, but otherwise no improvements 
had been made. The work of cultivating the wild 
land was at once begun, and though in limited cir- 
cumstances in those early days, he accunuilated by 
industry, good management andal)ility, a comfort- 
able proi)erty, and is now one of the most substan- 
tial farmers of the town of Fulton. 

Although experiencing many inconvenienciesand 
enduring many hardships the da3's passed merrily 
in the pioneer home until 1870. when a dark 
shadow cast by the gloomj- hand of Deatii blotted 
out for a time all sunshine. Tiie loving wife and 
tender mother died on the 2otli day of May. and 
was laid to rest in the burying-ground at Milton. 
Mr. Hemphill's second marriage was celebrated in 
October. IX''.\. the lady of his choice being ^Irs. 
Aurela C. (ireen, by whom he has one child. Nel- 
son K.. who was l)orn Oct. 8, 1875, and still re- 
sides at home. The mother died May 29, DiS'J, 
and her remains were taken to Independence, N.Y., 
wiicre they were interred. She was a most estima- 
ble lady, iiighly beloved for her many excellencies 
of character, and was a member of the Seventh- 
day Baptist Church, which represents the belief of 
Mr. Hemphill. The latter h.as always borne his 
share in the work of public improvement, is a rep- 
resentative citizen and is well knovvn throughout 
the community. He casts his ballot with tiic Re- 
publican party, with which he has altilialed since 
its organization. 

_^ ©♦o-@;>xA^..»»o.. v— 

ILLARl) BOWLES, a farmer and slock- 

\al- 
ong the 

pioneer settlei's of Rock County, dating his resi- 
dence from 1H4G. He was born in \erniont on 
the nth day of June, 1812, and is a son of John 
Bowles. His father was a soldier in the War of 
1812. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to nian- 
luKxl in the Green Mountain State, there receiving 
his education, and in 1836 was joined in wedlock 
with Miss Mary Seeley. They became the parents 
of nine children, seven of whom lived to mature 



y^lLLAKI) BOWLES, a farmer and s 
raiser, residing on section 10, Spriui 
W^ le.V Township, is numbered amonj 



"^ 



j'ears: Azro, the eldest, who served in the ranks of 
the 13th Wisconsin Infantrj- during the late war 
from the time of its organization until the close of 
hostilities, and is now engaged in the furniture 
business at Parker, Dak., married Miss Wilson, by 
whom he has two childien. both yet living; Lewis 
N.. who wedded Abbie Fuller, ami has two chil- 
dren living, w.as also a private of the 13th Wiscon- 
sin regiment, and was wounded by a ball passing 
through the right hand, necessitating the removal 
of the middle finger; he now resides with his 
father on the old homestead. Mary is the wife of 
John Emmons, a practicing physician of Forrester. 
Iowa; Almira wedded Charles Gibson, a native of 
Scotland, now engaged in farming in Harmony 
Township, and has four children by her marri.agc: 
Willard, who is engaged in farming in the town of 
Spring Valley, is the husband of Libby Benscooter, 
by whom he h;is three children; George M.. who is 
also engaged in agricultural pursuits, and resides in 
Spring Valley Township, wedded Miss Emma Will- 
iams, and two children have blessed their union; 
Nellie, the youngest child, is now the wife of Jo- 
seph Fuller, a resident farmer of Magnolia Tow ii- 
shi|). and their family numbers two children. 

In 184G Mr. Bowles made his tii'st purchase of 
land, consisting of a I'l-acre tract, which had been 
boufiht by Amos Uemington. Ten acres had been 
broken and was enclosed by a rail fence, and a 
rude log house had been built, lie subsequently 
extendeil the l)oundaries of his farm by entering 
eighty acres, until it comprised 120 acres, but hav- 
ing since disposed of twenty .acres of woodhmii, it 
is now 100 acres in extent. Many fine improve- 
ments have been made, and the work of develop- 
ment has transformed the wild land into one of 
the line farms of the county. The old log cabin 
was torn down and leplaced by the |)resent com- 
fortable home. In the early days of his settlement 
JNIilwaukee was the nearest market-place, anrl. load- 
ing his produce into wagons drawn b^- (.)x teams, 
Mr. Bowles drove to that city, where he received 
only about fifty cents per bushel for his wheat. 
While he has not made a si)ei'ialty of fancy stock, 
there can always be found upon his f.uin a good 
grade of horses, cattle and hogs. 

Mr. Bowles and his wife, the companion of his 



^*^U. 




■*-. 









4- 




ROCK COUNTY. 



645 



joys and sorrows, trials .and triiiin|)lis, have now 
reaeliod a ripf old a^e. Tlii'v arc enjoyiny fair 
lieallli. and in llicir dcidininn years arc resting 
from active diilics [irovided witii a good coniix'- 
lenc}', tlie result of liu'ir llirift, industry, frugality 
and perseverance in fonm r ycais. In political sen- 
timent the luisliand has supported the Kepublican 
parly since its organi/atiou. and his sons arc alsc) 
adherents of the same political faith. The family 
is one hold in high respect thronghont the comniu- 
nily, and all delight to do honor to the parents, 
who .'uc nuinlicred anmng the early pioneers. 



'JIJ'AMES PIERCE, one of the very earliest 
pioneeis of Rock County, Wis., now an in- 
surance agent at Milton and proprietor of a 
farm in the northwest corner of that town, 
was born in Alfred, Allegany Co., N. Y., Dec. 26, 
LSI 7, the son of Samuel and Susan (White) Pierce. 
His |)arents were natives of Rhode Island, and had 
settled in Allegany County. N. Y., when thai 
region was a wilderness. James was reared on the 
tind)cred farm of his father, and was early inured 
to hard work. His onlj' advantages of education 
were found on a slab seat in a log school house, but 
having an aptness for the study of nialheniatics, 
he mastered the arithmetic, and was well u|) in 
other common branches of study, when he met Prof. 
I'"-. S. C'arr, a nephew of .Joseph Goodrich, who was 
studying higher mathematics, and who kindly gave 
him six weeks instruction in algebra, and also left 
him his text books on higher mathematics and sur- 
veying, when lie went awaj-. Our subject also 
studied pr.actical surveying, as assistant to Mr. 
(ioodrich, whose instruments he bought. Wlun 
twenty-one ye.ars of age, he hired out to that gen- 
tleman, and <m the 2Gtli day of June, l«:i8, they 
started for Ohio with three loaded teams. It 
w.is Mr. (loodrich's intention to found a home 
somewhere in the newer parts of that State, and he 
had loaded his teams with a general assortment of 
merchandise, such as would stock a country store 
in a small way. The start was made from Vander- 
mark Creek, Allegany Co.. N. V.. and their lirst 
objective point was I'.uffalo. The party, which was 



composed of Joseph Goodrich. Henry B. Crandall 
and James I'ierce, proceeded on their way without 
meeting any incident worthy of mention, till near 
the city of I'.uffalo. when to their great surprise 
they were met on the highway by Mr. (ioodrich's 
3'ounger brother, William A., who had been trav- 
eling in the West. Learning that the party was 
bound for Ohio, he advised them to abandon that 
idea and to go to southern Michigan instead. His 
glowing descri[)tion of that country decided them 
to follow his advice. Arrived at Ruffalo, they 
found that they would have to wait six daj'S for a 
steamboat to take them to Detroit, and during that 
time Mr. Goodrich, who w.as the leader of the party, 
interviewed returning western travelers, and finall3- 
found some parties who had been in Southern Wis- 
consin. They were so enthusiastic in their praise 
of that region that he again changed his mind, and 
after consulting a map of the countr}', which Mr. 
Pierce obtained after great difficulty, he decided to 
strike for the Rock River Valley, southwest from 
Milwaukee. So they continued their journey to 
that city, where the}' arrived on the 11th day of 
Jul}-. With packs on their backs, the}' set off to 
spy out the land, like Caleb and Joshua of old. The 
weather was unusually hot, and the journey tedious, 
but hope and the excitement of the occasion kept 
all in good spirits. Stopping places and siip[)lies 
of food were matters of much uncertainty. On the 
16th day of Jul}' the travelers came in sight of what 
was called Little Prairie, and what w.as later known 
as Prairie du Lac, or Prairie of the Lakes, the 
lakes to the north and west suggesting the name. 
The beauty of the landscape and the richness of 
the soil charmed them, and they recognized in this 
country the land they had sought. They found a 
pioneer named N. G. Storrs, located on what is 
now section 26, of the town of Milton, with his 
family, with whom they boarded while they erected 
a frame house for Mr. (Goodrich on the north half 
of the southeast quarter of section 27, on a portion 
of a claim which Mr. Goodrich purchased of Mr. 
Storrs. The timbers for the house were hewn in 
the woods, and a part of the oak lumber used was 
hauled by Mr. Cioodricli from a sawmill near Muk- 
wanago, Waukesha County. When the house was 
completed, the scconil story was arranged with 



^ 



646 



ROCK COUNTY. 



shelves for a store, and tlie goods which had been 
hrouglit from New York were arranged for sale. 

Mr. Gdixlrifh placed Mr. Pierce in charge of 
Ihu fstablifihnient with instructions to sell goods 
and hold the claim until his return. On the ITth 
daj' of Septi'iiiber he started for llie Kast. Mr. 
Pierce thus IxH'anie the first salesman of merchan- 
dise in Miltiin. and liy tlio time Mr. Goodrich 
returned with his family. March 1. 1X39, he had 
cash )>roceeds of tin' business to llie amount of 
^3.50 to hand his employer. Mr. Crantlali. hav 
iug returned Kast soon after the selection of his 
land was made, arrived witii his family early in 
the fall of the same year, and made his home in 
Mr. Goo<lrich's house until the erection of his 
own dwelling on section 28, Milton Township, 
now the site of Milton .Tuneliun. 

In .Tune, 1839, Mr. Pierce tools * 1 00 of his earn- 
ingsfrom Mr. (iootlrich, and purchased an HO acre 
tract of land, \\1iieli was the west half of the 
southeast (juarter of section 1, now in the town of 
Harmony, but continued to work for Mr. Goodrich 
until October, 1 ,S39, when he began the improve- 
ment of his land. On the 'iltliday of Septemlier. 
1810. he was married in the town of .lohnstown. 
Rock County, to Miss Olive Hall, daughter of 
fiardncr and Nancy Hall. She was born in Al- 
fred, N. Y.. and came with her parents to this 
county in the fall of 18.!9. and in the following 
winter taught a private school at the residence 
of Henry 15. Craudidl. wliich was the flr.-*t school 
in the town of .Milton. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce 
have one child, a son. Clark !{.. who wns born 
Sept. 9, 1841, and married Miss Raehel Butts. 
He now resides in Kdgerton, Wis. The\' had 
two younger children — Alonzo 1).. who was born 
Feb. 12. 1816. and died March 13. 1817. at the 
age of fourteen months: and Susan M.. who was 
liorn Dec. 6,1849. and duil Dec. 4. 1863, aged 
fourteen years. 

Mr. Pierce made Ids home on the land first se- 
lected until the spring of 184.'), when he sold out 
and bought 1 4 1 acres on section 7. town of .Milton, 
at the foot of Lake Koslikonong. He has bought 
and sold several times since, and now owns a well 
improved farm of ITiO acres on that section. In 
1884. he retired from farnnng. and removed to 



Milton, where he has since resided, engaged in the 
insurance business. Mr. and .Mrs. Pierce are con- 
sistent members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church 
of Milton, and in polities he is an earnest Hepid)- 
liean. He has held various offices of public honor 
and trust in the county. He was Deputy Countv 
Surveyor fi-om 1841 till 1844; was .\ssessor in 1817 
and 1848; the two following years he served as 
Commissioner of Highwa3-s; was .Tustice of the 
Peace in 1851-.J;'), 18;')7-63, 1866, 1867, 1869 and 
1870; was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors 
in 1856, 1864. 1869 and 1870; was County Super- 
visor of the 2d district in 1866-68, and has since 
served again as Supervisor, and as Justice of the 
Peace, having been an incumbent of the latter of- 
fice twenty-two years, all told. 

Mr. Pierce is still hale and hearty, and is highlv 
esteemed by a wide circle of acquaintances and 
friends as a man of strict integrity and high 
moial character, and one of the most worthy of 
the few remaining early pioneers of Milton. 

Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce will be found 
on another paire of this .Vi.niM. 



if^RKDKKICK STARR KLDRKD was born in 
rr^m Wiufleld. Herkimer Co., N. Y., on the 27th 
1^ daj- of April, 1821. His parents, Zeuas and 
Lucena (Carter) KIdred, were natives of Litchfiehl 
County, Conn., and are of English descent. The 
coat of arms of the Eldred family, brought from 
England, bearing date 164."). is in po.<se.ssion of the 
Hon. Edwin Eldred of Worcester, Mass., a copy of 
which is with our sul)ject. 

The ancestors on the |)aternal side. .TelK)shaphat 
Eldred ami Thankful his wife, settled in Falmouth, 
M.TSS., about 1700, and are buried in the old bury- 
ing ground at Falmouth, the mother in 17.")0, agc<I 
sixty-one 3'ears, and the father in 17(;.'>.aged eighty- 
three years. They left four sons — .lehoshaplmt. 
D.aniel. .Tudah and William. .lehoshaphat. .Ir. the 
great-grandfather of our subject, with his wife and 
perhaps one or two children, left Falmoulhand set- 
tled in Litchfield County. Conn., about the tinu' of 
the death of his mother, in 17;)0. They each liveii 
to the good old age of eighty-five years and were 



•*^ 



f 



J^ 



^^►^ll-4« 



ROCK COUNTY. 



64: 



biuioil ■\t Warren. Conn. On tlie headstone at the 
grave of the father is the qiiotation, "Tlie memory 
of Ibe just is l)lessed." Their children were Ward. 
Jiidaii. Elisha. Samuel, .Tehosliapiiat, Moses, Rufus. 
lU't.-iey. Jnanna and Ruth. We judge much of the 
ciiaracter of the parents bj' tiie names given their 
eiiildren. 

The ehihlren of .ludah and Sarah (F'inney) Kl- 
dred (the latter an aunt of President I''iiiney of 
Olierlin College and now deceased), were two sons 
— Zenas and Swift, .ludah Eldred and his wife, 
the patern.ll grandparents of our subject, lived long 
and useful lives in their native place. The father 
was an otiieer in the Revolutionary War and par- 
ticip.nted in the battle of Saratoga, where occurred 
the capture of Rurgoyne. and was .at the battle of 
Long Island as well as in the valley of the Mohawk. 
He participated in several hard-fought battles, and 
afterward drew a pension from the Olovernraent 
until his death, which occurred in 1843 at the age 
of ninety years. 

The records of Hartford. Conn., estat>lish the 
fact that .ludah Eldred was elected and served six 
years as a member of tiie State Legislature, and he 
was otherwise i)roniinent in the affairs of his county 
.and State. The remains of himself and his estima- 
ble wife were laid side by side in the cemetery at 
Cedarville. Herkimer County, by their son Zenas, 
the father of our subject. The chililren of the lat- 
ter and his wife, in her girlhood Lucina Carter, 
who grew to manhood and womanhoo<l were Car- 
ter, Henry, Zenas, Nelson, Frederick and Lucina. 
The eldest and the youngest have joined the gre.-U 
majority on the other shore. The four remaining 
brothers have homes as follows: The Rev. H. 15. at 
Cleveland, Ohio; Zenas. at Hridgewater, N. V.; 
Nelson at (Jilman, 111., and F. S.. at Janesville, Wis. 

Mrs. Lucina (Carter) Eldred wixs the onlv daugli- 
ter of Adonijah Carter, of Litchfield. Conn., and a 
direct descendant of Capt. Thom.as Munsou. who 
landed on our shores from England in August, 
1S37, and settled at New Haven, Conn. (See Mun- 
son Family Reunion, published at New Haven in 
1H87.) She died at the age of forty-four years. 
Her husband, Zenas Eldred, was the eldest son of 
.ludah Ehlrcd. and when a young man settle<l in 
Winfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y.. in 1808. He be- 

» 



came a prosperous farmer and was much respected 
and honored, holding the ofHce of Justice of the 
Peace and Supervisor of his township for a number 
of years. Although he was a Whig, politically, 
his town and county were strongly l^eraocratic. He 
was an officer and one of the most liberal support- 
ers of the Congregational Church of his town. The 
sermon preached at his funeral, Feb. 22, 18G3, b}' 
the Rev. W. .1. Knox, and afterward published, was 
from the text "A good name is rather to be chosen 
th.an great riches." In it was related man}' inter- 
esting facts in regard to his integrity, benevolence, 
industry and Christian character during the flft3'- 
five years of his life in his adopted town. He was 
buried with others of his family at North Winfield, 
and in later j-ears a granite monument was erected 
by his four surviving sons. 

Our subject was reared to habits of industry, 
and the morality of home life on the farm, with 
such teachings as we might uaturaly expect from 
Puritan ancestors. His eilucation was obtained in 
the public schools of his native county, and at 
Hamilton Academy in Madison Countj', N. Y., the 
latter a school of considerable note. He continued 
at home with his father, employed at farm labor 
until twentj'-one years of age. Then, in 1842, he 
came to Johnstown, Rock Island Co., Wis., and with 
$200 given him by his father, entered a quarter- 
section of Government land, and at the same time 
preempted another quarter-section .adjoining, upon 
which he immediately commenced the establish- 
ment of a home. 

Returning to his native town the following year, 
Zen.as Eldred was married, on the 18th d.ay of June, 
to Miss Sarah, a daughter of Richard Wetmore. of 
Winfield. and immediately afterward he returne<l 
and with his young wife took possession of his new 
home. He there continued to reside engaged in 
stock-raising and dairying until the spring of 185.5, 
then selling the farm he removed to Janesville, 
Wis., which was then little more than a thriving 
village, although it had been incorporated as a city 
nearly two years. While at Johnstown Mr. Eldred 
held the office of Justice of the Peace, antl was one 
of the organizers and officers of the First Congre- 
gational Church anil one of its chief supporters. 

At Janesville Mr. Eldred engaged in the lumlier 



4 






ROCK COUNTY. 



business two years, and after tliat for more than 
twenty yenrs was engager! iu Uie wholesale and re- 
tail grocery trade. In the fall of 1874 he was one 
of a few enterprising business men who organized 
the Jauesville Cotton iManufaeturing Conn)any. of 
whic-li he was the first ciish subscriber to its stock, 
and served continuously as Director and Tre.asurer 
of this and its successor, the Jancsville Cotton 
Mills, to this date. .luuc. 1.S89. In these corpora- 
tions he has done nnich arduous and responsihle 
work, being on the l)uildiiig committee as well as 
Treasurer, and was twice sent to tiie Eastern States 
l)y tlie Hoard of Directors to purchase machinery, 
the cost of which w.as over *."300.0()0. many times 
and almost continuously becoming indvidualiy re- 
sponsible for the corporation debts, and a p.art of 
the time with a large i)rospect of losing tlie hard 
earnings of almost a lifetime. 

Mr. Eldred tliinks tliat in some respects the 
building of these mills was the best work of his life; 
not for ihe stockholders, for they have been losers, 
many of them largely, but for the fact of its p.ay- 
\\\tr to its employes more than ^lOfl.iiOO a year for 
llie past fourteen years, whicli li.as enabled many of 
them to build for themselves comfortable homes. 
Others through its help have set themselves up in 
business, in which they are making more than a 
comfortable living. In tiiis respect it ii.as been the 
means of more good tlian many of our benevolent 
societies. 

Mr. and Mrs. Eldred have one adopted daughter 
who is now the wife of I). F. Sayre, .Ir.. a resident 
and prosperous farmer of Fulton, Bock Co., Wis. 
Since his residence in .Janesville Mr. Eldred h.as 
b.,'en entrusted with the settlement of ten or twelve 
estates, most of them small but a few of them quite 
hu-o-e, and has accepted nothing for his services. 
In 18G.5-0li he served a.s .VIdernian for the Fourth 
Ward, and was chairman of the Finance Committee 
of the City Council. In 1S7(1 he wa< elected Su- 
l>ervisor for two years, representing the city of 
.Janesville uhiUt tlic l:nv p.Msscil liy the Legislature 
in IHCl, making one Supei\ isor from each Assem- 
bly District. In politics he has always been a sup- 
porter of the Republican party. The cause of tem- 
|)erance has ever enlisted his earnest sympathies 
an<l ardent support, and he is a consi>;lent member 



of the temperance society known as the Temple of 
Honor and he has aided mateiiallv the great cause. 
He was one of the organizers, and originally a 
stock-holder of tlie Central Wisconsin Bank, and 
also one of the incorj)orators of its successor, the 
First National Bank of .Janesville, of which he w;us 
and is the first A'ice President. 

In 1886 Mr. Eldred was called to mourn the loss 
of his wife, who died on the 27th of January. He 
w.as again married, the 4th of September, 1888. to 
Mrs. Fanny E. Iloyt, of Grand Rapids, Mich. This 
lady was the widow of Benjamin Franklin Hoyt, 
one of the many who gave their lives for their 
country in the war of the rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. 
Eldred are honored members of the First Congre- 
gational Church at Janesville. and Mr. l-^ldred 
w.as the largest contributor in the building of the 
church edifice of that societj', which was completed 
in i8G8 at a cost approaching §4."), 000. He was 
one of the Board of Trustees at that time, and was 
chairman of the liuildiug committee and Treasurer 
of the society for a nunilier of years following. 
He has won the reputation of being a progressive, 
yet conservative linsiness man. exacting in his 
methods and always reliable. He stands deservedly 
high in the estimation of his townsmen for his 
many sterling qualities anil kindly, genial manner. 



-h 



S|E(»R(iK W. II.VLL, a general farmer and 
, dairyman, residing f)n section lit. Union 
J Township, is a native of the Green Moun- 
tain Slate, having been l)orn in Hardwick on the 
i;3th day of .lune, 18.'$2. His i)arents were both 
natives of the town of Orford. Grafton County. 
N. H.. and the paternal grandfather, .John Hall, 
w.as also born in that State, rt-arlng his cliildren to 
farm life. 

Our subject w.as the third in the family of seven 
children born to John and Sally L. ((irimes) Hall. 
Maria II. became the wife of S. W. Fairbanks, of 
Dane County, and died in 18;")8, .and her husband 
ten years later; Caroline A., wedded Lodowic-k 
Jones, and Itoth are now deceased; John A., who 
served as a soldier in the late war. died near St. 
Cloutl. Minn.. lea\ ing a wife and one child; Harriet 



f 



-,;* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



64'.» 




S., who (lied wlieii about fourteen years of age: 
Mary E., wlio i.s tlio wife of Samuel 1). Tibby, a 
farmer of Dane Count}'. Wis., and Rebecca S., who 
married W. W. Foye, now a resident of Iowa, ;iiid 
died at Evansville in IS7K. 

The fatiier of this family departed this life Oct. 
22. 1838. and his wife was called to her final rest 
Jan. 17, 1H7;!, in the seventy -second year of her 
age. Hoth were devoted members of the Methodist 
Ki)iscoi)al Church and took great interest in churuii 
work, doing all in their power to aid in the inouio- 
tion of the cause of Christ. 

When our suliject was but si.\ years of age, his 
father died, and two years later, he went to make 
his home witli an aunt, his mother's sister, with 
whom he remaine'. until 1840. .VI that time he 
became an inmate of the home of his uncle, Isaac 
Hall, and while residing with tliat gentleman was 
educated in the common schools. He continued to 
reside in the family of Mr. Hall until attaining his 
majority, but in the meantime the death of his 
uncle having occurred, he went to work by the 
month, and going to Orford, N. II., there resided 
until January. 18.)G. Thinking that he might bet- 
ter his condition in the new and gi'owing West, at 
that time he emigratetl to Madison. \\is.. and near 
that city secured work as a farm hand, continuing 
in that line until the fall of 18(!(J, when he canic to 
livansville. and embarked in the grocery business. 
He continued in business until 18G4. when dispos- 
ing of his stock, Mr. Hall rented a farm, which he 
operated for a j'ear. At the end of that time he 
purchased eighty acres of land on section I'J. Union 
Township, and at once turned his attention to ai^ri- 
cultuial pursuits and the developmiMit of his farm. 
A little log cabin had been built on the land and 
into this he moved his f;imdy. making it his home 
for some time, when he erecteil a small fi.une 
house, which in \Mi), wjis re|)laced by his present 
commodious residence. Mr. Hail has made the 
many line improvements to be found upon his 
farm, which is now under a high state of cultiva- 
tion, while the entire surroundings indicate the 
thrift and enterprise of the owner. 

On the 2iith d.ay of November. 1860. Mr. Hall 
and Miss Louisa Reynolds were united in marriage. 
The lady is a native of the Empire .State, born on 

4* 



the 25th day of November, 1832. and is the eldest 
(laughter of .lohu G. and Maml.ania .S. (Grover) 
Re\nolds. Both the paternal and maternal grand- 
parents of Mrs. Hall were natives of the Green 
Mountain State, and were numbered among the 
respected and esteemed families of the community 
where they resided. The grandfather w.as a mail- 
carrier during the War of 1812. Jlr. and Mrs. 
Reynolds were both natives of New York, the 
former born in Bangor. His death occurred in 
Covington, N. V., on the 2d day of Febrnarj-, 
184G, and his wife departed this life in Fredonia, 
Dec. 15. 1855. They were devoted members of 
the Baptist Church, and trained their children in 
the teachings of the Bible. Sarah K., their second 
child, was born July 5, 1834, wedded R. Byam, 
and died on the 3d day of July, 1869; Rebecca J., 
l)orn Feb. 17, 1836, is the widow of Silas Harbison, 
.and resides at Garden Plains, III.; Hattie died in 
infancy; Mandania S., born M.ay 7, 1813, is the 
wife of John Grant, a resident of (Jardeu Plains, 
111.; Mary A., the deceased wife of Hiram Richard- 
son, w.as born Dec. 15, 1840; Sybil E., born Dec. 
25. 1844, wedded S. C. Watson, of Denver. Col.; 
Martha R., born Nov. 4, 1846, died Sept. 4, 1850. 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hall has been blessed 
with si.\ children, five of wh(jui are yet living — 
Charles, the eldest, died in infancy; Arthur, who 
was born Se|)t. 19, 1863, is a carpenter by trade; 
Florence M.. born Feb. 28. 1865; Mark A., May 
23. 1867; George. May 11, 1869; .and .Vgnes M., 
Sept. 8. 1871. They have received good educa- 
tional advantages such as will (it them for the i)rac- 
tical duties of this life, and if spared will bccimie 
useful men and women. Mr. .and Mrs. Hall ai'e 
ranked among the honored citizens of Rock County 
and hold a high position in the social world. He 
is oin' of the self-made men of the coniniuiiity. 
Reared without the guiding counsel of a f.ither, he 
started out in life with a cash capital of only ¥100, 
but liy the energy that characterizes all his actions, 
and the assistance of his estimable wife, he has at- 
tained to a high degree of success, and has become 
one of the well-l(j-do farmers of Union Township. 
In his political seutiment-s he is a supporter of the 
Republican party, and favors the adoption of pro- 
hibition principles. His life has always been such J 



-♦ 



r 



, . 650 



■»^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Ir 



as to win the confidence and respect of the best 
citizens of the conimunilj- in whicli he residcil. and 
ills man}' friends thmiijilioiit Rock County liold 
him in the highest legarc). 



■^^-v^t^i-v. 



^ 



"\f, OlIN WATSON, a pi-oniincnt contractor and 
bridge builder of Janesville. and a resident 
of tliat city since 1855. was born in Little- 
port. Cambridgeshire, England, on the IGth 
day of Xoveniber, 1826. His parents. AVilliam and 
Mary (Spinks) Watson, were also natives of En- 
gland. At the .age of thirteen years he began 
working on the railroad, but soon afterward was 
employed on bridge building, and was eng.aged 
in that lino of work on various railroads in the old 
country until 1849, when he emigrated from En- 
gland to America. He made his home in Chicago 
for one year, and was engaged in bridge build- 
ing and track laying for the Cliicago & North- 
western Uailroad Company on the old Galena 
division, between Chicago and J:igiu. After leav- 
ing Wheaton. twenty miles west of Chicago, he 
was placed in charge of the force. In the spring 
of 1850. during tlie great gold excitement, he went 
to California, going overland by team, and engaged 
in placer mining in Flacerville. The succeeding 
two years were spent in the gold mines witli vary- 
in" success, and .at the end of that time he returned 
to New; York, by way of Nicaiagua. and at once 
crossed the ocean to his native land. There must 
have been a peculiar attraction that influenced his 
motions, for we tind tliat he was married that same 
spring, on the 23d d.ay of March, 1852. in Spald- 
in", Lincolnsliire, to Miss .Susan Wilson, a daughter 
of .Tohn and Sarah (Taylor) Wilson, of that place. 
Within three months after his arrival in England 
Mr. Wats()n embarked with his bride for America, 
and on reaching this country made his home in 
Chicago, where for two and a half j'ears he kept 
hotel. In 1855 he came to .lanesville, where he 
spent six months in the same line of business, and 
soon after engaged in building bridges and culverts 
on the Milwaukee ife St. I'aul Railroad, between 
Janesville and lirodhead. That work oi'cupied one 
summer, when he began contracting and building 



ill the city. He built a store for J. .1. R. Tease, 
also the Jackman Block, and a number of dwell- 
ings, and in 1861 repaired the dam across the Rock 
River above Milwaukee street. About 1862 he 
built a railroad bridge and round-house at Janes- 
ville for the Chicago & Norlhwestern Railroad. 
He built the piers and foundations for the bridges 
at R.acine and Kenosha, and the smaller bridges on 
the Lake .Shore division for the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, also the masonry work for the 
bridges on the line between Janesville and Green 
Haj' for the same company, as well as on the Madi- 
son division. He enlarged and straightened the 
tunnels at Sparta, AVis., liuill the masonry for 
bridges in Jlinnesota.and for the Air Line between 
Eond du Lac and Milwaukee. For several years 
he worked by coutr.act, but during the last eight 
J'ears of his employment on railro.ad work was en- 
g.aged on a fixed salary. In addition to his rail- 
road work, Mr. Watson has done considerable city, 
town and county bridge building, where he erected 
the entire structures. He has done a large amount 
of tunnel work, and altogether has employed or 
been in charge of a large number of men, more, 
perhaps, than any other one man in the State. 
During the high water of the spring of 1881. when 
Janesville was threatened with inundation, he came 
to the rescue, and liy his experience and knowledge 
of such work relieved the city of serious trouble. 
During that and the following year he built the 
race and lower cotton mill at Janesville. which was 
an extensive job. In 1882, when a large portion 
of the upper dam was washed o\it bj- high w.-iter, 
thus temporarilj' destroying the power, he checked 
the flow of water in a gap more than one hundred 
feet wide by fifteen feet in depth, in eighteen days, 
while the water w.as at its height, and restoreil the 
power for the use of factories and mills — a feat 
hardly supposed to be possible. At the end of two 
and a half months he had entirely restored the 
dam. 

Mr. and Mrs. Watson have been blessed with a 
family of six children, two sons and f(,)ur daughters. 
Mary Elizabeth, the eldest, is the wife of Orion 
Sutherland, of the firm of J. .Sutherland A- Sons, 
booksellers and stationers of Janesville; Eliza died 
in infancy; Sue E. is now the wife of Clinton Wil- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



60 1 



cox of Janesville; John Harry married Amelia 
Tevis and resides in llie same city; Will E. is tlie 
Imsband of Xeliie R(il)l)ins, and makes liis home in 
Now Mexico; Sarah May, the youngest, is the wife 
of Will T. King, of Janesville. 

Mr. Watson is a Republican in politics, hut has 
never sought or desired pulilii' otlice. While not 
connected with any particular cluirch, he has yet 
been liberal in support of all. IMrs. Watson attends 
the l>;iptist Church, and is recognized .-us a good 
Christian woman, and a highly respected raemlier 
of society. 

Mr. Watson has led a bus.\ and useful life. 
I'ossessing a spirit of enterprise, supported by in- 
domitable energy and pluck, he has never hesitated 
to iinderlakc a <lilHiult or dangerous piece of 'vork, 
and has in varialilv carried out his undertaking with 
marked suci'css. While having sustained some 
serious injuries in the course of his life, while in 
discharge of duty, he has had the good fortune to 
carry his men through with but one fatal accident 
among the thousands who have been under his 
charjje. The one exception was the death of a 
man caused by a rock falling upon him while at 
work in a tunnel. A man of broad views, free 
hearliMl. and ever reaily to do a kindness or to 
assist those in distress, Mr. W^atson.by his upright, 
manly course and strict integrity, has won the 
respect and contidence of all who know him. 



IW] farmers and larg 
/IL^ (ouiity. residing c 



if^IJ.l.MI. W WIXOM. one of the wealthy 
ge stock dealers of liock 
on section 35, in the Town 
of Fulton, is a native of I'utnam Couuly. X. V., 
born Fell. 15. 1835, in the town of Kent. The 
familj- to which he belongs numbered nini- chil- 
<lren. whose parents were Robert and Charity (I'.ar- 
relL) Wixoni. also natives of i'utnam County. 
Elijah, whose name heads this sketch is the eldest; 
.lulia Ann is now the widow of II. K. Kidder, a 
I 'sident of the town of Fulton; lienjamin 1). is 
also living in that town; Betsey is now deceased; 
I'hiebe married l)a\ id Kelley, a resident farmer of 
Fulton Township; Robert, who enlisted in the ser- 
vice of his country, was twice wounded, taken 



prisoner and died in Richmond prison; Deliorah is 
the wife of J. Wesley Austin, who makes his home 
in Johnstown. Rock County; Ann Eliza and Emma 
J., younger children, are deceased. 

Robert Wixom, the father of that family seems 
to have been born wdth a natural genius for car- 
pentery, at which he worked for sometime, though 
in his earlier \ears he followed \arious other occu- 
pations, engaging in mercantile pursuits, in the 
buying and selling of stock, etc. His later years, 
however, were spent in agricultural pursuits. He 
coMtinued to make his home in the East until 1849, 
spending eleven years in Candor. Tioga Co., N. Y. 
lie then emigrated to Wisconsin and located in 
Ivock County, i)urchasing a farm of eighty acres in 
the town of Fulton. The next spring, he brought 
his family. An adjoining farm was occupied by 
them foi- a year, when a frame dwelling was 
erected. 'I'ho log cabin which was constructed in a 
most substantial manner was recently torn down. 
Only a small portion of the land had been jilaced 
under the plow and Mr. Wixom at once began its 
cultivation and development, which work he 
steadily carried forward for sixteen years, when he 
sold it with the addition of forty acres more to his 
son. r>. D.. who still resides on the place, lie then 
purchased eighty acres on section 22, in the same 
town, an<l moving to that farm, again resumed ag- 
ricultural pursuits, engaging in carpenter work at 
the same time, lie was a man well known through- 
out the community in which he resideil, bore a 
prominent jiart in local affairs and for a luimber of 
years held the oflice of .lustice of the I'eace. In 
early life, he cast his lirst ballot with the W hig 
party, but on the organization of the Republican 
party joined its forces and became one of its strong 
and faithful advocates. He was ready to use any 
honorable means which lay in his power to advance 
the party interests, and was well informed on all 
the leading issues of the daj'. He and his wife 
held membership with the Baptist Church. The 
death of Mr. Wixom occurred Nov. 3, 18C8, at the 
age of fifty -seven years, and his remains were in- 
terred in the Mount Olive Cemetery in the town 
of Fulton. After the death of her husband. Mrs. 
Wixom sold the farm and has since niiide her home 
with her children. She has reached the age of 

•» 



f- 



6o2 



ROCK COUNTY. 



'^ » ^ i -^ 



seventy -eight years, but still retains her physienl 
and mental faculties tu a niarkecl degree. 

The subject of tiiis sketch remained under tlie 
parental roof until attaining his majority, when he 
began life for himself. lie had received a limited 
cilucation, and on leaving iiome went to New York. 
where he was enii)lo3"e<l in a sawmill, owned bj- an 
uncle, for about a year. Returning to Rock 
County at the expiiatic^n of that time, he worked 
on the farm of liis father for two years and then 
entered the employ of Silas Ilunl. with whom he 
continued for fourteen months; when he was taken 
sick and returned home. After recovering his 
usual health, he purchased, in connection with 
his brollier. 1>. D. Wixom. ICD acres of land 
on section 24. town of Fulton, wliich thej' oper- 
ated in partnership for two years. Then he sold 
his interest to his brother and purchased 100 acres 
of the farm on which he now resides. It formed 
the foundation of his present large property and 
and has been his home since 18G3. The land was 
partly covered with timber, which he cleared away, 
planting crops and beginning the development of 
a farm. Moving his household effects to the dwel- 
ling, which liad been previously erected, he kept 
•• bachelor's hall " until November 5. 1863. when 
he married Miss Clara !M. Ilurd. eldest daughter 
of Sil.is llurd, one of the lionored pioneers of 
the county, whose sketch api)ears on another 
page of this work. Three children came to 
gladden the home with their presence, and are still 
with tlieir parents. rhe\' are C'lnron W.. boin Sept. 
1. 1804; Klla M., March 2!), 1 8(!!), and .Sllns H., 
June 13, 1882. Mr. Wixom intends giving his 
children good educational advantages, thereby 
fitting them for any position in life which they may 
he called upon to All. The daughter is now pur- 
suing a full course at Milton College, where she has 
been a student for three 3'ears. 

Our subject is numbered among the early set- 
tleis of Rock County and has been prominently 
identified with its history for many years. When 
fifteen j'ears of age, he came to Wisconsin, bring- 
ing with him a drove of sheep. With no one to aid 
him or keep him company, he (Irt)ve them from the 
town of Candor, N. Y., to Ithaca, N. V., a distance 
of twenty-five miles, and shipped them by canal to 



Buffalo, where they were transferred to a steamer. 
In that w.ay they reached Milwaukee, whence he 
drove them to Fulton Township, sixty-five miles dis- 
tant. He can truly be called a self-made man, for 
to his own unaided efforts is his success in life due. 
From a humble position, he h.os steadily worked 
his way upward, ste)) by ste[). surmounting all dif- 
ficulties and overcoming all obstacles, until he is 
now one of the wealthy farmers of .Southern AVis- 
consin. He never suffered defeat, liut accomplished 
every object for which he strove. Ambitious and 
energetic, he pressed on until by fair dealing, per- 
severance and good man:igemeut he attained a po- 
sition of wealth and influence. His landed posses- 
sions now aggregate 880 acres of fine land, which 
pay a golden tribute to his care and cidtivation. 
Corn is the principal product which he raises on his 
farm, though he has also for the past twenty years 
engaged in the cultivation of tobacco. In addition 
to his own property, his wife is the owner of 300 
acres of arable lanil. which is apart of her iidieri- 
tance received from the estate of her father. Mr. 
Wixom deals quite extensively in stock and upon 
his farm may always be found the best grades of 
horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. 

In his social relations he is a member of the 
Masonic Fraternity, belonging to Fulton Lodge 
at Edgerton; also a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, of Janesville ; and a charter member of the 
.Tanesville Grange, to which his wife and chil- 
dren also belong. He holds membership in the 
Rock County Agricnltur.al Societ}', and is one 
of the directors of that organization. He takes an 
active part in political affairs, has been a staunch 
advocate of the Republican party since its organi- 
zation. He has never sought public jierferment, 
but for several terms has served .as Supervisor. 
Public spirited and progressive. Mr. Wixom has 
contributed liberally to the support of all enter- 
prises which are of benefit to the i)ublic and tend 
to advance the best interests of the commHnit3-. He 
has been prominently identified with the upliuild- 
ing of town and county. Although in the fifty- 
fifth year of his age. ."\Ir. Wixom has never used to- 
bacco or been addicted to the use of spirituous 
liquors, of which fact he may justly be proud, and 
his example is well worthy of emulation. A man 



; 



UUCK COIM'Y. 



('>i>i> 




of sterling: wortli. liis strict inteiirily nnd hoiiostv fioin 1841 tol8i;5, inclusive, w:is tiicro eiinnsicd. 
of purpiisc liuvo won liini llii' confidence and re- liiiilding six locks iil n cost of more tiiiin *l(l(l, ()()(). 
ijiird of m1! Willi whom business or pleasure have lie was one of the commissioners sent toliica. 
l)ioMi:ht him in contact, and his sketch is well N. V., to make arraiiL'ements for the construction 
worthy a place in this volume. of the Chenango (anal, which was successfully 

carried out, lie liulldiiiii two miles of the saiiie. 
He also built three aqueducts and the culverts on 
nineteen miles, from (Jreen. Chenango Co., to 
Hinghampton, his work proving entirely satisf.-ic- 
tory to all parties concerned. In early life, IMr. 
Kna|)p was a Jeffcr.sonian Deujocrat, but afterwards 
cast his ballot with the Whig party, and later be- 
came a stalwart supporti-r of the Hcpulilicin party. 
For many years lie held the otlice of Justice of the 
I'eace. and when his neighbors came U) him for 
counsel he advised them to settle all diflicultics bv 
arbitration rather tli;iii law, thereby .saving them 
many dollars and much hard feeling. Both Mr. 
Kiiap|i and his wife were members of the Coiigre- 
gaUonal Church, consistent and faithful in their 
professions. For sixty years they traveled life's 
journe\' together, sharing the hardships and pleas- 
ures, the sorrows and joys incident to the life of 
all. At length on the Isl day of October, 1878, 
the year 181.5, lie married Jliss Hetsy Young, and the wife w.as called to her final rest, and the follow- 
by their union a family of nine children were born, iug year Mr. Knapp went to Hockton, ill., where 
all of whom lived to man and womanhood — Lucy, lie died Feb. 29, 1880. They now lie side Ijy side 
now the wife of J. S. Smith, of Chenango County, i" the Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh. 



-«»£-- 



FACON ANDKFW R KNAl'l', one of tlie 
jVj resiiecled citizens of l{eU)it. w.as born in 
Chenango County, N. V.. .lune 1.'), 1821), 
and is a son of Daniel B. and Betsy 
{ Young) Kna[)p, the former a native of Danbury, 
Conn., born in 17i)4. the latter, a native of Scho- 
harie County, N. Y., born in IT'.KJ. When nineteen 
yeaVs of age, Daniel Knapp left his home in Con- 
necticut, and with only twenty-live cents in his 
pocket and a kit of slK)einaker's tools strapped 
across his back, started on foot for Chenango 
Counly. N. Y. In order to earn a livelihood, he 
went from hou.se to house woi'king tit his trade, 
which he had learned in his native State, a manner 
of working known as ••whi|iping the cat." About 



N. Y. ; George Y., who married I'hila Cushman, 
and is engaged in farming near Oshkosh, Wis. ; 
.\ndicw B., of this sketch; William B., a resident 
of Oshkosh, and the husband of Miss Betsy White; 
Levi F., who wedded Mi.ss Caroline Remington, 
and makes his home in Oshkosh; Maria L., widow 
of William X. Jones, residing in Home, N. Y. ; 
Elias D., who married Fni«liza Hicks, and is living 
near Oshkosh; Anna E., who became the wife of 
Isaac N. Shaw, and died in Cold Water, Mich., in 
1884; Frederick H., who married Nellie Powers, 
and died in Oshkosh in 18(!3. 

When Daniel B. Knapp began life he was in lim- 
ited circumstances, but possessed of an energetic 
nature and determined to succeed, he at length be- 
ca ne a well-to-do citizen. He was an indefatigable 
worker in whatever he undertook, and his work 



The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
hood in Chenango County, N. Y.. receiving his 
education principally in the district schools, at- 
tending, however, an academy at Slierburn, X. Y. 
for two or tlin-e terms. At the age of fifteen 
years, he resolved to become a servant of God and 
united with the Congregational Church, and when 
twenty-Bve years of age was made De.icon,an oliice 
which he has held almost continuously since. In 
1841. he led to the marriage altar Miss Adeline (). 
Skinner. daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth (Costin) 
.Skinner. Iler father, who was a prominent farmer 
of (,'henango Countj'. was born April 20, 1781, 
and on the 12th day of December, 1802, was united 
in marriage with Elizabeth Costin. who was born 
.lune 2(), 1780. I'nto them were born a f.imil\- of 
fifteen children, thirteen of whom lived to adult 



was always accoTuplishecl in a satisfactory m,anner. age. The father died Oct. .5, 187."5, at the age of 
He was a contractor on the Black River Canal, and ninety-two years and six months, and the mother 



■*► 



r 



4 



656 



-«► 



ROCK COUNTY. 






died in Octoher. 1876. in tlie ninety -first year of 
iicr age. Tliey liad lived together as man and wife 
seventy-one years, ten montlis and fifteen d.iys, 
and tlieir wedded life was of the liappiest. 

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Knapp, two cliil- 
drbn were born — Bostwiclv A., who is the short- 
hand reporter of the Hartford Fire Insurance Com- 
pany of Cliicago, married Ueijeeua Fulton, and to 
them were horn three children — M.abel A., Clarence 
A., and Dora Alice ; Eniilada O.. wlio is now 
the wife of O. A. Bronson, and has three children 
now living — Leslie, Gus A , and Robert G. Tliey 
arc residents of Waupaca. Wis., and Mr. Bronson 
is cniraged as a traveling salesman for a Milwaukee 
linn. On the 31sl day of May, 1872, the death of 
Mrs. Knapp occurred, and she was laid to rest in 
uhe Rivei-side Cemetery at Oshkosh. In Sept. 1, 
1871, Mr. Knapp was again married, his second 
union being with Miss Julia R. Peck, a daugiiter of 
Hiram Peck, of Columbia County, N. Y. 8he is a 
refined, intelligent lady, was educate<l in the Char- 
lotteviile Seminary, and for twelve years was clerk 
in tlie Treasury Department at Wasiiington. D. C. 

In l.H.')o, our snl)ject came to the West, locating 
at Oshkosii. Wis., where he embarked in the lumber 
business. His first enterprise was the building of 
a large two gang mill, the only mill of the kind in 
the citv. and for twenty 3-ears it remained one of 
the leading industries, furnishing employment to 
from forty to 100 men. Public spirited and prt)- 
u-rcssive, he did much for the u|)building of that 
citv, and any laudable enterprise was certain to re- 
ceive his ready support. Probably no man did .-i-s 
much for the advancement of its churches, and he 
will long be remembered as one of the benefactors 
of Oshkosh. Wis. From the time he went to that 
citv. he was a member of the Congregational 
Church, carrying his letter with him from his old 
home, and in a short time he was chosen Deacon. 
He h.as always been a devoted member of that 
organization, and is an indefatigable worker in its 
interests. While a resident of Oshkosh he w.as for 
seventeen j'ears Superintendent of the .Sabbath 
Scliool. In 187!), Mr. Knapp made an exchange of 
his property in Oshkosh for 640 .acres of land in 
Winnebago County. III., all of which is under cul- 
t. .ation. In 1881, he became a resident of Beloit, 

<• 



and is the owner of twenty acies within the limits 
of that city. Starting out in life as the follower of 
Christ, he has always endeavored to live in strict 
harmony with liis profession. He is a bitter oppo- 
nent of the liquor tratlic and has done all in his 
power to banish that evil from the Slate. 

A fine portrait of this worthy man ma}' Ije seen 
ujjon another page. 



t_^ENRV WHITAKER, one of the prominent 
Iji: farmers of the town of Fulton, residing on 

' '1\^^ section 28, was born at New Salem, Mass.. 
Sept. 11, 1527, and is a son of .Jose|)h and 
Sallie (Thompson) Whitaker. both of whom were 
also natives of the Bay State. The father was a car- 
penter and builder during the greater partof his life, 
and served his countrj' during the War of 1812, 
holding the rank of captain. Returning to his 
home in Massachusetts after the close of hostilities 
he there resided until 18;J1, when he moved with 
his family to Maine, where he lived until his death, 
which occurred Aug. 6, 1838, at the age of forty- 
eight 3'ears, he having been born March 1, 1790. 
In 1852 Mrs. Whitaker came to Wisconsin to visit 
her daughter, Mrs. W. T. Hall, with whom she re- 
mained until her death. She passeil away March 
10, 1874, and was interred in Fassett Cemetery, at 
Edgerton. Her age wiis seventy-nine years. This 
worthy cou[)le were members of the I'uilarian 
Church, and were faithful and consistent Christians. 
.Socially, Mr. Whitaker w.as a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and politically' he wjis a Demo- 
crat. Their family numl)ered five children, three 
of whom are living; Fwinklin and Frederick, tlie 
two eldest, are now deceased; .Sarah A. is the wife 
of W. T. Hall, a leading resident of Beloit; Pris- 
eilla. wild wedded C. L. Francis makes lier home 
in Mapletdii. Minn.; Henry, vf this sketch, is the 
youngest. 

In the common schools of Maine to which .State 
he removed with his parents when but six years 
of age, our subject received his education. At the 
early age of eleven years he started out in life for 
himself and began his work-a-d.ay career as a farm 

I hand. He later eng.sged in teaming, and was after- 



^ 



4^ 



■•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



657 



ward employed as a salesninii in a store, when, 
abaiidoiiing that life, lie lieuaii liaiiling timber, in 
wlilcli line be euntimicd until .May. 185;?. Having- 
liy his industry and ceononiy acciiniiilated some 
eai)ital he resolved to come to the West and invest 
i?i land, .\eling upon that resolution we find him 
ill the spring of 1.S5.'3 in Wisconsin. He purchased 
IM.") aeres of land, but partially improved, on sec- 
.tion 28, town of Fulton, and that farm, of which 
he became the owner lliirty-five years ago. is the 
home farm on which he now resides. He further 
increased his biisiness interests by entering into 
partnership with W. T. Hall in the mercantile line 
at Indian Ford, their connection continuing for 
two years, when Mr. Whitaker disijoscd of his in- 
terest. Since that time he has devoted his entire 
attention to agricultural pursuits, and has one of 
the finest farms in the cuniniunity. upon which may 
be found the latest improved niachiiiery, stock of 
the best grades, gooil barns and outbuildings and 
a comfortalile residence. 

Mr. Whitaker was united in marriage on the 12th 
d.ay of Ai)ril, 18(j(). with .Miss Louisa Brace, a 
daughter of Leonard and Laviua (Smith) Brace, 
who were natives of New York. By their union 
two children have been Iwrn, liotli daughters: Eve- 
lyn, the elder, who was born Jan. 20, l.s(i2, is the 
wife of Irving Winters, a resident of Albii>n; Ag- 
nes, born .Inly 9, 1869, is the wife of C. L. Culton. 
who resides in Kdgerton. 

Mr. Whitaker is numbered among the early set- 
tlers of Rock County, and fmm the early days of 
his residence has been prominently identified with 
its history. Public-s|)irited and progressive, he 
has ever been a liberal supporter of all enterprises 
for the public good, and is a re|)resentative and 
valued citizen. He has been called upon to fill vari- 
ous local offices of trust, including those of Town- 
Clerk and Sti]Kn-visor. and has discharged his duties 
with fidelity and promijtness. To i\Ir. Whitaker is 
due much credit for the success to which he h.is 
.•ittaincd. Few men lieginning active life at the 
early age at which he began to earn his own liveli- 
hood, have risen to as honorable and prominent a 
position. His fair dealing and upright course have 
won him the confidence and respect of all; his 
energy, perseverance and industry have gained for 
<• 



him a comfortable eoin|)etcncy, and he is one of 
the well-to-do farmers of the community, his landed 
possessions aniomiliiig to 265 .acres; forty of whieh 
adjoin the city limit,s of .lancsville. We are pleased 
to record this brief sketch of Henry Whit er 
and his family in the periii.-inent record of their 
adopted county, knowing that it will be read by 
their nv.my friends with pleasure. 



^--^^^ ^ 



I'.RACE LAXG W( )KTH Y, 



j.^REDERICK 
— 'T); son of C. E. Langworthy, was born on the 



2Ctli day of January, 1866. He received a 
liberal education in the common schools, and was 
reared to manhood on his father's farm, assisting 
in the labor of cailtivating and improving the land. 
He remained under the parental roof until 1887, 
when, going to Keokuk, Iowa, he was employed as 
a surveyor for the Santa Fe Railroad, working be- 
tween Ft. JIadison and Kansas City. After eight 
or nine months s|ient on that line, he returned to 
his home, and on the 23d day of May, 1888, led 
to the inarri.age altar Miss Carrie Cutting, the ac- 
complished daughter of Levi and Lizzie (Edwards) 
Cutting. The father resides in Janesville, but her 
mother has departed this life. By the union of the 
young couple one child has been born — Hugh Har- 
rison, born March 27, 1889. Jlr. Laugworthv has 
followed farming during the greater part of his 
life, and is now operating ninety -five acres of land, 
a jiart of the old homestead. His residence was 
erected in 1888, and is a fine two-story dwelling, 
which, being substantially budt and nicely fur- 
nished, makes a most pleasant home. Hospitality 
there abounds, a hearty welcome being extended to 
all. Although a young man, Mr. Langworthy pos- 
sesses good business ability, is energetic and indus- 
trious, and bids fair to become one of the well-to- 
do farmers of the county. He is now enu-a<^ed 
principally in the cultivation of corn, barley and 
tobacco, the Latter being one of the staple products 
of Southern Wisconsin. Socially, he is a member 
of the Modern Woodmen, and. politically, a Re- 
publican, having been identified with that party 
and its interests since attaining his majoritv. He 
is now serving as Constable of the town of Fulton, 



4 






■*HI-* 



058 



ROCK COINTY. 



and also liolds the office of Clerk ol tlie School 
Board. The Langworthy family is one of tlie lep- 
resenlative families of Koek County, and their 
sketch deserves an honored place in the I'oKritAix 
and BioiiRAi-riicAi, Aluim. 



OlIN .1. I'KAR.SON, an enteriirising farmer 
residing on section 7, town of Fulton, was 
born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Oct. 14, 
/ l»l->, and is a son of John .1. and Eveline 
M. (Pomeroj-) Pearson. Tlie father, a son of 
Samuel and Ann Pearson, born Dec. 7. 1803, w:i.s 
a farmer in ilonlgoinery County until the last two 
years of his life, when he engaged in the mercan- 
tile business. He had lioen married to Mary ^Yare- 
liani. (who had borne him seven children), [ire- 
vious to his union with Miss Pomeroy, which was 
celebrated Jan. 1. 184(1. His death occurretl on 
the l.'ilh day of June, 1849, at Locki)ort, Ohio, af- 
ter which Mrs. Pearson wiis again married, becom- 
ing the wife of AVilkerson Post. April 28. 1K85. 
Her death occurred March 16, 1887, and in the 
beautiful Kdgerton Cemetery she was laid to rest. 
Slie w-as born Aug. 24, 1818, at SulHeld, Conn. 

Our subject made his home with his mother until 
his marriage. On the 17th day of June, 1869. he 
was joined in wedlock with .Miss Helena Pyre, but 
scarcely more than a year of happy weilded life 
had passed when the young wife died, her death 
occurring Dec. 12. 1870. Pive years then passed, 
and on the 12lhdayof May, 1875, Mr. Pearson 
was again married, the lady of his choice being 
Mrs. Sarah G. Pomeroy, who vvas born at Sufiield 
Conn.. April 6. 1840, by whom he has two children. 
a son and daughter, both of whom are yet with their 
parents. Kvelino M., the elder, was born Dec. 9, 
1876, and John Francis, April 25, 1878. Mr. Pear- 
son came to AVisconsin in 1 853, and to Hock County 
in 1854. He is financially a self made man. begin- 
ning life in limited circumstances. He engaged 
in the grocery and cigar trade in the village of 
Fulton, in partnership with H. Pomeroy. This 
connection contiuue<l for about one year when the 
firm was dissolved and Mr. Pearson spent the next 
vear as a salesman. At the expiration of that time 



he abandoned mercantile pursuits, and turning his 
attention to farming, purchased eighty acres in the 
town of Fulton, where he .'^till makes his home. 
With characteristic energj' he began the improve- 
ment and cultivation of his farm and has been 
quite successful in that line of work. He has made 
manj' useful and beautiful improvements, includ- 
ing the building of good barns and the erection of 
a large and commodious twostor^- residence, one 
of the pleasantest homes in the c<jmmunity. Mr. 
Pearson has held several local offices of trust, has 
acted as .Supervisor and is at present chairman of 
tlie board. He is well known throughout the 
county and lias ever willingly and cheerfull\- bnnie 
his share in the work of .■idvaneomenl and upliuijil- 
ing which has placed Rock County on a par with 
an3' county in this great commonwealth. His wife 
is a communicant of the Congregational Ciinrch 
at Fulton, and is an earnest worker in that society, 
which represents her husband's religious faith. 
Politicalh'. Mr. Pearson is a Republiean. having 
since the time wIumi he cast his lirst vote for Abra- 
ham Lincoln, been a warm adherent of that i)artv's 
lirinciples. Mr. Pearscm and his family hold a 
high position in the social world, ami the respect 
which is tendered them l)v all is riclilv ineritcil. 



(|^,(JRMAN M.( 
III J,' pi-ogressive 
,i v Mi i on section 



(D^i^tJRMAN M. CLEASON. an enterprising and 
farmer and dairyman, residing 
14. in the town of Lima, was 
born in this county on tiie 28th day of April. 1841, 
and is a son of Hon. George Gleason, a promine.it 
citizen of this county whose sketch m.ay be found 
elsewhere in this volume. Our subject received 
his education in the common schools and at Milton 
Academy. He was united in marrijige with Miss 
Elizabeth Finch, who was born in England but em- 
igrated to America with lier parents, Edward and 
Martha Finch, in 1855. The young people formed 
the acquaintance of one another and were married 
in Rock County. Two children gladden their 
home with their presence, a son and daughter. 
Charles M., and Ethel L. Three have die<l, one of 
them, Mary A., at the age of nine years. 

Mr. Gleason has followed the occupation of farm- 



-^*- 



■^•■ 



■a^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



65;) 



r 



ins throughout liis entire life. He now hns charge 
of tlu" olii hoiiu'steai), coinpri.siiig 271 acres of ara- 
ble land, u|)on wliich liis parents lirst l()cate<l on 
their removal to this t-onnty. and under his aljle 
nianagenicnt, it has heen iihiccii under a iiigh state 
of cultivation, wliile many Ijcautifnl and useful im- 
provements have heeu niadc. A jjood grade of all 
kinds of stock can always tliere l>e found, and Mr. 
(ileason makes a siiecnalty of the breeding of fiiu; 
Durham cattle. lie has now twenty-four cows of 
that breed which he uses for dairy purposes. He 
has been operating the dairy since ISGi). and has 
been quite successful in that line, the butter which 
lie turns out being of superi<)r quality. It finds 
a ready sale on the market and now has a wide 
reputation. As a citizen, Mr. (ileason is pub- 
lic spirited and progressive, and has been called 
upon to fill various local oftices of trust. lie 
is now serving as Side Su|)ervisor of th;; town 
of Lima, and discharges his duties with prompt- 
ness and fidelity. lie and his wife are mem- 
bers of the First Congregalioual Church, ami 
their pleasant liome is the abode of hospitality. 
'l'lie_v always keep "oiien iiouse." and thcii- many 
friends, by whom they are helil in the highest es- 
teem, are always sure of a hearty wi'Icome. Since 
attaining his majority, Mr. (Jleasoii has allilialcd 
with the Hcpublican liarty and is a warm advocate 
of its princi|ilcs. Socially, ho is a member of the 
A. (). 11. W. 

-s^s?}^- 

\JX: RS.SAU.VII {'. M'l'TI.K. widow of riiomas 
II. Little, and [iresent Superiutcudent and 
Steward of the Wisconsin School for the 
lilind. at Janesville. was Ihhu in Oberlin, 
Ohio. March C, 18.3«. Iler father was tlie Hev. 
Henry Cowlcs I). I)., a professor of the Oberlin Col- 
lege, and an eminent divine, scholar and authui'. 
He was liorn in Litchfield County, Conn., and 
w.ns descended from an old New Ivigland famil\- 
of English origin. The family was founded in 
America soon after the great fire of London. Her 
mother, whose maiden name was Alice Welch, 
W!is for several vi'ars piincipal of the Ladies' de- 
partment of ()beilin ('<illc);e. ami was a w<iman of 
of supeiior mental attainment.s, and .-i devout 




Christian. Her death occurred at 01)eilin i.n Octo- 
ber, 1848. She belonged to a noted New England 
family, five of whom were physicians. Benjamin, 
one of iier brotheis, was a very n<ilcd surgeon of 
New Englan<l, and devised surgical a|)pliauces that 
arc still in universal use. 

Mrs. Little was gr.adualed from Oberlin College, 
in 1859. For two 3'ears she was a teacher in the 
public-schools of Columbus, Ohio, and in IHCl. 
came to Janesville to fill the responsible position of 
principal teacher in the Wisconsin ScIkxiI for the 
blind, of which Thomas H. Little had recently lie- 
come the su|>eriutender:t. F.ach recognized a con- 
genial spirit in the other, and their acqu.aiutance 
resulted in marriage. This event ficcurred .hiiv 1 1, 
18G2, at the home of the bride's parents in Oberlin, 
Ohio, This union has been blessed with four 
daughters: Elizabeth, the eldest resides with her 
mother; Alice, the second daughter. gra<luatcd at 
Oberlin. in the cl.ass of 1M8S, and in .luue of the 
same ye.ar went to the Island of Kusaie. in Micro- 
nesia, as a teacher under the American Board of 
Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Her mother 
accompanied her as far as Honolulu, Sandwich Isl- 
ands. The two younger daughters, ('l;ua II. and 
Martha P., are students at Oberlin College. 

After the death of Mr. Little. Feb. 4. lS7."i. the 
board of managers decided to ap])oint Mrs. Little 
as his successor. This was an innovation. No 
other State institution, anywhere, was then in charge 
of a woman. But Mrs. Little had become thor- 
oughly identified with the work, and had proved 
her.self competent for leaijership in if ; .and the year- 
folloW'ing have almndantly justified the wisdom of 
this api>ointnient. Mrs. Little has inherited the 
strong mentality of Dr. Cowlcs, and the acumen 
and physical vigor of the AVelches. In the fifteen 
years that she has looked after the business and 
olher interests of this Large establishment, while 
|ierforming the duties of a man and public olllcer, 
she has lost none of the sweet, womanly character 
which is the eh.arni of her sex. Her care of the 
blind pupils has in it so large an element of mater- 
nal tenderness that the school is really a large 
family — at once a place of careful instruction and 
thorough discipline, ami yet a real home. 

.\t the meeting of the national convenliyn ofedu- 



-■^ 



660 



ROCK COUNTY. 



cators of the blinrl, at Philadelphia, in the summer 
succeeding her assumption of lier present position, 
she received a cordial recognition and won the 
liighest api)lause bj- her share in an instructive dis- 
cussion on methods of training the blind. At this 
meeting she was elected one of the officers of the 
American Association of Instructors of the Blind. 
Her address before the State Teachers' Associa- 
tion at LaCrosse. July, 1879, is a strong plea in 
behalf of the unfortunates who cannot see, and an 
instructive review of the efforts heretofore put 
forth by humanity for their benefit. 

IJeside her laborious duties at the institution, Airs. 
Little is felt and iiighly valued in all philanthropic 
and Christian work, the peer of any of the noble 
women who are serving their generation by the will 
of Cod. 




4 



THOMAS COTTRELL. who is engaged in 
sjeneral farming and stock-raising, and re- 
sides on section 22, in tiie town of Milton, 
is numbered among Rock County's best citizens. 
He was born in the town of Petersburg, Rensselaer 
Co.. N. Y.. on the 14th day of January, 181 1, and 
is a son of Benjamin and Polly (Burdick) Cottrell. 
His parents were natives of Rhode Island, but set- 
tled in Rensselaer County at an early day, there 
residing during the remainder of their lives. Both 
were called to their final rest in 1848. They were 
members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church and 
were consistent Christian people, whose daily en- 
deavor it was to follow the example of the Master. 
To them were born a family of nine children who 
grew to manhood and womanhood, but of that num- 
ber only three are now living. Two children also died 
ill infancy. Those who still survive are Thomas of 
thVs sketch; Sarah, who makes her home with lier 
brotlier; and Louisa, wife of Howard Humphrey, 
a resident of Dane County, Wis. 

The education of our subject was received in 
his native county. His father being in delicate 
healtli, at the early age of fourteen years, the en- 
tire management and control of the farm devolved 
upon him, but though the task was an arduous one 
for his y(uing shoulders, nobly did he discharge 
the duty. He continued to make his home with 



his parents, working and caring for them who had 
lovingly cared forhira in his younger days, forjmanv 
years. Tiie family removed to Allegany County. 
X. Y.. where he cleared and improved 100 acres of 
land, placing it all under a high state of cultivation. 
In 1846, Mr. Cottrell was united in marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth Mcllenry, and to them were born 
three children. Death visited the home, and within 
two years he laid to rest his wife his parents and 
a sister. 

Bowed down with grief, the stricken man de- 
cided to dispose of his property in the East and 
cast his lot with the people of Wisconsin. In 18.V2 
he left his home and went to Dane County, where 
he purchased a farm of eighty acres upon which 
he lived for fifteen years. He was again marrie<l 
while a resident of Dane County, becoming the 
husband of Miss Kmeline Martin. Nine 3'ears of 
happy wedded life had sped by, when again the 
home of Mr. Cottrell was made desolate by the 
death of the loving wife. He continued to reside 
in Dane County until 1867, when selling his prop- 
erty he came to Hock County and purchased eighth- 
acres of land on section 22. in the town of Milton. 
Twenty-two years he has there made his home, and 
is one of the highly esteemed citizens of the com- 
munity. His third marriage was celel)rated in 
1867, when he led to the hj'meneal altar Miss Re- 
becca Burdick. Tiielr union has been blessed with 
two children — Lorena D., was born Nov. 2.5. 1869; 
and Eldon C, Dec. 22, 1870. Though his path 
has been strewn with many difficulties, and great 
iiave been the obstacles in his way, Mr. Cottrell has 
steadily worked on until he now has a comfortable 
competency. Much sorrow has visited him. 3-et 
with the assistance of llini from whom all help 
comes, he has borne the affliction with christian 
fortitude and been strengthened bj- the trial. At 
the age of fourteen he united with the Seventh 
Day Baptist Church and has been an .active worker 
in the blaster's vineyard for sixty-one years. His 
wife also holds membership in th'" same church, and 
they are honored by all for their kind and gener- 
ous acts, their charity to those in need, and their 
ready words of symi)ithy and encouragement td 
those who have given away to despondency. Mr. 
Cottrell was a supporter of the Democratic party 



J^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



— 1^ 
C61 



until the time of the Kansas trouble, vvlien realiz- 
in<j thiit tlic (il)ject nf tliat party "'as to enslave 
millions of the Imuian family, hi' joined the Kepub- 
liean party with which hearted for many years. The 
Prohibition |i;irty spriniiiiiff into existence, he 
joined its ranks and has since been an active worker 
in the temperance reformati<m. Mr. C'ottrell is 
now an old man. but can look back over the years 
that are passed and i;one with no res^ret, and for- 
ward to the futiu'e with no fears. 



^ *-^ *- 



t'-^t^Vt^5:7<^- 




r 



|I!NKR J. HOI. I. IDA Y, a leadinijand re- 
v@/4J! speeted citizen, of Beloit. A\'is., who lia.s 

„ (» been a resident of Hock County since the 
early days of its history, was born May 24, 
ISl.'i. in Dooly County, Ga., and is a son of Hon. 
.Miner E. llollid.ay. At the time of the Southern 
purcliase. he was ap|iointed by Gen. Jackson as 
United States Surveyor and also served as route 
aijent, receivina: his appointment to that position 
from the president. He later settled in Georgia, 
in Ilollid.'iy, which town was named in his honor. 
He was a staunch supporter of the Democratic 
parly, anil for thirteen terms was elected to the 
State Leiii.slaturc, while two years he .served as 
State Senator. In 1H51. he was elected to Con- 
gress, but on account of sickness never took his 
seat in that boily. 

Hon. Abner E. Holliday was twice married. 15y 
his first wife there were seven children, all now de- 
ceased. After the death of his lirst wife, he wedded 
Elizabeth Goodwin, and to them were born twelve 
children, three only of whom are now living — Jane, 
wife of Noah Murray, of Heloit; Elizabeth, wife of 
John I. Coinstock, of Santa IMontaga. Cal.: and 
Aimer J., of this sketch. The death of Mr. Holli- 
day occurred in September. 1 8'>3, and his wife was 
called to her final rest in I84JS. They were mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. 

Our subject w.as but four years old when his 
mother died and but nine years when his f.ather 
died. The following year, in compan}' with a 
brother-in-law. he caine to Rock County, and here 
received a common-school education. In Decem- 
ber, 1862, he enlisted at Shellsburg, Iowa, in the 



10th Iowa Infantry, Company K, and was nnistered 
into the United States .service at Davenport. With 
his company he was .sent to Little Rock. Ark., 
and thence by the Cnmilcn road to Salem River, 
where he first engaged in battle. Seven of Ww, 
regiment were there killed. Returning to Little 
Rock, the eomp.any p.-u-ticijiuted in the r;iid through 
Missouri after Price; once more went to Little Rock 
and w.as then ordered to Forts Suiith luid (Gibson, 
where the men were stationed tin gu.ard duty until 
the close of the war. Mr. Hollid;iy received his 
discharge at Davenport. Iowa, and soon after went 
to Beloit. 

In 18()7. in that city, he was united in marriatje 
with Miss Inda De Laniontanye. a native of Orantre 
County. N. Y., and a daughter of John D.and Per- 
melia (Brown) De Lamontan3e, the former l>eing a 
descen<lent of a prominent French family who emi- 
grated to America in an early daj'. Five children, 
all of whom are living, grace their union — Inlius, 
Grade, Bertie, Guy N. and Raj-. Mr. Holliday is 
a member of the ('•. A. R. Post of Beloit ami a 
stalwart supporter of the Democratic party. He 
and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and are highly esteemed by all who 
know them for their many excellencies of charac- 
ter. 

—I '^if^ S— 

iHEODORE W. (;OLDI\, a member of the 
firm of Dunwiddie A ( ioldin, Attorneys and 
"^^f Counsellors-at-law of Janesville, is a native 
of Rock County, and a son of Reuben W. (ioldin. 
The famiij' were among the pioneers of this county, 
George Goldin. the grantlfather of our subject 
having become one of its residents in 1844. lie 
was a native of the Empire Slate, thence emigrat- 
ing to Rock County, Wis., with his wife and chil- 
dren. Locating in the town of Newark, he im- 
|)roved a farm, which he continued to cultivate for 
a number of years, but later made his home in 
the town of Spring \'alley. .Vbout the year 18(;2 
he removed to Green County. Wis., and after three 
years went to California, where he engaged in min- 
ing and other occupations until 1X(!7. when he 
returned from theCJolden Stale. In the meantime, 
his family had removed to Kansas, where be joined 




4 



^f^^ 



G62 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-f 



lliem and died several 3-ears later. He and liis 
wife were the parents cif four cliildreu — Anna, who 
married N. -S. Gilbert, and resides at Evanston, 111,; 
lieul)en W., the next in order of birth; Eliz.'ibelh, 
tlie wife of C. (1. Tozier. whose home is at .lunc- 
tion City, Kan.; and James W., who was a soldier 
in the War of the Reliellion, but several years later 
went to the Black Hills. Mont. 

Reuben W. (ioldin was born in the Suite of New 
York, aliout the year lf^2i), and came with the 
family to AVisconsin. He later returned to the 
East for a bride and was united in marriasje vviih 
Miss Elizabeth E. IJradfield a native of Columbiana 
County. Ohio. Soon after their marriage the 
young couple returned to Rock County, and began 
liu'ir domestic life upon a farm in S|)ring Valley 
'I'ownship, which Mr. (ioldin engaged in cultivat- 
ing. Several years later he went to Albany, Green 
Co.. Wis., where he embarked in the harness and 
saddlery business and subsequently became a resi- 
dent of lirodhead. where he continued In the same 
line until iiis death, which occurred in 11-!,S4. His 
widow Is still residing in that city. Like his father, 
Reuben Goldin was an honorable. ui)iiglit citizen 
descended from (Quaker ancestry, and inherited the 
lionesty of purpose that characterized that people. 
He was prominent in advancing the educational 
interests of the town in which he lived and was 
identified with those enterprises which tended to 
promote the best interests of the community. 

Theodore W. Goldin, whose name heads this 
sketcli. was the only child of Reuben W. and Ellza- 
lieili E. ( Br.adfield) Goldin. I Ic w;is born in the town 
of Spring Valley, Rock Co.. Wis.. .July 2'.t. 1855. 
and received his primary education in the schools of 
Urodhead, supplementing it by a course in tiie 
Tilton I'niversity of Tilton. N. H., where he w.as a 
student for four ^-ears. Completing his literary- 
studies, he enlisted at Chicago, in April, 1875, to 
serve in the Regular Army. He was assigned to 
the 7lh Regular Cavalry, commanded by Gen. 
George A. Custer, who fell with the whole of his 
immediate army in the battle of Little liig Horn 
on the 25th day of .Tune, 187(). At the time of 
the battle, which resulted so fatally to Gen. Custer 
au<l his command. AFr. Goldin was with Major 
Reno, but a short distance from the held of combat. 
^1 



He was present on the field soon after the massacre 
and assistetl in burj'ing the gallant General and his 
brave comrades. He took part in the fight with the 
Indians at Carrion Creek and Bear Paw Mountain. 
Montana. He w:is twice wounded in the second 
day's fight of the Little Big Horn, and those wounds 
resulted in his discharge for disability on the 29th 
day of September, 1879. 

Mr. Goldin began the study of law at Brodhead, 
Wis., in 1881, with A. M. Randall. Esq.. with whom 
he continued until the fall of 18is2. when he was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of (ireen County, 
a position he held until November, 1885. when he 
came to Janesville. and engaged in the practice of 
his profession, succeeding riiny Norcross. as a part- 
ner of B. F. Dunwiddie. This is one of the lea<ling 
law firms of Janesville. and the high repul.-ition 
which it has won at the bar is well merited. Mr. 
Goldin was united in marriage with Miss Laura 
Dunwiddie, a sister of his partner, and a daughter 
of David Dunwiddie. To them have been liorn 
one child, a son — Herbert D. Our subject is a 
menilH'r of the st.aff of Gov. Hoard, in the caj)acitv 
of Inspector of ritle practice, and is regarded .as 
one of the leading citizens of .lanesville. 



^^ HAUNCEY STEVEN.S, capitalist, was born 
lit ^^ in Freetown, Cortland Co.. N. Y.. on the 
^^ 9th day of August, 1820, and is a son of 
Henry and Jerusha (Fox) Stevens, who were na- 
tives of Vermont. The subject of this sketch 
learned the saddler's trade at Homer, in his na- 
tive county, and established himself in business at 
Hamilton, Madison Co.. N. Y.. in 1842. He con- 
tinued in business at that place for a period of 
twelve yeai-s, then removed to Syracuse, where he 
he w.as in business ten years. In 1854 he built a 
flouring-mill at Spring Valley, Walworth Count}', 
this State, where he dwelt eight years, and in 1862 
came to Janesville. On coming to this citj', he 
engaged in hotel-keeping, as proprictorof the Amer- 
ican House, continuing in that house for one year, 
when he bought the New England House, which 
he named the Stevens House, and which he con- 



.^ 








^ 

4 
^ 



^ 



-\^ 






O 



-U 



^L. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



CG5 






diiPted until tlio spiiiiii; of 188(1, when, having h>st 
iiis wife, lie retired from business. 

.Mr. .Stevens was married, on tlie 24tli da^- of 
May, 1845, to Miss Eliza Doiihleday, of Onondaga 
County, N. V., a daughter of John Doubleday. 
Mrs. Stevens was born in Fabias, Onondaga Co., 
N. Y. One daughter blessed their union, Cath- 
erine, now the widow of Matthias Shank, and a 
resident of Janesville. Mrs. Stevens died on the 
!)th day of A|)ril, 1851. Mr. Stevens w.is again 
married, Dec. 21), 18.')!), in Syracuse, to Miss Kate 
HurUe. a daughter of Matthew Burke. She was born 
at Schuyler's Lake, Otsego Co., N. Y. She died 
Sept. 24, 1880, leaving three children: Capitola, 
the eldest, is the wife of James K. Sebree, proprie- 
tor of the Saratoga Hotel, Dearborn street, Chi- 
cago; Chester .and George are also in that city, 
employed by Mr. Sebree. Mr. Stevens is a mem- 
ber of Janesville Lodge No. 55. A. F. A' A. M. In 
political .sentiment he is a Republican, and in his 
religious views liberal. He is a member of All 
Souls Chun li. 

ii ILO SMITH is numbered among the hon- 
ored pioneers of Hock County, and his 
/// I* beautiful home, situated on section 15, Mil- 
ton Township, indicate.s him to be a man 
of energetic disposition ai.d industrious habits. He 
was born in Cliautauqua County, N. Y.,^Iarcli 13, 
181'J, and is a son of James and Olive (^Viggins) 
Smith, the former a native of AVorcester Count}', 
Mass., and the latter of Chautauqua Covinty, N. Y. 
The family is of English ancestry, the great-grand- 
father of our subject liavuig emigrated from Eng- 
land to America during the early colonial days, 
ar.d settling in Salem, Mass. James Smith was a 
farmer by occupation. His death occurred in 
1831, when Milo was but twelve years of age, and 
Mrs. Smith was .again married, becoming the wife 
of Jeremiah Cowden. Her death occurred ih 1882, 
at the ripe old age of eighty-four years, and both 
passed to their long rest in Chautauqua County. 
The family to which our subject belonged num- 
bered seven children, all of whom grew to man- 
hood and womanhood with the exce|)li(jn of the 




first-born, who died in infancy; Milo is the second 
in order of birth; Paul died of consumption in 
Chautauqua County, in IHtw; Philetta, widow of 
John UappoUe, is living on the old homestead; Al- 
ice, widow of Jonathan Maxon. is a resident of 
Osage County. Kan.; Catherine A., widow of 
(ieorge Rappold, makes hei- home in Jamestown, 
N. Y.; and Luke died in Chicago, in 1865. The 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cowden were: Je- 
rome, who enlisted in the service of his country, 
and died in the prison at Salisbury, N. C; Alonzo, 
who died in infancy; and Robert L, who also 
served in the late war, and for six months was a 
prisoner, is now living in Chautauqua County, 
N. Y. 

The education of our subject was received in his 
n:itive State, and throughout his life he has made 
farming his principal occupation. The d.ays of his 
boyhood and youth were spent under the parentid 
roof, until he was eighteen years of age, when, in 
1837, he went to Genesee Count}', where he made 
his home with an uncle for three years, attending 
school during that time. Going to Rome, N. Y., 
he spent his sununer months in farm labor, and en- 
gaged in teaching school during the winter season, 
until, with a view of bettering his financial con- 
dition, he resolved to try his fortune in the West 
and came to the Territory of Wisconsin. He lirst 
located in what is now the town of Milton, Rock 
County, where he purchased 160 acres of land on 
section 15, the purchase price being twenty shil- 
lings per acre. He made a partial pa^-ment, leaving 
•^100 yet due. and at once liegan work, in order to 
secure the means with which to clear his farm from 
all indebtedness, which in the course of time he ac- 
complished. He worked at various occuji.ations 1>\ 
the month, receiving from ^10 to ¥12 .as a compen- 
sation for his services. F'or some time he was en- 
g.aged in the pineries of northern Wisconsin, and 
received his pay in lumber, which he was forced to 
raft down the river and sell before realizing any 
profit. It was thus sometimes a year before he 
reall}- received his earnings, which at the best were 
very small. In 1848 he began breaking the land 
which he had previously purchased, and in IH51 
erected a log c;d)iii. That being done, he decided 
to rent his f:irm, which lie leased nulil 1S5I. 






•4^ 

1 666 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



In that year Mr. Smith was married to Miss 
Klizalicth P. Tourtelolto, the wedding being cele- 
brated on tiie 7lh day of March. The Uidy i.s a 
daugliter of Amos C. and Elizabeth (Hervey) 
Tourtelotte, both of whom are natives of the Bay 
State. Imt tlie father was of French descent, and 
the mother of English origin. In 1853 they ctime 
with their family to IJock County, where they 
passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying 
in 1858, and the mother passing to her final rest 
.Ian. 3, 1862. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith they became the parents of seven children, 
as follows: James Milo, who was born Feb. 9, 
1855, and is now engaged in farming in Seward 
County, Kan.; Jessie L.. born Jan. 19. 1857, is the 
wife of John Marquart, a resident farmer of the 
town of million; Cl.ara E., born Sept. 16, 1858, 
wedded Josiah Auld, and the}' now resiiie in the 
town of La Prairie; H. Fremont, liorn Aug. 10, 
1862, married Miss Nellie Serns, and is engaged in 
ojieraling the old home farm; Olive E., born Oct. 
11,1867, died on the 27th day of September, 
1869: Carroll L., born Aug. 4, 1871, is at home; 
Lynn T., born Aug. 13, 1874, is also with his 
parents. The children have all received good edu- 
cational advantages, therein" fitting them for 
useful positions in life, and are now respected men 
and women wIkj do honor to the family name. 

For the long period of upward of forty-six years 
Milo Smith has been a resident of Rock County. 
Wlien he first came to the Territory of Wisconsin, 
the land was almost entirely uncultivated, the 
greater portion of it being still in possession of 
the Government ; the red men were yet frequent 
visitors in the settlement, and the nearest neighbors 
were often miles aw.ay. The markets were at Mil- 
waukee and Chicago, and oxen were used in making 
the trips to those |)laccs. Even the most far- 
sighted would scarcely liave dreamed, much less 
realized the important changes which were sixin to 
take place and transfoiin the commuiiily from a 
wild ;\iul unsettled region into a count}' which has 
no superior and few eqiuds in this great common- 
wealth. To the nohle band of pioneer men and 
women, who left the East with its comforts and 
luxuries to make for themselves and f.-iiiiilies homes 
*(n the western fidulier. a debt of gratitude is due 



"♦■ 



which can never be repaid, and among that brave 
band is numbered our subject and his estimable 
wife. Mr. Smith ha-s devoted much time and at- 
tention to the i)romotion of public enterprises, and 
has filled various township olHces of trust. In early 
life he cast his ballot with the Whig party, but 
since its formation has been an ardent supporter of 
the Republican party, and is a great admirer of 
Gen. Benjamin Harrison, our present Executive, 
with whom he had the pleasure of sliaking hands, 
making a visit to Indiana in 1888, especially for 
the purpose. Sociall}'. he liolds membershij) in the 
I. O. O. F.. his wife being a member of the Re- 
becca Degree, and both are prominently identified 
witli the patrons of husbaudr}'. Mrs. Smith is 
greatly interested in the temperance cause, being a 
member of the AVoman's Christian Temperance 
Union, and Equal Suffrage Association of Wiscon- 
sin, and her efforts in both lines of work have been 
l)rodui-tive of much good. The home of Mr. 
^ and Mrs. Smith is one of the most beaiiti- 
I ful in tlie community. The commodious resi- 
j deuce is surrouncied by man}' shade and ornamental 
trees, and before the house .are many beds of 
I lovely tiiiwiMS, filling the air with thcii' fragrance 
and delighting the eye of the beholder, that are 
tenderly cared for by Mrs. Smith. Cordial and 
genial in manucr, huspitabU' and entertaining, this 
worthy couple h;ive a large circle of friends and 
acquaintances, and are held in the highest regard hy 
I all. We arc jileased to present their portraits to 
the readers of this work. 



^ €^-»- 



/^P^ OLLIN SMITH, a retired fanner now resiit- 
'l[ ^, ing in Milton, is one of the honored pioneers 
^^ of Rock County, of 1840. He was born 
near Port Dover. Norfolk Co., Ont., on the 17th 
ilay of May, 1835. His paternal grandfather 
was a native of England, and in 1776 emigrated to 
.\mciicato avoid serving as a soldier in the British 
army. lie settled in the State of New A'ork. where 
his son William, the father of our subject, was 
born. In the Empire State William grew to man- 
IioikI. nn<l learned to be a worker in iron. Me 
spranc from a race of mecli:inics. his gi-eal-grand- 

— ^ •► 



M 



ROCK COUNTY. 




^ 



father li!iviii<^ been a niamifai-tiiior of nails in the 
(lays wlicn tlii-y were made by liaiid. Like many 
of tlie world's most siieccssful men, WilliMni Smith 
bei^an life a poor boy. but he w.as early inured to 
labor, and taiiiiht the lesson of self-reliance. About 
l.s.'io he resolviMl to emigrate to Canada, and on 
leavinj; his native .State, his worldly posses- 
sions consisted onl}' of ^l in money and the 
clothes he wore. lie made his wtiy to Norfolk 
County, ()nt., then called Upper Canada, and 
there found employment at his trade, making an- 
chors and such other heavy machinery a.s his skill 
enaliled him to turn out. Bv untiring industry and 
perseverance, and carefully saving his earnings he 
soon found liim-^elf accumvilating a little ca|)ital, 
which he invested in land, and thus laid the founda- 
ti(tn for his future success. About 1833 or 1834 he 
w:is united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth Stuart, a 
native of lliat country, borti of Irish parents. After 
marriage he turned his attention to .agricultural 
l)ursuits, and began the impro\ement and cultiva- 
tion of the eighty acres of land he had previously 
bought. He had no knowledge of farming, but 
possessing an observing e3'e. and being quick to 
catch an idea and to ajiply scientitlc principles 
to practical life, he soon had a good knowledge 
of the methods of farming, and became one of the 
successful cultivators of the soil. lie could truly 
be called a self-ma(ie man. 

Three children came to gladden that little Cana- 
dian home with their briglit presence. Collin was 
the eldest; Freeman, the second son, was killed b^- 
a threshing machine at the age of eighteen years, 
after the family had become residents of the town 
of .lohnstown, Rock County. William is practic- 
ing law in Janesville. 

In IHIO. accompanied by his wife and children. 
Mr. Smith left Canada, and emigrated to Rock 
County, locating on section 7, in the town of Johns- 
town, where lie purchased 200 acres of land, to 
which he subsequently added seventeen acres more. 
He was compelled to borrow *4()0 to complete the 
p.ayment. ami on that amount he had to p.aj- twenty 
per cent, interest. His first crop of winter wheal, 
however, paid the indebtedness, and from that 
time prosperity attended his efforts; harvests were 
abundant, and the grain brought good ])rices; bis 



efforts in other directions were also successful, and 
his labors received their just reward. At the lime 
of his death lie was numbered among the well-to-do 
farmers of the county, and was a valued citizen of 
the community. He died in 1870, at the age of 
sixty-six years, and his excellent wife departed 
this life in is.jl. in the sixty-first year of her 
age. 

The early education of our subject was received 
in the primitive log schoolhouse in the town of 
Johnstown, with its puncheon floor, rude slab seats 
and immense fire-place, which occupied one end of 
the building. He completed his education, how- 
ever, by a course in Milton College, .and has greatly 
supplemented it l)y subsequent reading and obser- 
vation. Reared to manhood on the western fron- 
tier, he knows what it is to brave the hardships and 
trials of pioneer life. The smoke of the Indian 
wigwam had scarcely cleared away, when the fam- 
ily came to Rock Count\', and the few homes of the 
settlers were widely' scattered. Wild fowl of many 
different kinds were still plentiful and furnished 
many a meal for the settlers; deer in large droves 
roamed over the prairie, and the fierce howl of 
wolves was often heanl at night. Markets were 
far distant, and the journeys were made with ox 
teams. In those early days the salary of the min- 
ister consisted of such farm produce as his flock 
were pleased to bring him. Often one might see a 
member of the congregation starting for the house 
of worship on Sunday morning with a b.ig of pota- 
toes, turnips or some other produce, which he 
deposited in the pastor's sleigh or l)uggy. Through- 
out his life, Mr. Smith h.as followed the occupation 
of farming, and now owns the old homestead of 
217 acres, situ.ated in the town of Johnstown, hav- 
ing purchased the interest of the other heirs. It is 
one of the best farms in the community, and the 
entire surroundings indicate thrift and enterprise. 
On the 28th day of August, 1807, he led to the 
marriage altar Miss Carrie L. Bacon, a daughter 
of I. P. and Helen (Nethaway) Bacon, who became 
residents of Sauk County in 1850, but later re- 
moved to Dane County, where the mother is yet 
living. Two children have been born of their 
union. Birdie and Helen, two accomplished young 
lailies who are now student-s of Milton College, 






ROCK COUNTY. 



where Miss Birrlic will sjiadiiate in the class of 
1891. 

Mr. Smith lakes an active part in political af- 
fairs, and since attaining liis inajorit3-, lias cast 
his ballot with the Republican party, of which he 
is a stalwart advocate. He has ever l)een prom- 
inent in the promotion of piil)lic enterprises, has 
contributed lilierally to the support of social, edu- 
cational and moral interests, and h-as borne no 
inconsiderable part in placing Rock County in its 
present advane^'d |)osition in tiiis great common- 
wealth. Mrs. Smith is a lady of culture and high 
attainments; she possesses more than ordinary 
ability, and as a writer displays marked talent. 
Many of her articles have been published in the 
county and Stale papers, and in September. 1888, 
she received the second prize for the best essiiy 
on the "Responsibilit}- of Citizenship." offeieil by 
the Wisconsin Woman's Suflfr.age Association. She 
is an ardent advocate of woman's snflfrage, and 
her articles written on that sul>ject have received 
the Idgbest praise by those who have had the 
pleasure of reading them. .Much of her time and 
talents have been devoted to that cause; her articles 
are well written, her arguments logical and con- 
clusive, and the tliought displayed shows that her 
study of the subject in all its l)earings has been 
careful and Ihorough. Alone time, she was a regu- 
lar contributor to the colinnns of five different 
papers. Miss IJirdie seems lo have inherited her 
mother's talent, and many of her jjoenis and prose 
writings have won high laurels. 




IMEON SCHOONOVER. owner of one of 
the finest farms of Rock County, situated 
on section 33. in the Town of Fulton, was 
born in Candor, Tioga Co., N. V., June 
],'). IMli). His parents. . Joseph and Margaret 
( Decker) Schoonover, were born in New .Jersey, 
but became residents of New York in early life. 
The father wjus a farmer by occupation, ami in 
1 s.'?8 removed from New York to Ohio, where he 
engaged in agricultural |)ursuits until his death, 
wliieli occurred abnut tlu' year 186"), at the ad- 
vanced age of ninety years. Mis excellent wife 



preceded him to the better home, dying about 1851. 
Unto them were born eleven children, but of that 
once numerous family only three are j-et living — 
Simeon, of this sketch; David, now a resident of 
Benton County, Iowa; and F.ayetle, residini;- near 
the old homestead in Ohio. 

Our subject received but a limited education, his 
opportunities being such as were afforded by the 
district schools, which he attended during the win- 
tor season, assisting in the labors of the farm dur- 
ing the summer months. He remained under the 
parental roof until twenty-one years of .age, when, 
leaving his home, he worked at various occuiiations 
until 1849. In the meantime, he had returned lo 
New York, antl in 18.")0 rented a farm, which he 
commenced operating in his own interests, but a 
year later he left the East, resolved lo try his for- 
tune in Wisconsin. Arriving at his destination in 
the fall of 1851. he pnich.a.sed forty acres of land 
in Fulton Township, Rock Connly. which jjroved 
the nucleus of his [)resent fine farm. The land 
was then in a wild and untadlivated condition, but 
a few furrows had been turned and the improve- 
ments consiste(l oidy of a little log cabin, into 
which the family moved. Willi characteristic 
energ3', Mr. Schoonover began the task of develop- 
ing the farm, and in the course of time, where was 
once a thick and rank growth of prairie grass, fields 
of waving grain greeted the e3"e. 

In the month of February. 184!t. .Mr. Schoon- 
over was joined in wedlock with .Miss Anna .M. 
Coiulwrighl. anil to them were born, two children, 
a son and daughter: Charles F., who was boiii in 
18511, is now engaged in farming in the Town of 
Fulton; Caroline E., who was born in 1H53, and is 
now the wife of I). E. Hopkins, also a resident of 
Fulton. Mrs. Schoonover wa.< called to her final 
rest May 12, 1854, and interred in the Edgerlon 
Ceineter^'. She was a loving wife and tender 
mother, a kind and accommodating friend and 
neiirhbor, .and n faithful and consistent Chiislian 
lady, a mendier of the Haptist ClHirch. 

Mr. Schoonover is a self-made man. and his life 
has been one of industry and toil. Ambitious and 
energetic, the dilliiailties in his way only seemed to 
nerve him to greater effort, and overcoming .all 
obstacles, he ha.s stcadilv clindicd the ladder of 



•►Hh^ 



•^-^ 



ROCK COUNTY 



G6!i 



•f 



-.iiccoss until he is now one of tlie well-to-do farm- 
I'ls (if Kiilton. One of the eaily settlers of Koek 
Comity, he hiavely eiiduieil the trials uf piuneer 
life to make for himself and family a home. At 
the time of his settlement the lar<;e and thriving 
cities of .lanesville and lleloit. with Ihcir large 
maiuifactniing interests, their piihlic Imildings and 
eleg.'int residences, were hut small villages; in the 
tindiered regions the deer still found a home, and 
wild fowl was to lie found in abundance. In the 
work of lransforni.il ion and progress which has 
ctniverled this once wild region into one of the 
finest counties in this vast commonwealth, Mr. 
Schoonover has iiolil^- liorn his part. lie has aided 
largely in the development of tlu' land, and now 
has a line farm of 1 10 acres, all under cultivation. 
In 1872 the little log caliiu which had sheltered the 
family fi-<>m the storms of winter and the heat of 
the summer sun for twenty-two years, was replaced 
liy a large and commodious two-story lirick resi- 
dence, one of the pleasantest homes in the town. 
Mr. Schoonover has been honored with various 
ollicial positions; he has served as .Side .Supervisor, 
was Chairman of the Uoard for a number of terms, 
and h.MS acteil as 'rreasiirer of the school district; 
ami ill all these ditfereiit ollices has discharged his 
duties in a prompt and able inanuer. In politics 
lie is a Democrat, and a stalwart supporter of the 
party principles as advocated by its party leaders. 
He is a worthy and prominent citizen, whose ster- 
ling worth and uprightness of character have gained 
him the conlidcnce of all. .Mr. Schoonover is well 
known throughout the county, and this sketch of 
his life will lie welcomed by the readers of this 
work not oul}' among his friends of pioneer days, 
but by liis younger acquaintances of later years. 



^KIHKN WINSTON, a member of the firm 
y of K. V. Randolph A' Co., lumber dealers 
i\ of Evansville, was born in Chenango 
^p! County, N. V..on the ITtli day of Novem- 
ber. Ifi-2G. and is a son of .lohn Winston, whose 
sketch appears on another page of this volume. lie 
was reared to manlioc)d upon a farm, and when 
about (if teen years of age left his native State and 



came with his parents to Rock County, where he 
has since made his home, with the exception of a 
few years, lie began his mercantile career as a 
salesman in llu' store of his brother Nelson Winston, 
anil .Mr. H.-mielt. when those gentlemen were asso- 
ciated in business in Oregon. Wis. 

In 1.S.5I. he ein)>aiked in the inercanlile business 
for liiinseif at Stoi.ghton, Wis., forming :i partner- 
ship with .Sylvester Giles, which connection con- 
tinued for about a year when he sold his interest to 
his partner. At the time he engaged in business 
at Stougliton, the means of the firm were wliolly 
in.adequate for the purclia.se of such a stock of 
goods as they desired, but .Mr. Winston, who went 
to New York to select the goods found no difliculty 
ill obtaining what was wanted on credit. It is 
needless to say that prompt and full payment was 
made, for Mr. Winston is well known throughoul 
Rf)ck County as a ni.an of lujnor and fair deal ng. 
In the fall of 18.55, the flnn of .1. Winston it .Sons 
was formed, continuing until 1861, when it wa,s 
dissolved. Our subject was then not actively en- 
gaged in business for a year, when he and his 
father again opened a mercantile establishments 
under the firm name of .1. Winston tt Son, but after 
two or three years had passed the father withdrew 
and Keiibeii continued in business for many years, 
the firm being K. AVinston & Co. At length selling 
out bis slock of merchandise, he turned his atten- 
tion to the lumber trade, engiiging in that business, 
first with Daniel .Tohn.son for one year, when he 
bought out Mr. .Johnson and took into partnership 
a Mr. True, and carried on the business for a few 
years under the firm name of H. Winston ii Co., 
after which he bought out Mr. True and formed a 
partnershii) with Mr. F. W. Tolles, which contin- 
ued a few years, when he purclnised .Mr. Tolle's in- 
terest and formed his present ■tjusiness relations will 
Mr. Randolph. The firm does a flourishing business 
and is one of the leading establishments of the kind 
ill Hock Countj'. 

In 1852, Mr. Winston was united in marriage 
with Mi.'s Mary Helen Nichols, a daughter of 
Dennis Nichols, who was one of the early settlers 
of Rock County, but afterwards became a resident 
of Iowa, where he made his home for several years, 
and is now living in Nebraska. Three children 



4^ 



■t- 



670 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ 



-f 



liave heen horn of their union, nil daughters — 
Clara, their first l)orn, flied at the a^e of fourteen 
years; Amanda Elizabeth is now the wife of Geo. 
H. Butts, a resident of Milton .hinction. Wis.; and 
Kate is tiie widow of C. H. Ladd. Mr. Winston 
is one of the representative men of Kock County, 
and a wortii}' and esteemed citizen. In politics, he 
has ever supported tlie Republican party, and is a 
laitlifnl adherent to its [irineiples. For almost 
half a century he has resided in this county, win- 
ning the iiearts of man}' by his frani< and cordial 
manner and his kindly disposition. Tliough not a 
member of any ciiurcli, Mr. AVinston attends the 
Congregational Church, of which iiis wife and 
daugiiters are members. 



«^ LFRED HUBBELL. who is tlie owner of a 
l@/y| fine farm of "200 acres on section 3 1 , town of 
1!' Fulton, was l>orn in the town of (Queens- 
bury, AVarren Co.,N. Y.,Jaii. 16. 1828, 
and liis parents, Isaac and Hannaii (Pray) Ilubbell, 
were also n.atives of that State. Their family num- 
bered nine children — P^sther, the eldest, is the wife 
of George Walkup. who resides in (jueensbury, 
Warren Co.. X. Y. Mary and Ziilaii are both 
deceased. Lucy wedded John Schofield. a resident 
farmer of the town of Fulton. Lovisa is the wife 
of Ebene/.er West, who also makes his home in 
Queensbury, Warren Co.. N. Y. Elsie married De 
Wilt Fuller, and is living in Center, Rock 
County. Frederick and .lohu P. also make their 
home in (Queensbury, N. Y. Alfred, of this sketch, 
completes the family. Isaac Ilubbell was a man of 
sterling worth and strict integrilj', and was a prom- 
inent citizen of the communit}- in which ho resided. 
In politics he was a Democrat, and gave hissuijport 
and influence for the advancement of that part3''s 
interest. He died on the 13tii day of April. 1831, 
and was buried in (iueensbury, Warren Co., N. Y. 
Many years passed, when Mrs. Hubbell was also 
called to her final rest, in 1869. and was buried liy 
the side of her husband. 

Since the early age of nine years, our sub- 
ject has made liis own wa}- in the worhl, and is in- 
deed a self-made man. His father having died 



when he was but three years of age. he remained 
witli his mother until his tenth year, when he was 
bound out, working for his board and clothes until 
he was seventeen years of age. During that time 
lie attended the district school, where he received 
his education, and on leaving the home of his em- 
plo\er to begin life's battle with the world, had 
but seventy cents in money. For five years lie 
labored as a farm liand in his native State, when, 
thinking that the opportunities aflordol young men 
in the West were superior to those in the older 
States of the East, lie emigrated to Wisconsin in 
185(!t. and again was employed at farm labor. By 
industry and economy, lie accumulated a small sum 
of money, which in \X.')'2 he invested in property, 
purchasing eighty acres of land, on wh'cli he now 
resides. Building a small shanty to afford him 
shelter while developing his farm, he at once began 
to break prairie and otherwise cultivate the land. 
In the course of time his labors were crowned with 
success, his crops yielding abundant harvests, wiiich 
enabled him to purchase other land. His farm now 
comprises 200 acres. It is stocked with a good 
grade of horses, cattle and hogs; thereon may be 
found tiie latest machinery, and the neatness and 
regularity of the home and its surroundings indicate 
thrift and enterprise. In 1854, the temporar}' cabin 
which he had built was replaced by a more sub- 
stantial frame dwelling, in which he lived until 
1882, when the present commodious two-story resi- 
dence was erected. 

Mr. Hubt)ell was united in marriage with Jliss 
Mary Miles, who was born in Ri|)ley County, Ind., 
and is a daughter of Jesse and Martha (Beckett) 
Miles. They had a family- of seven children, five 
of whom are living — I'lorence, the eldest, is de- 
ceased; Fred, born March II, 18,58, is engaged in 
farming in the town of Porter; Minnie, born Aug. 
17, 1859, resides at home; Alfred is also deceased; 
John, born Oct. 12, 1870, and William and Nellie, 
twins, born Juh' 29, 1872, are yet with their 
parents. 

The entire possessions of Mr. Hubbell he has 
gained since becoming a resident of Rock County. 
He is numbered among the early settlers of this 
community, and has not only witnessed, but has 
participated in the rapid growth and development 



-^J^ 



■^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



G71 



vvliic'li liave taken place. Public-spirited and pro- 
uii'ssivt-. lie takes ;i deep interest in the advance- 
ment of all pnblic enterprises, and is a worthy and 
valued citizen, whose lioinirable and upright 
life has won liiiii the confidence and high regard 
of all. 

^ OCX? . 
'^'oiSo~' 

jtp=!S)D\VAI{l)C. I'O WELL, one of Rock County's 
fNl leading citizens, residing on section 28, 
/I' — ^ town of Fulton, was born on the •27th d.ay 
of .Inly. 1H.')2. in a little log cabin on a farm, 
where he still makes his homo. His father, the 
hilc lb 111. Robert T. Rowcll. was a native of Long 
Island, horn in mil», and during his entire life he 
followed the occupation of farming. I^eaving his 
native State, he removed to Xew York, .and in 1842 
emigrated to the West, settling in Rock County. 
Wis. For two years he engaged in teaching 
school at Milton, and siilise((uently followed the 
same profession in the town of Fulton, where he 
later purchased a farm, lie was united in marriage 
with Miss Emeline Carr, who was born in Troy, 
N. Y., in 182G, and came to Rock County in 18.39. 
She proved a true helpmate to him, nobly sharing 
ill the iii.iny clilliciiUie> and hardships of pioneer 
life, and was an earnest Christian woman. Five 
fliiblreii were born to them, but our s'llijecl is the 
only one now left to tell the stor)'; two died in in- 
fancy, and Ella and John passed away after reach- 
ing mature years, and were burieil in the Kdgerton 
Cemeteri'. 

On (Hilling his attention to agricultural pursuits 
Mr. Rowcll'purchased 12(1 acres of land, then wholly 
uncultivated, which forms a part of the farm now 
owned by Edwanl C. The entire (^ountrv at that 
time was almost an iinliroken prairie, over which 
the deer roamed, and the settlements were few and 
far between; the markets were miles away, times 
were hard and money scarce; the farming imple- 
ments were of rude construction, an<l the incon- 
veniences of pioneer life were .almost innumerable. 
Niitwithstanding these dillicnllies and obstacles. 
Mr. Powell determineil to ni:ike for himself and 
l:iniiiy a home. Erecting a little log cabin, he im- 
mediately began breaking the land, clearing it of 
A the brush, making improvements, and otherwise 



working a transformation, until the prairie w.a.s 
converted into a fine farm. As his finances were 
increased he ad<led to his original |)urchase until 
lb) broad acres yielded rich returns for his care and 
cultivation. In 1858 the pioneer home w.as re- 
jjlaced by a substantial dwelling, two stories in 
height, large barns were built, and many beautiful 
and u.seful improvements made. Although he was 
an indefatigabh' worker for the interests of his 
home and family, Mr. J'owell yet found time to 
devote to the public, and was a man of prominence 
and influence. He served as the Ib'st Town Clork 
of Fulton, was County Siipervisor-at-large from 
18(;-1 until I8(!li.and in 1870 was elected and served 
as a member of the Legislature. To each (piestion 
which came ui) before the house he gave his care- 
ful consideration, and then cast an intelligent 
ballot for what he deemed the best interest of the 
people. His course won the commendation of his 
friends and the approval of his political enemies. 
He took an active part in jiolitics, was an ardent 
supporter of the Rei)uhlican party from its organi- 
z.ation, and several times served as a delegate to 
the Count}' and .Slate Conventions. Scorning any- 
thing underhanded, his life was one of the strictest 
integrity an<l uprightness, and is well worthy of 
emulation. He felt a just pride in the growth 
and prosperity of the conimunit^'. and endeavored 
to encourage, Ijolh iiy his influence and financial 
support, .all worthy enterprises of benefit to the 
pnblic. He and his wife were members of the Con- 
gregational Church at Fulton, and richly merited 
the high esteem in which they were held. The 
death of Mr. I'owell occurred -Vug. 2(). 1882, and 
he was interred in the cemetery at Edgerton. His 
excellent wife, who was beloved by all for her 
many lovable traits of character, resided on the old 
homestead after the death of her husband until 
within a few weeks of her own death, when she 
went on a visit to Chicago. She died in that city 
.Inly 28, 1886, and her remains were brought back 
and placed by the side of those of Mr. I'owell. 

E. C. I'owell was reared to manhood in Hwk 
County, and receiveil a common-school education. 
He was eighteen years of age when he left the par- 
ental roof, and started out in life for himself. Going 
to Galesburg, III., he was emploj-ed in the machine 



T^ 



I r,T2 



ROCK COUNTY. 



=4, 



shops of that city for one year, when lie obtained 
a position as fireman on an engine on the Chieago, 
Burlinijton it (^uincy Rtiilroad. where lie remained 
for two years. At tiie end of tiiat time lie returned 
to his home and spent a portion of the ne.\l twelve 
months at the eonimercial eoileg^e at Jnnesville. 
He was next employed in a wholesale grocery 
lionse in Chicago for a year and a half, when he 
ai,'aiii did service on the railroad for three years, 
with heailqnaiters at Aurora, 111. Once more re- 
turning home, he hcgan operating his father's 
farm, which he managed until the death of his par 
ents, when, as he was the only child, it came into 
his possession. As before stated, it is one of the 
best farm.s in the community, and. under the able 
management of the owner, brings a rich return for 
the care and labor which he bestows uprn it. The 
priceless heritage of a good name which Mr. Powell 
received from his honored father he li.as kept un- 
sullied. He is a worthy and valued citizen, and 
now holds the otiice of Clerk in the town of Fulton" 
in which position he h.as served for three years 
He is a strong advocate of the principles of the 
Re|)ublican |)nrty. As every true American citi- 
zen should do, he feels an abiding interest in polit- 
ical aflfairs, and is well informed on all the leading 
issues of the da}', both State and national. 

On the Jth d.ay of October, l«76, Mr. I'owcll 
was united in marriage with Miss Kmnia A. AVil- 
soii, a ilaughter of Williani Wilson, (ieneral Master 
Mechanic of the Chicago, Hiirliiigton & Quince- 
Railroad. One child graces their union, William 
R., born .Inly 4. 1877. Mr. Powell and his estima- 
ble wife are well known throughout Rock County, 
and are held in the highest regard by all. 



^^nHARI.KS KLMKR LANCWORTHV, who 
f|( for many years has been one of the leading 

^^Jf' citizens of this county, and now resides on 
section 28, town of Fulton, where he is engaged in 
general fanning, was born on the 6lh day of No- 
vember, 1840, and is one of three children, whose 
parents were Charles B. and Betsey (Rardeen) 
1-aiigworthv, who were natives of New York. The 
set'omi child, L. W. Langworthy. is now a resident 



of Ivlgerton ; one of the number has now passed 
away, and our subject completes the family. Charles 
R. Langworthy. the father, was a prominent stock 
dealer of New York, where his death occurred in 
1887. His excellent wife was called to her final 
rest many years previous, dying in 1S.')3. and both 
were buried in the cemetery at Brooklield. Madi- 
son Co., N. Y. 

Charles E. Langworthy, whose name heads this 
sketch, is numbered among the early settlers of 
Rock Cuunty. of which he became a resident in 
1805, when (ifteen years of age. He made his home 
for a long time with an uncle, who resided on 
on a farm, and at length embarked in business as 
the proiirietor of a livery staljlc in Kdgerton, 
which he conducted for several years. Selling out, 
he then returned to the East, and for a short time 
resiiled in the Keestone Stale, but snbseiiuently 
became a resident of New York, where he made 
his home uiilil 1808. In that year he returned to 
Rock Ctmnt}'. In the meanti'ue he had been mar- 
ried, and on again bec<iniiiiga resident of this com- 
muuity, he made his home on the farm of his 
father-in-law for one year. .Vt the end of that 
that time he purchased 120 acres of land, which 
constitutes a jiart of his present farm, and upon 
which he has resided for almost twenty years. A 
little log cabin in :i very dilapidated condition 
comprised the improvements at the time of bis 
purchase, and, could it be placed by the side of his 
present commodious residence would form a strik- 
ing contrast. By ceaseless industry and determined 
energy. Mr. Langworthy Inis converted his wild 
land into one of the fine farms of Fulton Town- 
ship, and has extended its boundaries until it now 
com [irises 280 acres, under a high slate of cultiva- 
tion. Many beautiful and useful improvements 
have been made, the barns and outbuildings are 
models of convenience, and the stock which he 
raises is of the best grades. 

Mr. Langworthy was united in marriage with 
Fanny Brace, Feb. 28, 18t)l, and unto them were 
born four children: Kllcn, the firstborn, died in 
infancy ; Frederick is now operating a part of bis 
father's farm; Emma and Harry L. are still at 
home. On the 18th day of February, 1886, the 
mother departed this life, and was interred in the 



i= 



^*- 




y^ <^^^^}^y^c^ 



I 



UOCK cor N TV 



(w.J 



Kilgi'itoii C'etiK'tt'r3'. Mr. Lanirwuitliy was ngain 
iii:inifil. ill So|)ti;iiil)i'r, IHH7. Iiis soetind union 
beinu with iMiiiy Klleii llmkir. 

Our siibjet'l lias been KiciitiMcil willi llii- bislorv 
of llu' county for nifiny yi-ars. and is iiiiinl)crt'(l 
amonij: tlio leading and well-to-do farmers of the 
town of Fulton. He takes an active part in polit- 
ical atfairs, supporting;' the Repulilican party, In 
wiiose success and welfare he feels a deep interest, 
and generally serves as a delegate to the county 
conventions. He and his wife are numbered among 
Rock County's best citi/.ens.are well known through- 
out the entire cominunlty, and are held in high 
esteem by all their many friends and acquaintances. 



^■^- 



OX. .lOHX ANDKRSOX HOI.IMKS. br.nker. 
and civil engineer, lieloit. was liorn March 
!). 1819, at Londonderry, N. II., fifth child 
of John Holmes. The history of the Holmes 
family in America is interesting. Abraham Holmes 
and wife, of Scotch descent, with two children, 
came from Ireland with the first settlers of Lon- 
donderry, N. H.. in I Tilt. Khler John Holmes, 
one of these two children, had a famil3' of nine. 
Thomas, the seventh, raised a family of twelve. 
William M.. his youngest son, and grandson 
Thomas, with his sons, all live on the farm, at Lon- 
donderry, first occupied by the family. Jolin, the 
eldest of these sous and father of the subject of 
this sketch, located on a farm in the same town, 
where John Anderson Holmes was born on the dale 
above mentioned, his mother, Sarah (Anderson) 
Holmes dj'ing on the day of his nativity, 

Mr. Holmes' early years were passed on the 
farm and in the district schools in vogue at that 
place and time, and the last three or four years of 
his minority were spent at New I|)swich and Pem- 
broke academies, with winter vacations which he 
employed in teaching. Heing more partial to 
mathematics' than to other studies, on leaving 
ing school he procured instruments and began sur- 
veying which he has followed since, doing a large 
share of both farm and city work wherever he has 
lived. 

He remained in Londonderry and engaged in 



farming and building, nmi in trade during the four 
years preceding I8G1, when he removed to Con- 
cord at Penacook. Here he farmed for a time, but 
soon engaged with a young partner in the hard- 
ware trade. .4fter remodelling and enlarging tiie 
first store he bought and occupied, lie sold it and, 
in partnership with G. \V. Abbott, erected a block 
of four stores, offices and halls, at a cost of |i24,000, 
ill which he still retains a half interest. He re- 
mained there until 1874, when he sold his stock of 
goods and t.ame to Beloit and erected a substantial 
set of buildings, in which he still lives. 

From the .age of twenty -one, while he remained 
in New Hampshire, 'there w;is not a time when he 
had not charge of one ar more children as guar- 
dian — twenty-four in all — and two insane or 
spendthrifts, and scarcely a time when he was not 
settling from one to six estates. On the organiza- 
tion of the Beloit Savings Bank, in 1881, he was 
requested to take charge of it as Secretary- and 
Treasurer, which office he still holds, having in 
such capacity the responsible care ofssoO.OOK. much 
of it the iiroperty of working men and women to 
whom the absolute safety of their savings is of the 
most vital importance. 

Mr. Holmes was married in 1814 to Miss Debo- 
rah Rolfe, of Penacook, X. IL. who died childless, 
Ai)ril G, 1882; and .again in February, 188;j, to 
Clara K. Sleeper, of Boston. Mass., by whom he has 
two children named Sarah and John Sleeper 
Holmes. 

The care of the banking interests entrusted to 
him. with the city and other surveying, and proper 
attention to seventy acres of farm land, consume 
Mr. .Holmes' time so entirely that he must be 
reckoned as among the busiest men in the commu- 
nity. He has also at times been called to fill re- 
sponsible official positions. He was four times 
elected Alderman from the First Ward in Concord 
and served two years as representative of his dis- 
trict in the Legislature of New Hampshire. In 
Beloit lie has served six years in the City Council 
and, besides being City Surveyor, was for a time 
County Surveyor of Rock County. As a citizen 
he takes the highest rank and as a man of affairs he 
has always enjoyed the fullest confidence of all 
clivsses, both in his integrity and his judgment, as 



-*. 
t 



4^ 



-^ M ^> 






•«» 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



is:ittcste<i by the mimerous ami valuahlc interests 
confuled to liis manageiiieiil. He is a inemlier an<l 
since 1877 has been an elder in the Piesbvteiian 
Ciitirch, and lie has been a delegate of the Milwau- 
kee Presbytery to the (general Assembly two years, 
and Treasurer of the society eight years. 

A tine portrait of Mr. Holmes will be found on 
another page. 



\t OHN THOROIGHGOOI), of the firm of 
Thoroughgood iV Co., manufacturers of cigar 
boxes and cigar box lumber, .Tanesville, 
commenced his |)resent business in 1877- 
Tlie business, however, was established in 1874, by 
l'"rcd Morse, who commencei) in a small way, and 
continued until 1877, wiien Mr. Thuroughgood. in 
connection witli V. G. Stevens, pnrcliased an inter- 
est in llie concern, which was re-organized and 
tuol< tiic firm name of Stevens it Co. Six years 
later. Mr. Stevens sold out, and Fenncr Kimball 
became a member of the firm, and the firm name 
of Thoroughgood & Co. was adopted. . The com- 
iviny employs fifty hands, and does an animal bus- 
iness of *G.j,000 to 5!75,()00. In connection with 
their manufacture, Ibey are dealers in labels, edg- 
ino^s, trimmings, lacks, cigar cutters, knives, boards, 
gum, etc. In the manufacture of cigar-box lum- 
ber, they use from 800.000 to 1,000.000 feet of raw 
lundjcr, principally basswood, or other domestic 
wood. The trade of the firm extends within a ra- 
dius of 600 or 700 miles, but is principally in the 
West. 

.lohn Thoroughgood was l)orn in Lancastershire, 
Knsriand. Ai)ril 12. 1838, and is a son of .lob 
Martlia (Nadin) Thoroughgood, both of 
were natives of the same country. The fori 
died in England many years ago. and the latter in 
.Tanesville in 1867. In 18(;.5 our subject, with the 
hope jf bettering his condition in life, came to 
America and located in Janesville, commencing to 
labor here as a wood turner, a trade which he liad 
learned in England. He continued in this line, in 
the employ of others, until he purchased an inter- 
est in his present business, as alreacly stated. 

Wliile yet a resident of England, in 1863. Mr. 
Thoroughgood married Miss Sarah A. I'rosho, also 

4* 



a native of that country, by whom he had one 
child, who was named Sarah. Shortly after giving 
birth to her child ^Mrs. Thoroughgood died. She 
was a most estimalile woman, having many warm 
friends wlio sincerely mourned her early death. It 
was after her death that Mr. Thoroughgood re- 
solved to come to America. In .Janesville. Aug. 
18, 18G8. he w:is again married, choosing as his 
bride Miss Annie Cook, a daughter of George 
Cook, of that citv. Mrs. Thoroughgood was born 
in Herefordshire. England, and came to America 
with her parent,-;, when but six years of age. Two 
daughters — Allie and A<la — came to gladden their 
home and both are yet residing with tlieir parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Tiioroughgood are members of 
Trinity Episcopal Church, of .lanesville, and in all 
chuich work are ever ready to do their part. Po- 
litically, he is a Re|>ulilican. and for two years was 
Alderman in the Secoml Ward. For .sixteen years 
he has been a member of the Masonic Order, hold- 
ing membership with Western Star Lodge. No. 14. 
A. F. it A. M. He is also a member of Orient.'d 
Lodge, No. 22. K. P. 

While a resident of .lanesville but about twenty- 
four years. Mr. Thoroughgood has thoroughly 
identified himself with its business interests, and is 
regarded among the leading and progressive citi- 
zens of tiie city. During his residence, he has 
gathereil around him many warm friends, who 
highly esteem him for his worth as a man and a 
citizen. 



■shire, vf'AMES G. WR AY. of .lanesville, is a repre- 

n.and ll sentative of one of the pioneer families of 

wliom ^-.,1! Kot'k County. His f.ither, John Wray, was 
oriner ^^/^ born in i-ecds. Yorkshire, England, in 1820. 
and in his native town was reared to manhood, and 
learned the trade of a mason. He came to the 
Unite<l Stales with a cohmy of English emigrants, 
who settled on the Wisconsin River, but not iieing 
s.'ilisfied to remain with that parly, he went to Mil- 
waukee, where he secured work al his trade. While 
in that city he married Miss Hannah Glendenning, 
and in 1844 removed to .lanesville, where he was 
numbered among the earlj- masons of that city, and 
was 8 worthy and respected citizen. His health 



1 



-<•- 



■•»- 



ROCK COUNTY, 



finnlly failinif, he ivmoverl to Nebraska in 18H, 
liiit the chaTige tlid not inateiially lienofit liini. and 
heilied in Ueceniher of that year. He left ;i family 
eonslsliiig of a wife and five ciiiUlien, all of whom 
Mie now residents of Nebraska, witli the exception 
of our siilijeet. The other members of the family 
are as follows: Mrs. Janette I'mintuni, John. Will- 
iam and Charles. 

James G. Wray wa-s born in Janesville. April 22. 
1818, and on the 4tli da^^ of Janu.ary, 1864. before 
he was sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Com- 
l)an3' F, IGth Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, arid 
served nntil the close of the war. lie took pari in 
many important battles, inclmling Big Shanty, 
Kenesaw Mountain and the battle before Atlanta. 
He belonged to Leggett's famous division, which 
took such an important part in the severe battles 
of the 21st and 22d of July, 18(i4, in front of At- 
lanta, and then followed Sherman on the celebrated 
march to the sea. lie al.so participated in the 
Grand Review at Washington. In the two years 
of his service, while he escaped the bullets of the 
enemy, he was not off duty a single day during 
that time. He was a gallant soldier, and served 
his country faithfully and well. 

In 1870 Mr. Wr.i\ forme(l a matrimonial alliance 
with Miss Helen Edgar, a daughter of William 
Kdgar. and to them have been born six children. 
five sons and a daughter — J. Glen. William E.. 
Hannah .M.. Archibald, Charles and Edwin. 

Since his return from the war. Mi-. \Vrav has 
l)een engaged in carpentering and building, and 
the 11 rm of Wr.ay iV- Blair is among the leading 
builders of Janesville. He is one of the progressive 
citizens of Rock (,'ounly. He supports the Rejiub- 
lican party by his ballot and iiiHuence. .Mr. and 
Mrs. Wray have a i)leasaul home, situated at 101 
Linn street, which he built in 1886. 



^iS,^ ALEB SNASHALL, Secretary, Treasurer and 
'(■ ^r ^"'^'"'^''** Manager of the Evansville Manu- 
'^^'' facturing Company, is numbered among the 
leading business men of the town, where he has 
made his home since 1864, covering a period of 
twenty-five years. He is a native of Kent County. 



f^^ 
i 



England, where he reshled nntil his ninth year, 
when his father, James Snashall. emigrated with his 
family to America, and .settled in Newburg, Orange 
Co.. N. Y.. where they resided until the spring of 
18;J6. when they removed to Chnutau(jua County 
of the same State. In 1869 the family came to 
Hock County, and James Snashall purchased a farm 
adjoining the village of Evansville. residing thereon 
until his death, which occurred in l.s?.'). He and 
his wife were the parents of five children, three 
sons and two daughters, of whom Caleb, of this 
sketch, was the eldest; Rev. Jabez, a clergyman of 
the Baptist Church, is the second in order of l)irth; 
Albert J. is now a resident of Evansville; Mary 
Ann became the wife of John Phifer. of Evansville ; 
Julia Ann married Henry T. Greenman, and resides 
in Bertrand. Neb. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to mechan- 
ical pursuits, learning his trade of his father, who 
was also a mechanic. As before stated, he became 
a resident of Evansville in 1864. and two ye.ais 
later, in 1866, was joined in wedlock with Miss 
Emeline J. Adams, a daughter of Albert and 
Dolly T. Adams, who were natives of Ludlow, ^'t. 
In 1854 her father came with his fai.jily to Rock 
County, and settled in the village of Union, there 
residing until their removal to Evansville, where 
the death of Mr. Adams occurred, on the 20th day 
of February. 188;?, when uearl3- sixry-nine years of 
age, his birtli having occurred March 17, 1814. 
His wife is still residing at F^vansville. He was a 
worthy citizen and a consistent member of the 
Congregational Chunh. His family consisted of 
four children, all diuighters. of whom Mrs. Snashall 
was the first born; Mary Ann is the wife of Albert 
II. Lockwood, of Ludlow, Vt. : Ellen A. wedded 
Loyal II. Bingham, of Ames, Iowa; and Cora M.. 
the youngest daughter, is the wife of Frank M. 
Rowley, a resident of Minneapolis, Minn. 

Mr. Sn.asliall is one of the successful and pro- 
gressive business men of Evansville. He w.as the 
leading hardware merchant of the city for twenty 
years, until closing out his business in that line in 
1883. He was also connected with the Baker Man- 
ufiicturing Company from the time of its organiza- 
tion in 1873 tuitil 188.'). and was President of the 
Company during those years. He is now Secretary, 









fiTS 



HOCK COUNTY. 



■•*-HH^ 



Treasurer and Business Manairer of tlie Evansville 
Manufacturing Company. " lii( h was cstablislie<l in 
1883, with a capital of «i>0,(IOO. This company is 
engaged in the niamifacture of tacks and sumll 
nails, and is one of the iniporiant nianufacluring 
interests of Rock County. In his business dealings 
Mr. Snashall has always been the soul of honesty, 
thereby' winning the conBdence of all with wlioni 
he has been brought in contact. In liis itrivate 
life, his genial, kindly inaniicr has secured him the 
respect and esteem of all, and be and his wife hold 
a high social po.silion in the community. 

A family of three sons has been born to this 
worthy couple: Arthur A., who was born on the 
lOtli day of May. 1869: Bert L.. born in Augu.'it, 
1872; and Claude, the youngest, born in Septem- 
ber, 1873. 

>^^§^k< 



(* ikILI.IAM ]'.. B.MNES. one of the early 
'\\a* settlers of this county, now residing in 



¥ 



Hock Township, on section 10, was born 
in Giddington, Northamptonshire, Kngland, March 
28, in the year 1830. and his parents, John and 
Marv Elizabeth (Branson) Baines, were also na- 
tives of the same country. The father engaged in 
the occu|ialion of farming and was also a proprie- 
tor of a hotel for many years. In the Episcopal 
Church, of which iie was a member, he served a.s 
trustee for several years. To them were born seven 
children: Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Brett, of Brig- 
stock, North:im[)tousliire, England; Josejih, a re- 
tired farmer, living in Burton-on-Trent, England ; 
William B. of this sketch; .lolin. a dealer of wood 
and coal in Chicago, 111. The other members of 
the family are all deceased. William Branson, the 
maternal grandfather of lhe.--e children, also fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming thrciughout his 
life. He wsis a man noted for his kindness of heart, 
and took great interest in his grandchildren. 
With them he shared their childish joys and pleas- 
\ires, and to him they came to receive comfort for 
their childish grief, and the sympathy the}' ex- 
pected was never refused. 

The subject of this sketch received his education 
in the common schools, which he attended until 
seventeen years of age. He then worked upon his 



father's farm for the succeeding two 3'ears, when, 
at the age of nineteen years, he bade good-by to 
his. home and native land and crossed the broad 
Atlantic with the intention of making his future 
home in the new world, whose prospects seemed 
more inviting to him than those offered by the 
Old Country'. Ills voyage completed he first set- 
tliil in .liilinstown. Fulton County. N. Y.. where he 
cMgageil as a farm hand for about fifteen months 
and then went to Montgomery County, where he 
was employed in the same manner. Later he went 
to Oneida County. X.Y.. where he ag.iin worked as 
a farm hand, and while in that county formed the 
acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth .Simons, a native of 
(ierman}' and a daughter of Martin Simons. wh(» 
was also born in that country. The acquaint:ince 
of the j'oung couple ripeneil into love and their 
wedding was celebrated April 7, 1852. 

After his marriage Mr. Baines again worked as 
a farm hand for a while, but afterward emigrated 
to Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he rented a 
farm, engaging in its cidtivation for a year, at the 
end of which time he bought eight}' acres of land, 
which he im|)roved and made his home for twelve 
years, adding to the original purchase until the 
farm comprised 274 acres. While making his 
home thereon oil w.is discovered near the land and 
he sold at a good jirice. in 1 K()4. In the fall of that 
year he left Ohio and with his family removed to 
Rock County, Wis., where he purcha.scd 2.50 acres 
of land on section 10, Rock Townshlj). the farm 
ui)on which Frances Willard, the noted temperance 
worker, was born and roared. Since that time he 
has given his attention to farming and to the rais- 
ing of tobacco, in which he has been quite success- 
ful. Many improvements have been added, both 
useful and ornamental, until his farm is now one 
of the finest within the limits of the count}'. .Since 
his pnrch.ase he has erected a fine residence valued 
at ^0.500 ; a barn h.as been built worth *2,000. and 
ashed which co.st §1,000 has been made for the 
storing of his tol)acco. Progressive ;uid enter- 
prising, he is a leading farmer of the community 
and is a member of the Hock County Agricultural 
Association. 

I'nto .Mr. and .Mrs. Baines have been born five 
! children: William A., who resides in the city of 



*»• ■ ■» 



^ 



-4*- 



ROCK COITNTY. 



.Innesville, married Miss Ella Mor<i;aii; Mary M., 
now the wife of Wiilian) I5ladon. of .lanesville; 
Charles, a commission niercliant of Omaha, Neti., 
married Armeta Ciirislman; Frank S., a member of 
tlie firm of Haines. Ileddles iV Co., dealers in to- 
liacco, .lanesville. married Miss Berlha R. Sneli; 
Oscar ().. a practicing physician in Chicago, mar- 
ried Miss Ida Christie. Religiously Mr. Baines is 
an Kpisco|)alian. and his wife is a member of the 
Lutheran (hurcli. In his politie^'d views he is in- 
dependent, anil s()ci:dly is:i member <if the Masonic 
fraternity. 

Believing that education is necessary to success in 
life. Mr. Baines has endeavored to give his chil- 
dren ample oi^porUniities for instruction, sparing 
no means to this en<i. and has lived to see them be- 
come useful members of society, holding high po- 
sitions in the social world. The life of Mr. Baines is 
one worthy of imitation, for to his individual efforts 
his success in life can be attributed. Beginning .-is 
a farm laborer, he has risen to a position of wealth 
anil atllnencc and is prominent among the leading 
citizens of the commimity. He has three times re- 
turned to England, visiting the scenes of his child- 
hdoil and the friends wlumi he left when nineteen 
years of age. 



,-*>->-> 



^^^^^!i^i^^^<f<— 



' ' 



\f(OnX C-PLl'Ml!. one of tlie leading nursery- 
men of the West, now residing in Milton, is 
a native of the Bay Slate, having been born 
in Slockljridge, 15erksliire County, on the 
1st day of December, 1H28. His parents, Joab and 
Nancy (Higby) Plumb, were of Scottish descent^ 
and his father w.as born in Richmond, .Mass., in the 
historic year of 177(1. and died Dec. 1, 1865, in his 
ninetieth j-ear. His wife died in ISTjOagod sixty-live 
years. Mr. I'lnnib was a practical hortienlliirist 
most of his life, lie united with the Congregational 
Church at Slockbridge, .Mass.. in lH21,and con- 
tinued his membershii) with the First Congrega- 
tional churches in .lefferson County, Wis. He 
possessed that stern and unyieliling integrity which 
(•haracterized the Is'ew England forefathers, w.as 
held in the highest respect by all who knew him. 
and was honored with the title of Esipiire in 1.S27. 






under the seal of the (iovernor of tlu' Slate. To 
Mr. and and Mrs. Plumb were born a family of 
nine children, four of whom are now living, the 
youngest of whom is the subject of this sketch. 

Mr. J. C. Plumb left his n.ative State in 1840, 
going with his parents to Oberlin, Ohio, for the 
advance schooling which he there received at Ober- 
lin College. The family removed to Wisconsin. 
settling near Aztalan. now Lake Mills, in .Jefferson 
County, in the fall of 1843, where John C. after- 
ward engaged in the nursery business. In 1848 he 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Julia Kean, who 
was born in 1830, and died on the 24t!i day of 
August, 1875. Eight children were born of their 
union, namely: Mahlon J., Mary L.. Carrie A.. 
.lohn L.. William H., Lyman ,].. Curtis K. and Hy- 
lon T. In 1881 Mr. Plumb w.as again mariied, 
Mrs. Jean Cole, of Milton, becoming his wife. Four 
children have been born of the second union — 
W.allace J., Ralph II.. Anna .1. and Delia E. 

In 1868 our subject established the Green IIIU 
nursery business in Milton, with his eldest son. theii' 
annual plant being about 100.000 trees of every- 
thing desirable for the Northwest. Their sales now 
aggregate from ¥3,000 tf) §.5,000 worth annually, 
and their market reaches from Michigan and Wis- 
consin to the Rocky Jlonutains. while he has re- 
lieatedly shipped to the Pacific sloiie. They have 
about 1.000 regular patrons and do a thriving btisi- 
ni'ss. it lieing one of the leading enterprises of the 
town. In 188(; Mrs. Plumb began raising poultry 
on an extensive scale, and taking a deep interest in 
the work has been very successful. In 1887 the 
poultry sales amounted to :J3(;i.lt5, and in I.s88llie 
aggregate amount w.as *500. She raises the best 
varieties of land and water fowls, in all lwentv-si.\ 
varieties. 

Mr. Plumb is a representative citizen and leail- 
ing business man of Milton. He attends to his 
business with as much vigor as in forrnci' years, and 
is wonderfully well preserved for a person of his 
age. His robust constitutit)n has never been im- 
paired by the use of intiixicants, and since his si.v- 
teenth year he has not employed a phj'sician or 
used medicine for himself. Public-spirited and 
progressive he has taken an active inteiest in ad- 
vancing the welfaic of the ciimMiunily in whiih he 



-t:-^ 



' ' fi80 



ROCK COUNTY. 



resides, ;in(i is foiiiul in the foremost rank of any 
enterprise. The cause of education finds in him a 
friend, and for several years be has served on liie 
College IJoard. He lias for over forty years lield 
official positions in the clnirch and Sunday-school. 
He is well informed on all the general topics of the 
day, is a correspondent for various horlicullural 
papers, and in politics is an inflexible adherent of 
the Prohibition party. He is well known through- 
out the AVest, and in his profession has gained a 
National reputation which few are permitted to 
enjoy. 



H^ 



4 



(^ JiilLKERSON POST, a leading farmer and 
\/\li tobacco-raiser of the town of Fulton, re- 
^^ siding on section 7, is a native of the 
IJuckeye State, where his birth occurred Aug. 22, 
1821, and is a son of Joel and Elizabeth 
(Wynan) Post; the father was a native of New 
York, and the mother of New Jersey. Joel Post 
made farming the principal occupation of his life. 
In his earlier years he left his Eijustern home and 
removed to Oiiio, where he resided until his death, 
which occurred about the j-ear 1865. His wife 
survived him many years, and died Oct. 8, 1885. 
Tliey were buried side b^- side in the cemeterj' at 
( )range, Shelby Co., Ohio. 

Wilkerson Post, who.se name heads this sketch, 
is entirely a self-miule man. He received but a 
meager education. Ills opportunities being limited 
to those afforded by the district schools, which he 
alt('nde(l during the winter season. At the age of 
lifleen years he embarked on life's tempestuous sea, 
anil from that time forward w,as dependent upon 
his own resources for a livelihood. He began 
learning the tailor's trade, but at the end of the 
year began learning the trade of coopering. After 
a short time he abandoned (hat occupation for 
lilncksmithing, but being physically unfit for that 
work he had to abandon it and learn the trade of a 
wai,'on-makcr. which he followed in his native State 
until 1«.')2. In the spring of Ihi' following year, 
he came ti> the West to try his fortune, and located 
in Madison, where he resided for one year. At the 
end of that lime he came to Hock County and set- 
tled pel inauenllv. ln^coniing one of the leading and 
<• 



substantial faimers of the town of Fulton. He 
purchased IGO acres of land, vvhicli was yet in its 
primitive condition, not a furrow having been 
turned or an improvement made, and at once erected 
a small frame house in which he passed his (lioneer 
daj-s. 

On the 5th day of June. 184."). Mr. Post led to 
the marriage altar Miss Rebecca Raden, and unto 
them were born two children, the younger of whom 
died in infancy; INIary, the elder, is now the wife 
of William Fergus and resides in Ohio. After 
four years of hai)py marrried life, the loving wife 
and mother was called to her final rest. 'Sir. Post 
was again married April 28, 1851. Eveline M. Pear- 
son becoming his wife. Two children were born 
of his second marriage — William T., who was born 
Sept. 29, 1852, and now has charge of the home 
farm; and one child who died in infancy. 

Mr. Post has resided on the farm where he now 
makes his home for the period of thirty -five years. 
His life has been one of industry- and toil, and to 
his own etforts and the assistance of William, a 
practical and progressive young farmer, may be 
attributed to his .success. He is engage<l quite ex- 
tensively in the raising of tobacco and has <1omc 
much toward placing a superior ((uality of that 
product on the market. He has a l>uilding 2()Ox;5;i 
feet used in curing tobacco, and his other barns 
and outbuildings are all that are necessary for a 
model farm. Upon his land can be found a good 
grade of all kinds of stock, together with the latest 
improved machinery, and every thing about the 
place denotes the owner to be a man of thrift and 
enterprise. In 18C2, the little frame dwelling in 
which Mr. and Mrs. Postshared the trials and d'.tli- 
culties of pioneer life, was replaced by a substan- 
tial and commodious two story frame residence, 
one of the finest in the town of Fulton. 

On the l(5lh day of March, 1887. our subject 
was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, with 
whom he traveled life's journey for thirty-six 3'ears. 
She was buried in Edgerton Cemelery, since which 
time he has made his home with his son, William. 

William Post, who resides on the old home farm 
and was instrumental in placing it under its present 
high state of cullivation. was joined in wedlock 
on the 30tli day of .May. 1 8h7. with MissMarv 



^ 



4- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



681 



Miisselil, itiid tlieir union has been blessed with 
one child, a liulo daughter, Eveline M., who was 
hoiii .hiiie II. 1888. Both Mr. Post and his son 
are l\i'|)ulilii'ans in politics and take an active in- 
terest in the welfare iuid success of that party. 
They .'ue well-known and highly esteemed Ihi-ouyh- 
outHiick County, in the growth and |)ros|)erity of 
which they take an honest pride. 



»-ffi5»«^t^ 



<^5.£^-»<tf5>tf~ 



eHARLKS II. BATKS, who is numbered 
among the early settlers of this county, .and 
now resides on section 22, Porter Township, 
is a native of the Empire State, having been born 
in Oneida County, on the 7tli d.ay of Janujuy, 
1H()8. and is the son of .lohn and Koxanna (Robin- 
son) IJates. He is descended from the old Revolu- 
tionary stock, his grandfather, John Bates. .Sr., 
having served as a captain during the struggle of 
the Colonies for independence, while Isaac C. 
Bates, his brother, held the office of Colonel. 

.John Bates, the father of our subject, followed 
the occupation of farming through his entire life. 
lie al.so was a defender of his country, during tlie 
War of IK12, and after receiving his discharge re- 
turned to his home in New York. In 1S32. ac- 
companied by his family, ho removed to the town 
of Hudson, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. 
Six children were born to him and his excellent 
wife, bill of that number our subject is the only 
one left to record the history of the family. Those 
who have passed aw.ay are Roxanna, John, Will- 
iam, Emily, and Marietta. Mr. Bates was an iu- 
lluential and highly respecte<l citizen of the C(jm- 
nuniity in which he made his home, and in p'jiitics 
was a warm advocate of the Whig party. Mis 
wife, who was a faithful and consistent member of 
the Congregational Church, and was beloved by 
all whii knew her. passed to her final i-est Aui'. 2, 
1«1U, at the age of seventy-two years, and was 
followed by her husband Nov. .5, 1841, when sixty- 
nine years of age. They were both interred in the 
beautiful cemetery- at Cleveland, Ohio. 

Our subject w.is reared to farm life, iind in the 
common schools of his native .State received his 
education. .\t the age of eighteen years, wisliint;' 



to earn his own livelihood, he began looking .about 
him for some tr.ade, and made choice of the mason's 
trade, following that occupation until 1837, when 
he began dealing in stoves. Purch.asing stoves to 
the value of >?;3o,()0(), he had them shippe<l from 
Cleveland. Ohio, to Milwaukee, Wis., together with 
the frame work for a building which he erecteil 
immediately after his arrival. The present city at 
that time was but a mere handet, the settlements in 
that part of the country being csceedingh- few. 
After a short time Mr. Bates sold his stock and 
building and .again returned to Cleveland, where 
he made his home until 1854. At that time he 
again came to the West, and located in Porter, 
where he now lives. After holding a deed, which 
he supposed to be worthless, for several years, he 
found that it w.as not void, and on liis return se- 
cured eighty acres of land in Porter Townshi]), on 
which he had to pay |!:3()0 taxes before he could 
secure the title. Only about twenty acres of the 
whole arKOUiit hail been broken, and the only im- 
provement consisted in a little log cnbin. into 
which the family moved. 

On the 31st day of Decendjer, 1836, .Air. Bates 
wfis jf/ined in wedlock with Mrs. Ann Matilda 
(Powers) Elmore, and the family' circle wa.s com- 
pleted by the birth of three children, as follows: 
Emily. Charles, Jr., .-md .lolm, all yet with their 
parents. 

Mr. Bates has acquired his entire posscjssions b\- 
his own efforts of industry, ability, energy, and orood 
management. A finely improved farm of 240 acres 
p.ays a golden tribute to his care and cultivation 
and in connection with that land his son .lolm 
owns and oper.ates eighty acres. As vu all model 
farms, stock of the best grades can be found, to- 
gether with the latest improved machinerv. 

When the late war broke out and the count rv 
called for troops to put down the Rebellion. .Mr. 
Bates responded, and became a member of Company 
G, 1st AVisconsin Infantry, serving until the close 
of hostilities. On receiving his <liscliarge he at 
once returned to his home .and resumed the occu- 
pation of farming, which he li.as carried on con- 
tinuously since. He is a worthy and valued citi- 
zen, and socially, is a Master .Ma.son. while in 
politicrd sentiment, he is a stalwart Repulilii:ui. 



-■ » 



r 



i 



"^ 



■*^ 



682 



ROCK COUNTY. 



He is well informed on all questions of general in- 
terest, and as every true American should do, takes 
an active part in political affairs, though he has 
never been an ofHce-seeker. For ten years he has 
served as School Director, but during that entire 
time has never solicited a vote. He cast his first 
Presidential ballot for Henry Cla\-, and in 1840 
voted for Gen. William Harrison. He also voted, 
in 1888, for the Hon. Benjamin Harrison, and in 
early life remembers seeing our present executive, 
then a lad of ten or twelve years, with his grand- 
father in Cleveland. 

In 1870 Mr. Bates was called upon to mourn tlie 
loss of his estimable wife, who was called to her 
final rest on the 27th day of May. -She was a 
member of the Congregational Church, a firm be- 
liever in the religious views of that denomination, 
and an earnest and sinceie Christian lady. She was 
interred in the Kawcett Cenieter3% at Edgerton. 
Mr. Bates has been a resident of Hock County for 
many long years, and has been prominently identi- 
fied with the growth and progress of Porter Town- 
ship. He has witnessed almost tlie entire develop- 
ment of town and county, from the time when set- 
tlements were few, market places far distant, and 
tlie prairies covered with a thick growth of wild 
grass. Tiie work of transformation h.as been stead- 
ily carried forward by the eari3' settlers, until now 
Rock is on a par with any county in this great 
commonwealtli. We are |)loas<Mi to recoril the 
sketch of one who has been and is so jirominent in 
this couiniuuity. and is a higldy respected citizen. 



-5- 



#^ 



-> 






J' ] ACOB A. TICK has been a resident of Janes- 
I vilh' for nearly fort3' j'ears, the date of his 
] arrival being 1850. He was born in Mon- 
' mouth County. N. J., on the 28tli d.ay of 
Julv. 1S"2."). and is a son of Hdnumd Kearney Tice. 
'IMie Ticc faniil}' is of Holland descent, and was 
founded in New .lersej- at an early day. The Kear- 
no}' family', the ancestors on the maternal side, 
were of Irish origin, and also became residents of 
Nesv Jersey in Colonial days. Mrs. Jacob Tice. the 
grandmother of our subject, was :> relative of Cien. 
Kearney, of Rc\ obilioiiary fame. 



Edmund K. Ticc was born in New Jersey. May 
28, 1791, and on the lllh day of December, 1817. 
married Jane Allen, who was also born in New Jer- 
sey, though her father was a native of Connecticut. 
Her mother was also of New Jersey- birth. ^Ir. 
Tice learned the trade of a carpenter and builder, 
which he followed the greater part of his life. He 
and his wife were the parents of five children, 
three sons and two daughters, who grew to ma- 
turity, and all eventually came to Wisconsin, with 
the exception of one son. William 1)., who died in 
New Jersey before the emigration of the family to 
the West. Two years alter tiie location of our 
subject in Rock County. Mr. Tice. Sr.. accom- 
panied by the remainder of the familj'. also came 
to Janesville. lieing somewhat advanced in life 
when he came to Wisccmsin. he did not afterwanls 
engage actively in business, but was appointed 
Deputy City Marshal, and served acceptabh- in 
that i)osition. He w.as an upright, honest man. 
highly respected by all. His death occurred April 
y, 1804, and his wife departed this life June 12, 
1872. The three chihlren who shared their jour- 
ney to Wisconsin were: James, who is still a resi- 
dent of Janesville; Margaret, who is now the wife 
of James M. Warn, of Charles City, Iowa; and Mrs. 
Eliza J. Thompson, wiio died in Janesville a num- 
ber of years ago, as did her husband. 

Jacob .\. Tice was reared to manhood in his na- 
tive State, and in May. 1850. located in the city of 
Janesville. when it contained but a scattered popu- 
lation, while the county was in a like unsettled 
coiiditiou. After his arrival, he turned his atten- 
tion lo ngricultur:d pursiiit-i. and engaged in farm- 
ing for about two jears. On discontinuing that 
Occui)ation. he established himself in business as a 
photographer, and. with tiie exception of an inter- 
val of seven years, has followed that vocation cf>ii- 
tinuously since. Nov. 20. 1854. he wedded .Miss 
Frances Hardgrove, who is of English descent, and 
two chihlren blest their union. Henry, who is chief 
clerk in the Division Superiiiti'iideiit's oflice of the 
Atcheson. Tojieka i^- Santa Fe Railroad Company, at 
Topeka. is married an<l has three chililren — Belle. 
Harold, and Elden; Elmer is general agent at Ksk- 
ridge for the same company, .•nid is also niMniid. 
while unto him have been born two ciiildri'ii- Ki- 






u 



UOCK COUNTY. 



^^►^ll--4« 



685 '* 



bt'it Mini L.iu rencc. .Mr. Tii'C is :i nicnilier of llie 
llio Melliudist Kpiscopiil C'liuich, niul is a firm lic- 
liover in tlio (liri.slian iclinidii. IIo is a nu'iiiln'r 
of the I. (). O. F., ami is indepL-iKkMit |)()lili(ali3'. 



JOHN LIENAI', vvlio is onsiagod in gcnoral 
farming ami tobacfo raising on si'flion 9. 
I'ortcr Township, is one of the respected 
citizens of Hock t'oniily. lie was horn 
in Germany, Jan. 29, 1826, and is a son of Jacob 
and Catherine (Ileydorn) Lienau, who are also na- 
tives of the same country. His father was a farmer 
by occii|)ation, but also engaged in the manufac- 
ture of vinegar for many years. He was well known 
to the comnHinitj' in which he resided and h'ld many 
warm friends who sincerely mourned his death. 
lie was especially beloved bj' the poor, being char- 
itable, sympathetic and benevolent, and many have 
reason to bless liiTu for his generous gifts and 
timely aid in thi'ir hours of suffering and want. 
Of iiiin it can truly be said the world is belter for 
his having lived. Some eleven yeai-s ago, wiien 
.Mrs. John Lienau visited (iermany. the people 
near his old home were planning to celebiale the 
ICOth anniversary of the birth of that loveil man. 
lie was born June 27, 1781, and died on the 24lh 
day of October, 1827. his wife surviving him until 
January, 1867, when she too w.as laid to rest in 
the silent tomb. 

Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and 
earlv youlli in the parental home, receiving his 
education in tlic comnion schools. At the age of 
sixteen years be started out in life for himself, 
striving to make his own way in the worUl, where 
trials and difficulties were to be met on every side, 
doing lo lierlin he obtained employment in the 
distiller}', and continued to work in that line dur- 
ing the greater part of the time until 1847. Think- 
ing that the New World furnished better opixirtu- 
nilies than were furnished by the older countries, 
he resolved to emigrate to America. Crossing 
the bro.ad Atlantic, he landed in New York City, 
a stranger in a strange land. After being em- 
ployed for a short time in the great Kastern me- 
tropolis, he sailed for California, being attracted 



b}- the discovery of gold on the Pacilic .Slojje. 
Reaching the Isthmus of Panama he sailed by the 
first steamer for San Francisco, and on reaching 
his destination at once began working in the 
mines. For two years he engaged in mining with 
reasonable success and then embarked in the gro- 
cery business in San Francisco, spending the four 
succeeding years in the prosecution of that busi- 
ness, when he sold out. After a residence of six 
years in California, Mr. I.ienau returned to New 
York. With a desire to make a location in Wis- 
consin, he followed the coui'se of emigration west- 
ward and settled temporarily- in M.adison, and in 
July, 1855, came to Porter Township, Rock 
County, purchasing 640 acres of land, which was 
but partially improved. 

Mr. Lienau h.as l)een twice married, his first 
union being with Miss Helen M. Wheeler, by 
whom he had five children, namely: Jacob, John, 
Caroline, deceased, Aildie and Helen. The mother 
of these children died March 9, 1868, and on the 
4tii day of January, 1873. Mr. Lienau letl to the 
marri'ige altar Mrs. Mina Miller, who is a native 
of Germany and a most estimable lady. 

On the purchase of his farm in Porter Township 
Mr. Lienau. with characteristic energ}-, .at once be- 
gan the development of the land, and has steadily 
carried forward the work of cultivation .and im- 
provement until he is now the owner of one of the 
finest farms to be found in Rock County. In 
1857 the little cabin, the home during the pioneer 
diiys, was replaced by a large and beautiful frame 
residence, two stories in height, which presents a 
fine appearance from the highway. The otlu r 
buildings are in keeping with the house, while 
upon the farm will be found a good grade of all 
kinds of stock, together with the latest improved 
machinery, and the entire surroundings bearing 
testimony to the thrift and ability of the owner. 
Mr. Lienau h.as erected buildings for the curing of 
tobacco, which he raises in large quantities, and 
has done quite .an extensive business in that line, 
which he has followed for twenty years. From the 
age of sixteen j'ears. he h.as made his own way in 
the svorld.his success being due entirely to his own 
efforts. Step by step, with untiring energy, he h.as 
climbed the ladder of success, and h.is now :i com- 




i 



686 



ROCK COUNTY. 



fortable compete no v which will enable him to jjass 
his (k'cliiiinij years in retirement from the more 
active duties of his former life. As a eilizen 
JMr. i.iennu is progressive and has the interest of 
the comnuinity at heart. Toward the advance- 
ment (jf all moral, social and educational interests 
he is a liberal suppoiter. and his inlluence is ever 
given to the upliuildinir of town and county. Po- 
litically he affiliates with the Democratic party, 
having since his UKijori1\' suppcjrted that oigani/.a- 
tion by his ballot. 

We arc please<I to show u|)on another page the 
portr.'iits of Mr. and Mrs. Lienau. 



yl^ILLIAM Iirj'SON, who is engaged in 
general farming on section 27. in the town 
W^' of Fulton, is a native of Lincolnshire- 
England, born Sept. 7, IS.'il. His parents, .lohn 
and Mur\' (IJoberts) Ilutson, were also natives of 
the same country, where the father eng.aged in 
farming until 1S4(I. Wishing to try his fortune in 
the New World, accompanied by his family, he 
then set sail for America. IJeaching Michigan, he 
purchased a farm and made his home there until 
1845. In that year he came to Rock County and 
looked about him for a desirable location, at length 
purchasing HlOacresof land in the town of Fidlon. 
It had been partially improved, and into th(> little 
log cabin previously built, he moved his family. 
After one year, howevei-, he sold out and |iiirchas- 
ing propertj' in Indian Ford, removed to that town 
and embarked in the grocery business. He also 
conducted a hotel for two years, later purch.osing 
what is now known as the Fnited States House at 
Edgerton. He carried on business in that line 
until his death, which occurred .\ng. It, 1867. The 
hotel was conducted in an aide manner and gained 
great favor with the traveling public. [i(. .^iso 
owned a good farm, which, in connection with the 
hotel property, is now in possession of his wife, 
who makes her home in Edgerton with her youngest 
daughter. Though beginTiing life in limited cir- 
cumstances, with no capital save a strong riglil arm 
an(i the determination to succeed. John Hnt.son 
steadily worked his way upward and when called 



«^^ 



from this earth left his family in comfortable cir- 
cumstances. He was a member of the Church of 
Englanil (the Epise()pal.) to which his wife also 
belonged. He gave freely of his time and money 
U) the supjjort of all public enterprises, was prom- 
inently identified with the leading interests of the 
comnmuit\- and was numbered among Hock Coun- 
ty's liest citizens. Foliticallj'. he was a Democrat 
.and suppnrted that party from the time when he 
became a naturalized citizen. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Hntson nund>ered 
nine children, as follows: IJenjamlu. Willi.am. IIu- 
lett, JInry Ann, Deborah. Julia Ann, Thomas. 
James S., and Ellen. 

William Ilutson passed his early bovhood days 
in his native land, and when a lad of nine years 
came with his parents to .\merica. In the common 
schools of Michigan and Wisconsin, he received 
his education, and when twenty years of age began 
earning his own livelihoo<l. Dining the summer 
of 18;')! he engaged in harvesting, and when the 
season was over secured employment in a saw mill 
at Indian Ford, where he worked until the follow- 
ing winter, when he again attended school, that 
term ct>mpleting his school life, lie next operateil 
a farm on shari'S for two years, and though making 
his home with his father, paid his board. Mr. 
Ilutson, Sr., then removing to Ivlgerton. our sub- 
ject worked for him in that city and while theie 
residing was united in the holy bonds of matrimony 
with Miss Laney C. Walrath, b\- whom he has two 
children — Mary A., the elder, born Oct. 2;5. 1855. 
is the wife of Sjicucer (iove. a resident of Edger- 
ton ; Clark H., born Dec. 13, 1862. is now 
living in Minnesota. In 1877. Mr. Hutson was 
called upon to mourn the lo.ss of his wife, who 
died on the 1 8lh ilay of August, of that year and 
was interred in the cemetery at Edgerton. He was 
again married Jul\- .'!, 18.H1. the lads' of his choice 
lieing Jane Cowing, a daughter of John and .M;ir\- 
(Waggoner) Cowing. Her mother still resides in 
Stoughton, Wis., but lier father is now deceased. 

In the spring of 1851, Mi-. Ilutson removed to 
a farm in Fulton Township, which he operate<l on 
shares. Later he purchased eight}- acres of his 
father, and after building a house thereon, devoteii 
his entire attention toils cultivation until IS(;2. 



■I ■ 

t 



-4^ 



u 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ns: 



His f;illici- re-bu3'iiig the property at tliat tiiiio. lie 
IuuiUmI Ills liousoliold effects on wagons, and accom- 
panied l)y liis family, started for California. The 
jc)iirney across tin' plains was :i long and tedious 
one, liut after three months tiie party readied tlieir 
destination. For some time Mr. Hutson engaged 
in \;\rions lalH>i-.s, hnt at length forming a partner- 
ship with some gentlemen, he o|)erated a ranch in 
that f:ir western State for two years. Returning at 
tlie end of that lime to Wisconsin, he again en- 
gaged in the eullivatiou of a farm on shares for 
the succeeding two years, when he purchased tiie 
eighty .icre farm on which lie now resides. Alliiongh 
it was then in its primitive condition, he has con- 
verted it into a trat-l of the richest fertility, h.as 
made many tine improvements, erected a large 
house and good liariis and stocked it with a good 
gr.ade of cattle, horses and hogs. Mr. Hutson has 
contributed freely to the su|)port of all public en- 
terprises and is recognized as one of the leading 
and substantial farmers of the community. He is 
a supporter of the Democratic parly, and a.s ever^' 
American citizen should do, feels an interest in 
political affairs, but has never sought or desired 
publii- preferment. We are pleased to record this 
brief .sketch of the life of William Hutson. one of 
Rock Count3''s honored [)ioneers, whose lesideuce 
dales from 1845. 

AVID (JAURISON .lOHXSON, who is 
engaged in farming on section 31, Fulton 
Township, was l>orn on the 2Gth day of 
.Vpiil. 181 2, in Milton. Saratoga Co., 
N. v., and is a son of Jonathan and Clarissa ((iar- 
rison) Johnson, who were also burn in the Em|)irc 
State. The father was a carpenter by trade and 
followed that occupation in connection with farm- 
ing during the greater part of his life. For many 
years he was engaged on the construction of the 
Oswego Canal. His ilcatli occurred in his native 
State and he was biiriert jiear Sj'racuse. Mrs. 
Johnson siu'v'.vcd her husl)and a few years. 

The subject of this sketch received a common 
school education and passed the days of his boy- 
hood and youth in the hnme of his [larents. ,\l 

m 




the age of twenty-one years he began his liusinoss 
career and was employed on the construction of 
the Oswego Canal until 18,')0, when, attracted by 
the gold discoveries in California, he started for 
the Pacific Slope, making the journey by water. 
Crossing the Isthmus of I'anama he boarded a I'a- 
cific steamer which carried him safely to .San I'ran- 
cisco. On arriving at his destination he engaged 
in mining for two years, which satisfied his desires 
in that direction and he returned to his home. In 
the year 1853 he came to the new State of Wis- 
consin and turned his attention to .agricultural 
pursuits, locating on 120 acres of land which he 
had purchased a few years jjrevious. Only fifteen 
acres of the whole amount had been placed under 
the plow, but moving into a little log cabin, he com- 
menced breaking the wild prairie and in the course 
of time converted it into one of the fine farms of the 
community and extended its boundaries until it 
now comprises 175 acres. In connection with gen- 
eral farming he raises a good grade of stock. His 
home and the many beautiful and useful improve- 
ments to 1h' found on the land are monuments to 
his industrious life, his energy and his persever- 
ance. 

On the 1-lth day of March, 1838, David Johnson 
and Miss Atlanta T. IJoyce were united in the holy 
bonds of matrimony. For the long period of 
forty-three years they traveled life's journey to- 
gether, sharing with e.ich other the jo^-s and sor- 
rows, the sunshine and sh.adow which forms a part 
of each life; but at length the da^' of separation 
came, and Mrs. Johnson was laid in the grave in 
1.H81. 

Mr. Johnson takes an active interest in political 
affairs, and h.as been a stanch supporter of the 
Democratic party since casting his first Presiden- 
tial vote for Andrew Jackson. He has encouraged 
and supported the various enterprises of the coni- 
munit}- which promised to be beneficial to the 
public in general, and is highly regarded by all .as 
a worth}- and useful citizen. 

Harvey J. Johnson, nephew of the above, was 
born on the 7th day of .Vugust, 1852, in Syr.acuse, 
N.Y.. and since the age of two years h.os made his 
home with his uncle liavid. He rcceiveil his edu- 
cation in the common schools of Rock Countv.and 



_*► ■ ^> 



a. 



4 



088 



IJOCK COUNTY. 



on attaining a sufficient age began assisting his un- 
cle in the lal)ois of the farm, lie is a piactieal 
anil [irogrossive farmer and is now managing the 
farm in his own interests. Mr. Johnson is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Fulton 
Lodge, No. 09, A. F. <k A. M. of Edgcrton, and 
in political sentiments is a Republican and a warm 
advocate of tlie party policy. Almost his entire 
life has been i)asscd in this county, an<l by those 
who have known him from boyhood, as well as his 
later acquaintances, he is highly respected and is 
recognized as a young man of sterling worth. 



ENRY (tILES GREENMAN, deceased, 

\] was one of the early settlers of Milton. Wis., 
and for many years was prominently iden- 
j^ ti6ed with its history. He was a na- 
tive of New York, born in Brookfield, Madison 
County, on the 21st day of April, IHlo. The 
days of his boyhood were spent ujion his father's 
farm, and his education was received in the com- 
mon schools, which he attended until seventeen 
years of age. At that time he left the parental 
roof and started out in life for liiniscif. (ioing to 



trict Attorney, and is miw City Attorney ; Reynolds 
J., the fourth son. of whom a sketch will lie found 
elsewhere in this volume, is a lumber dealer and 
editor of tiie Milton Junction Xews. The chil- 
dren, following the teachings of their parents, are 
now respected men and leading citizens of the 
sever.al communities where they reside. 

In Jul}-. 18.')!, Mr. Greenman came to Milton 
and established a lumber yard, continuing in that 
business until his death, which occurred Oct. 18, 
180:}. He was pi-oniinently identified with tlie 
Seventh-day Baptist Church, though not a mem- 
ber, and was widely known and respected for his 
integrity of purpose. During the greater part of 
his residence at Milton, he filled the office of 
Justice of the Peace, was Chairman of the Town 
Hoard for several terms and for one term was 
Chairman of the County Hoard of Supervisors. 
In his death Rock County lost a valued citizen, 
one who always did what he could for the further- 
ance of her interests. Mrs. Greenman, who sur- 
vives her husband, is living in Milton, and held in 
high est em by a large circle of .'KHiuaintances. 



-^^^^^^ 



Utica, N.Y., he learned the shoemaker's tr.ade in 'ifiOllN COWAN IHKI). who was born and 

that city, which occupation he followed for a liveli- ! || still resides in the Town of Fulton, making 

hood until his removal to Alfred, Alleghany County, ^-n li h's home on section 15, is the son of Silas 

in the same State, where he engaged in farming for a (^^' '">"'! Cynthia (Cowan) Hind, honored pion- 



period of ten years. For four years while residing 
in Alleghany County he held the position of 
financial manager of Alfred Academy — now a 
University — during which time he secured for 
that institution a loan from the Slate of fil 0,000, 
which was later presented to the academy as a 
gift. He was several times elected Town Superin- 
tendent of Schools and also held the office of 
Justice of the I'eace. 

On the 16th day of Jann.iry, 1H31. Mr. (wven- 
man wedded Miss Mary H. .Maxson. who was born 
at Newport, R. 1., March 27, 1808. They became 
the parents of four children, all sons. Charles H., 
the elder, is proprietor of a nursery at Chatfield, 
Minn.; William H. died at Millon on the 3d day 
of September, 1853; John M. is a lawyer at Austin, 
Minn., where he h.as been several times elected l)is- 



eers of Rock County. They were natives of the 
Empire State, and the father w:us a farmer by occil- 
[)ation, engaging in agricultural pursuits through- 
out his entire life. When a young man of twenty- 
one years Silas llurd left New York to try his 
fortune in the then f.ir West, and became one of 
the earl}' settlers of Wisconsin, then a Territory. 
As the railroad had not 3'et spanned the continent, 
he was compelled to use some other means of travel, 
and made the entire journey by w.agon. He halted 
for a little while near the city of Beloit. planting a 
cro|) of corn, and then continued on his way until 
reaching the town of Fulton, where he purchased 
100 acres of land from the Gftvernment. Erect- 
ing a little log cabin on the banks of Rock River, 
he at once began the development of the farm. 
breaking prairie, planting crops and otherwise im- 



t 



:;- 



UOC'K C'UliNTY. 






4 



|)i'Oving it, until that once wild rejrion was Irans- 
foinu'd into a tract of rich fertility. 

A family of seven chililien were lioiii to IMr. 
and Mrs. ilurd, as follow.s : C'hail(!s II., llie eldest, 
who is now deceased; Clara M., wife of Elijah 1'. 
Wixoin, a resident farmer of the Town of Ful- 
ton; Saraii K.. who wedded (leorge Schofield 
an<l also resides in the town of P^ilton; Emma 
L., who hecunie the wife of G. A. Proctor, is 
living in La Prairie Townsliip; .loini C, tlie sub- 
ject of tills sketch, is the lifth in order of liirth; 
Rlalita an<l Lelia, two younger children, are de- 
ceased. 

IMr. Ilurd steadily carrii'd forw.Mid the work of 
cultivating and ini|iroving his land, and in the 
year 1818 replaced the little log cabin by a large 
and commodious residence, one of the finest in the 
neighborhood, lie was tridy a self-ni.ade man. 
Starting <nit in life with no cajjital, he worked at 
anything which he could find lo do by which he 
might earn an honest dollar, but ijy energy, porse- 
verani'c, fair dealing and good management he at 
length secureil ;i comfortable competeucv and be- 
came one of the well-to-do farmers of the county, 
his lande(l possessions .•iggregating 1,200 acres, lie 
bore no inconsiderable part in the work of trans- 
fcn'miug the raw prairie into beautiful homes and 
fertile farms, thereli\' increasing its value, and was 
ever a liberal snp|)orter of public enlciprises. In 
politics he was a Republican, and from the organi- 
zation oi that parlj' cast his ballot for the support 
of its principles, lie won the respect and confi- 
dence of all with whom business or ])leasure brought 
him in contact, by his honorable and upright career, 
and few citizens were more widely known. His 
excellent wife, who bravely shared in the hardships 
of frontier life and aided in the aw'umulation of 
the property, was called to her final rest on the 
12tli day of .Inly, lS,S0,and was interred in lOdger- 
ton Cemetery. .Seven years longer Mr. Ilurd was 
permitted to remain, when, on tlu' 7th day of April, 
1888, lie loo dcpartcil this life, and was laid to rest 
by the side of the loved one gone before. 

.lolin C. Ilurd was born July 21, I8.')2, aiicl was 
rc:ired to manhood (mi his father's farm, continuing 
to make his home with his parents until they were 
called away. On attaining lo sudicient age he 



assumed the management of the large farm, thus 
relieving his father of its care, and is recognized 
as one of the leading farmers of the community, 
lie w!is married on the (!tli d.ay of September, 1887, 
to Miss Minnie Sebell, a native of ( ^crmanj', and 
at once established his bride as mistress of the 
home where his entire life has been spent. They 
have a daughter name(l Wilma. 

On the de.'itli of his father Mr. Ilurd received 
the old homestead as his share of the estate, which 
together with aliout- 700 acres of land and some 
capital which he himself accuniulated makes him 
one of the wealthiest farmers of I\ock County. In 
connection vvitli the cultivation of his land he gives 
considerable attention to raising the best grades of 
stock. His home, with its entire surroundings, in- 
dicates both the thrift and enterprise of the owner; 
there may be found the latest improved ra.acliinery. 
roomy and substantial outliuildings, and all that 
goes to make up the model farm of the iS'ineleenth 
Century. Each year he i)lants from twenty to 
lweiit\-five acres In tobacco, which is one of the 
staple products of the county. Practical and pro- 
gressive, he nian.ages his business interests with 
system and ability. In politics he is a Republican. 
He is a liberal supporter of all worthy objects for 
tlie advancement and njibuilding of the com- 
innnity. 

■ -^^i' 

>s^^IIEODORE ni'ITS, who Is extensively cn- 
l'/^^ gaged in farming and stock-raising on sec- 
\^^' tioii 13, town of Eullon, is one of the 
honored pioneers of the coniily, and has been an 
imiiortant factor in the growth and <levelopment 
of the community. To those men who have braved 
the trials and dilliculties incident to life on the 
frontier, Wisconsin owes her present prosperity 
and her advanced position in the brilliant constel- 
lation of States, and not the least of these is he 
wlio.se name heads this sketch. .Mr. Hulls was born 
on the ;i0th day of October, 1827, in .Ml. Hetliel, 
Norlhaniptoii Co., I'a.. and is a son of Michael and 
Catherine (M.'inii) Hulls, who were also natives of 
the Keystone .Slate. The father was a blacksmith 
by trade, and followed that occupation in Penn- 
sylvania in conneclioii with farming. He owned 

4^ 



-4»- 

690 



-•» 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



eiglity acres of land witliiu a mile and a half of 
Centrcville, wlu-ie his sho|) was located. I" 1839, 
with the desire of bettering his financial condition, 
he disposed of his Inisiness interests in North- 
ampton County, and, .accompanied liy his family, 
started lor what was then the far West. Continu- 
ing his journey until reaching the Territory of 
Wisconsin, he here purchased from the government 
278 acres of land situated in what is now the town 
of Fulton, Rock County. Not a furrow had been 
turned or an improvement made on the laud, but 
from its primitive condition he developed it into a 
fine farm. Ruilding a little log cabin, without 
del.ay, he l>ogau the work of carving out a home 
for his family on the frontier, and though many 
were the difficulties to be overcome and the obsta- 
cles to be surmounted, his labors were at length 
crowned with success. The crops planted yielded 
abundant harvests, and by the consequent rise in 
value of the land Mr. Butts became a well-to-do 
citizen. 

Our subject is the eldest of a family of eight 
cliildicn.all of whom are living witlione exception. 
Robert now makes his home in Minnesota; Jacob is 
also a resident of that State; Charles is now de- 
ceased; Jerome is living in Minnesota; Catherine 
makes her home in this county; Mary is living in 
Washington, and Rachel resides in Edgerton. Mr. 
and Mrs. Butts were members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and were earnest workers in 
their Master's vineyard. Kind ami charitable, ever 
ready to extend a iielping hand, they received the 
love and resi)ect of all who knew them. In politics 
Mr. Butts wa.s a Democrat, and was numbered 
among the leading citizens of this community'. 
His death occurred on the 31st day of August, 
1843, and though he has l<mg since passed to his 
final rest, he is kindly remembered l>y many friends 
and companions of pioneer days, llis wife, who 
was l)orn Oct. 13, 1801. survives her husband and 
lives with her son Theodore on the old homestead. 
She is now in the eighty-fifth year of her age, and 
all delight to do her honor, who for half a century 
has been a resilient of Rock County. 

Our subject was but twelve years of age when, 
with the famil3', he located in the town of Fulton. 
Manv anil i,neal are the changes which have been 



made since that day. The country w.as but sparsely 
settled, the land was still unturned bj' the plow, 
and the echoes of the forest had not been awak- 
ened by the woodman's ax. The city of Janesville. 
the metropolis of Southern Wisconsin, contained 
only a few houses and l)ut one store, and the first 
mill in the county was built at Beloit, to which, 
when a lad, Mr. Butts would drive with an ox 
team, and remaining over night in the mill, return 
the next day with his flour. Indians were still 
quite numerous in the settlement, but were friendlj', 
giving no trouble whatever. On this Western 
frontier our subject was reared to nianhoofl, and at 
the age of twent3--two years began operating, in his 
own interest, his father's farm, of which he has had 
control ever since. His l>fe has been one of indus- 
try, and by his energy and enterprise he has accu- 
mulated a comfortable competency. Cultivating 
and improving his land, he now has one of the best 
farms of Rock County, which is especially noted 
for its many beautiful homes. In 1867 he erected 
a large and substantial dwelling, but the little log 
cabin still stands as a memento of pioneer days, 
and is one of the few landmarks which have with- 
stood the ravages of time. In connection with the 
cultivation of his farm, Mr. Butts devotes con- 
siderable attention to the raising of fine stock, in- 
cluding horses, cattle and hogs, making a specialty 
of .Short-horn Durham cattle. He has been quite 
successful in that line, and deserves much credit 
for introducing an improved breed into the county. 
On the 17th day of May. 1849. Mr. Butts was 
joined in wedlock with Catherine Kimball, and of 
their union were born nine children. .\nn Eliza, 
boin April 14,1 8;')0. is the wife of George Parker, of 
Beloit; Dena, born Nov. 22, 1851, resides at home; 
Theodore. Jr., boin Sept. 3. 1853, is living in Wal- 
worth County, Wis.; Eugene, born Aug. 9. 1855. is 
engaged in farming in this county; Ella, born Feb. 
12, 1857. is the wife of E. K. Peck, a resident far- 
mer of the town of Fulton; (leorge. born Dec. 11, 
1859, makes his home in Milton Junction; Henri- 
etta, born Oct. 24. 1861. wedded Erford Frink,of 
Milton Junction ; Lincoln, born Dec. 8. 1863, located 
at Delavan, and Edward, the 3-oungcst, born Jlay 5, 
1866. is still at home. The family circle yet re- 
mains unbroken, and the children are all now 



't= 



■^^ 



HOCK COUNTY. 



"•^TT^ 



6!»1 



lospi't'lt'd iiipii ;iii(l woiiK'ii. wild (li> lioiior to the 
fninily ikuir'. 

,Mr. Itiills ami liis wifit arc c-niniiuniicaiits of the 
!\Iclli()(list I']|)isc-o|)al ClmiTli anil foiitrilmti' fiouly 
to tlie support of llial cause. He is a friend to all 
.social, moral ami eiliicalioiial interests, and like 
his father has lieen an important factor in the u|)- 
linildiii'.'- of the conimunity. He lia.s not only been 
a witness of the t,ndwtli and proirre.ss, Init ha.s 
aided in the nohle work of transformation which 
ha.s made Hock County in many respects the ban- 
ner c(junty of the State. Since his coming the 
))ioneer homes have been replaced by substantial 
dwellings and elegant residences, towns and vil- 
lages have sjirnng np. churches an<l school-lionses 
have been built, manufactories and industries have 
been introduced, and where once the Indian trail 
spanned the county the iidn horse makes his [iro- 
digious leaps, bringing ever}' luxury known to the 
civilized world. Krom the organiztition of the lie- 
publican party Mr. llntts has been numbered 
among its warm ailvocates. and is an inflexible 
sup|)orler of its jninciples. He is a man of sterling 
worth, whose honesty of purpose and upright life 
have gained him many friends, and it is with pleas- 
ure that wc record his sketch in this volume. 



--^-•-1-^^=^^-^ 



t 



JfAMKS SUTIIKHI.AM). of .lanesville, was 
I born in Sniillitield Township, Jefferson Co.. 
I; Ohio, March 21). 1.S20. His grandfather, 
'' John Sutherland, came over from the IligU- 
lands of .Scotlaiul to America when eighteen years 
old, and served the colonies under t!en. Washing- 
ton throughout the Revolutionary War. He settled 
in Washington County, I'a., where ho reachi'd the 
aire of nearly one hunilrc(i years. 

John .Sutherland, father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Washington County, Pa., and 
served as a soldier m the War of 1812. .Vfterthat 
\v;ir he wiis nnirried to his betrotheil wife. Eliza- 
Icth .Smith, whom he had left to serve his country. 
I lie lady was a native of York County, Pa., of 
Sculch-Iri.sh descent. Their wedding occurred in 
the year 1814, and they soon after settled in Jeffer- 
son County, Ohio. They were the parents of six 



sons and four daughters, .lames being the fourth 
in order of l)irth. His youth was spent upon his 
tath(>r's farm .iiid his education w.t.s supplied by 
Ashland Academj- and Xoi-walk Seminary, in his 
native State. He was .ambitious to complete a col- 
legiate course of study, but his anxiety to compass 
this end Ijroke down his lu'alth. and he was com- 
pelli'd to change liis i)lans of life. He taught several 
winter terms of school in order to attend school in 
the summer, .\fter s[)endiiig some time in the 
Sonth,hecani<;lo HockCounty in thespringof 1817. 
In the fall of that year he .settled permaiieutlj' 
in Janesville, and the next spring opened a book 
and st.ilionery store. This business, which began 
in a small way has continued ever since, and is now 
one of the most extensive in Southern Wisconsin. 
Much of his business has been resigned by Mr. 
Sutherland to the care of his sons, while he gives 
some of his thought to cpiestionsof public weal and 
progress. He has ever been in the front rank of 
those who sought to use their means and influence 
for the uplifting of humanity and the advancement 
of the State and Nation. For the material welfare 
of his town and county, he has aitled in securing 
railroads and maniif;icturing industries. He was 
made Treasurer of the Hock County Bible Society, 
on its organization in 1 848, and has filled that jjosi- 
tion most of the time since: he has also served the 
.society in the capacity of Director, Secretary and 
President. Mr. Sutherland lias been a liberal con- 
tributor to the support of the Wisconsin State His- 
torical Society, and is a life member. He is also a 
member of the American Historical Association. 
The tenth volume of the Reports of the State 
Historical Society of Wisconsin contains the sub- 
stance of an address he was honored with deliver- 
ing before that society, upon the antiquities, and 
early explorations of the territory now known as 
Wisct)nsin. On the admission of this State into 
the Union, Mr. Sutherland was elected the first 
Superintendent of Schoe)ls in the town of Janes- 
ville, and was also the tirst Superintendent of 
Schools for the incorporated city. When a Hoard 
of l-xluciition was formed to control the city- 
schools, he was elected a mem her of that body for 
several ye.ars. He was twice elected May^or of the 
cit}', in 1872 and 1873, by large m.ajorities. He 



:*^- 



692 



■«»- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i= 



lias served two terms, of two years cacli,asa mem- 
ber of the State Senate, iii the actions of wliiih 
hocly he took a prominent and active part. For 
tiirco years he was Ciiairman of tlie Committee on 
Education, School and University- Lands. 

To Mr. Sutherland belongs the credit for the 
establishment of our present beneficent Normal 
school system. He introduced the first bill for 
creating a fund for this purpose; and although it 
failed of passage at that time, it was his sulistitute 
bill, reported by his committee, that became a law 
the following session. It was sought to establish 
an educational fund for certain colleges, and the 
Committeon Education, through Chairman Suther- 
land, reported "a Bill for the Encouragement of 
Acadeniies and Normal Schools." This was car- 
rie<l triumpiianllv through the Senate, and after 
an amendment, passed the Assembly. l',y this 
means, an am|)le Normal scliool fund has been pro- 
vided, without any direct cost to the peo|)le. It 
was during Mr. Sutlu'rland's term that the scanda- 
lous land-grant extra session of ihe Legislature 
was held, and it is to his credit that he opposed 
every proposition for tiie disposal of the grant, 
and loolv an active part in exposing the frauds 
which gave valuable property of the State to the 
railro.ads, which had not earned it. lie prompllv 
spurned every offer of a consideiation for his vote. 

While in the South, Mr. .Sutlierlantl had an op- 
portunity to observe the i>ractical workings of the 
iniquitous slave s.vstcm, and became its uncom- 
promising o|)p()nent. He took an advanced i)osi- 
tion in the Republican |)arty councils, at its organ- 
ization, and is still trying to lead it forward to the 
noblest action. While Mr. Sutherland has never 
been a third i)arty |ir<)hibilionist, he has alwavs 
been a friend and advocate of the cause of tem- 
perance, believing that while moral means must be 
resorted to mainly to forward this movement, yet 
at the same time it is the duty of the State to en- 
act the best temperance measures, which the people 
will enforce. He was among the first to espouse 
the Republican anti-saloon movement. He was a 
member of the first National conference to con- 
sider this measure, which met in the city of Chicago, 
.Se|)ten)ber, 188G. and served as one of the committee 
on resolutions. He believes that the life and suc- 



1 



cess of the political party to which he belongs de- 
pends u[)i)n an advanced movement upon this im- 
portant question. 

In November, 1816, Mr. F. H. Revell of Chicago 
and New York, published a neat volume entitled 
"Talks on Living Subjects," prepared by .Mr. 
Sutherland, which is devoted partly to a discuss- 
ion of the evils and the cure of intemperance. 
This work has been heartilv conimeinled bj- the 
press and the public generally'. By the solicita- 
tion of the editor, Mr. .Sutherland has become a 
contributor to the New York Mail and Expi-ess, 
and his articles are characLeristic in their sound 
logic and earnestness, without abuse of his op|)o- 
nent, and in their practical suggestions of reform. 

In December, lis 16. Mr. Sutherland wedded Miss 
Elizabeth Witliington, who w.as born inAkr(ni, ().. 
and is a daughter of Daniel and Temperance (( !ray) 
Witliington, of early English ancestry. The seven 
children of our subject are all residents of .laiies- 
ville, except the fourth who is engaged in mining 
in California, and the si.xth in practice at Rock- 
ton, III. Following are their names in order 
of birth: .lames A., Orion. Aicturus. Le Verrier, 
Araby, Charles Liniieus, .M. D.. and Lily Imogen. 
Tlie last is the wife of George Woodruff. The first 
two are associated with their father in business. 



||r-:v()I5ERT WILLIA.M SCOTT, Superintend- 
]l^ cut of Oak Hill Cemetery, .lanesville, was 
born in (ilasgow, .Scotlaiul. .March 15, 1844, 
P; and is the son of .loliii and Sarah (Stuart) 
Scott. When fourteen years of age be came to 
America and located in Toronto, where he remained 
until the fall of 186:3. when lie came to .lanesville, 
which has since been his home. Scarcely- six 
months had passed away, when daily reading and 
hearing of the awful struggle going on between the 
North and South, and with that love of liberty in- 
born in every human l)re;ist, and with a heart over- 
fiowiiig with sym|iathy for the oppressed race in 
the .South, he enlisted in the Union Arny as a mem- 
ber of Company F, ."ioth Wisconsin Infantiy, in 
February. 1804. For a little more than two years 
he served his adopted country' as one of its brave 




■f<^' 



f\* 








cCp/vi^ 



"t/Vi^^ ( 




'-eyy 



^ 



^ 



1U)CK COUNTY. 



••^ 



G!)i1 



sdldii'is. takiiiir P^'i't ill H'C Mobile ciiiiiimiuii and 
llu' .sic\i;i' and caiiliiri' of Spanish Foil. After Ihc 
war closed llie rcj^iinent spcnl a \ear in Tex.as. 
Willi liis renimenl he was inuslereil ont and re- 
ceived his discharge at .Mailison, Wis.. April Ij, 

On receiving his dischiirge. Mr. Scoll retiirnol 
lo .laiiesvillc. and for llic next two yi^ars was in the 
einph>y of the Cliiragu i^- North-W(>stern Railroad 
Company. In the nieanlime on Ihe 7lh day of 
Jnne. IHtUi. he w:is nnilcd in marriage vvilh Miss 
Mary .lane (iodden. a danghter of Robert and 
Rebecca Godden. Ten cliildren came to gladden 
their home but the Death Angel called fonr away, 
so that but six are left to gather ai-ound the family 
altar. The living are .lames, Walter, Isabel, 
Marian. Gerlnide, and I>uella. The deceased .ire 
Aichibald D., Willie, Charles, and Mattie. Mr. and 
Mrs. Scott are members of the First Presbyterian 
Churcii of .lanesviUe, and in the work of the Mas- 
ter lake special delight. In politics, he is an 
earnest Reiinblic.an. 

In August, 18(18. Mr. Scott received his present 
appointment, and for twent3'-one years he has 
made a most ellicient superintendent. The t.asteful 
manner in which this "City of the Dead" is kept, 
is an evidence of his fitness for the position. As 
a citizen, he is highly esteemed by a large cir<dc of 
friends and ac(iuaintances. 




(^=^'IN.\ (ilLBKRT, one of the representative 
/// and leading citizens of Rock County, who 
/i'—^ . is now living a retired life in Milton .Junc- 
tion, is a native of the Fmpirc State, having been 
born in Otsego County, M.arcli 17, 1801. The 
d.ays of his boyhood and youth were spent in his 
native county, and his education w.is received in 
the common schools. lu 1819, when eighteen 
years of age he left Otsego County and became a 
resident of Allegany County, where he made his 
home for about twentj'-nine years. In early life, 
he learned the cooper's trade which he followed for 
a livelihood in Ncv.' York, and also worked at it 
for some time after becoming a resident of Wis- 

<• 



cousin. He also owned a farm in Allegany County, 
which is situated in the oil regions. 

On arriving at man's estate, Mr. Gilbert was 
united in marriage with Miss I'rudence Fidlcr, 
their wedding being celebrated in 182(;. The lady 
was born in New York, and tho\' became the par- 
ents of eight children — Lucina, the eldest of the 
family, makes her home with her brother in Mil- 
ton; Clarinda, who became the wife of a Mr. 
Randol()li, now deceased, is living in Dane County, 
Wis.; Elijah died at the age of thirty years; Philo 
resides with his sister in Milton; Phedora, who was 
joined in wedlock with Horace Babcock, died in 
18C4; .\marilla, who became the wife of Henry 
Willi.ams, who lives at Milton .lunction, died in 
March, 1881; Pluebe C. is a resident of Milton; 
Sumner married Miss Emma Oviate and had five 
children, thiee of whom are living. 

Mr. Gilbert left his home in tlie P^ast and came 
to AVisconsin in 1818, casting his lot with the early 
settlers of Dane County. As before stated, he 
workeil at coopering f(U- some time, and also em- 
barked in farming, which occup.ation he followed 
until his retirement from active life. He became 
a leading citizen of the community in which he re- 
sided and was honored for his strict integrity' and 
uprightness of character. He was the choice of his 
fellow citizens for various local ollices of trust. 
For several j'ears he filled the position of Tovvn 
Treasurer, for one 3ear .acted as Township Clerk, 
and was also elected and served as Superintendent 
of Schools, and served eight years as Chairman of 
the Board of Supervisors. He discharged his offi- 
cial duties with the same promptness and fidelity 
which m.'trUs all his intercourse with his fellow men, 
and proved an able and ellicient officer, though he 
has ever taken an active interest in political affairs. 
He ca.st his first Presidential vote for John (Juincy 
Adams in 1821, and in 1840, dejjosited a ballot 
for William Henry Harrison, the candidate of the 
Whig party, with which he alliliated until its disso- 
lution. An abolitionist in principle, when the Re- 
publican party was formed to prevent the further 
extension of slavery, he joined its ranks and from 
that time has never failed to cast a vote for ity 
candidates, his last ballot up to the present time, 
having been deposited for Hon. Benjamin Harrison, 



4= 



i 



696 



■*-HH»k 



ROCK COUNTY. 



who now holds tlie highest position witliin tlie gift 
of the American people. In the days of his earlj- 
manhood, while residing in Allegany County, N. Y., 
Mr. Gilbert became a member of the Seventh Day 
r>aptist Churcii. Almost from the beginning he 
has fdled the ofHce of Deacon and has bornj a 
prominent part in the church. He now holds mem- 
bership with the church at Milton Junction, where 
he has lived since 1880. He has long since passed 
the allotted three score years and ten. but notwith- 
standing his advanced age. he still has possession 
of his mental an<l physical faculties to a reniarkalile 
degree. He can now look back over a well spent 
life p.issed in the service of his Master with no re- 
unt for the years that hav^come and gone, and as 
lie looks forward to the future, his faith grows 
stronger. The greatest sorrow of his life came 
upon liiiu at the death of his loving wife, at their 
iioMie in Dane County in 1808. As a neighbor 
and fiiend. Mr. (iilbertis kind and .iceommodating: 
as a citizen he is true and loyal; as a father, loving 
an<l lender; and as a Christian, consistent and 
faithful. 

Tlic line portrait of .Mr. (iilbert on the opposite 
page is from a photograi)h taken when in his 
eighty-ninth year. 



S^ZRA C. 15UTEN, a 

ijy) tion 8. in the town 
i\'^-^' among the honored 



)ZRA C. 15UTEN, a f.armer residing on sec- 
of Blilton. is numbered 

,- ^..^ ......v, pioneers of Rock County. 

But a few have longer been residents of the com- 
munity, and none have been more prominently 
identified with the history of Milton Township. 
The -iotli day of July, 181-2. witnessed his arrival, 
and since that time he has been an active partici- 
pant in the rapid growth and progress which have 
since been made. Mr. Butcn is a native of the old 
Ba\ State, having been born in Berkshire County 
on the -ioth day of May. 1818. and is a s(m of Em- 
manuel and Betsey (Crocker) Buten. who were also 
born in Massachusetts. They were rearcil. married 
and died in their native State, the mother having 
ilepartcd this life in 1832. the father in 1844. at the 
:i"-e of sixty-three years. Unto them was born a 
h.rsie family of children, only three of whom are 
^» 



now living — George W. and William, who are en- 
gaged in farming in Dane County, Wis., and Ezra, 
of this sketch. Those who are deceased are Hor- 
ace. Almira, Frederick, Orrin, and Dorothy. 

Our subject was reared to the occupation of 
farming, and received such educational advantages 
as ivere afforded by the schools of his native State 
at that early daj'. He began business as a farm 
hand, working for various persons in his native 
State until 1842, when he emigrated to the West 
Previous to that time, on the 3d day of September, 
184 I, he was joined in wedlock with Miss I>ucy W. 
Green, their marriage being celebrated in Allegany 
County, N. Y. The lady was born iu Madison 
C(>unty, of that State, and is a daughter of Alpheus 
M. and Abbie (Wells) (ireeu, who were natives of 
Rode Island. In 1844 her parents came to Rock 
County, and for some years resided in Milton, 
but subsequently removed to Albion, where they 
passed the remainder of their days. Both were 
members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. 

In the spring of 1842, with his young bride. Mr. 
Buten came to this county and made his first loca- 
tion in the town of Milton, purchasing a small 
farm on section 18. Life on the frontier w.as there 
begun, but after four years he sold out and bought 
another farm iu the same township, which he con- 
tinued to make his home until November, 1888, 
when he became the owner of his present farm on 
section 8. As the days passed by, Mr. and Mrs. 
Buten saw their possessions increase, until they are 
now numbered among the well-to-do citizens of 
the community. Their home w.as blessed with the 
presence of nine children, who m.ade the pioneer 
cabin echo with their shouts and merry laughter. 
Thcv were all born in this county-, were here reared 
to maturity, and later left the parental roof for 
homes of their. own. Lucy, the firstborn, is now 
the vvife of Berry Keath, of Milton, and to them 
liave been born three children — Kldredge. George, 
and Lucv ; Al|)heus, the second child, is now de- 
ceased; DcForrest is a contractor and builder; 
Addis, who wedded Mary Bowers, is a railroad 
employe, and resides in Milwaukee; Helen, widow 
of A. B. Clark, resides in Chicago, 111.; Adelbert is 
still with his parents: and Arthur is now deceased. 
This family has been identified with the best inter- 



-nr 



u 



KOCIC COUNTY. 



••► 



6'.)7 



ests of Rock Comity for tlie long jicriod of forty- 
scvcMi years, anil in their lius|iUal)le home fiiomls 
and neighbors are always sure of a hearly wclc-onie. 
The upright lives of Mr. and Mrs. Buteu have 
won for them the entire eonfldeiice and respect of 
tlie people of the community, and they are num- 
bered among its valued citizens. Many changes 
liave taken place since their arrival in this county. 
and they have borne no inconsideral)le part in the 
noble work of progress and advancement. Janes- 
ville, now a populous and thriving city, then con- 
tained but one store, behind the counter of which 
Thonuis J>ap|)in dealt out groceries, measured off 
dry-goods, sold shoes, and otherwise administered 
to the wants of his customers. When a cabin was 
to be erected, the entire neighborhood would as- 
semble .hnd .assist the newcomer in making a home. 
Tlie peoi>le lived for one another, and the com- 
mand "Love thy neiglibor" was fully carried out. 
Each sliared with the other the joys and sor- 
rows, the pleasures and [lains, and the feeling of 
goodwill pervaded the entire community. But two 
of tlie old neighbors are now left to tell the story 
of pioneer life when Rock County was situated on 
the Western frontier. The red man had not yet 
left his haunts at the time of the coming of Mr. 
Kulen, and he settled in the midst of their old 
hunting grounds. The beautiful Lake Koshkonoug, 
situated within a half mile of his home, was one 
of their favorite resorts, and when they were com- 
pelled to leave for the reservation beyond the Mis- 
sissippi, the night was made hideous by their wild 
yells. The religions services of the Seventh Day 
Baptist Church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Buten 
are devoted members, were, in those early days, 
held in the liarns of tlie settlers, where all congre- 
gated each Sabbath. To the noble band of pioneer 
men ami women who left comfortable homes in the 
Kast and settled on the Western frontier, enduring 
trials and hardshii)s of which nothing is known by 
the vouth of the present generation, all credit is 
due, and to them Ihe country owes a debt of grati- 
tude which can never be repaid. No praise is too 
"reat for them, yet words fail us in our efforts to 
express our admiration of their self-sscrificing and 
noble lives. In his early years Mr. Buten cast his 
ballot with the Whig party and voted for William 



Henry Harrison, the hero of Tippecanoe, at whose 
death the couutiy was draped in emblems of grief 
for thirty ilays. When the Re|)ub]ican jjarty sprang 
into existence, he joined the ranks of that great 
organization, and deposited his last ballot up to the 
present time, for the Hon. Benjamin Harrison, the 
illustrious grandson of that old hero. 



#^ 



ip^ SPENCER SNYDER, deceased, was one of 
^^^^ the honored pioneers of this county, and a 
111// ))) valued and worthy citizen. He was born 
in I'ennsylvania, Nov. 14, 1811, and was 
the eldest of thirteen children born to John and 
Sarah (Bowman) Snyder, but onlj' four of that once 
numerous family are now living. Caroline, the 
second child who resides in New York, married 
Stephen Bennett, and to them were born five chil- 
dren, three of whom are living; Lucy, now de- 
ceased, was the wife of .loseph Ennis, to whom 
were born eleven cliiklren, five yet living; Sarah 
is the widow of Alfred Barkley, by whom she 
had eight children; Ira, who resides in Albany, 
N. Y.. was married, his wife being Miss Elizabeth 
Scoutin; Alfred F., who is a resident of Albany, 
N. Y.. married Sar.ah Scoutin, their union being 
blessed with seven children, all of whom are liv- 
ing; Harriet, who lives in Pennsylvania, wedded 
George Kimliall. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
State, and continued to make his home in the E.ast 
until 1848, when he emigrated to Wisconsin, set- 
tling on a farm on section 28, in the town of Cen- 
ter. The farm comprised eighty acres of land, and 
to that he added another ten acres. It w.is almost 
wholly unimproved, but in the course of time, the 
land was all developed. After residing upon the 
farm for eight years, he left Rock County in 185(), 
and went to Kansas, locating near Hiawatha, but a 
six months' residence in that State convinced him 
that he would rather make his home in this county, 
and returning he took up his residence in Footville. 
For about three years he conducted a hotel in that 
town and continued there to make his home for the 
long period of thirty two ye.ars. 

On the 3d day of November. 1837. Mr. .snyder 



r 



J^ 



Ji 



G98 



ROCK COUNTY. 



n' 



was united in the holy bonds of matrimonj' with 
Miss Mary Margaret, a ilaugliter of Nicholas and 
Margaret ( Lynn) Silverthorn. Tlic family of which 
she was a member, numbered twelve chihlren, six 
of whom are living — Sarah, the eldest, became the 
wife of Benjamin Plotts; John is now deceased, 
leaving a widow whose maiden name was Catherine 
llaiikson, and one child; Oliver, who resides in 
Iowa, married Anna Kishpaw, and to them has 
been born fourteen children; Joseph, who is now 
deceased, w:w tlie husband of Jano Dougherty, by 
whom he had one <hild;Mary Margaret, wife of 
i)ur sul)ject, was the fifth of the family', and was 
born May N, 1817; Louis, who wedded Berthena 
Stailey, is living in Patterson, Wis.; Daniel, who is 
euiraged in farming in the town of Center, Rock 
Couiilv. married Martha Huston, and to them have 
l)eeii born a family of eleven children, all yet liv- 
ing; .leliilo. who is also engaged in farming in 
Center Township, is the husband of Helen Gooch. 
llu'ir union having been blessed with live children, 
four of whom are living; Nicholas Finle3-, who 
married Kale Royar, by whom he has seven chil- 
dren, four living, is a resident farmer of Center 
Townsliip; Lemuel wedded Mary Trower, and re- 
sides in Charlestown, 111.; one child died in infancj-. 
The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder was 
completed by the liirth of thirteen children, nine 
of whom are living — Sarah, born Jan. 24, 1838. 
died August 2, 184 1 ; John, bora March !>. 183;». 
(lic<l on the 22nd day of March following; J.- L., 
born March 17, 1841, married Anna Mason, and 
enlisted in the service of his country, receiving a 
wound while in the army, from which he died at 
Washington, June ll>. 1864; Ira, born Aug. 29, 
1842, was joined in wedlock with Sarah Jane 
Brown, by whom \w had four children, and after 
lier death Cena Lick became his wife, five children 
having been born unto them. He is now living 
with his family in Mower Count}', Minn.; Benja- 
min, born Sept. r.i, 1844, has two children b}' his 
marriage with Christi.ana Moore, both of whom are 
living, and makes his home in Union County, 
Iowa; William, who was born June 25, 1846, and 
is a resident of Mower County, Minn., was united 
in marriage vvith Roselta Fuller, and live children 
were born to them, but only three is now living; 

4» 



Nicholas, born Sept. 22, 1847, are also living in 
Mower Count}', and wedded Josephine Begore, by 
wliom he has three children, all yet living; Cynthia, 
born Oct. 7, 1849, is the wiff of Samuel Wilcox, a 
resident of Lawrence, K.an., and to them have been 
born five children, but four have p.assedaway; An- 
drew, born Feb. 10, 18jl,is operating the home 
farm; Lemuel, born Jan. 28, 18r);5, died on the 8tli 
day of February. 1864; Alfred, born Oct. 24, 18.51. 
is engaged in the practice of me<licine in Chicago, 
having gr.aduatcd from Rush Medical College, and 
h.as one child by his marriage with Miss Laura 
Booth; George, born Aug. 20, 18.58, was educated 
in Whitewater. Wis., .and is now teaching; Adda 
Janette, who completes the famil}', was horn on the 
27th day of April, 1860, and is the wife of William 
Cor}', a resident of Center Township, by whom she 
has had three children, two yet living. Five sons 
of the family were numbered among the boys in 
blue, and John g-ave up his life in defense of the 
cause of freedom. Ira, Benjamin. William and 
Nicholas enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment as musi- 
cians, all. with the exception of William iemain- 
ing in the service for four years, while he was 
numbered among the defenders of his country for 
three j'eai-s. 

Spencer Snyder, the father of this family de- 
parted this life Nov. 1, 1869. He w.as born, mar- 
ried and died in the niontli of November. His life 
was one of industry, and an u|)right, honorable 
course marked all his actions whether in liusiness 
or social relations. On starting out in life he was 
in limited circumstances, dependent upon his own 
resources for a livelihood, but bj' hard labor, good 
management, enterprise anil the assistance of his 
estimable wife, who was truly a helpmate to liim, 
he gained a comfortable com])etence. His death 
proved not alone a loss to his immediate family but 
was mourned by man}' friends who held him in the 
highest regard. He alw.ays took a deep interest in 
the welfare of the community where he resided, 
was prominent in the promotion of its enterprises, 
and in political sentiment, w.is a warm supporter of 
the Democratic party. 

Andrew Snyder, who is now the owner of the 
old homestead, is a leading farmer of Plymouth 
Township, and is extensively engaged in the breed- 



n 



u 



ROCK COUNTY. 



699 



iiijj of I)iiili:iiii cnltic, liaviiii;- cnrrioil on liusiness 
in that line for about ten years. Unlike his father, 
lie is a staunch sii|)i)orter of the Hcpiihlioan party, 
having cast his first presitiential vote for Ruther- 
ford r>. Hayes. .Socially, he is a menilier of the 
Masonic I'"raternity. haviiiu iielonged to Kootville 
Lo.lge, No. 137, A. F. & A. ]M. since 1882. His 
aged mother resides with him on the old homestead. 
She is a ilevoted menihei- of the Christian Church 
and is beloved by all who know her. 



^■"^f"^^' 




NDREW WKRllKR, a representative cit- 
i/.en. and progressive farmer, residing on 
sections 10 and 17, Johnstown 'lownsliip, 
is a native of Germany, born on the l.'3th 
day of March, 1818. He was reared to manlioO'l 
in his native land, but when thirty-four yeais of 
age, thinking to better his condition by removing 
to Ameriia. lie bade good-bj'e to his home and 
friends and on the 22d ilay of February, 18.52, 
hoarded a vessel bound for Xcw York. The voy- 
age was a long and tedious one, lasting thirteen 
weeks, but at length he reached his destination, on 
the nth day of .lune. Immediately after his arri- 
val he came to the ^Vest, and for two months was 
employed in a brickyard at .Milwaukee. Tliesue- 
eeeding two months he spent in railroading in the 
employ of the North-western Railroad Company, 
and on the 2('>tli <lay of December, 1852, he came 
to Rock County. His first employment in this 
county was at farm labor, working for Calvin Cary, 
a residi-nt of .lohntown Township, with whom he 
remained three years. In the spring of 18').') he 
entered the employ of Mr. liingham, a farmer of 
Harmony Township, with whom he worked six 
months. speiKling the succeeding winter in the 
home of Mr. Cary. In the s()ring of 185(),hc was 
engaged as a farm laborer by Peter Van Ortrand, 
■vitli whom he remained four months. 

In the fall of 18.')7, Mr. Webber was united in mar- 
riage in Rock County, with Miss Mary Kuisjiel, a 
daughter of ( ieorge and Mary (.ShelderjKuispel. Ky 
tlieir union a family of twelve children have been 
liorn. ten of whom are yet living — Ernest, born 
April II. 18."i7, is now living in Michigan; Mary, 



born March 5, 1859, is the wife of Frank Urban, 
a resident farmer of La I'rairie Towiifhip; Georse, 
born Jan. 12. 1801, died in childhood; f:dward, 
born Nov. H>, I8(;2. was united in niaiiiage Dec. 
8, 1888, with Miss Uertlia .Schentzow, and is now 
operating the home farm; Julius, born July I i». 
1864, is in the employ of a lumber company in 
Michigan; I'owell. twin brother of Julius, died 
when nine months old; Frank, born March 21), 18(;(;, 
is with his brother in Michigan; Caroline, born Jan. 
26, 1868, is living in Janesville; .John, born Sept. 
23. 1869, is at home; Emma, born Jan. 23, 1872, 
Charles. Jan. 23, 1875, and Clarence, May 7. 1878, 
are still at home with their parents. 

After their marriage Mr. Webber and his young 
bride began their domestic life upon a farm rented 
of Harris .lanes, working the land on the shares. 
The folhnving season ho operated the farm of Mr. 
Teetsliorii. and in 1 866 engaged in cultivating a 
farm which he rented of Eb. Hiirton. The follow- 
ing autumn he made his llrst purchase of land, con- 
sisting of a tract of fifty .acres, uiion which he 
resided for six years, when he became the owner of 
I his present farm of 225 acres of land on sections 
16 and 1 7, Johnstown Township. Ills Land is un- 
I der a high state of cultivation, and many use- 
I fill and beautiful improvements have been made, 
I placing the f.iini on a par with any in the townshi|). 
He eng.ages ipiite extensively in stock-raising, and 
h.as done much toward advancing the grade of 
stock in Rock County. Politically. Mr. Webber 
i affiliates with the Democratic party, and for sev- 
eral years has held the ollice of Ro.ad Su])ervisor. 
lie is well known throughout the community in 
wliicli he resides, and is held in the highest es- 
teem by his many friends as a valued and worthy 
citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Webber arc members of the 
(ierman l-utheran Church. 



\I? UCIUS HUiniARD I'AtiE, one of the 
I (^ leading farmers of the town of Fulton, re- 
jl'-%, sifling on section 17, w:is born on the I 1th 
day of October, 1815, in Baltimore, Windsor Co., 
Vt., and is a son of Hon. Benjamin an<l Hiildah 
(Cheney) P.age, the former a native of Mass.aihu- 



r= 



i 



M^ 



^*HM 



700 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



setts and the latter of the Green Mountain Slate 
By trade, Benjamin Page was a stonemason, but in 
connection with that occupation he also followed 
farming. He was a man of prominence and in- 
fluence in the community where he resided, and J 
was honored by his fellow citizens, being thrice j 
elected to the Oeneral Assembly of Vermont, where 
he discharged his duties with credit to himself and 
to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He 
was a supjwrter of the Whig party. Mrs. Page 
was a member of the Baptist Church and was ear- 
nestly devoted to the service of the Master. 

The family of this worthy couple numbered nine 
children, five of whom have passed away — Lorinda 
and Asa are now deceased; Caroline is a resident^ 
of X'ormont; Eliza makes her home in Minneapo- 
lis; Martlia is living in Nebraska; Huldah and 
Benjamin have departed this life; Lucius is the ; 
next in order of birth; and Kmery II. is also de- ! 
ceased. The father passed to his final rest Nov. 
17, 1840 and was interred in the cemetery at North 
Springfield. Vt. His excellent wife survived him 
manv years. After the death of her husband she 
resided with her son Benjamin in the Green Moun- 
tain State until 1848, when she came to Wisconsin 
and made her home with her children until lier 
death. Slu: now lies sleeping in the cemetery at 
Union, Rock County. 

Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon schools of his native State, and resided under 
the parental roof until twenty-one years of .age, 
when he started out to fight life's battle for him- 
self. He began liis business career as a farm hand, 
workinii' by the month in that capacity' until Sep. 
7, 1843, when he resolved to try his fortune in 
Wisconsin aiiil left his eastern home. At lenntli 
arriving at .Janesville, then a sm.all village with but i 
few inhabitants, he looked about him for a desirable 
location and selected land in Fulton township, I 
where he purcliased 1 60 acres. The land was in | 
its primitive condition; not a furrow had been j 
turned, a fence built, or an improvement made. 
Erecting a small frame house, he at once began 
breaking the land and planting crops, and in the 
course of time reaped an abundant harvest. 

Mr. Page carried on operations alone for six or 
seven years, when, tiring of ids baclu'lor quarters. 

^ —^ 



he chose for himself a companion in the person of 
Miss Lucinda W. Williams, a native of Vermont 
.and a daughter of Joseph and Polly (Shorwin) 
Williams. Their wedding was celebrated M.iv ',t. 
1850, and unto them have been born four children, 
three of whom are yet living — .\lice Lucinda, 
born Jan. 20, 1853. is now the wife of Arthur 
Miller, who resides in Crookston. Minn.; Helen 
is now deceased; Lucia K., born Nov. 12, 1861, is 
still at home; and Charles Fremont, born Se|). 12. 
1863, is living in Crookston, Minn. The children 
have all received educational advantages, two of 
them having graduate I — one from Milton and the 
other from Beloit Cnliege, and are now respected 
men and women. 

Mr. P.age begin life in limited circumstances 
but by his determined energy and perseverance 
has steadily worked his way upward to a |)osilion 
of ease and attluencc. His fine farm now com- 
prises 308 acres, whicli i)ays tribute to his care and 
cultivation and upon which m.ay be found all the 
latest improved machinery and a fine grade of 
stock, together with birns and outbuildings which 
are models of convenience. In the spring of 1858, 
the little frame <1 welling, their shelter during the 
hardships and trials of pioneer days, was roi)laced 
by a large and commodious two story brick resi- 
dence, one of the finest homes in the town of 
Fulton, where good cheer abounds and hospitality 
reigns supreme. Mr. Page is a Repid>lican, having 
supported the princi|)les of that party since its 
organization, and has held v.-irious local offices, in- 
cluding that of road commissioner, town clerk, 
assessor and treasurer, and was chairman of the 
board of supervisors for two or three years. In 
1848 he was elected to llie State Legislature and 
while a member of the House discharged his duties 
with such fidelity and promptness that he won the 
approval of even his political enemies. He h.is 
been very liberal in the support of all public en- 
terprises and since 1843 has I)een prominentlv 
identified with the history of Rock County. Mrs. 
Page is a member of the Congregational Church 
at Fulton and Lakes an active part in the work of 
that organization. Although he is not .•ussf)ci:iled 
with any religious body, Mr. P.-ige adheres to the 
Baptist faith; he has ever lived . 'in honorable and 



^^- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



701 



iipriijlit life uiid is held in the wai'mcst regard by 
his large circli' of friends and acqiiaintances. His 



a small way. rentinj^ an old house on 36th street, 
and Imildiiig a kiln, his wife doini; the decoratino-. 



sketch deservi's an honored place in the history of After many trials and failures, he finally succeeded 
In's adopted county, where he has so lonjj; made his in iirodnciny a creditalile style of decorated ware 

which he placed upon the market. This ji^aineil 
quite a reputation as the I'aurine Ware. As his 
sales increased, he increased his facilities. employin<>- 
a larger force and liuilt up a g(j()(l trade. While 
residing in Chicago, his attention was called to 
clay found at Edgerton. and several samples were 
sent to him, with which he experimented. Kindino- 
it specially suited to his purpose, he came to Kd- 
gcrton to see about making arrangements for pro- 
curing the clay for his work, and after consideiable 
correspondence, the citizens of the town in<hiced 
him to move his factory to that place. A stock 
conii)any was organized on the 1st day of January. 
1888, under the name of the Pauline Pottery Com- 
pany, with the following officers: E. W. IJ.-ib- 
cock. President; Charles F. .^labbet, Vice-President; 
Thomas Ilutson. Treasurer; and Mr. Jacobus. .Sec- 
retary and Superintendent. lie removed with his 
family to Edgerton in March, IH.SH, and at once 
began erecting the plant. The first kiln was burnt 
in July, 1888. and since that time operations have 
been carried ste.adily forw.ard. Although the fac- 
tory is in its infancy, it is ste.adily gaining a re|ni- 
tation, which in a few years will make it one of the 
largest and leading establishments of its kind in 
the country. The ware that is manufactured is 
principally ornamental and is decorated in glazed 
colors. Porous cups for electric batteries, used in 
i telei)hone work, arc also manufactured, the cl;iy 



home. 



^SCAl! 1. JACOP.US, one of the prominent 
business men of Rock County, and the pres- 
ent secretary and superintendent of the 
Pauline Pottery Company, of Edgerton, was born 
in New York City, July 4, 1840. and is a son of 
D.'ivid and Eliza (Mason) Jacobus, the former a 
native of New .Icrsey, and the latter of New York. 
The father w.as a caliinet maker by trade, which 
occupation he followed throughout his life, lie 
spent his later years in the city of Chicago, where 
he engaged quite extensively in the manuf.acture 
of furniture, and became -well known throughout 
the leading business circles of the West. The pro- 
duct of his establishment gained a wide reputation 
and his or<lers were received froTii all over the 
country. 

There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Jacobus. Both were members of the First Baptist 
Church of Chicago, in which the former filled the 
oHii'c of Deacon for m.auy years. The wife was 
called to her final rest in l.s^'J.anil was interred in 
Rose Hill Cemetery in Chicago. Mr. .lacobus died 
in the same city in 188G, and was laid to rest by 
the side of the loved one gone before. Soci.'dly. 
he was an Odd Fellow, and i)olitically, a Republi- 
can. 



The education of our subject was received in 1 found in the neighborhood being peculiarly adop 



the common schools, and when completed he en- 
tered the furniture establishment of his father with 
whom he remained until the age of eighteen years, 
when he engaged in the grain commission business 
in Chicago. After three years spent in that line, 
he went into the jobbing cutlery business, which he 
followed with good success until the great Chicago 
lire, when with hundreds of others, he lost ever}-- 
thing and had to begin anew. He soon secured 
emplo^'ment as book-keeper for J. H. Lyon it Co., 
the Hoard of Trade firm, with whom he continued 
until he began experimenting in the line of deco- 
rated jiottery ware in 188."i. lie began business in 



>- ■ 4 l 



r 



ted to the construction of that kind of ware. Mr. 
J.acobus is a man of sterling worth, possessing 
good business ability and foresight, and mider his 
able management the factory is rapiill^- gainini; a 
position among the leading industries of the State 
of which the citizens of Edgerton and Rock County 
may well be proud. The force employed numbers 
about twenty-five men. 

On the 13th day of December, 18(;i. Mr. Jaco- 
bus was united in marriage with Miss Pauline Hog- 
ert, and unto them have been born two children — 
Allen D.. who was born May 2. 1803, and is now 
foreman of the I'auline Pottery Company: and 



i. 



-•»• 



702 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



Jennie P., who was boru Jan. 4, ISGit, and is now 
tlie wife of John P. P. Coon, junior partner of the 
firm of A. 8. Flagg & Co., hardware dealers of Edger- 
ton. I'loth cliililren received the advantage of a lib- 
eral (•(lucalion, while residing in Chicago. Altliough 
having dwelt here for little more than a year, Mr. 
Jacobus and his family hold a high position in so- 
cial circles and are greatly esteemed by all who 
know them. Mrs. Jacobus, who is a most estima- 
ble lady, is a member of the Baptist Church. Hu- 
eiall}', our subject is a member of the Blue Lodge 
of Masonry at Edgerton, and also belongs to Chi- 
cago Chapter, R. A. M.; Chevalier Ba^'ard Com- 
mandery, K. T.; Oriental Consistory and Medina 
Temple. N. M. 8.; and Orion Lodge, K. P., of Ed- 
gerton. He takes great interest In civic societies, 
and is a worthy member. Politically, he is a Re- 
pul)liean, having supjiorled thai party since casting 
his first Presidential ballot for Abraiiam Lincoln 
in IHfil. I'ublic spirited and progressive. Mr. Ja- 
cobus is a leading citizen of the community in 
which lie resides and has gained a prdiiiiucnt posi- 
tion among the business men of the town. We 
are [ileased to record his sketch in the permanent 
history of Rock County and its repiesentative 
citizens. 

\ftii, R. JAMES E. COAKLEY, wlio is engaged 
in the i)ractice of the medical profession 
in Milton Junction, and is one of the most 
po|)ulai' citizens of that jileasant little vil- 
lage, was born in Madison County, N. Y.. on the 
Dth ilay of October. 1839, and is a son of .lohn and 
Katie Coakley. Ills early life was spent under 
the parental roof, and in his native State he re- 
ceived a liberal education. He pursiu'd the rudi- 
mentary branches in the common schools, after 
which he took a two years' course in the New 
York Central College, at Mc(irawville, Cortland 
County. He also graduated at the Janesville 
Commercial College at the age of eighteen years. At 
the age of seventeen years, leaving his home in 
the East, he emigrated in company with two other 
young men to Wisconsin, locating in Rock County. 
For some time he followed the [irofession of teach- 
int;. being cniployid in that line in Lima Center 




and v.arious district schools, and for two years 
served as superintendent in Walworth County. 
Wishing to make the practice of medicine his life 
work, he entered the office of Drs. Clark and Rice, 
leading physcians of Whitewater, under whom lie 
pursued his studies for a few months. The same 
3'ear, 1860, he entered Rush Medical College of 
Chicago, but about this time the counlr}' was 
threatened with a civil war. When Ft. Sumter 
was fired upon and the echoes of its guns went 
thundeHng over the land, awakening the slumber- 
iug patriotism in the breasts of Northern citizens, 
and President Lincoln issued his call for volunteers 
to put down the rebellion, he could not longer con- 
fine his attention to his studies, and in the spring 
of 1861, enlisted among the Boi'S in Blue of the 
13th Wisconsin Infantry. He was appointed to 
the position of steward in the hospital and remained 
with his regimeut until 1863, when he was dis- 
cliarged from the service an<l again entered college. 
He completed his studies the following spring and 
was graduated in the class of 1864. After leaving 
the school room, he once more entered the service 
and was commissioned First Assistant Surgeon of 
the ■22d Wisconsin Infantry and served unlil the 
close of the war, when he w;is mustered out. 

After the c'essation of hostilities. Dr. CV)akley 
returned to Rock County and entered upon the 
practice of his profession in Milton Juction. where 
he has been engaged continuously since. I"\)r 
twenty-lluce j'ears he has been numbered among 
the |)hysiciiuis of Rock County, and has gained a 
prominent position in the i-anks of his professional 
brethren. His practice is (juite extensive, extend- 
ing over a wide circuit, ancl no matter what the 
weather, be it fair or foul, he respoiuls to the calls 
made upon him. 

In 186/), the Doctor was united in marriage 
with Miss Amelia Wooster, and unto them >vere 
born two children, one of whom, a little daughter, 
is now deceaseil. Lyman Wyllis. who wjis born 
Aug 25, 1874. is now attending school. In his 
social relations, Dr. Coakley is a member of the 
G. A. R. Post of Milton Junction, to which he has 
belonged for six j'ears. niid for ten ye;)rs has 
held menibciship in the Odd Fillows' Soiii'tv. .'ukI 
is also a nieiiiber of the .Mnsoiiic Order. lb- feels 
^-^-— a^ 



A- 








3*- 






4- 



UUCK COUNTY. 



705 ,\ 



+ 



ail interest in political affairs and is a staunch sup- 
|iorter of tlie Reinihlicaii party. The cause of ed- 
ucation liiuls in the Doctor a warm friend, whose 
aid is always ready and whose inthience is ever 
tfiveii to the advancement of its interests. A lover 
of fine horses, lie has given considerable attention 
lo their breeding, and is now the owner of several 
horses of value. He is one of the most energetic 
and prt>gressive citizens of Milton Junction, alive 
to every enterprise which is calculated to be of 
public benefit, and nunc are held in higher regard 
than the Doctor, who is iiuiubered among the early 
settlers of Rock County, having for a third of a 
century made his home within its borders. 

** *' ^ * ! ' |f ' i * ^ '* «•» - 

A WILLIAM TAYLOR MORGAN, deceased, 
\^f/ was born in Weston, Vt., Fob. 8, 1812. and 
V^^ was a son of Isaac Morgan. There were 
four sons in his father's family. Sumner; Isaac P., 
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; 
Thomas ; and William T., our subject. Thom.as was 
born in Weston, Vt., Nov. 20, 1809, ami mairied 
Miss Deborah W. Sowle. He was killed bj' a fall 
from his buggy, at Manchester, Mich., in June, 
1.S77. and is survived by a widow .■ind one of their 
live children — Caroline, wife of Mark Wallace, a 
resident of M.'inchester. 

In early life William Morgan learned the shoe- 
maker's trade, and when nineteen years of age 
joined his lirother Thomas in the slioemaking busi- 
ness at Allen's Hill, N. Y. In 18.'55 be came to 
the West, locating at Manchester, Mich., where in 
that year he was united in marriage with Miss 
Abbe}- A. Sowle, who was born in Chenango 
County, N. \ ., and is a daughter of James and 
Abbey (Dillingham) Siswle; the former a native of 
Dutchess County, and the latter of Saratoga 
Springs. N. Y. While residing at Manchester Mr. 
Morgan engaged in the mercantile business, remov- 
ing from that city in 1842, when he settled in Mil- 
ton village, Rock County. Two ^ears subse(|ueiit 
to that time he built the Dii Lac Hotel, which he 
conducted for several years, and in IS()1 erected 
the Morgan House, at Milton Junction. The same 
year he purchased a half interest in the villaire plat, 

^•— 



in connection with his brother. Is.nac P. Morgan. 
For ten years, in partnership with his brother 
Thomas, he conducted the Morgan House, but on 
Christmas Kve of 1876, it was burned to the 
ground, and Thomas returned to Michigan. Re- 
building the hotel he sohl li.alf an interest to his 
son-in-law, John C. Stetson, but subseqiientlj' re- 
purch.ased it. He then leased the hotel for several 
years, while he himself engagc<l in farming in Mil- 
ton Township. 

On the 5th day of March, 1888, Mr. IMorgan de- 
parted this life, and he was mourned by the entire 
comnuinit\- as a worthy and valued citizen, whose 
plain and unassuming manner, and upright life won 
all hearts. For twelve years he was Postmaster at 
Milton, and was appointed to the same position at 
ISlilton Junction, b}- President Cleveland, about 
two years before his death. He was an uncompro- 
mising Democrat, and being in a strongly Repub- 
lican community, was conseiiuently never called 
upon to lill local elective oflices. While residing 
in Michigan he united with the Close Coinmunion 
Baptist Church, and adliere<l to the faith of that 
denomination the remainder of his life. He is still 
survived by his widow, but their only daughter, 
the wife of John C. Stetson, an attorney-at-law, of 
Chicago, is deceased. Two bright and interesting 
granddaughters are the only descendants left to 
comfort Mrs. Morgan in her bereavement. See 
[xirtrait on another page. 



-^ii^<^^^' 




ILBERT N. WILLLS, who resides in Clinton, 
has for the long period of forty-five years 
been numbered among the citizens of this 
county, and has shared in the trials and dilliculties 
which come t(j all those who make homes on the 
frontier, but to such men all honor is due, for they 
laid the foundation of the present i)ros|)erous con- 
dition of this great coinmonwealih. Jlr. Willis was 
born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., on the 28th of 
February, 1813, and is a son of William W. and 
Hetse}- (Hoyt) Willis; the former a native of 
Nova Scotia, and the latter of Connecticut. In his 
childhood days William W. Willis emigrateil with 
bis mother to New York, settling in the Mohawk 



_ «► ■ ^* 



•4^ 

1 706 



ROCK COUNTY. 




Valley, wliore he grew to manhoofl. Betsey Hoyt 
went to Scipio, N. Y., wlien Ji young woniiin. and 
there liecune acquainted with Mr. Willis, and they 
were married about 1811, in C.iyiiga County, anil 
their union was I)lessed witii sixcliildrpn: Cornelia, 
who is now the wife of D. .M. Tallman. of ( llnton; 
Eliza married TruniMn Shepherd, and both died in 
this eounty; Lewis H. is a resi<lent of Delavan. 
Wis.; Hannah died In ('Union : Il.'uriet departed 
this life In Wyoming County, N. V. In 1814. ac- 
companied by liis family. Mr. Willis emigrated to 
Wisconsin, .settling in Rock County, but was only 
permitted to enjoy his home for a short time, as his 
death occurred the following year. His wife sur- 
vived her husband until 18(58, when she too passed 
away. 

The subject of our sketch receive<l a liberal e<lu- 
cation in the common schools, and obtaining a cer- 
tificate, followed the profession of teaching several 
terms. He was married In the year 18;55. Miss 
Lovisa Tallman becoming his wife. Into them 
were born four children, two of whom are living: 
Cornelia, now the wife of licnjamln Hasseller. a resi- 
dent of Delavan; and Harriet, wife of Cliarles 
Hoidsworth, of Chicago. 111. The de;ith of the 
mother occurred In 18.")(!, and Mr. ^Villis afterw.ard 
married Josephine .Spencer, by wlmni he had one 
child — Spencer W., who is now in San Fiancisco, 
Cal., and Is a painter by trade. 

In 181 I. at the same time of the removal of his 
parents to ^\■isconsln, our subject cime with iiis 
family, locating on a portion of land wliicli is now 
comprised in the village plat of Clinton, lie pur- 
chaseil tlie same of Stephen Pearly, who made a 
claim the year previous, and Imniccliately turned 
his attention to its cultivation and dcvelojjment, 
transforming the wild prairie, which was then in Its 
primitive condition, into a rich ami fertile farm. 
Practical and progressive he has been vei-y suc- 
cessful in his business pursuits, and to his own 
efforts m.ay be accredited his successes. Since 
187G he lijis cast his liallol with the Prohibition 
party, and Is a warm and earnest defender of that 
organization. Mr. Willis has lived to see many 
changes in the great Northwest, which at the time 
of his arrival in Wisconsin, was an almost unset- 
tled wilderness. He has seen It.s prairies trans- 




formed into beautiful homes and farms; towns and 
villages have sprung up as If by magic, countless 
manufactories have been introduced, a perfect net- 
work of raihx)ads crosses and recrosses the county, 
and the telegraph and the telephone enable us to 
send a message or converse with one miles away. 
From the earliest d.ay of Its history Mr. Willis has 
been identified with the growth and i>rogress of 
Rock Covinty. and has been prominent in the pro- 
motion of its public enterprises. He is well-known 
throughout the community, and is a representative 
and valued citizen of Clinton. See portrait on 
another page. 



^EORGE H. HUTTS. an enterprising and 
respected farmer, residing on section 28, 
\\V JJI town of Milton, was born In this county on 
the 2.3d day of July. 185(1. and Is a son of Stephen 
U. and Rebecca (Decatur) lUitts, who were natives 
of Pennsylvania. The father made his lirst visit 
to the Territory of Wisconsin In 1836, with the 
view of selecting a location. After traveling o\cr 
the State for some time, being ple.ased with the 
land, climate and future pros|)ects of Southern 
Wisconsin, In 18;56 he located a claim on what Is 
now the town of Milton, Rock County. .Vfter 
making a selection he returnctl to his home In 
Stroudsburg, Pa., where the lady of his choice. 
Miss Reliecca Miller, was awaiting his return, and 
on the 4th day of October, 1!^.'58, they weie united 
In the holy bonds of matrimony. The bridal tour 
of the young cou|)le consisted of a trip to the far 
Westt-rn home whii^h he had selected, and here In a 
little log cabin on the frontier they began their 
domestic life. To Stephen D. Hutts is accredited 
the honor of having turned the first furrow in the 
town of Milton, and for years he was prominently 
identified with the leading interests of the com- 
munity. In that little home his children, nine In 
number, were all born. The three eldest, Mary, 
John and Ilainiah. are deceased; .\nna is now the 
wife of Frank Fletcher, a grain dealer, residing in 
Columbia. Dak.; (ieorge H., of this sketch, was 
the next in onler of birth; Austin is a practicing 
attorney in Springfield, Mo.; Charles is now de 



-f 



J^ 



UOCK COUNTY, 



-•►■ 
707 



ceast'd; Hattic is now tlie wifo of Daviil Horn, a 
prominent attornej' and banker of Clear Lake, 
Iowa, and Martha, the j-oungest, has also departed 
lliis life. 

I'lilillf-gpiiiteil and i)rogrossive, Stepiion I). Butts 
was a leading citizen of Rock County, and was al- 
ways round in the foremost ranks in any enter- 
prise calculated to he of public benefit. In the 
advancement of the edncatidual. social and moral 
interests of the community he took a i)roininent 
part, and his name is in.-ieparable from the farming 
records of the town of Milton. He and his wife 
are earnest Christian people, devout and consist- 
ent, and for many years were communicants of the 
Congregational Church of Kast Milton. Their up- 
right lives won them the confidence of all; their 
deeds of charity and their kind and benevolent 
ads caused them to be the recipients of man3' a 
blessing and heartfelt thanks from those upon 
whom they Inivo bestowed their bounty. On com- 
ing to this county their capital was indeed small, 
consisting largely of willing hearts and strong 
hands and a determination to make for themselves 
a home. The success which crowned their efforts 
and the prosperity which has followed them through 
life are due alone to their great industry, their en- 
ergy, perseverance and ability. From the wild 
and uncultivated prairie thev developed one of the 
finest farms in the county, upon which they erected 
a be.autiful brick residence, where they made their 
home until 1887, when they removed to Clear 
Lake, Iowa. There we find them on the -1th day 
of October, 1888, surrounded by their children and 
grandchildren, who have gathered to celebrate the 
golden wedding of that worthy couple. For fifty 
ye.irs they bad traveled life's ;ourney together, 
sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its 
pleasures and its pains, and now a happy company 
had assembled in commemoration of the day when 
they had promised at the marri.nge altar to take 
each other for l)eller or for worse. The daj- w.as 
passed amid congratulations and g<jod cheer, and 
many line presents were given to them in token of 
the love and esteem in which the}' are held. It 
w!is a day never to be forgotten by the four chil- 
dren, four grandchildren and many friends there 
assembled. ThouLjh Mr. and .Mrs. Butt.s arc no 



1= 



more residents of Rock County, their friends are 
many in this community, and we join with them in 
the wish that their lives may be spared for many 
years to come. 

The primary education of our subject wiis re- 
ceived in the common district schools of Rock 
County. He afterwards attended Appleton and 
Milton Colleges. He was reared to manhood upon 
his father's farm, and on the old homestead where 
his childhood d.ays were p.a.ssed his entire life has 
been spent, with the exception of two years, 187(j 
and 1877. when he rented a farm belonging to his 
father in Union Township. He later purchased 
seventy acres comprised in the old home farm, and 
afterwards became the owner of the remaining 1 ."iO 
.acres, his entire farm comprising 200 acres of fine, 
valuable land. He has inherited from his f.ather 
those characteristics necessarj' to success — energy 
and enterprise, which, combined with good busi- 
ness ability and sound judgment, ra.ake him one of 
the leading farmers of the comunity. His home, 
with its entire surroundings, indicates thrift and re- 
finement, .and neatness and regularity everywhere 
aboimd. 

Mr. Butts was united in marriage with Miss 
Elizabeth McKwan, a daughter of William Mc- 
Kwan. whose sketch will be found on another page 
of this work. Three children were born unto 
them — William 1)., who was a bright and promising 
lad, was drowned in the Rock River at the age of 
eight years; Addie M. and Nellie, the two younger 
children, are yet at home. In 1881 Mr. Butts was 
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who 
died on the 1st day of March of that year. .She 
was a kind and devoted wife .and mother, and a 
faithful and consistent member of the Methodist 
Kpiscop.al Church, one whose life was in perfect 
harmou}' with her professions. On the 2d d.ay of 
April, 1885. he was again married, his union being 
with Mrs. Amanda Adair, nee Winston, widow of 
Norris W. Adair and daughter of Reuben Win- 
ston, of Evansville. She hail two children by her 
former marriage, sons. Ralph and Herm.an. .She is 
a member of the Congregational Church and a 
lady highly beloved for her many excellent trails 
of character. 

Oeorge H. Butts is nuinbcrcd among Rock 






4. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



County's l)est citizens. lie is ever rc.iriy to re- 
spond to the c.ills in.ide n|)on iiini for aid to assist 
in tlie promotion of public enterprises, lias con- 
trihutiMl liljerally to all social. e<luc.iti(>nal and 
and moral interests, and has been identified with 
tlie history of the county for many long years. 
Socially he is a member of the Patrons of Indus- 
dustry. Kor man}' years he atliliated with the 
Rep\ililican party, believing that through that or- 
ganization the most good would be accomplished 
for the greatest number of jieople. but of late 
years, thinking that the su])pressioii of the licpior 
trafiic has become the first question of importance, 
he lias joined forces with the I'loliibilionists. As a 
valued and worth}' citizen, and representative of 
one of the honored pioneer families of tlie county, 
his sketch deserves a proniinent place in this vol- 
ume, and it is with pleasure that we record this 
brief outline of his life's work. 



-^ 



•5- 



*¥^ 



1^^ KV. E. M. CRAXDALL, pastor of the 
]lt=r^ Seventh Day Adventists (luircli. of Milton 
;4i W, .lunction, Wis., is a native of New York, 
\^ born Nov. 27, 1823. at Itrookfield, Madi- 
son County, and is a son of .Joseph S. .nnd Olive 
(Coon) Crandall. Their family numbered eight 
children, of whom onr subject was the first in 
order of birth; Cornelia became the wife of Isaac 
Prosser, and is now living in .\llegany County. 
N. Y.; Leroy and Daniel are both deceasecl; Nar- 
cissa, wife of Green Cliam]ilain, is living in Alfred, 
N. Y.; .lane was united in innrriagc with Samnel 
Chaiiiplain, also a resident of Alfred, N. Y. ; Orson 
is now deceased; and Jenette is the wife of .James 
A. Coon, who is now living in Dane County, Wis. 
The days of his bo3'hood and youth our subject 
passed under the parental roof, and his education 
was received in the schools of his native county. 
In 1847, li(^ was joined in wedlock with Miss Fran- 
cis G. (ireen. who was born in Allegany County, 
N. Y. A family of four children graced their 
union, three of whom are yet living — Ella D., the 
(iist born, whose birth occurred in IS lit, is now 
deceased; Orval (<., is a machinist, and resides in 
llica, Dane Co., Wis.; M:irsella M.. wife of Mar- 



"^»" 



zena Slillman, is living in Winona. Dak.; Luella 
wedded Marshall Coon and makes her home in 
Walworth County. Wis. The children all received 
good educational advantages, thereby being fitted 
for th(! practical duties of this life and are now 
respected citizens of the several couimuiiities in 
which they reside. 

In IS.'il, when twenty-sexen years of .age. Mr. 
Crandall left his home in the East and emigrated 
to Wisconsin, locating in Dane County. Purchas- 
ing ninety acres of land, he turned his attention to 
farming, which he followe<l iiiili! the year 1884, 
which witnessed his arrival in Miltt)n Juuclion. 
In early life he united with the Seventh Day Bap- 
tist Church, and for many 3'ears he was a member, 
of that denomination, butsiibsecpieiitly united with 
the Adventists. He was instrumental in estalilish- 
ing the church at .Milt-m Junction c>f which he is 
now [lastor. lliscpiiet and unostentations life, and 
the haniiony with which it accords with his prc|fes- 
sion. has won him tlic resi)ect of :ill and by»his 
people he is greatly behived. For five 3'ears he 
has now had charge of the same church and 
has .accomplished much good in the commu- 
nity. The church is now in a iirosperous and 
thriving condition, the best feeling exists be- 
tween its memlieis and it is a power for good in 
the community. Mr. Crandall believes that knowl- 
edge is necessary to good citizenship and is a 
warm friend to the cause of education. Me has 
contributed liberally to the support of schools, has 
done all in his power to advance their interests, 
and W.1S one of the founders of the Milton College. 
In political sentiments he is a stanch Republican, 
having suiiporled that part}' since its organization. 

II. 1!()N1). one of the leading citizens of 
Rock County, now living a retired life at 
Milton .lunction, is a native of Virginia, 
having been born in Harrison County, May 10, 
1801. The days of his boyhood and youth were 
pa.ssed in llie Old Dominion, and he remained at 
home with his father, Abel Bond, until he began 
life for himself. On arriving at man's estate, he 
wj\s united in marriage with ."SIiss Ann Moore, a 




_ ^ B "4 



UOCK COUNTY, 



7()1» 



4 



ivsiilent of Hridgeton, N. ,1., tlioir union being oelo- 
hniU'd in JMarcli, 1825. I>y tlicii' n);iiiiago a fam- 
ily of six c'liiliiicn nerc l)ui-n, as follows: Daniel M., 
now a piaclieing pliysician of Iron River, Mich.; 
Lewis A., who died when two years of age; Lewis 
A., (second) wlio died on the Istluniis of I'anaina; 
Ann K., who died when eight years of age; Alex 
C, now a resident fanner of Farina, 111; and Still- 
man C, who is a fainier of the town of Harmony, 
Ivoek ( 'onnl3'. 

A luimano and s\ mpathetic man, Mr. liond 
could not endure the |);uii of seeing any of the hu- 
man raee in bondage, and on account of liis aboli- 
tion piineiples had to leave the South. Saying 
farewell to his boyhood home, he removed to tlut 
Noitli. .-md in IHl'.} came to Rock County, wdiore 
he has since residetb He Inis dealt ((uite exten- 
sively in I'eal estate, and at one time owned 'A'2i) 
acres of tine arablo land in this county, and Mrs. 
IJ(»nd^pw owns consideral)le property' in Milton 
.luMction, yielding an income sufficient to prevent 
all business cares. He is a public-spirited and 
progressive citi/en, one who feels a deep interest 
in the advancement and welfare of iiis town and 
county, and has been prominent in the promotion 
of its public enterprises. In e.arly life, lie was a 
supporter of the Democratic part\', but when the 
Ivcpublicaii parly was formed to prevent the 
further extention of slavery, he w:is among the 
lirst to espouse its cause and lias since remained one 
of its lirm adherents. At eacli election he has de- 
posited his ballot for the candidate of that great 
organization, his Inst vote up to the present time 
having been cast for Hon. Benjamin Harrison. 
He has been elected by his fellow townsmen to the 
various oflicial positions of trust, inclndiug that of 
Collector, and has ever discharged his duties with 
the same promptness and fidelity which has marked 
his intercourse in the various other walks of life. 

In liS72. AH-. Bond was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died at her home in Mil- 
ton Junction. He was again married, his sec- 
ond union being with Mrs. Mary P. Nudham, of 
AHlton. This worthy couple are held in the high- 
est regard Ijy all who know them. They are num- 
bered among Ro<'k County's best citizens and in 
their hospitable home their many friends receive a 

4* 



hearty welcome. Mr. and Mrs. Bond are sincere, 
devoteil Christians and belong to the Seventh ])ay 
Baptist Church. Mr. Bond eaily embr.aced Chris 
tianity, and has been a mendjer of that religious 
denomination for upward of seventy ^ears. 

_*, o*o..@^<A^..o*o.. -«,-- 

REI)I:K1( K ORAVKS OKKKN, a promi- 
I nent farmer and stock-raiser, residing on 
section I'J, Fulton 'I'ownship, is a native of 
tlie Bay State, li.aving bi'cn born in Hampshire 
County .Inly 18, 1818. His parents, Joel and Philo- 
mela (Clark) (ireen, were natives of the same 
State, where for many years the father followed the 
occujiation of farming. He afterward became a 
resident of New York, and sulisequently removed 
to Ohio, vvhere his death occurred on the 27th day 
of February, 187;i. He Wiis interred in the ceme- 
tery at Sylvania. Ohio. His wife, who was an ex- 
cellent lady, preceded her husband to the better 
world, dying Oct. 2(), 18:i7. A family of nine 
children were born to that worthy couple: Horace 
and Lucy H., the two eldest, have passed aw.ay; 
Sybil H., widow of Porter Whitney, resides in 
Toledo, Ohio; Timothy E. is now living in Janes- 
ville, Wis.; Simeon C. is deceased; Frederick (i. is 
the sixth in order of birth; Irene L., Joel, Jr., and 
Irene L., the second of that name, are all deceased. 
Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon schools, and from the age of sixteen years, 
when he started out in life for himself, h:is been 
dependent upon his own resources. He began 
work as an apprentice at the trade of masonry, 
which he followed the greater part of the time 
until the ye:ir ISKI, which witnessed his arrival in 
Beloit, then :i small town of from 1,000 to 1,.500 
inhabitants. He there began working at his trade, 
which he followed for five years, when lie removed 
to the village of Fulton, and embarked in the mer- 
cantile business, carrying on that vocation for a 
period of three years. His next venture was in the 
line of farming. He purchased 160 acres of land 
in the town of Porter, only twenty-five acres of 
which had been broken, while not a single other 
improvement had been made thereon. Erecting a 
house, with characteristic energy he began operat- 



_ ■► j <-- 



■^•■ 



(10 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ing liis farm, but after eifj;liteen months sold out 
and again engaged in merchandising for a short lime. 
He next removed to the farm on which he still 
niiikos his home, buying a tract of 155 acres of 
land, to which he has added by subsequent pur- 
chase until within the boundaries of his farm are 
comprised 300 acres. Scarcely an improvement 
had been made when he became the owner, but he 
has steadily carried forward the work of develop- 
ment, and has been very successful in his undertak- 
ing. He erected a large house, but in 1874 it was 
completely destroyed by fire. This was replaced by 
one of the finest homes in tiie town. 

On the lotii day of March, 1841. Mr. Green 
wedded Miss Nancy K. Hollister, who was boru in 
the Kmpire State, and is a daughter of James and 
Sallie (Judson) Hollister. Mr. and Mrs. Green 
became the parents of eight children, but only four 
are now living: Lucius J., who wa.s born Oct. 5, 
1874, married Eva Duguid (now deceased ~», and 
later wedded her sister, Mary; their parents are 
Courtland and Mary Duguid. He makes his home 
in Dakota. Frank C, bom Aug. 13. 1851. is a 
resident of Jancsville; his wife is Hannah, daugh- 
ter of Bartholomew and Elizabeth Spence. Myron 
F., born Oct. IG, 1858, married Ella, daughter of Asa 
and Martha Ransom, and is eng.iged in farming in i 
the town of P'ulton; Helen Irene, born Jan. 9, 1861, | 
married T. E. Say re, a resident of Janesville. The I 
children have all received excellent opportuni- 
ties for securing an education, such as would fit 
them for the practical and responsible duties of this 
life. Following are the names of Mr. Green's 
grandchildren: The children of his son Lucius J. 
are Ulanciie, Fred and Etta; the children of his 
son Frank C. are Helen, .Sybil, Gorton, and Mabel; 
the children of his son Myron F. are Fred, Howard 
and Ida; the children of Helen I. are Ethel. Janet 
and Stanley. 

The life of .^[r. Green has l)een one of industry. 
By his own unaided efforts he has worked his way 
upward until he is now one of the well-to do farm- 
ers of Rock County. His land is highly cultivated, 
the improvements are all that can go to make up 
the model farm, and in his barns m.ay be found a 
good grade of sheep and horses, together with full- 
blooded Short-horn cattle. As a citizen, Jlr. 



Green is true and h.yal, and has fided various offi- 
end positions. He lias served as Side Supervisor, 
was Chairman of the hoard in Fulton Township, 
and for more than eight years was School Director. 
He and his wife are faithful and consistent mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church, and are ac- 
tively interested in the welfare and advancement 
of the cause which they .advocate. In politics, he 
is a Republican. He cast his first Presidential vote 
for William Henry Harrison in 1840. and deposited 
his last ballot up to the present time, for the grand- 
son of the Tii.pecanoe hero, his excellency Ben- 
jamin Harrison. He is numbered among the early 
settlers of Rock County, has witnessed almost its 
entire growth and development, and has been 
prominently identified with the promotion of its 
social, educational and moral interests. 




,^^1LES CKAVATH. residing on section 13, 
in llie town of Lima, is one of the few 
* pioneers left to tell the story of frontier 
'ife in Wisconsin. Of the noble band of 
men and women who left comfortable homes in the 
East, and settled in Rock County when it was a 
wild and uncuilivalcd region, there arc few re- 
maining. Some have moved to other homes, and 
some have been called to •• that bonrne from 
whence no traveler returns." The subject (,f this 
sketch was born in Cortland County. X. V.. on the 
5th day of April. 1822. and is a"s<.n of Prosper 
and Marian (Kinney) Cravatli. both of whom were 
natives of Connecticut. Unto them was born a 
family of sixteen children, twelve of whom grew 
to manhood and womanhood, but only fou^- of 
whom are now living. Orvil, who is eng.aged in 
farming in the town of Lima; Lavina. wife of ll.,n. 
George (ile.a.-on. of the same town; Caroline, 
widow of Almond Benedict, a resident of Biu". 
hampton. N. Y.. and Miles, whose name heads tlds 
sketch. Those deceased are Ada, who became the 
wife of Levi Kinney, who is also deceased ; Phoebe, 
wife of Mr. Saunders, who died in Cortland, N.' 
Y.; Laura, who married Rev. Daniel Smith, a jiio- 
neer preacher in Millon and Lima; Prosper, who 
was the first of the family to come to the West; ' 




»» ir^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 

n ] 






lu' reaflic'd the territory of Wisconsin in I8,'?H, and 
innde t\ settlement for the fnniily. who followed him 
in IcSlO. He was for many years Postmaster at 
U'hilewatci'. was a prominent attorney of Walworth 
Coiinly, served as a memlierof the State l.egislature. 
and died at his home in \\hltewater; Esther, who 
wedded Nelson Salisliiirv, both dyiniir in White- 
water; Knuly, who was the wife of ( )liver Salis- 
liiiry; Sopliroiiia. who died in tldsconnty; Delia, 
who wedded Alaiison I'ike, who is also deceased. 

in 184(1, the family emigrated to Rock County, 
and located on section 1.'5. in I^ima Tcjwnshiii, 
where Mr. Kinney ijiireluised 200 aeri'S of land. 
He afterward added to the original tract until his 
laiiiled I ios.sessions aggregated 520 acres, and. as his 
children left the parental roof for homes of their 
t)wn. he gave to each some land. He was only per- 
mittee! to enjoy his new home foi' a sliort lime, 
being called from this life of toil and care in 
Ai)ril. 1841. His good wife survived him until 
I8().), when she too passed away. They were mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church, and untiring 
workers in the Master's vineyard; and in the home 
where our subject now resides, the original Congre- 
gational Church of this community was organized. 
Tiu'V were highly respected peoiile, and their lives 
Were well spent. 

The education of our subject was received in the 
comn)on schools of his native county, and at the 
•age of eighteen years, he came with the fandly to 
Wisconsin. He contiuuecl to make his home with 
his parents until 184!^. when he left the parental 
roof, and on tlie 2f^lli day of May, was united in 
marriage, in Ashtaliula County. Ohio, with Miss 
Hannah K. May, " native of Cattaraugus County. 
N. Y. .She was born October 28, 18211. and is a 
daughter of Hcla and Laviua (l)enselow) May, 
the former born in .Massachusetts, the latler in the 
Empire State. The union of .Mr. ;uid .Mrs. Cravalh 
has been l)lcssed with six children, live of whom 
are living — Ella, Clinlt>n. I.illie. \<];i and Mary. 
They have spared neither labor nor expense in i>ro- 
viding their children with good opportunities for 
securing an etlucation, and all of them have been 
teachers in the district schools. They are fitted to 
(ill positions of prominence and res|(onsibility, anil 
do honor to the prou<i name of Cravath. Mary is 



now engaged in teaching in the schools of White- 
water, and Ida was for four years assistant 
teacher in the high school in Hurlington. Wis. 

Mr Cr.'ivath is one of the oldest residents, com- 
linling from date of settlement in the county. 
Only three of those who mad(! homes on the old 
Milton and Whitewater load arc yet residing there, 
and our subject is one of them. For half a cen- 
tury he has been idcntilicd with the history of tlu; 
county, has witnessed its growth from an iinset- 
Ueil prairie to one of the finest counties in the 
Stale, and has been .an active participant in the 
work of progress and developmenl. He has seen 
its wild Lands converted into tine farms and beau- 
tiful Ikjuics. the little log cabins of pioneer days 
replaced by commodious residences, towns and vil- 
lages s[)iing up as if by magic, countless manufac- 
tories introduced, industries established, factories 
put in operation and enterprises founded. Upon 
almost every hill top a church and school house is 
seen, and the county is now the home of hundreds 
of well educated and contented people. Where 
onc(^ the Indian trail or an obscure path wended 
its way across the prairie, the county is now 
spanned by a net work of railroads by which are 
brought to the citizens every ccjnvenience and 
luxury which the civilized world affords. To have 
been a witness of this wonderful growth and trans- 
formation, of which the most far-sighted could 
never have dreamed, is certainly something to be 
proud of, but to have been a partici|>ant. :is h.as 
Mr. Cravath, is an honoi- conferred on but few. 
Prominent in the |)romotion of all the best interests 
of the county, aiding in the growth of town and 
village, his life has certainly been one of industry, 
and it is with great pleasure that we present to the 
readers of the Pokthait and Bioi;i!Ariiic.VL Ai.uim 
this brief sketch of his life. 

«. : :g^^ii^ c : ■> 

\f? UCR'S BINGHAM, a retired farmei- ami 
il (^ honored pioneer of Rock County, now resid- 
ji l;^ ing in .Milton, is a native of Connecticut, 
having been born in that State on the 13th day of 
M.ay, 1814. His parents. Elisha and Trypheua 
(Olney) Bingham, had a family of six children, 



■h 



*► i r^ 



712 



ROCK COUNTY. 





I)ut oul3' two are now living — Louisa, who nialves 
'jei- liorao in Cortland County, N. Y., and Lucius, 
who is fourth in order of birth. Those deceased 
are George J. John, James and Sally Ann. 

When our subject was but two years of age his 
parents removed to Susquehanna County, Pa., where 
they resided for eight years, when they became resi- 
dents of Cortland County, N. Y. The father there 
purchased a farm, and Lucius remained at home 
under the parental roof until seventeen years of 
age, when he began working for an older brother 
in Tioga County, N. Y. After remaining in his 
employ for a short time, he became a traveling 
salesman, selling a patent self-acting head block, 
but later was employed by a New York firm in the 
same capacity. He was next employed as foreman 
of a saw-mill for about one year, when he went to 
Syracuse, N. Y., and in 1837 started for Michigan, 
his destination being Kalamazoo. While en route 
for that city he was taken sick, and for some time 
was unable to do any work. Making his home in 
Michigan until 1 839, Mr. Bingham then went to 
Hockford, III., and continued his journev until 
reaching Jauesville, Wis. He made a contract with 
a man for building a barn, and as compensation 
for his services received a tract of land near Emer- 
ald (irove, which comprises a part of his present 
farm. He carried on carpentering and building 
for several years, when in 1843 he commenced the 
improvement of his land, and from that time en- 
gaged i)rincipally in agricultural pursuits. Build- 
ing a little house, he m.ade it his home until 1S(!:>. 
when it was replaced by the present substantial 
residence. In connection with general farmiu"-, 
he engaged quite extensively in stock raising, an^^l 
to him is due the credit of introducing the" first 
Durliam cattle in this part of the country. Several 
times he took the first premiums at the Rock Coun- 
ty Fair on his cattle, to which Ins other stock was 
in no wise inferior, his horses especially being of 
the best grades. He began life in this count^• in 
true pioneer style, enduring the hardships and 
difficulties which come to all who make homes on 
the frontier, but his arduous labors of f(;rnier years 
have at length received their reward. Beginning 
life in limited circumstaaces, he has by good man- 
agement, enterprise, industry and business-like 



♦- 



haliiis become one of the well-to-do citizens of the 
country. 

On the 13tli day of April, 18J2, Mr. Bingham 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Jane E. Janes, a 
daughter of Hiram Janes, one of the early settlers 
of Rock County. Three children were born of 
their union, two of whom are living: Auirustus J., 
the eldest, born Oct. G, 1843, enlisted in the service' 
of his country during the Civil War, there con- 
tracting disease from which he died in 18G4; Ann 
Eliza, who was born April 28, 1845, and resides 
in Milton, married Eben Bacon, who is now de- 
ce.ascd, and for her second husband wedded Hiram 
Bullock; Jane, born Feb. 22. 1847, and residing at 
West Union. Iowa, is the wife of Herman Love- 
lace. In October, 1847, Mr. Bingham was auain 
married, his .second union being with Harriet J 
Leonard, a daughter of Jarvis Leonard, who w.as 
a native of Massachusetts, and became a resident 
of Johnstown during the early days of its settlement. 
Mrs. Bingham was born Nov. 5, 1821. in Oneida 
County. N. Y., and removed to Michigan, where 
she resided until becoming a resident of Johns- 
town. She has one brother living, Charles B., who 
was born Nov. 15. 1822, and is engage.! in the real 
estate business in Iowa County. Iowa. .Se\Jn 
children have graced the second union of Mr. 
Bingham, but four have now passed awav— Loyal 
who was born June 18, 1848, and resides in Ames' 
Iowa, where he is engaged in the hardware 
business, married Ellen Adams of Evansville 
Kock County, and to them h.is been born onj 
daughter, Beulah; Lucius, born June HI. 1 ,s.-,(). di^d 
Sept. 26. 1852; Mary F., born May 14. 1852. died 
on the llth day of October following; Hattie E., 
born Jan. 15. 1854, died Feb. 7. 1857;' Charles F ' 
born July 21, 1856, has g.ained the reputation of 
being one of the best cornet pl.ayers in the United 
States, and is now filling an eng.ageinent in Pitts- 
burgh. Pa.; Cora May. born Aug. 16. 1 MOO. died 
Feb. 9, 1861; Elmer L., born Sejit. 7. 18(12, is re- 
siding on a farm of 160 .acres on section I 2. ll;,r- 
mony Township, and on the 13th day of October. 
1887, was united in marri.nge with D.dsv M. How-' 
ard, by wh<mi he li.as one child. Ernestine Lorona. 

After eng.iging in farming for nianv years, in 
November, 1887. Mr. Bingham retired from active 




u 



UOCK COUNTY. 



■«► 



715 



life and removed to Milton, where lie erected one 
of llie liiuidsoniest homes in the village. He has 
over heen a loading citizen of the community, 
taking an active interest in the public welfare, and 
has served in various otlicial positions. For one 
year ho fiUed the office of Assessor of Harmony 
Township, for four j-ears was Justice of the Peace, 
and for n number of years was a member of the 
.Si'hool Uoard. He is an ardent supporter of the 
Republican party, with which he has afliliated 
since its organization, and is a member of the I)u 
Lac Grange. For several years he has filled the 
office of Deacon of the Free Baptist Church at 
North .lolinstown. and still holds membership in 
that denomination. For the long period of half .a 
century Mr. Bingham has been a resident of Rock 
County, h.as witnessed almost its entire gnjwth, has 
participated in its development, and has borne no 
inconsiderable part in the promotion of its enter- 
prises. He is a worthy and valued citizen, respected 
l)y all who know him, and is well known througli- 
oul the cduiniunitv. 



^- 



-^ 



4 



-^^^- 



m^^ ARRISON STKBBINS, deceased, was for 

)) many j'ears a leading citizen of Porter 

Township, and was a son of Jairus and Sarah 

(Crowell) Stebbins, and w.as born .liine 2((, 

liS20, in Wcsttield, \l. lie was reared on a farm, 
assisting his father in its cultivation. His primary' 
erlucation was received in the common schools, and 
at the age of twenty he entered Norwich Lrniversit}^ 
at Norwich, Yt., where he spent two years in lin- 
ishing his education. He then engaged in teaching 
school, in whicli occuiiation he continued princi- 
pally until l.sjl, when became Most, arriving in 
.I.'Uiosville .July ;id. of that year, where lie secured 
a position as a teacher, and %vhere he remained un- 
til the following year. He then engaged as Count3' 
Surveyor, and followed the business of surveving 
until 1811. when he came to Porter T(jwnsliip and 
purch.ascd 240 acres of land in its natural state. On 
this land he erected a small house, which is still 
standing, and is used as a granary, (joing to work 
he soon transformed the wild land into a well-cul- 
tivated farm, and toilintr early and late he was en- 



abled. in 1800, to add 210 acres more to his farm. 
Previous to this, in 18.")0. the little 12x18 building 
was replaced by a large and commodious stone 
house. At the time Mr. Stebbins located on this 
farm many Indians were yet to he seen in the 
neighborhood, and often they would call at the 
little cabin and bog for bread and meat. Wolves 
abounded in that early day. and often on returning 
from .lanesville in the evening they would be fol- 
lowed by the howling animals. 

Harrison Stebbins and Mary A. Bassett were 
united in marri.ige June 15. 1841. Three children 
were born unto them: Sliapley P., born May 14, 
1842, resides at home, and has charge of the farm; 
Jlinnie T., now the vvife of E. P. Savage, resides in 
Dane County, Wis., where Mr. Savage is engaged 
in farming; Flora A. first married Henry Wood, 
who died Aiu-il 1.'), 1 882, when she subse(iuently 
married ^Villiam (Jilley, and now resides in Steli- 
binsville. Rock Co.. Wis., whore he is engaged in 
farming. All the children were given good edu- 
cational advantages. 

For many years Harrison Steldiins was well 
known to almost evciy citizen of Rock Countv. 
He was active in all county affairs, and was liberal 
with his means in its support- of the schools ;ind 
every public enterprise. Ho took great pride in 
tlie county in whiili he had chosen to make his 
home. In the fall of 18.')2 he was elected a mem- 
ber of the Legislature, and served one term with 
credit to himself and universal satistactiijii to his 
constituents. He was also Chairman of the Town 
Board for several teiins. and served a number of 
years as 'J'own Cleik. and in fact filled about all 
the town otlices. In an early day ho was one of 
the commis.siontrs for the location of Territorial 
roads, many of which he survt'yed. Politicallw he 
wa.s a sui)|)orter of the Republican part}-, was an 
active worker, and used his oxer}- energy for its 
success. 

During the Civil War he t<jok an active inter- 
est in raising the town's quota. Like many others 
Mr. Stebbins started in life a poor hoy. but by hard 
work, honesty and fair dealing he steadily woi-ked 
his w,ay u(iward until success crowned his elTorts. 

At one time he was the possessor of over 1,000 
acres of laud in Iowa and Wisconsin. In 1867 he 



r 



71(5 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



erected a grist mill at Steblnnsville, a village 
imiiu'd in liis lioiior. He was wliat might well be 
teiined a progressive farmer, ever keeping abreast 
Willi the times. At the time of iiis death, which 
occurred Sept. 7. 188-2. he was the possessor of 
about (iOO acres of land, together with the mill 
[iioperty at Stebliiusville. He left his family in 
good circumstances, surrounded with everything 
intended to make life comfortable. His body was 
interred in Waucoma cemetery, where a fine Quincy 
granite monument was erected to ids memory. 

Mrs. Stebbins, who yet remains upon the old 
farm, was born Nov. 15. 1«1'J, at East Moutpelier, 
Vt. She is well and favorably known in the com- 
munity, and is beloved by all wlio know lier. 

On another [i.agc will be found the portrait of 
.Mr. Stelil)ins. which was taken a number of years 
before his death. 

EZRA CRANDALL. a prominent resident of 
Milton, Wis., is a native of tlie Empire 
Slate, having lieen born in Madison County 
on the 8th day of June, 1820. His parents were 
Samuel and .\nna (Crandall) Crandall, and their 
family numbered ten children, eigiit of wh(mi are 
yet living. Samuel, the eldest, is a resident of 
Friendship. N. Y.; Ezra, of this sketcii. is the sec- 
on<l in order of birth; Anna, who became tlie wife 
of K. T. Smith, died in 18.^5, leaving three chil- 
dren; John makes his home in Friendsliip; Almira 
married a Mr. (iardner, and four cliildren have 
been Itori. unto them; Rocena is the wife of Elisha 
Hyde, a resident of Alleg.any County, N.Y. ; AVill- 
iam I)., wlio married Calfernia (Joon, resides in 
Friendship, N.Y.. and has two chilitren, one of 
whom is a te.achcr; Charles, a stock dealer and 
commission merchant, resides in Friendship; the 
youngest son died in 1856; and Laura, the young- 
est daughter, is the wife of T. I). Mills, and lives 
at Buffalo, N.Y.. with her daughter, Mrs. Tift. 

The subject of this sketch received a liberal 
education, pursuing a course in Alfred University 
of New York. Soon after completing his studies 
(in 1844), he was united in marriage with Miss 
Mirv Smith, their wedding being celebrated in 

4* 



1844. The lady was a daugliter of D. F. .Smith, 
and died in February. 1888, her remains being in- 
terred in the Milton cemetery. Their union was 
blessed with four children, two of whom arc liv- 
ing: L. Estelle, who was born in 1846, died in 
New York in 1868; H. Vine is now the wife of 
W. Wallace Clarke, a book and stationery dealer 
of Milton; C. E., who married Miss Anna Whil- 
ford, is a gra<luate of Milton College as valedicto- 
rian of his class, and also gratlualed from the 
Theological School of Slorgan Park. His wife, 
who graduated from Milton College, had the same 
honor. He is now taking a course in Yale College 
and is also teaching the Hebrew language by cor- 
respondence and has a class in the University. 
The 3'oungest child of the family- died in infancy. 
Mr. Crandall was again married on the 27th day 
of March, 1889, to Jlrs. E. P. l5abcock. a native 
of Hartsville. Steuben Co., N.Y., and a daugh- 
ter of Perry and Sarah (Palmiter) Potter, tlie for- 
mer a native of Rhode Island and the latter of 
Connecticut, both descendants of old English fam- 
ilies who emigrated to this country in an early 
day. Ilcr grandmother was a relative of Commo- 
dore Perry. Mrs. Crandall was graduated from 
the Alfred Academy, in the class of 1852, and four 
years later came West, and laught in the Albion 
Academy until I.SGI. when she became the wife of 
the Rev. Thomas E. IJabcock. who was for eight 
years pastor of the .Seventh-Da^- liaptist Church of 
Albion. His death occurred in January. \f<7'J. 
15y that marriage Mrs. Crandall has a son. Pearl 
Babcock, who is a resident of Milton Junction. 

Mr. Crandall began his business career as a shoe- 
maker, which occupation he followed in his native 
State for twenty-live years. On coming to Rock 
County, in 1869, he purchased land and began 
dealing in real estate. He is now living a retired 
life. He has, however, been prominently identi- 
fied with the leading business interests of the com- 
mnnity, is a stockholder and has served as Presi- 
dent of the Milton Bank for tiie p.ast four years. 
He built his present home in Millon, which is one 
of the most elegant residences in the town, in 1882. 
For many years he has been a member of the 
Seventh-Day Baptist Church, was Tre.asurer when 
the new house of worship was erected, and has 



u 



ROCK COUNTV. 



i: 



cviM- hecn an eariu'st wdikci- f(jr the iiilorcsts of 
tliiil (lenoininatioii. He i.s a waiiii fiii'nd to llie 
I'niiseof cchioation, and serves as Trustee of Milton 
Collci;;*'. Pulilic spirited and progressive, he takes 
a deep interest in any enterprise for the public wel- 
fare, is a man of sterling vvortii and strict integrity 
and is iield in the highest regard liy all with whom 
liusincss or pleasure have brought him in contact. 
lie is a Republican in politics. 



y;ILLIS 1'. CLARKK. a rei)resentative citizen 
and leading druggist of Milton, Wis., was 
W^ ''<"'" in ^>ew York, on the loth day of May, 
1 H42, and is a son of Eiastus P. and Mary .lane 
(I'eck) Clarke, the former a native of the Empire 
State, and the latter of Cumberland Conntj', N. J. 
He had but one brother, Wallace Clarke. (See 
sketches of his father and brother.) Our subject 
passed his early boyliood in his native State, and 
when eleven ^ears of age removed with his parents to 
New Jersey, where the succeeding three 3-ears were 
spent. The family came to Rock County, Wis., 
in 1H;')6, settling in Milton, where Willis has since 
resided. He began his education in the public 
schools of New York, and complet(Ml his studies in 
Milton College, graduating from lh;it institution in 
the class of 18G1. 

Mr. Clarke had but just com[)leted his studies 
when the Civil War broke out, and he wiis among 
the first to respond to the President's call for 
troops. He svas then liut eighteen years of age, 
but notwithstanding his extreme 3-outh he 
enlisted in his country's service and became a 
member of the 'iud Wisconsin Infantry; but after 
ten days he was called home on account of the 
serious illness of his mother. On the 7th day of 
October. 1 StU , he re-cniisted for three years or dur- 
ing the war in the 13tli Wisconsin Regiment, be- 
coming a member of the company commanded by 
Ca|>t. Pliny Norcross of .lanesville. He was with 
the command the greater part of four years, except- 
ing on the march from Fort Donelson to Clarks- 
ville and return, when he was prevented from being 
with the regiment on account of sickness. He 
fought valiantly and well, never shirking duty, 

4» 



and was alw.Hys found at his post. Wluii his teiin 
of three years had elapsed and he received his dis- 
charge, he immediately re-enlisted and served until 
the close of hostilities, when on the 24th of .Nov- 
ember. 18(J5, he was mustered out of service, and 
on the 27th day of December following was with 
the regiment discharged at Madison, Wis., being 
the last one of the i;5th Infantry to receive his dis- 
charge papers. He had enlisted as a private, but 
was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He was 
never wounded in any w.ay and was nevei- off duty 
except dqring the winter of 1863-J, when he was 
confined in the hospital by sickness. 

Mr. C!arke was united in marriage in 18(;7, with 
Miss Lucy A. Clarke, a native of New Jersey, and 
their union has been lilessed with two children. 
Bessie K. and Ray Willis. He is now ciigaucd in 
the drug business in Milt<jn, which he h.-is followed 
for sever.al years, and is a leading business man of 
the town. For seven years he has served as treas- 
urer of the Wisconsin State Pharmaceutical Asso- 
ciation, and is now filling the position of secretary 
of the Soldiers' Relief Commission for the seconil 
time. He belongs to the (i. A. R. Post of Milton, 
of which he was adjutant for some yeais. and is 
now quartermaster; and is a member of the Inde- 
pedent Order of Odd Fellows, servinir hs Past 
(irand. For a number of \ ears he was a member 
of the District School l>o;ird, and for fifteen conse- 
cutive years ha-s been secretary <;f the Hoard of 
Trustees. He also filled Iheofficeof Postmaster for 
two years, when a change of administration caused 
his removal. He was for some years Town Clerk of 
the town of .Milton. Public spirited and prOi,'res- 
sive, Mr. Clarke has taken a deep interest in the 
welfare of the town in which he resides, and is a 
valued citizen. 




EV. WILLIAM WALKEU', a resident of 
Milton, was born in Orange County, Vt., 
Oct. 3, 1808, a son of Aaron and Judith 
'^y (.Sanborn) Walker, and one of a family of 
twelve chiltlren. four of whom are living. His 
parents came to Rock C<tunty in 18:} 9. settling on 
a farm on what is now section 3U, of the town of 



»► 1 1 ^ ^* 



i 



718 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



Milton, wliere Mr. Walker's father died in 1861. 
His mother died in 18;j3. They were liigiily res- 
pected i)e(>i)le, and were numbered among the 
lionored pioneers of the county. 

Our subject remained at home until eighteen j-ears 
of age, assisting his father in the labors of tlie farm, 
and on leaving the parental roof began learning 
the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for about 
live years. He fitted fur college at Pottsdara, (N. 
Y.) Academy and Middlehury College, and in 
ISSf) entered Amherst College, graduating from 
that institution in the class of 1838, when he 
entered the Andover Theological .Seminar}', com- 
pleting liis course in 1811. He was ordained at 
(ircenboro, Vt., November, 1841, and in December 
of that year, was sent by direction of the Board of 
I'dreign .Missions to Calioon, West Africa. Ucforc 
leaving liis native land, Mr. AValker was united in 
marriage with Miss Prudence Richardson, a native 
of Massacluisetts, who died in Africa May 2, 1842. 
.\fter spending four years in missionary labors on 
the " Dark Continent," he returned to the United 
Stales, and was again married October 29, 1845, 
iiis second union being with Zcriali Levina. daugh- 
ter of Peter Slimnway. of Oxford, also a native of 
Massacliusetts. In the month of February, 184G, 
he visited his parents and friends in Hock County, 
liut soon afterwards returned to New York, and 
again sailed for Africa. Deatli again visited his 
liome in tiiat far off country, liis wife passing to 
her final rest April 2.'5, 1H48. He continued iiis 
inliois in the missionary field until 18.")(), when he 
returned to his native land, lecturing on foreign 
missions, traveling tlirougli many Stales of the 
Union. He translated (Jenesis, Exodus, Psalms, 
Proverbs, Matthew and Acts, into 'the Mapongrol 
language and is the author of a Mapongrol gram- 
mer. He came to Rock County in 1871, and 
lectured fiom Portland, Me., to Omaha, Neb. 
For about six years he delivered puliiic addresses 
on foreign missionary work under tlie direction of 
a secretary. 

In 1851, Mr. Walker married Miss Katliarine 
Hardcastle, of New York City, who died October 
27. 1877. Two years later, in l.S7',l, he again went 
to Africa, returning in .Tune, 188;5. During that 
lime lie was engaged in translating the Bible into 

4* 



the African language, and had charge of a Mission 
Church with a membersiiip of about seventy. His 
labors in Africa have proved a blessing to the dark 
race. The greater part of his life since completing 
his studies has been spent a.s a missionary in foreign 
lands, cariyiiig the Bible to the races which for 
ages have been clothed in the darkness of heathen- 
dom. Studious in habit, he has devoted much time 
to literal'}' work, his greatest labor being the trans- 
lation of the Bible. IModest and unassuming, he 
makes no pretensions, but daily endeavors to live 
in accordance to tlie teachings of his Master, and is 
loved and respected by all who know him. He has 
held the office of United States \ic('-Coiniiieicial 
Agent at Gaboon, West Africa. 



^^ MILUK W. BABCOCK. the leading merchant 
|1U] of Kdgerton, is a native of the FInipire State, 
If' — -^ having been bom in l>rf)okfield, Madison 
County, on the IHli of January, 1835. The grand- 
the father of our suliject. Charles liabcock was one 
of pioneer settlers of that portion of New York, and 
his father. Henry C. Habcock. was there reared. 
The latter married .Miss Temperance Bur<lick, 
a daughter of William Burdick. also an early settler 
of Madison County, and after residing in New 
York for a number of years he left his Kastern home 
in 185G, and accompanied by his family, settled in 
the town of Albion. Dane Co., Wis., where he made 
his home until his death, which occurred on the 8tli 
day of January, 1884, at the age of sevent\-eight 
years. His wife yet resides on the old homestead 
in Dane County, and is still in possession of good 
health, considering her advanced years. That 
worthy coui)le were the parents of eight children, 
six of whom grew to mature \ears. while four are 
still living. Einilus W., the subject of this sketch, 
being the eldest of that number: Delos is now a 
resident of Nortonville, Kan.: Mrs. Lorene E. Win- 
nek is now living in San Diego. Cal.; .Mrs. Etta 
Kelly is living on the ohl homestead in Dane 
County; Tracy, Charles and Cornelia died liefore 
reaching maturity, and Martha, who became the 
wife of Matthew U. Gibson is also deceased. 

Mr. B.abcock. whose name heads this sketch, wa.-j 



^ 



4* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•a^ 



719 



reared to manliood upon his father's farm and re- 
ceived a s^ood English education. He leinained 
nniler the parental roof until the age of nineteen 
years, when he started out in life for liiniself. Go- 
ing to the State of Indiana, he engaged in the book 
agency business until his fatiier emigrated to Wis- 
consin two years afterward, when he also came to 
Rock County. He, however, remained at home but a 
short time wlien lie again decided to embark in the 
book business, and engaged to represent the inter- 
ests of a I'hil.'uleiphia publisiiing house in tiic 
South. His field of labor was in South Carolina, 
the Slate whicli was foremost in the act of seces- 
sion, and where already the fires were kindling, 
which were soon to disseminate throughout tlie 
entire Soutli, the spirit of rebellion. The feeling 
hiid become so intense that in June, 1X60, Mi'. 
Habcock decided to return to tlie North, and act- 
ing upon that i-esolution, found himself once more 
ill Rock County, where he engaged in f:irming. 

In the month of .Vugtist, 1861, Mr. Babcock was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Brown, and 
ill the fall of the same year entered upon his mer- 
cantile career at KdgerLon, in tlic capacity of a 
clerk. In December, 1801, he purchased the stock 
and liusiness of Stiles Hakes, one of the oldest 
merchants of the town, and several years l;itcr be- 
came the owner of his present commodious .store. 
In 1878, however, he decided to make a change, 
and selling out his business interests in Edgerton 
removed to Cedar Falls, Black Hawk Co., Iowa, 
where he engaged in the mercantile Inisiiiess, and 
in coniiecliou also purchased a fine stock farm, sit- 
uated in Union Township that count}', comprising 
;")65 acres. After tvvo years had passed Mr. Bab- 
cock, in 1880, returned to Edgerton and resumed 
business in the mercantile line. 

By the union of our subject and Miss Brown 
seven children have been born, five sons and a 
daughter, all living, as follows: William E., Clar- 
I'ncc H., .lohii I., Ernest B., Harolil and Bertha. 
The daughter, who is second in order ol' liirlli, is a 
successful teacher in the public schools of Edger- 
ton. They lost one son, Charles F., wIkj died at 
the age of four ye.ars. 

Mr. Babcock owns the fine block in which his 
store is situated. The store consists of two com- 



-\r 



dious apartments, and his stock, comprising dry- 
goods, clothing, boots and shoes, carpets, etc., is 
very complete in its character. Besides his valua- 
ble citj- property he has quite extensive real estate 
interests elsewhere. He still owns his fine stock 
farm in Black Hawk County, Iowa, together with a 
farm of 280 acres in the town of Center, Rock 
County. Mr. Babcock is one of the oldest business 
men of Edgerton, in point of service, and is one of 
its representative citizens. The success to which he 
has attained in life is due to his energy and indus- 
try, and he is numbered, socially and finnnci.Mlly. 
with the leading men of Rock Conntv. 



-j^H^ 



^-/irs- 



<-' 




death. 



F. D.WIS. deceased, was an early settler 
of this county and w.as for several years a 
leading liusiness m.aii of Edgerton, but had 
resided in Milton a few years prior to his 
He was lioi-n in Madison County, N. Y., 
on the '25th day of .luly, 1831, a son of Evan and 
Ann (Davis) Davis. When a child, he removed 
with his parents to New .lersey, residing in that 
State until his removal to the We.st in 1851. De- 
ciding to try his fortune in Wisconsin, he settled 
in Walworth County, where he remained about one 
year, wlien attracteil by the discovery of gold in 
California, he crossed the plains to the Pacific 
slope and engaged in mining in the Sacramento 
Valley until 1853. Returning to Wisconsin in 
that year, he became a resident of Rock County, 
and began business in Edgerton, embarking in the 
mercantile trade, in which he w.as very successful. 
He became a prominent business man of th.at town, 
and was one of the company who established the 
brickyard at that place. The same year, Mr. Davis 
married Miss H. L. Nash, the ceremony being per- 
formed on the 25th d.a}' of .Ianuar\'. The lady was 
a native of Rhode Island, born in Westerl}', and 
is a daughter of Jonathan and Sarah ((Javit) 
N.ash. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born three 
children, two sons and a daughter. I'ercival W., 
who w.as born November 28, 1853, and now makes 
his home in Nevada, is superintendent of the 
Southwestern Mining Company; F. A. M., born 
Se|it€mber I, 1855, is living with her mother in 



^ 



-•► 




20 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



Milton; Evan, born .laniiar}' 24, 1858, married Ida 
E. Ransom of Emerald (irove. Wis., and is now 
residing in Milton, where he owns one of the most 
elejjant residences in the town. He is president of 
the Imperial Mining Company of Michigan, and is 
a prominent business man. Mr. Davis was the 
owner of a one-lialf interest in^ the Southwestern 
Mining Company of Eldorado Canyon, Nevada, at 
the time of his death, which occurred at that place. 
He was a member of the Seventh Day Baptist 
Church, to which his wife also belongs, and his 
(lentil was mourned by a large circle of acquaint- 
ances and friends, by whom he w.as held in high 
rcard as an upright, honorable man. 



^■^- 




4 



O. GIFFORD, an esteemed and represen- 
tative citizen, residing in Milton. Wis., is 
numbered among the pioneer settlers of 
Rock County, dating his residence from 
184.S. when he settled in the town of Johnstown. 
His birtli occurred on the 21std.ay of Marcii. 1820. 
in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and he is the son 
of IJeniamin .and Sally ( Lewis) Gifford, who were 
parents of a family of six children, four sons and 
two daughters, as follows: Matthew L., Stephen 
v.. Hannah Melvina, Amy L.. Oliver Perry, and 
A. O., who is the only one now living. 

Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and 
youtli in his native State, and on attaining the years 
of his manhood was united in marriage with Miss 
Margaret H. I'ickell, their wedding being cele- 
bratevl in 1844. Tliej' became the parents of six 
children, but one is now deceased. .Vlbert Otto the 
eldest, who w.as a student of Milton College, is now 
residing in Milton; Lewis l". is still at home; Ed- 
ward H. died in Colorado; Alice V. is still witli 
her parents: Minnie is now a successful teacher of 
the county, and Frank, the youngest is still at 
home. 

When ^Ir. (iifford lirst came to Kock County he 
turned his attention to agricultural i)ursuits. and 
became quite an extensive land owner. He bought 
520 .icres on section 2!). in the town of Johnstown, 
and later i)urcliascd a tract of 100 acres on section 
28, liut lias since dis|i((sed of all of it. and is now 



engaged in raising small fruits, in which he has 
been quite successful. At the time of his arrival, 
more than forty-five j'ears ago, the present po[)u- 
lous city of Janesville contained but eighteen 
buildings all told, while on the west siilc of the 
river not even a log cabin had been erected. In 
the growth and develoinncnt of the county Mr. 
Gifford has borne no inconsiderable part, but has 
been prominently identified with the great work of 
transformation which has [ilaced Rock County on 
a par with any of this great commonwealtii. On 
his retirement from f.irin life, in November. 1885. 
he removed to the town of Wilton, where he has 
since made his home. \Vhile living in Johnstown 
for two years he served .is treasurer, during which 
time the town tax amounted to $14,000. He also 
served for one j'ear as assessor. He is a liberal 
supporter of any enterprise for the public welfare. 
In early life, in political sentiment he was an old 
line Whig, and cast his lirst Presidential vote for 
William Henry Harrison in 1H40. taking an active 
pait in the e.xciting and stirring scenes of that 
camjiaign. He was then residing in New York 
and was a memlier of the Tippecanoe (41ec Club. 
When the Whig i)arty was disbanded and the Ko- 
publican party sprang into existence, Mr. (iiftord 
joined its forces and has since been a valiant sup- 
porter of that great political organization. 



^j ORYDOX L. CLARKE, a retired farmer re- 
|f _ siding on section 11 in tlie town of Milton. 
^^?'' is one of Rock County's valued and trusty 
citizens. He was born on the ."id d.ay of June. 
1827, in Cortland Count}". N. Y.. and is a son of 
Job and Emily (Pardee) Clarke, the father a native 
of Khodc Islanil and the mother of Cortland 
County. Mr. Clarke died in his native State, but 
his cstimalile wife is still living and resides in the 
town of Lima. 

The education of our subject was received in 
the common schools of his native State, where he 
made his home until his emigration to the West. 
His early life was siJent in much the same manner 
.as other farmer lads, .and on arriving at years of 
m.aturitj', he w.as joined in wedlock with Miss Caro- 



t 



-4^ 



■«^ 



ROCK COITNTY. 



line K. Boiigliton, the ccreraony beinir performed on 
the 3fl (lay of ()c'I<il)er, 1.S52. Tlie lady is a 
(lau!>hter of the Rev. Alanson and Charlotte 
(Kcciei) Roiitrhton. hoth of whom were natives of 
Onondayo County. N. Y. For the long period of 
forty-live years her father followed the ministry, 
preacliini"; the faith of the lUiptist Clnii-eh. His 
iiprii^lit life and Christian eharaeter, combined with 
hi.s powers as an orator and reasoner, won many 
souls and by his inlluence manj' were brought to a 
knowledge of God and his goodness. lie was one 
of Nature's noblemen and of him it can truly be 
.said the world is better for his having lived. 

While residing in Cortland County, N. Y., the 
union of Mr. and INIrs. Clarke was blessed with the 
birth of a daughter, to whom they gave the name 
of Charlotte. She is now the wife of .S. M. Ed- 
wards, !\ resident farmer of the town of JIagnolia. 
After the renu)val to this county, the family circle 
was increa.sed I)v the birth of three children — 
Hell F. ('.. wife of Wilbur C. Garrigus, a livery- 
man of Bloomington. III.: Nelson C., who is en- 
giiged in farming in .Milton Township; and one 
child. May K.. who died in infancy. 

The residence of Mr. Clarke in Hock County 
d.ates from 18.')'.!. In that year he b.ide goodby 
to the home of his childhood and emigrated to 
Kansas. Iiut after six months' residence in that 
State, came to Hock County and rente(l a farm in 
the town of Lima, where we find him at the break- 
ing out of the Civil War. Stirred with patriotic 
impulses, in October. IHfil. he responded to the 
country's call for troops and enlisted among the 
boys in blue of Company II, 13th Wisconsin In- 
fantry. The regiment was organized at .lanesville. 
whence it was ordered to Leavenworth. Kan- 
sas, and subsequently stationed at Stephenson, 
Tenn. The 13th won a reputation for trustworthi- 
ness and bravery, which was fully ileserved. During 
the greater part of the war it did guard duty or 
was engaged in skirmishing with the bushwh.'tckers, 
and although its services were not such as to cover 
it with renown, its worth w.as no less real or its 
hardshiiis any the less severe or rigorous. For 
four years and three months it was on Southern 
soil, taking part in long marches and undergoing 
much exposure, wliieh w;is followeil liy disease and 



»► ■ ^« 



t 



death, many of its mendiers now occupying un- 
known graves in the sunny South. At the close of 
hostilities, the Hegiment receivcrl its discharge and 
was mustered <iut of service at Madison. Through- 
out all the long years Mr. Clarke was ever found 
faithful and at his post, lu'ver .shirking his duty, 
whether great or small, and his loyalty was beyond 
a question. i5ut while writing a story of the hero- 
ism of the fathers, brothers .and sons, let us not 
forget that v.ast host of loyal and |),atriotic women 
who said " Go, and m.ay (iod protect you and our 
nation;" let us tell of the devotion of tho.se women, 
who while their hearts were bleeding, smiled fare- 
well, lest the soldier be disheartened; tell of the 
long weeks of anguish which followed the departure 
of the loved one, of the prayers which ascended 
to heaven for their protection .and safe return; and 
write of the deeds of bravery that never before 
have been told. Does not the grief-stricken wife 
and mother mei-it a share in the volume of praise.? 
Surely the answer comes, Yes. Like so many 
thousands of noble women, who gave up their 
loved ones th.at the country might be saved, Mrs. 
Clarke remained at home and though her heart w.as 
borne down by sorrow and dread, she tenderly 
cared and provi<le(l foi- the little ones dependent on 
her, displaying a cour.age scarcely excelled li\ the 
hero in the mitlst of the strife. 

When the war was over, the liiiou preserved, 
and four million of beings freed from human bond- 
.age, Mr. Clarke once more returned to his home. 
Who can picture the joy and gladness of such a 
re-union.' He again resumed the occupation of 
farming and ijurclmsed his present farm of ninety- 
five acres, forty of which he bought from the person 
who had entered the land from the (iovernment. 
Uncle Billy McNett. as he was familiarly known iu 
the township. With characteristic energy he beg.an 
its improvement, placing the whole under a high 
state of cultivation until now waving fields of 
grain greet the eye in every direction. His entire 
possessions have been acquired since becomimr a 
resident of Hock County, and though beginniu"'- 
life in limited circumstances, he lia.s stea<lily worked 
his w.ay upward and is now a well-to-do farmer. 
For the past four years he has lived a retired life, 
but continues to make his home on the land where 



-•► 



4 



1-2-2 



I 



ROCK COUNTY. 



be has so long resided. He takes an active part in 
political affairs, is well informed on all the leading 
issnes of the day, and is a warm supporter of the 
Republican party. Socially, Mr. Clarke is a 
member of the A. D. Hamilton Post, No. 60, G. A. 
R., of Milton and his wife belongs to the Womans' 
Relief Corps. He feels a deep interest in the suc- 
cess and welfare of that order, composed of the 
lirave men who served during the war. Respected 
and honored, he is a valued citizen, and it is with 
pleasure that we record this brief sketch of his life 
among those of the representative men of Rock 
County. 



4 



JKLSON RliYNOLD.S. a respected citizen of 
( Milton, was l)orn in Rensselaer County. 
J N. Y., June 19, 1809. and is a son of 

Stcplien and Mary (Rowles) Reynolds. Both his 
paternal anil maternal grandfathers were natives of 
Rhode Island, and were descended from English 
ancestry. Stephen Reynolds and his wife had a 
family of nine children, all of whom are deceased, 
with the exception of Nelson, whose name heads 
this sketch. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his na- 
tive State, where he received his education, and, 
on attaining mature years, was joined in wedlock 
witii .Miss Catherine Sanders, of Berlin, Rensselaer 
Co.. N. Y. Their marriage was celebrated in that 
place in 183'2, and unto them have been born four 
children, three of whom are living: Lyman, the 
eldest, is a resident of Dakota; JIaria is making 
her home in the State of Rhode Island; Charlie 
died at the age of seventeen years: and Arietta is 
residing in (Jreen Bay, Wis. 

In the fall of 18.54 Mr. Reynolds resolved to 
move to the \Vest, and, accompanied by his fam- 
ily, emigrated to Illinois, loc.itiiig in Peoria County. 
He there purchased a farm of 250 acres, which he 
engaged in cultivating for ten years, when, in 
IHGi), he sold out and came to Rock County'. Wis., 
reaching his destination in the month of ^larch. 
He bought a farm of 100 acres, and again resumed 
farming, which occupation he has followed con- 
tinuously since, making his home on the land first 
purchased. When a young man of twenty years. 

A* 



Mr. Reynolds united himself with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and has ever been an active 
worker for the interests of that denominatiini. 
While residing in Petersburg, N. Y., to him fell 
the choice of selecting ladies for teachers in the 
.Sunda3'-Scliool. Those whom he secure<l to lill 
positions were not members of the church, but 
within nine months all were converted, and became 
.active members. While residing in Peoria County, 
111., he served as Superintendent of the Sunda\- 
School, and foi many years has been Trustee and 
Steward of the Church of Milton. He is an earnest 
worker in his Master's viiiej-ard. and has borne :ui 
important part in the upbuilding of the church. 
Politically'. Mr. Reynolds is a Prohibitionist, be- 
lieving that the suppression of the liquor traflic 
can only be brought about by a national party. 
He is a worthy and a valued citizen, held in high 
regard by his many friends, and is worthy of the 
respect tendered him by all. 

-! ^-# — !- 



LLA .J. CLARKE. M. D., was born in Cort- 
land Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 18.57, a daughter of 

I Albertaud Elvira((ireen) Clarke, and i)ne of 

a family of four children, one son and three daugh- 
ters, all of whom are living: Charles A., the eldest, 
is engaged in farming near Nortoiiville. Kan.: he 
married Evelyn A. Williard. Feb. 20, 1888. Ella 
J., of this sketch is the second in order of birth. 
Kate M., who was born Sept. 20. 1860. is a resi- 
dent of New York City, and in 1886 was gradu- 
ated from the New York Hospital Training School. 
She is well versed in the profession she h.as chosen, 
and has attended on several difiicult cases. Grace 
A. the youngest of the family, who was born Jan. 
26, 1865. is living in Milton with her parents. The 
Clarke family is of English descent, and their an- 
cestry can be traced back to a remote period. 

Dr. Clarke, the subject of this sketch, received 
her classical education at the Homer Academy, at 
Homer, N. Y.,and at the Alfred I'niversit}'. at Al- 
fred Center, N. Y. She then devoted herself lo 
teaching for some time, when, wishing to follow 
the medical profession, she lieeame a student in the 
Women's Hospital and College, in New York.dur- 



:-^ 



K--> 




u 




i 



ROCK COUNTY. 



725 'i 



in<i tlie winter of 1884-8.'), after which she entered 
the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, being 
graduated with the liighost honors, receiving the 
l)rize out of a chiss of 1(12. In September, 1886. 
she came to Milton and opened an office, and h.as 
since here continued the practice of her profession. 
She is the only homeopathic physician in ililton, 
and her ])ractiee extends for miles throughout the 
country. She is a member of the .Seventh Daj' 
Baptist Church, and has many warm friends. He 
parents came to Milton, in 1888, to make liieir 
|)crnianciit residence there. 




HLliAKL W. SMITH, deceased, for many 
years a leading citizen of Janesville. was 
l)uiii in New Lisbon, Otsego Co., X. Y., 
Dec. 25. 1808. From Otsego he went to 
.Jefferson Count)', in tlie same State, and from 
there came to .lanesvillc in 1843, in company with 
'I'imotliy Jackman. Soon after their arrival the 
liiin of .lackman A- Smith was established, and en- 
gaged in the mercantile trade and in manufactur- 
ing until 1854. when they became prime movers in 
the organization of the Rock County Rank. From 
1848 to 1854 they managed the well-known Farm- 
ers' Mill, which at that time was one of the most 
nourishing manufacturing establishments in the 
cit)'. The firm was remarkably prosperf)us in all 
its undertakings, and was distinguished for its en- 
terprise and integrity. In 1HG5, when the present 
Rock County National I'.ank was organized, Mr. 
Smith became an otticer, and in 1868 succeeded Mr. 
.lackman as President, serving until Nov. 19, 1881. 
He was a sagacious financier, conservative, far-see- 
ing, and alw.ays enjoyed the utmost confidence of 
the public. The firm of .lackman iV Smith built 
the handsome block in which tlie bank is located. 
Tiirough all the vicissitudes of hard times and the 
convulsions created by panics, they remained firm 
in business, and never lost the esteem of their fel- 
low-citizens. The partnership continued until 
1868, when it was dissolved by the death of the 
senior partner. 

Mr. Smith continued actively engaged in business 
until November, 1881, when on account of ill 




health he was forced to retire. He remained an 
invalid during the remainder of his life, his death 
occurring May 3, 1881. The funeral services were 
conducted by Rev. C. M. Pullen of Christ Church, 
after which his body was laid to rest in Oak Hill 
Cemetery. In his death the city lost one of its 
nicist useful citizens, one who for forty years had 
devoted his best energies to the .advancement of its 
interests. 

-fS^- 

^, AUL M. GRKKN, dealer In lumber, coal 
and building materials, at Milton, Wis. 
was born in Allegany County, N. Y., on 
the loth d.ay of August, 1837, and is a son 
of Henry W. and Martha N. (Coon) Green. Their 
family consisted of two children, Paul M. and Mary 
E., who became the wife of M. S. Burdick, who 
died in .lanuary, 1887, at AUlton where his widow 
still resides. She had two children by her marriage, 
a daughter who is living in Milton, and a son, 
who is engaged in the jewelry business in the same 
place. 

AVhen our subject was but three years old, his 
parents emigrated to Wisconsin, settling in Rock 
County, where the father purchased a farm that 
w.asJocated on sections 8 and 9 Milton Township, 
and subsequently entered the land, comprising a 
tract of 110 acres, which was in a wild and uncul- 
tivated condition, developing the s.ame into a fine 
farm. His death occurred in the month of Feb- 
u:\ry, 1877, but his wife still survives him and 
makes her home with our subject. Henry W. 
(ireen was a highly respected and leading citizen 
of the community in which he resided and served 
as Road Commissioner for a number of years. He 
also filled the office of Side Supervisor for a number 
of years. 

Paul M. Green was reared to farm life and 
engaged in agricultural pursuits until in JIarch, 
1868, when he removed to .Milton, and engaged in 
the boot anil shoe business with his father, under 
the firm name of H. \V. Green A' Son. They 
carried on the business for three years, when, in 
1872, he was appointed to the position of post- 
master, serving in that capacity for thirteen con- 
secutive years. He also carried a stock of books 



h 



J. 



.t 



-•►-1I-*. 



726 



ROCK COUNTY. 



and stationery, conductino; the post-office in the 
same hniiding. which he owned. In 1883. he com- 
menced pickling fgf?s, in whicii business he eiignared 
for alioiil one year, when he purchased liie stock 
of Dr. W. H. Borden, lumber dealer of IMiltou. 
He has since pursued lliat vocation willi good suc- 
cess, carrying a full supply of lumlier, all kinds of 
building materials and coal. Ills sales amount to 
from iii20,000 to ^25.000 annually, and he richly 
deserves the liberal share of the ))ublic patronage 
whicli he receives. By his fairand ujiriglit dealing 
he has won the confidence of all his patrons and is 
a leading business m.an of the town. 

On the lOlh day of May. 18.')9, Mr. Green was 
united in marriage with Miss Abbie McIIenry, a 
daughter of .lames McHenry, a native of Xew York. 
One child was born of their union. Eiden L.. born 
December 28, 18G3, hut died at the nge of fourteen 
months and fifteen days. Mr. Oreen has filled 
various orticial positions of honor and trust, in all 
of which he has discharged iiis duties in a prom])t 
and able manner, with credit to himself and the 
satisfaction of his constituents. In 1868, he was 
elected .Justice of the Peace, but after servi'.ig one 
term resigned in order to become Postmaster. For 
two years he has sei'ved as chairman of the Board of 
Supervisors, for a iniinhcr of years was a nicmlicr 
of the School I'.oard, and for twenty years has 
served as Clerk and Treasurer. He has always taken 
an active i)art in the promotion of pulilic enter- 
prises for the good of the community, and in polit- 
ical sentiment is a staunch sn|)dorter of the Repub- 
lican party. lie is a member of Ilie Seventii Da}' 
Baptist Church, and in tiiat bf>dy liolds the office 
of chairman of the Board of 'I'mstees. He is well 
known througliout tlie conimuuity and is lield in 
high regiU'd l)y a large circle of acquaintances. 

A |)ortrait of this worth}' man will be found 
upon another page. 

f ' S i lf i t » '^' « " ■ 



4 



EV. ALAXSOX I'.OUGH rOX, dece.ased.was 
for years a minister of tlie Baptist Church. 
His noble life, his many acts of kindness, 
!his fidelity to Ids professions teacli us a les- 
son that all might follow with |)rofit. He was a 




native of Onondago County, N. Y.,and at an early 
age he resolved to devote his life to the cause of 
the Master. On arriving at years of niaturit}', he 
was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with 
Miss Charlotte Keeler. and liy that union two chil- 
dren were born — Caroline E., who was muted in 
marriage. Oct. 3, 1852, with Corydon L. Clarke, a 
prominent farmer of the town of Milton: and Xel- 
son, who is now deceased. The latter was a man 
of much more than ordinary ability, and 'after his 
marriage removed to Oakv.ale, Iowa. He became 
one of the leading citizens of that place, received 
tlie ai)pointinent of iiostra.aster of Oakvale, and 
wa.s also a prominent merchant and farmer. His 
honorable life and uprightness of char.-icter won 
him many friends, but he met his death at the 
hands of an assassin, who struck him down in cold 
blood. Tiie murderer first plunged a knife into 
his breast, and then made another thrust into his 
back, striking the heart. Mr. Boughton reaching 
back, with his own hand drew forth the knife, and 
then fell dead. He left a wife and two cliiidren to 
mourn his loss. In 18,53, on the 3d of October, 
hi had wedded Miss Mary E'isher, and their union 
was blessed with two children, who share with the 
grief-stricken mother the loss of one of the kindest 
:i;id most tender husbands and f-itlicis. iNIarv. the 
daughter, is with her niotiier, and Daniel II. resides 
in Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. He became a student 
at the Military .Vcademy at West Poini. from 
which he graduated with iiigh honors, and is now 
a Lieutenant in the regular service. 

After the death of his first wife. Mr. Boughton 
was again married, his second union lieing with Miss 
Hannah Squairs, by whom he had a family of five 
ciiildren — Mary A. is now the wife of Paul L". 
Brooks, a prominent citizen of Lawrence. Kan ; 
.lost^ph Smith, who served as a soldier in the late 
war, is now a leading journalist and editorof Law- 
rence. Kan.; (ieorge A. is engaged in the practice 
of law ill Stodclard County, Mo.; Ellen is the wife 
of Alviii >Vicks. also a resident of Lawrence. K.'in.: 
and (iertriide is the wife of Samuel I. Blackwelder. 
of Ciiicago. 

After a long and well-spent life in tiie service of 
his Master, Rev. Mr. Boughton passed to the reward 
pi'epared for the righteous, his death occurring at 



-■ 



"iT^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



72' 



Moravia, N. V., in 1879. F'or forty-five years he 
engaged in i)reai'liing the gospel, ami his labors 
were productive of the greatest good, altiiougli it 
can never be estimated by human measurement. 
Ilis wife, who .still survives him. makes her home 
with lier (laui,'liler. Mrs. Brooks, of Lawrence, 
Kan. 




^ R. AHTHllJ L. BLUNT, a leading physi- 
cian and a prominent citi/cn of Milton, 
Wis., was born in Jolmslown. Rock County, 
on llie -Ith day, of Dccemlier. 18.51, and 
is a son of Francis and Delilah A. Blunt, both of 
whom were natives of New York. 'I'licy had a 
family of eight ciiildren. and the family circle yet 
remains unbroken. Albert, the eldest, is living in 
Huron. S. Dak; Arthur L., of this sketch, is the 
ne.vt in order of birlh; Florence Ella, who was 
educated at the Whitewater Normal, has been suc- 
cessfully engaged in teaching for several years; 
RLtrion, who lesides in Hurt n, S. Dak., is book- 
k(ei)er in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad 
Company; Aslier, who makes his home in Denver, 
Col., is engaged in the laundry business; Ida M. is 
a student of Milton College; Seward is engaged in 
operating the home farm; and Seymour, the 
youngest of the family is still uniler the parental 
roof. 

Our subject received his i)rimary education in 
the public schools, and in 1872, wiicn eighteen 
years of age, entered upon a course at Whitewater, 
attending one term. He then eng.iged iu teaciiing 
in .Johnstown, District No. 1, and in 187.'^ resumed 
his studies at Whitewater, continuing a student of 
that institution for two years. In the spring of 
1K7(!, he st.arled out in life for himself, going to 
Nebraska, where he remained one year, and then 
went to Huron, Dak., spending the two succeeding 
years in that city. For one term he engaged in 
teaching school, when he entered the emi)loy of the 
Northwestern R.ailroad Company, remaining in that 
position until 1878. At the expiration nf that 
lime he removed to Pierre, Dak., where he pur- 
chased a hotel, aiul conducted the same for about 
two years, returning to Rock County in 188;$. He 
engaged largely in dealing in real estate, and later 
-^a 



went to Chicago, where he began the study of 
medicine, under the direction of Dr. Hart. After 
one year lie entered the Bennett Medical College, 
where he remained for three years, and during the 
last twelve montlis had charge of the free dispens- 
ary and dissecting room. He graduateil with the 
highest honors in the class which completed the 
cour.se March 20, 1888, and was elected v.aledictor- 
ian. He also graduated in ophthalmology, and 
otology, and for some time, while i)ursuing his 
studies, also engaged in practice. He entered regu- 
larly upon the practice of his i)rofession in Chicago, 
where he remained for about oiu' year, and on the 
l.'ith of Nov., 1888. located in Milton. He has already 
built up a good practice, having booked over 1500 
during February and March, 1889, and is con- 
stantly increasing his business. His oftice is fitted 
up with all the modern appliances, including an 
elegant set of surgical tools and operating chairs. 
Since Dr. Blunt became a resident of Milton, he 
has cured a case of spinal irritation, the lady hay- 
ing previous to that time been unable to walk 
without a crutch for a year. He has also healed 
several chronic cases, and is rapidly gaining promi- 
nence in his profession. 

In October. 1888, the Doctor was united in lu.'ir- 
riage with Miss Alice Struby, a most estimable 
young lady, and a native of Louisville, Ky. 
Though their residence has been of but short dura- 
tion, they have gained many friends in Milton, and 
are held in high esteem b\' all who know them. 



EV. ELSTON M. DUNN, pastor of the 
Seventh Day Baptist Church of ^lilton, 
^\V, Wis., was born in Plaintield, N. J., on the 
\^j 9th day of September, 1832, and is a son 
of William and Hannah M. (Marsh) Dunn. Their 
family numbered seven children, five sons .and two 
daughters, four of whom ere ^et living, Elston 
M. was the first in order of birth; Edward L., the 
second, is now deceased; Alexander M., who re- 
sides in New York Cit3-, is a salesman in a large 
wholesale iiouse; Margaret liecame the wife of 
John H. Cuthbert, but is now deceased ; Mulford 
AL, residing in Boston, Mass.. is engaged in the 



""■ 'L 



9>-HI^ 



(28 



^^►*-* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Y 



niamifactiire of aijrieultur.il implements; Agnes 
W.. wife of Mr. Ilnirv Park?^. is a teat-licr of elocu- 
tiMii in tlio Art, Ci>nsei'vatoiy of Cliicn<r(): William 
II., who makes his home in New York City, is a 
salesman for the house of Brokaw Hros., dealers in 
clothing. 

Our subject spent the larger pari of his bo3'hoorl 
(lays in his native .State, anrl receiverl his education 
there and at liie Academy at l)e Huyter. X. Y.. 
and at .\ifred University. N. Y., and finally in 
Union College of Sciienectndy. X. Y.. from which 
institution he should have graduated in the cl.ass of 
1S.57. Owing to illness, Mr. Dunn was obliged to 
leave college before he had completed his senior 
year, but received the degree of A. M. from the 
college afterwards. Not being able to enter the 
theological seminary at th:it time, as he had pur- 
posed to do, and advised by his physician not to 
continue iiis studies, he entered upon mercantile 
pursuits. In 1!S61 he was appointed postmaster of 
his native city, which position he held for eight 
years; also was I'. S. deputy collector of internal 
revenue for ten y>,-ars, which position he resigned 
and entereil the Haptist Theological .Seminary of 
Chicago, where he completed the course in two 
vears. In .luly. 1H7G. while still in the seminary, 
he w.is called to supply the pulpit of the Seventh 
Day Baptist Church of Milton; was soon after 
called to the iwslorate of the church, and was or- 
dained a minister of the gospel. From that time 
he has remained in charge of the church at Milton, 
covering a period for almost thirteen consecutive 
years. lie has also occupied the position of i)ro- 
fessor of Greek and mental and moral philosophy 
for three years in Milton College, and is at present 
a member of its board of trustees. 

Rev. Mr. Dunn has preached a great deal during 
his long and only pastorate .at Milton, for the v.ari- 
ous first-day churches in .Janesville, Ft. Atkinson, 
and in all the neighboring villages, and is at the 
present time supplying two Congregational churches 
in the county. 

In 1H57 Mr. Dunn was united in marriage 
with Miss Helen E. Clarke, a daughter of Kphraim 
and Angeline L. Clarke, the former deceased and 
the latter a resident of Walworth Count3-, Wis. 
Three children have been born of the union of 



' this worthy couple. Clara 1).. the eldest is the 
wife of J. Xelson Humphrey, professor of Latin in 
the Xormal .School at Whitewater. Wis., and lo 
them has been born one child. Ileywood Cuthbert; 
Alexander ('..who is residing in Miuiu'apolis. is 
city agent of the Chicago. .St. I'aul. .Minne.';])olis ct 
Omaha Railroad, hfiving served in that position for 
two j'oars; .leiuiie, the youngest of the family, is 
still with her parents. The two older children are 
graduates of the college at Milton, and Miss Jennie 

! expects tt) complete the course in .Inne, 1890. 
.Mr. Dunn is a worthy and vahied citizen of 
Hock County, where he has made manv friends 
and is well and favorably known throughout the 

\ ctmntv. lie is gre.-itly beloved by his church, with 
wlioui lie has been for so many 3-ears. and his work 
has been greatly blessed of God in the conversion 
of souls and tlie edification of the church. 



THOMAS DAVIDSON, one of the leading 
KSj5,\ citizens of Milton, was liorn on the 2()th 
' d.ay of .lanuary, l^OG, in Litchfield County, 
j Conn., and is a son of John and Asenalh (Fletcher) 
Davidson. He was reared to manhood in his na- 
tive State, and when twenty j'ears of age removcti 
to New York, where for twenty j"ears he engasred 
I in faiining. He is numbered among the i>ioneers 
I of Rock County of l^>4(j. having left New York in 
that year and emigrated to Wisconsin, reaching his 
destination on the "ifith daj' of June. Going to the 
home of James Sowie he took up his temporary 
residence in a little log cabin. He at once engaged 
in farming and in connection with that occupation 
did job work for some time. In 1852 he pur- 
chased a farm in the town of Milton. .Subse- 
(pienlly he erected a home on a farm of eighty 
acres, which he had purch,ased in 18(10 on section 
19. He owned that land for about twelve years, 
engaging in its cultivation and development, when 
he sold out in 1881 and retired from active life. 
He has made his home in Milton, where he is an 
honored and prominent citizen, most of the time 
since 1847, when he built a log house on the 
northeast quarter of section 27, in the south part 
of the town. In lf<t>» he Imilt a frame house. 




f 



HOCK COUNTY. 



729 







which was burned in 1873. In 1874 he built iiis 
present residence. Wlien Mr. Davidson came to 
.Milton there were in tlie south p.art of tlie village 
only the Peter McI'^w.tu house on the .Janesville 
road, and a store building on the site of Mrs. Col- 
lins" house, owned by Alexander Paul and occu 
pieil i)y John Alexander, his log house being the 
third building tiiere. 

In I82!t. while residing in New York. Mr. Da- 
vidson led to the marriage altar Miss Maria Hriggs, 
with whom he has traveled life's jourucv f<jr al- 
most sixty years. Nine children came to gladden 
their home by their presence, and eight of that 
nuinlier are yet living. Sar.-ih .M.. the eldest, was 
horn on the 17th <lay of July, IK.'iO; Nathan, born 
.Sept. '2, 1831, married Julia Rich, by whom he has 
three children, and they now reside in Milton; 
James, liorn Nov. 1. lcs;32. is living in Spink 
County, Dnk., and is the husband of Mary Kev- 
nolds. three children having been born untntlicm; 
.Vsenath. born Miucli 22. 1,S34. is a graduate of 
the .Milton Academy; lliomas. was born Dec. 1. 
183(), and enlisting in the service of his country 
during the rebellion was sulijected for ten months 
and tliiee days in .Vndersonville Prison to confine 
ment and haiilsliips which so \indcrmined his con- 
•ititution that he died in 1X7<I. leaving a widow to 
mourn his loss; William, who was born March 3, 
183",(. and is living in Milton, ni.arried Maria 
Drake, and unto them were born two children, one 
of whom is now deceased; Delia, born June 4, 
1842, is the wife of William Howers, a resident of 
Lima, by whom she has three children; .lohn. born 
Dec. 22, 1841, is a resident of Milton, and the hus- 
band of Alma Millet, five children having been 
born of their union; .lanette, born Feb. 2."), 1817, 
n)akes her homo in Milton. 

.Since her pioneer days Mr. Davidson has been a, 
resident of Rock County, has witnessed the rapid 
growth and develoinnenl that has taken place, has 
seen its once wild and uncultivated prairies blos- 
som as the rose, and participating in the great 
work of transformation has borne no inconsider- 
able part in its development. During the forty- 
three years of his residence his honorable, upright 
course of life h:is seciu'ed him many friends, and he 
is held in high esteem by all. In polities he is a 




supporter of the Republican party, and though not 
an office-seeker, feels that interest in political 
affairs wdiich every true .Vmcrican citizen should 
manifest. 



illT^OBERT STOCKMAN, who is engaged in 
gener.-d faiiniiig in the town of Milton, and 
resides on section .32, w.as born in the 
aJnorth of Ireland. April 3, 1830, and is a 
son of James and Rebecca (White) Stockman, both 
of whom were natives of County Antrim. The 
mother was of Scotch ancestiy, while the father wa.s 
born of English parentage. He was a stone mason 
by trade, and followed that occu|)ation in his native 
land until 1831, when, accomptmicd by his wife and 
two children. .lolin and iiobcrt. he bade farewell 
to the Emeralil Isle and sidled for Ameilca. Land- 
ing in this country he went to Philndclphia. where 
he made his home for two and a lialf years, and in 
that'city one child w.as born unto them. So])hia. 
who is now deceased. In 1813. the family moved 
to .Saratoga Co., .\. Y.. wlieie Mr. Stockman worked 
at his trade, and buying a smrdl farm, also emraged 
in agricultural pursuits. Later he was c niplo\ed 
on the eoiK'^tructioM of the Chonpl.-dn cared. While 
residing in that county the family circle was in- 
creased by the birth of three other- children. n:iinelv, 
Jane,who is now the widow of liev. .Vndrew Walker, 
a Presbyterian minister, and makes her home in 
Milton; Hugh, who is engaged in farming in Mil- 
ton Township; and Rebecca, wife of Tliora.as Lar- 
nier, of Stoughton, Wis. 

In 1843, the family became residents of Rock 
County, Mr. .Stockman purchasing a farm of 160 
acres ou section 32. in the town of Milton, which is 
now the home of Hugh Stockman. Cpoii liis com- 
ing he gave his attention solely to .agricultural pur- 
suits, which he followed during the remainder of 
his life, his death occuring in 1873. His wife, who 
was a most estimable lady, died March 4. 1877. 
IJoth were devoted members of the Presbyterian 
Church, and took an active part in church work. 
Mr. Stockman was an intelligent and worthy citi- 
zen, and was always well informed on the leading 
topics of the day, both political and otherwise. 
He was an abolitionist, strongly opposed to human 

■» 



730 



-■» 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4. 



•f 



bondage in nny form, and wlien the Rcpulilican 
party was orj^aiiizcd lie joined it.'; ranks and re- 
mained one of its warmest advocates until liis 
death. 

Our subject began iiis school life in Saratoga 
County, N. Y.. and completed his education in 
Koek County. His early life was spent in much 
the same manner as other farmer lads, and until his 
marriage he remained at home with his parents. 
He was joined in wedlock with Miss Helen INI. 
Fox, daughter of William Fox. a native of Ireland, 
who became one of the early settlers of Dane 
County, Wis. Their union was celebrated in 1858, 
and the young couple began their domestic life 
upon the farm where Mr. .Stockman has since made 
his home. Three children grace their union, all 
sons. William .1.. the eldest, is now engaged in 
farming In the town of Porter; George is employed 
as salesman in a store at Milton .Tunclion; and IJo 
bert West, the youngest is at home. The mother 
of these children was called to her final rest in 
1866. at the age of thirty-five years. .She was a 
Presbyterian, a devoted and consistent christian, 
and felt a deep interest in both the church and 
Sunday-school work. Mr. Stockman was again 
married, Miss Caroline Ransom becoming bis wife. 
May 20, 1868. She is daughter of George and 
Julia Ransom, natives of England, who became 
residents of Michigan; but later removed to Min- 
ncsotii, where the mother is still living, but the 
father has since passed away. 'I'hree children have 
been born of the latter marriage; Edwin, Carrie 
R. and Anna Eliza all yet at home. 

Mr. Stockman's first purchase of land consisted 
of 160 acres on section 32, town of Milton, where 
he yet resides. He has one of the most pleasant 
homes in the comnuinit\'. It is a handsome two 
story brick residence, surrounded by a beautiful 
n-rove of evergreen and forest trees, and is a 
pleasing sight to the wayfarer traveling along the 
highway. At the time of his purchase the land 
was wild timber, which he has since converted into 
lich and fertile fields, that yield an abundant har- 
vest :is a reward for the care and labor which he 
bestows upon them. His life h.as been one of 
industry, but during those years of toil he ac- 
cumulated a comfortable property, which will 



enable him to pass his declining years in quiet 
and retirement from labor. Socially Mr. Stock- 
man is a member of the Independent Order of 
Oddfellows of Milton Junction, and religiously 
both he and his wife are communicants of the 
Congregational Church. He has cast his b.illt)t 
with the Republican party since its organization, 
and though often solicited to accept public offices 

: has steadily- refused, preferring to devote his entire 
time and attention to his business. He is one of 
the few pioneers left to relate the story of their 
life when Wisconsin was a frontier State. For 

. forty-sis years he h.as been identified with the 
history of Rock County, and has been an impor- 
tant factor in its upbuildintc. 



^'^^- 



(J\ IfelLLIAM PAUL, deceased. The pleasant 
\wr ''eccoUections which cluster around the 
Vtx? names of those who during their life lime 
were accorded a proud place among men. are to be 
perpetuated only in histor3'. To preserve the 
memorj- of the gentleman above named, and to give 
him and his family a place in the history of the 
county in which they have lived long and worthily, 
is both the duty and pleasure of the historian. 
Our subject was born near the city of fiilgin. Mur- 
raj' Co.. .Scotland, on the 12th d.iy of October, 
1812, and is a son of William and Janet (Skein) 
Paul. He w.as educated in his native land and on 
looking about him for some tr.-ule or occui)ation 
which he should make a life work, chose that of 
farming, which he followed in Scotland until 1838. 
In that ye.ar he bade goodbye to home, friends and 
native land, and sailed across the broad Atlantic 
with the purpose in view of carving out a fortune 
for himself in the New World, of whose advanta- 
ges and prosi^ects be had heard much. On reach- 
ing America, he first located in the Knijiire State, 
where he w.as employed in a distillery for about 
two years, and from New York removed to Lick- 
ing County. Ohio. On leaving the latter place, he 
received a reccomendation from his cmplo^-er com- 
mending him to a firm in Newark, Ohio, where he 
next made his home. While residing there, he be- 
came acquainted with Miss Harriet E. Nicol, a 



hi* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



731 




native of Madison County. Va., born Jan. 8, 1819. 
TliL' friendship of llio yonnu; ctjuplo ripcnlnii iiiti) 
lovi", they wore united in marriage in Ne»arl\, on 
tlie 2.")tli day of Feliruary. 1><1."5. The hidy is a 
daughter of (4corge and ]')sther (Haines) Nicol, 
the former a native of Ilagerstown, Md.. the latter 
of the Old I)(.)initdon. 

i'wo years after their marriage, Mr. and .Mrs. 
Paul left the iiuekeye State, and in the spring of 
181.'). came lo Millon. Wis. During the following 
autumn, in connection with his brother, he pur- 
chased KiO acres of land in the town of Milton, 
which constitutes the |)resent home of iiis wife. 
'I'hat fall he broke forty acres of the land an<l with 
his family moved into a little log cabin which had 
pre\iousl\' been erecte(l, and which yet stands as a 
landmark of pioneer days, one of the few relics of 
frontier life that has withstood the ravages of time. 
His family comfortably settled, he turned his at- 
tention to the development of the wild prairie, yet 
in its primitive oonditicjn. and in the course <if 
time had transformed it intt) one of the finest farms 
in the cominimity. He puichased his brother's in- 
terest in the land and snbse([uently added to the 
original tract until 228 broad acres paid tribute to 
the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. 
I'uto Mr. and Mrs. I'aul were liorn ten children, 
all of wliLim are yet living — Ellen J., is the wife of 
William Kicliardson, a farmer of Chickas.-iw County, 
Iowa; Wallace is engaged in farming in the town 
of Milton; Mary A., wedded Ir.a Flagler, who lives 
in Kau (lair. Wis.; Horace is a farmer of the 
town of .Milton; Hattie is the wife of Hugh Black, 
a farmer resitliug near Algona,Iowa; (ieorge and 
Georgiana, twins, are living in Milton Township. 
lh(' former engaged in farming, while the latter is 
the wif(' of Willnir Cross, a farnu'r; liessie makes 
her home with her mother; Eli/.a marrii'd William 
Hodge, who died .luly 8. 188(1 aiid resides on the 
old homesteail; and William 15., the youngest, now 
has tlie management of the home farm. 

William I'aid came to this country resolved lo 
make his own way in the world and became one of 
the prosperous farmers of Rock Count}'. His chil- 
dren were all carefully educated and reared to 
lives of usefulness. As the years flew by. he and 
his good wife saw their possessions increase, and 



their toil was rendered lighter by the joys of a 
li.ippy wedded life. Of a determined nature and 
p(>s>esseil of unbounded energy and perseverance, 
no dilliculty was so great that it deterred him from 
accomplishing the end which he was striving for, 
but with dauntle,ss courage he pressed steadily for- 
ward until his efforts were crowned with success. 
In early life he alliliated with the Whig party, but 
afterward became an enthusiastic admirer and ad- 
vocate of the Re|)ublican party. The death of 
that h()nore<l gentleman occurred May 11. 1878, 
and his memory is fondlj' cherished by the loving 
wife and the sous and daughters left to mourn his 
loss. He was one of Rock County's most valued 
citizens, a kind and accommodating neighbor and 
friend, a tender husband, and an indulgent parent. 
About twenty years prior to his death, lie embraced 
religion and joined the United Brethren in Christ. 
He became an earnest helper in all church and Sun- 
day- school work and his labors were productive of 
much good. Mrs. Paul, who is a most estimable 
lady, still presiiles over her hospitable home, and 
is beloved b>'' all who know her. She has now at- 
tained the allotted three score years and ten, and 
her numerous fiiends sincerelj' wish that her life 
may be extended through many years to come, and 
that peace anil happiness will alw.ays accompany 
her. 

3-r$^3-6- 

^SNUnKK A. FKADKLL, who is engaged in 
I )l hlacksmithing in Milton, Wis., was born in 
^^ (iermany, Jan. 2 4. 1840, and is a son of 
Jacob and Kalherine Fradell. When nine years of 
age he left the Fatherland and came with his 
mother to Wisconsin, settling in Jefferson in 1846. 
Later he went to Home, Jefferson County, where 
for seven years he engaged in farming and in the 
fall of 18;3(). came to Rock County, making his 
home in Lima. For two and a half jears he was 
in the employ of J. Winch, farmer, after wliich he 
went to Jancsville, where he learned the trade of 
blacksmithing with .Vdam Wilson and followed that 
occupation until the beginning of the late war. 

.Mr. Fradell was one of the first to respond to the 
country'-- call for troops during the late war, enlist- 
ing in the spring of 1861, in Captain Ely's Com- 



■ :^ *' i ■» 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^^^■"■■"^ 



pany. After drilling in .Innesvillt' until May. Iio 
went with tlic company to Madison, where the -^<1 
■Wiscon.sin Infantry was organized, and on the lltli 
day of June the company w.a.s mustered into .service 
for three years, as Company D of that regiment, 
and, nine days later, left Madison for Washngton. 
After camping about a week, the command crossed 
the river, in July, to Arlington Heights, where the 
company did picket duty. On the i:3th of July, 
they moved to Ccnterville, and on the 18th met 
the enemy in an encounter at Rlackburn's Ford. 
The 21st witnessed the first battle of IJuU Run, in 
which the 2d was the only regiment from Wisconsin 
participating. When the Union forces were obliged 
to retreat. Mr. Fradell went with the corajjany to 
Fort Corcoran, thence to Chain Bridge, on the 
Potomac, to erect fortifications, and then on to 
Fort Tilliughast. where the army went into winter 
quarters. Jn the spring of 1862. Mr. Fradell. with 
his command, moved on to Centerville, and then 
returned to Alexandria, where it remained a week, 
when under the command of Gen. McDowell, the 
army took possession of Fredericksburg. The 
F"ederals met Lee's army at Cedar Jlountain. where 
the Union forces ivere successful, and not long 
afterwards were engaged in the second battle o'f 
Bull Run, which lasted for more than two days. 
The Unionists then moved on to Frederick City 
Md., by way of Washington, and on the 14th day 
of September, 1862, engaged in the battle of South 
Mountain, which lasted several hours. The next 
engagement was at Antietam. where a hard fought 
battle occurred on the 17th, both sides losing heav- 
ily. After remaining in that vicinity for about a 
month the Union forces proceeded to Belle I'laiu. 
near Fredericksburg, where they went into winter 
quarters. During the winter occurred the liattks 
of Frederickslnirg and Chancellorsvillc. General 
McClellan was superseded by Gen. Burnside while 
on the march after the battle of Antietam. In the 
spring of 1863, Gen. Burnside was succeeded by 
Gen. Joseph E. Hooker. After the battle of Chan- 
cellorsville the array remained in camp until .lunc, 
when it moved north to Gettysburg, and on thj 
eve of battle Hooker was supeiseded by Gen. 
(Jeorge G. Meade. The greatest conlliet in the his- 
tory of our country then took place, raging durino- 



the first three days of July, 1863. Our Mibject 
was in the first corps under (ien. Reynolds, which 
arrived on the field about 10 o'clock. July 1. and 
supported Buford. The •• Iron Brigade," of which 
Mr. Fradell's regiment forme<l a part, was the first 
to open fire on Arcliei-'s brigade, and the battle 
lasted until darkness came. By daybreak the next 
morning the forces weie in position and the battle 
was resumed, continuing all day and far into the 
night. It ended on the eve of Jidv 3d. \ictory 
favoring the Union Army. During the conlliet of 
the first d.ay. Mr. Fradell was woun.led. a ball en- 
tering his side between the ribs and passing out at 
his back. He remained in sight of the b.ittle field 
for many hours anfi then was sent to the hospital 
at Germantown, I'a.. until he had sufficiently re- 
covered to rejoin the command. While lying in 
the rear of his regiment, he saw the fall of Hen. 
Reynolds, who was killed close to the rear of ihe 
Iron Brigade, a ball entering his left eye. January. 
1864, Mr. Fradell rejoined his regiment at Cul- 
pepper Courthouse. May 1st he w.as again wopnded 
in the fighting in the wilderness, receivino- a flesh 
wound in the hip. For three months he la'^y in the 
West hospital. Philadelphia. In August he'partici- 
pated in the caiiture of the AVeldon railroad. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1864-6.-. he bore a part in the 
fighting at Hatcher's Run. Later he was in the 
general movement of the army which preceded 
the close of the war and was present at the surren- 
der of Gen. Lee. His service m.ay be thus out- 
lined: In 1S6I. he enlisted in Company D. of the 
2d AVisconsin A'olunteers. In June, 1864, he w:is 
transferred to Company R of the same regiment. 
In September, 1861. he was transferred toCo^mpany 
H. of the 6th Wisconsin. He was discharged 
July 14, I860, after having re-enlisted in 1864 and 
seen more than four years' hard fighting on the 
Southern battle fields. With the excepticm of the 
limes when disabled by his wounds he w.is never 
off duty, but was always foun.l at his pust, faithful 
and true to his country's call. 

Mr. Fradell married Miss llelea 31. Teed. April 
l.j, 1866. They have two children— Charles M 
born Dec. 30. 1868, w.as educate.! at Milton Colle-e,' 
and is now working with his father; Alta. b„rn Dec' 
10, 1879. is with her i.arents. On Ids return 





(::^tz^rutdA^^^i'^^^^t4:^ 



\ 



JU 



ROCK COUNTY. 



home Mr. Fiadoll resumed l.usiness at his trade, 
wliieh he has carried on coiUinuously sinee. He is 
a member of Ihe MetlM,.lisl Kpiscoi.al Church, is 
Commander of the Cirand Army Post of Milton, 
and for uvelve years has been an Odd Fellow. 
r,,ri.rht and honorable in all his dealings, he is a 
man "of slcrlin,- worti, and is hehl in high regard 
liv a large circle of aciiiiaintances. 




W-«*.2jlZa'©-j@*'-| 



^>t/^&'^!TFn<^-snr^ 



^j^KANCKS EL1ZAP.1-:TII WILLAUIX the 

iQl subject of this sketch, needs no intro<Uiction 



to the readers of this work, for her reputa^ 
tl^n isworl.l-wide. .She comes of a long and promi- 
nent line of New England ancestors, one of them an 
earlv settler of Concord, Mass.; one a president, 
another a vice-president of Harvard; one a pastor 
of the Old South Church, of ]5oston; one the archi- 
tect of Bunker Hill Monument: one. Elijali Willard, j 
a chaplain throughout the Revolutionary War. He j 
was forty years pastor of the llai>tist Church at 
Dublin, near Kcenc. N. H. Josiah Flint Willard. 
gran.lson of the latter. an<l father of Frances, was 
born in Whcelock. Caledonia Co.. M.. Nov. 7, 
1805. When ten years old he went with his father's 
family to Ogden." Monroe Co.. N. V. Here he lived 
on a farm, taught school, was clerk in a store and had 
a cabinetmaker's establishment until in 1.S41. having 
laid up money enough to warrant him in so doing, 
he removed with his little family to Oberlin. Ohio, 
for the purpose of becoming a student at Oberlin 
College. He w.as married, Nov. 4, 1831, to Mary 
Thompson Hill, daughter of Deacon .lohn Hill, of 
Ouden. She was born Jan. 3, 1805, at Danville, 
near St. .lohnsbury. Vt.. and was brought up in the 
same neighborhood with Mr. Willard at Ogden. She 
began to be a teacher at liftecn. and taught eleven 
summers and seven winters. As above noted Mr. 
and Mrs. W. went with their children. Oliver and 
Frances, to Oberlin, Ohio, and invested five years 
in academic and college studies, then removed, in 
Mav. of 184(:. to Wisconsin, with their three chil- 
dren. (Mary, of Nineteen Heautiful Ye.ars. having 
been born in Oberlin, March 5. 1846.) Mrs. Wil- 
lard led an isolated life for twelve years, on the 
' farm -Forest Home," three miles down the river 



from .Tanesville. Her daughter has given an ex- 
tended account of this remarkable mother's method 
of rearing and training her children, in her book 
entitled "(:;iimi)ses of Fifty Years." Mrs. Willard 
seems to have had a genius for motherhood. She 
was a Congregationalist in sentiment, and belonged 
j to that church here. Since 1858 she has lived in 
I Evanston with her daughter Frances, encouraging 
I and abetting all of the latter's work to the utmost, 
writing occasionally for the press, making temper- 
ance scrap-books, etc. At seventy years of age she 
! was President of the W. C. T. U., of Evanston,. and 
j at eighty-three a delegate to its National Conven- 
tion." In her eighty-fifth year she is hale and 
' hearty, with no faculty or sense abated in clearness. 
and bids fair to exceed the age of her grandmother 
— ninety seven years. 

josiah Flint Willard was always delicate, phys- 
ically, but possessed a strong and active intellect. 
lie joined the Frae-Soil party at its birth, and was 
elected to the Legislature in 1848. There were 
then but thirteen Free-Soilers in that body, but he 
was on the leading committees, and helped secure 
the Institution for the Blind at JanesviUe.- and was 
one of its Board of Trustees from 1852 to 1858. 
He was nominated for State Treasurer, but was de- 
I featcd. He was several years President of the 
' Rock County Fair, and of the Stale Agricultural 
Society. In 185'.) he introduced Abraham Lincoln, 
i who addressed the multitude at the State Fair, in 
i ^Milwaukee. When President of the Rock Covuity 
Agricultural Society his leg was broken by the kick 
of" a horse while on the ground, but he refused to 
leave, and sat on the stand while Matt. Carpenter 
read the address he w.as too weak to stand up and 
give himself. Mr. Willard was a prominent ollicer 
bi the First Methodist Episcoi)al Church throughout 
his twelve years' residence in .lanesville He was 
Ur. leading horticulturist of the county, and his 
farm took the premium at the County Fair. He 
was the earliest historian of Rock County, having 
' brought out a book (as collaborateur with the Hon. 
Z. P.^P.urdick), of which copies still remain. He 
was for many years one oi the band of Smithsonian 
Weather Observers, upon whose studies the present 
' Signal Service is founded. He removed to Evans- 
I ton, 111., ill November, 1858, for the education of 



* 



^ 



-^*- 



-•^ 



r3(j 



ROCK COUNTY. 



¥ 



liis daughters, and went into Ijiisinessas eoramission 
merchant in Cliicago, witli .1. W. Storey, of ,Iane.s- 
ville, and subsequently into the baniiing business 
with S. A. Kean, the firm becoming later on Preston, 
Willard it Kean, bankers. Washington Street. He 
w.as one of the town Trustees of Evanston, and 
prominent in churcli affairs anil village improve- 
ments. He diefl of consumption, after one year's 
illness. .Ian. -24, 18(>8, and is l)iiri(cl in Rose Hill 
Cemetery, Chicago. 

Frances E. Willard was born at Chnrchville, 
near Rochester. N. Y., Sept. 28, 1839. In a story 
entitled -Three Children and How They Amused 
Theniselves." and in the memoir of her sister. 
••Nineteen IJeautiful Years," iVHss Willard has 
ijiven many pleasing |)ictures of her childhood. 
Oliver was older, Mary younger than Frances. 
Tlieir ptircnls were their companions and playmates, 
as well as their teachers, and made life at ''Forest 
Home." as they called the farm, so ileliglitful. that 
the children seem never to have known an irk- 
some hour. 

Resides the usiinl ;iniusenu'iils of country chil- 
(h'Mi tlii'v had ninny pinys peculiar to themselves, 
the outgrowth of their circumstances and of the 
actively intellectual life of father and mother. 
Their farm was to them a city, with streets and 
pulilic buildings, where they held temperance and 
political meetings, and celebrated National events. 
They had a weekly paper, an art club, established 
with due formalities, and a studio in which to 
hold (juarterly exhibitions, "for the purpose of cul- 
tivating the tastes of any who might atteiul. and 
also in the expectation that we might, at these ex- 
hibitions, dispose of any works of art. such as 
sketches, (jaintings or statuettes modeled in clay, 
which we should be able to furnish to the iiublic" 
— the public lieing mother, brother, and now and 
then a friendly visitor. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Willanl had been teachers, 
and until Frances was twelve years old, they were 
the children's sole instructors. A governess then 
assisted in their education for two years, at the end 
of whit'h time a .school-house was built near the 
river. Two or three j'ears of school life here were 
followed bj- a term in the Woman's College at Mil- 
waukee. The family soon afterward removed to 



•►*-«• 



Evanston. 111., where the girls graduated from the 
Northwestern Woman's College. The elder sister 
became a teacher; the younger died in 18()2. and 
their father a few years Later. Miss Willard taught 
in the Woman's College at Pittsburgh, was Pre- 
ceptress of the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at 
Lima, N. Y.. and Profes.sor of Science in the 
Woman's College at Evanston. After her father's 
death, in 1868, she spent two years in travel through 
Europe and the East, and while absent was corres- 
pondent of the Independent, the Christtan Union, 
and other papers in New York and Chicago. On 
her return she was elected Dean of the Evanston 
Woman's College, and Professor of vF^sthetics in 
the Northwestern University. Her success as a 
te.acher was great, her influence over her pupils ex 
traordinary. -'What are j'ou going to do in the 
world.'" was her oft-asked question. Her aim was 
to develop character, to reveal to each |)upil her 
special powers, and to cultivate a love of giving 
and doing one's best always. She appeared bef<jre 
the world as a public s|)eaker first in an address at 
a woman's missionary' meeting in Cliicago, produc- 
ing so profound an impression that tlic way opened 
immediately for the fullest o|)portunities in this di- 
rection throughout the Northwest. In 1874 she 
was invited to work with the W. ('. T. U. At a 
convention held at Cleveland, in November of that 
year, the National W. C. T. U. was organize:.!, Miss 
Willard being ra.ade Corresponding Secretary. From 
this time forth she could well cry, "Mj' life is de- 
voted;" for all the powers of her being have been 
lavishly [louied forth in the service of humanity, 
through the incthods and .activities of the temper- 
ance reform. 

The Crusade spirit is embodied in the National 
W. C. T. U., which numbers 1(),(I00 local unions, 
with a following of nearly 200,000 members. Miss 
Willard has been connected with it from the be- 
ginning, either as Corresponding .Secretary, X'ice- 
I'resident or President. She has now been for 
eight years at its head, .and has given '"labors 
abundant" in its service. The annals of that un- 
exampled year, in which she visited every State 
j and Territory in the ruiled States, organizing on 
; that tour all the outlying Slates and Territories of 
I the new Northwest, are written in the heart of ov- 



■•► 



i 



-k. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



737 



cry lover of tlic W. C. T. V. She has made live 
trips to the South, and was the |iioneer teiii|>eraiK'e 
worker of tliat. reiiion. 

Ill IS.s;! IMiss Wiliard foimdrd the World's Wo- 
man's Christian Temperance Tnion. its object the 
formation of "a world-wide organization of all wo- 
men interested in any form of tem|ieranee, or soctial 
purity, or any otjier branch of Christian, philan- 
thropic, or reformatory work tlirouiihoiit the whole 
world, without respect to nationality', class or 
creed. It is not intended that this federation shall 
hamper or control in any way the jilans or actions 
of any society or individual, but that it shall 
simply unite tliein all into one common organ- 
ization for the better furtherance of the pur- 
pose that animates each." Miss Willard is I'resi- 
dent for the United States of this society. She is 
also activel}' interested in the societies for the pro- 
motion of personal purity, an<l the "protection and 
and yuidanee of those weaker than ourselves," and 
has written several tracts. White Cross and Silver 
Shield. Social ruiity \\ork, For God and Native 
Land, in furtherance of these aims. She was one of 
the seven members of the Central Executive Com. 
mitlee of the Prohibition party. In 1888 she was 
elected President of the Woman's National Coun- 
cil of the United .Slates, org^anized on the 31st of 
March, --the lar<j;esl venture ever attempted by wo- 
men, and meant to include all other societies." The 
general otlieers of this organization are, besides the ' 
President, a \ice-Presidenl. a Corresponding and 
Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer. Miss Susan 
I'.. Anthony, of New York. Mrs. May Wright Sew- 
all of Indiana, Miss Mary F. Eastman of Massa- 
chusetts, and jNIrs. M. Louise Thomas of New York, 
are the present ollicers. Each president of an aux- 
iliary society is ex offict'o vice-president of the Na- 
tional Council, and the president of the National 
Council is ex-ojficio vice-president of the Interna- 
tional Council. 

In May. 1888, Miss Willard was one of live wo- 
men chosen by the Lay Electoral Conferences as 
<lelegates to the General Conference of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, held in New York. After 
long discussion the}' were refnsetl admission by a 
small majority, "on the ground that the constitu- 
tional law of the church does not provide for the 



reception of women." and tluMpicstion of eligibility 
was referred to the Annual Conferences. In the 
di.scnssions by which this decision wa.s reached the 
women had no voice. 

Miss \Nill;ird is one of ihc editors of Our Day, 
and is the author of Nineteen Beautiful Years, a 
memorial of her sister Mary, |)ublishe(l in 18(;4;of 
W.iinan and Temperance (1883), consisting of bio- 
graphical sketches of women workers in the cause 
of teinperance; of How to Win; a Hook for Girls 
(188(>),aiid Woman in the Pulpit (1888), a strong 
argument for the ecclesiastical equality of women, 
introduced by letters from the Rtv Dr. .Joseph 
Parker, the Rev. Dr. Talinage, and Joseph Cook. 
It aLso contains a counter-argument by the Rev. 
Dr. Henry .1. Van Dyke, Sr., .and a reply by the 
Rev. Dr. L. T. Townsend, in support of Miss W'il- 
lard's position. She is also the author of Glimpses 
of Fifty Years, undoubtedly the crowning work of 
her life, brought out in the spring of 1889, and 
which is having an enormous sale. 

"As a public speaker," says James Clement Am- 
brose, in Potter's American Monthly. -I think Miss 
A\illard is withoutapeer among women. With much 
of the Edward F:verett in her language, there is 
more of the Wendell Phillips in her manner of de- 
livery. She is wholly at home, but not forward on 
the [)latform, with grace in bearing, e.ase .and mod- 
eration in gesture, and in her tones there are tears 
when she wills. It is the voice books call 'mag- 
netic' — a spell is in it to please and carry away. It is 
musical and mellow, never thin, and on an excep- 
tionally distinct articul.ation, winds awjiy to remot- 
est listeners as sounds from the silvery bells of the 
Sabb.ath. Altogether she wears the emph.asis of 
gentleness under |)rofouiid conviction." 

^A #-# 5^ 



|SAAC PAP.SONS MORGAN, a retired hard- 
||| ware merchant an<I the founder of the vill.age 
li of Milton Junction, was born in the town of 
Wilton, N. II., on the 2")th day of July, 180,i, and 
i.s a grandson of Isaac .Morgan, who settled on a 
farm in Wilton, llillsboro Co., N. II.. in the 
early days of the history of that place. The fam- 
ily name is of Welsh origin, but Mr. Morgan has 



■► k ^' 



-♦- 



-•► 



I 



738 



ROCK COUNTY. 



no further direct trace of his ancestry. His father, 
also named Isaac, was born in Wilton, was tliere 
reared to manhood, and married Tabitlia Parsons, a 
native of Westford, Mass. He was a saddler and 
harness-maker b3' trade, and engaged in business 
at Weston and I'oultnej', Vt. 

When our subject was fifteen years old iiis fatiier 
removed to Tyngsboro. Mass.. and when eighteen 
years of age j'oung Morgan was apprenticed to the 
trade of candle-making at Danvers. now Peabody, 
Mass. For seven years after completing his ap- 
prenticeship he continued to work as a journeyman 
with his old enii)loyer, and at the expiration of that 
time estal)lishod business for himself in a room just 
opposite that in which he learned his trade. For 
fifteen years he carried on business at Nashua, 
N. II.. and was located for various periods at Man- 
chester and Amherst. He also followed candle- 
making at Lowell and Metlinen, now l>awrence, 
Mass., and for a period of four years was located 
at South Royallon. \'t.. remaining in lliat place 
until liis removal lo tlie West in IX'jS. 

Not long after entering u|)On his l)usiness ca- 
reer Mr. Morgan wedded Miss Hebccca (i lading, 
a native of Salem. Ma^s.. born in 1«1(), who is still 
his conqianion and iielpmate in life's journey, 
'riicir union w.ns celebrated in 18'29. Mrs. Morgan 
is a d:uighter of William and Mary (\'anderford) 
Cilading. tiic former a native of Phil:idel|)hia, and 
the laltcr of Salem. She lived in the exciting 
times of the War of 1812. in wliich her father 
served. He was made prisoner during lliat strug- 
gle, and the hardships'and confinement of Dartmoor 
prison so undermined his health that he died of 
consumption. He served on board a man-of-war, 
;uid .Mrs. Morgan remembers visiting her father on 
the vessel, wliere she fre((uently recited foi- the en- 
tertainment of tlie seamen. Siie also recalls the 
visit of La l''.<iyette t(j Salem, where, as one of a 
band of maidens decked in ribbons, she welcomed 
that distinguished visitor. 

As l)efore stated. Mr. Morgan, accompanied by 
his I'amih. came lo the West in 18.')H, settling in 
Manchester, Mich., where he carried on a general 
merchandise and produce store. In 18.56 he came 
to Rock County, and in the spring of the following 
year opened a general store at Milton. In 1862 he 



bought thirty-four acres of land, on which now 
stands the village of Jlilton Junction, and plattecl 
the place the next year, his brother taking a half 
interest in the site. They have had the satisfaction 
of seeing a thrifty village grow up aroun<l them, 
which now has many substantial and handsome 
buildings and enjoys a good trade. For some time 
Jlr. Morgan engaged in the hardware business in 
the town wliich he founded, but luis now retire<l to 
private life. A modest and unassuming citizen, he 
has taken no part in oflJicial affairs, although he has 
always fell a deei) interest in the general topics of 
the day, as every true American citizen should clo. 
Politically he has steadfastly sustained the Republi- 
can party. He is not a mendier of any religious or- 
ganization, but is a firm adherent of tiie Unitarian 
faith. An honored pioneer and highly esteemed 
citizen, his sketch deserves an li.inored place in the 
history of his adopted county. 

The children born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Morgan are as follows: William II.. who i.- now 
engaged in farming in the town of .Milton; Benja- 
min F.. who die<l in Austin, Minn., was married and 
left a family of seven children; Charlotla M.. the 
youngest and the only daughter, is tJie widow of 
William V. Little, and is now making her home 
with her i)arents. Mr. Morgan is largely inter- 
este<l in mining in Norlhern Wisconsin. Michigan 
and Canada, is a stockholder in the Marcpielte Iron 
Syndicate, the Imperial Mining Company of Can- 
ada, the Spence it Snyder Co. an<l other concerns 
engaged in the same business. 



'-^^^:f^i^^^^t?^^ 



•►^-4•- 



-<-v- 



RAS rrS p. CLARKE, a Justice of the Peace 
at Milton. Wis., was born on the 3(ith da3' 
of June. LSI 7, in Otsego Countj', N. Y. His 
father was Oliver P. Clarke, and his grandfather 
Henry Clnike, both of whom were natives of 
Rhode Island, and were ministers jf the Seventh 
Day IJaptist Church. The family is of English 
descent, the ancestry being traced back to .lohn 
Claike, who emigrated from England to America 
in the early days of this countr3-. The faiiiil\- of 
which our subject was a mend)er uuinbere<l ten 
children, five sons and five daughters, but oidy tuD 



-«♦- 



i' 



■i- 



11 



ROCK COUNTY. 



730 



arc now living. Kveliiie. the clilest, who became 
llio wife of AVillis Shciwooil, dleii in ITlica, N. Y., 
in IsCi'.l: Ciii'nclia, Imrn in l.s(K». ni:ini(Ml I'. II. 
liassi'tl, an'I resided in < )lseij;o County. N. Y., \intil 
iierdealhin 1S8.'5, leavinij fonr children. Oeorge, 
I,cwi.-i. Dwiuhtand .lohn: CaUu'iine died March. 
l.S,S',), at Ltica, N. Y.; Kli/.n resides at Unadilla 
Forks. X. Y.; I'h(ebe wedded Ransom Lewis, and 
to tlicm were horn six children, tw'o of wlioni arc 
living; Morris, residing in Jefferson C'oniUy, N.^'.. 
has one child, a daughter; IJeulien, who was mar- 
ried and h.-id seven children, five of whcjin arc liv- 
ing, died in Sandy Lake, I'a.; Kra.stus 1*., of this 
sketch, is the next in order of birth; Edwin I), was 
killcil at the battle of Petersburg <luring the late 
war. leaving one dangliter who is yet living; James 
Kay, the youngest of the family, died in 1841. 

(Jur subject wjls reared to manhood in his native 
State, where he rct^eived his education, and in 18o."i 
left New York, removing to New Jersey, whore he 
engaged in the mercantile business. After three 
\ears spent in that line, he resolved to try his for- 
tune in the West, and in I 8.">(; came to Wisconsin, 
settling in .Milton, whcic he has since resided. He 
has taken an active i)art in the growth of the 
tfiwii. and as a buililer has assisted to erect about 
half the buildings therein. I.cforc leaving his 
native State, he married Miss Mary Jane I'cck. a 
native of Cumberland County, N. .1., their weilding 
being celebrated on the 7th <lay of A|iril. I.S-ii. 
Two children have lieen born of their union — Wil- 
lis P. and W.Wallace Clarke, whose sketches appear 
elsewhere. 

Mr. Clarke has always taken a deep interest in 
political alTairs. He ca.st his first Presidential vote 
for William Henry Harrison in 1810, and also 
voted for Benjamin Ilarrisori in 1888. During the 
cami)aign of IS.jG, when Fremont was the first I{e- 
pul)licaii candidate for the Presidency, he w.is the 
first man to organize a Fremont Club in the part 
of New Jersey where he then lived, and was one 
of the local leaders in his party. He ni.ade several 
political speeches, earnestly .advocating organiza- 
tion upon Republican principles, and has remained 
a faithful adherent to tlie party since that time. He 
was first elected to i)ublic office in 1870, when he 
Wiis the people's choice for .Instice of the Peace, 



*--• -* 



since which time he has been elected to that office 
at each succeeding election. He has b.en connected 
with the Home and Northwestern Insurance Com- 
panies since 1882, and has served .as Trustee and 
Clerk of the Seventh Day I'.aptist Church for sev- 
eral years, lie is highly rcsi)ccLed by all who 
know him. and has many w.aiin fiicnds throughonl 
the community. 

Though always practic;dly a temperance man. 
our subject has been a total abstainer since about 
1815, when he became a member of the Sons of 
TcmiX'rancc. luid has during all the years since that 
time been idenlilied with some organization having 
for its object the suppression of the li(|uor traffic 
and the many evils growing out of intemperance. 
In his ollicial capacity he metes out to violators cif 
the law regulating the sale of intoxicants, the full 
measure of |)unishment provided by law, and is 
somewhat of a terror to evildoers who engage in 
the illicit sale of whisky. He is not a member of 
the Prohibition paity. from the fact that in his 
opinion that niove;ncnt is not sti-iclly in the inter- 
ests of tempi'i'ance. 

■—»^ i^^i- *^---- 

I JILLIAM COLK is a native of England, 
\jj// '•»■'" '" Devonshire on the 21st da^- of 
VW .M:iy, 1 82 1 . In 1 8;i;!. when a lad of eleven 
years, he left his nali\e laud and with his parents, 
sailed for the New World in a. vessel bound for 
Canada, wliero the family' located, and William wiis 
reared to manhood. On the 3(1 d.ay of July, 1848, 
he married Miss Florella Pciry. The lady wiis 
born in Chenango County, N. Y., Sept. 15. 1825. 
and spent the days of her early girlhood in that 
Slate. When seventeen years of age, in 1812, she 
removed to Canada, settling in Rrantford, where 
she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Cole. Their 
children are five in number: Levia C, who was 
born in Canada June 27, 1849, is now Mrs. I5ns- 
dick. and a resident of Janesville; Marshall T., 
born in lirantford, Canada, June 9, 1851, is a suc- 
cessful teacher in the graded schools of Clareraont. 
Minn.; Frank B., born Aug. 19, 1853, is a station 
agent on the Chicago, Milwaukee it St. Paul Rail- 
road, at Boyilen, Iowa; .lessie. whose birth oc- 



■1 



4 



' 740 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



(■lined ill Milton April U». 185C. Iiecame the wife 
of H. H. Hisdou an employe of tiie Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railroad, residing In Milton: 
Iza Z., born June 4, 1802, in Milton vedded L. T. 
Davidson, and resides in Milton. 

Ill 1855 Mr. Cole decided to cast his lot witii the 
earl_y settlers of Wisconsin, and acting ui>oii that 
determination, came to Rock County, the date of 
his arrival being the 8th of November. Removing 
to the Peter McEwan farm, he purchased 200 acres 
of land, but has disposed of part of it, still retain- 
ing possession of eightj'-three acres. 

In October, 1861, Mr. Cole enlisted in tlie 13tli 
Wisconsin Infantry, and was mustered into the 
service at Janesville, November 1st following, and 
commissioned as Sergeant. After serving five 
months he was honorably discharged, and return- 
ing to Milton, he resumed farming. In 1868. 
retiring from the more active duties of life, he 
removed to Milton. Soci.ally, he is a member of 
the G. A. R. Post at IMilton, and politically, an in- 
flexible Republican, liaving supported that party 
since its organization. He is a public-spirited 
enterprising man, and a worthy and valued citizen, 
and has always been found in the foremost rank of 
any public enterprise which was calculated to be of 
benefit to the community. His sterling worth and 
Strict integrity have secured for liim the confidence 
of all. Mrs. Cole is an adherent of the Seventh 
Day Baptist Church. 

^ ARSHALL R. COON, who for a contin- 
uous period of almost half a century has 




'Y 



been identified witli the best interests of 
Rock County, is nosv engaged in farming 
on section 9, in the town of Milton. He was born 
in Alfred Centre, Alleghany Count}'. N. Y., May 
22, 1838, and is the son of (leorge N. and Eusebia 
(lUirdick) Coon. His parents were also natives 
of the Empire State, and their family consisted of 
but two children — Marshall R. of this sketch and 
Luanna. wife of Anson L. Rose, a farmer of Milton 
Township. In early life, the father learned the black- 
smith's trade, whidi he followed for a livelihood 
in liis native State, and also engaged in that occupa- 



tion after becoming a resident of Wisconsin. Accom- 
panied by his family, he emigrated to Rock County 
in 1840,and took up a claim near Lake Koshkonong, 
in Milton Towiislii|). He entered 160 .-icres of 
government land and erected a huge log cabin, 
1 8x.'56 feet, which was the first home of the family 
in the county. There they lived in true iiioneor 
style, and many were the happy days there spent, 
when the country was new and unsettled. In some 
directions the eye could look out upon what seemed 
to he uiibouiukd i)rairie. while in others, it rested 
upon regions of heavy timber, the haunt of many 
kinds of wild game, and where wolves were also 
frequently seen. Mr. Coon afterward erected the 
first frame building on the river road between 
Stoughton and Milwaukee, and on the banks of the 
little lake established a small store, where he traded 
with the Indians and the few white settlers of the 
community. His stock was hauled from Milwau- 
kee, and in exchange for his goods, he received all 
kinds of produce, furs and numerous other articles. 
Monej- w.as scarce and wheat which was iiauled to 
Milwaukee by o,\ teams only brought twenty-five 
cents per bushel, while corn sold at ten cents. In 
connection with his other business interests Mr. 
Coon also engaged in blacksmithing. He resided 
upon the claim which he first entered until 1853, 
when he bought the farm adjoining his original 
l)urchase ou the west, and in the course of time ex- 
tended its boundaries until it comprises 300 acres. 
Probably no man has done more toward the devel- 
opment of the wild land than (ieorge X. Coon. He 
placed the entire tract which he owned under a 
a high state of cultivation, made many beautiful 
and useful ini|)rovements and otherwise increased 
its value until he l)ecame one of the well-to-do citi- 
zens of the county. 

Wishing to retire from active life, in 1881. he 
left tlie farm where he had made his home for so 
many years and removed to Milton Junction, 
where lie continued to reside until his death, which 
occurred in 1880. at the ripe old age of seventy-two 
years. He dic<I fr(.)in the bursting of a blood-ves- 
sel in his side. Although an olil iiian, he retained his 
mental and physical faculties to an unusual degree 
up to the last. His wife departed this life in 1 8(58. at 
at the age of fifty-two years. They were nicmliers 



*f 



i 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•a^ 



741 



of theSeventli Daj' IJaplist Clmrch and were instru- 
mental in till' organization of the society to wliicli 
tiiey lii'lungod. In lii.s early life Mr. Coon had 
t)een a singing teacher ancl for twenty-five years 
acted !is chorister for the chiirch. He identilied 
himself witli all puhlic enterprises, contriluited lil)- 
er:illy to the npbnilding of the comnuinity. and 
felt a deep interest in all public affairs. The first 
school in district No. 2, w.as taught in his house by 
Miss Esther Coon, who afterward Ijccame the wife 
of Dr. Allen. 

Since the age of two years, onrsnbject has passed 
his entire life in this county. He received his ed- 
ucation in the primitive log house with its puneli- 
enn floor, seats made of rude slaljs, and an immense 
firei)lace crowned by a mud and stick chimney, and 
the rod above the teacher's desk — a terror to all 
evil-doers. In his early j-outh he began learning 
the bliicksniith's trade with his father, and for live 
years followed that occupation. Those were 
days of almost ceaseless toil, no idlers were wanted 
in the community, but men of worth were always 
welcome. Abandoning the blackstnith's tr.ade, Mr. 
Coon at once turned his attention to fanning and 
now has one of the best homes in the township. On 
the "iTlh day of ( )etol)er, 185!), he was joined in 
wedlock with Miss Matilda .1. Huffman, :i native of 
Clarke County, Ohio, born Dec. 21, l«4;i. Her 
parents. Miehael and Mary (Livingston) Huffman, 
were born in \irginia, but in early life removed to 
Ohio, where they were married in IH.'il. They are 
now residents of Milton Junction, and are num- 
bered among its esteemed and respected citizens. 
For the past few years Mr. Huffman lias suffered a 
terrible atllietion in the loss of his eyesight, being 
totalU blinil. liy the union of the young coui)le 
one child ha> been born, Kusebia M., born Sept. 22, 
1H72. Tlu' have si)ared neither pains nor monej' 
in the cdur.'ition of their daughter, who is an ac- 
comiilishcil young lady. She has been thoroughly 
instructed both in literary studies and music, and is 
now preparing her>elf for a teacher. 

The fauiilv to which Mrs. Coon belongs num- 
bered ten children, six of whom are yet living — 
George \V.. who is now engaged in farming in the 
town <if Lima; Amanda, wife of Deacon Allen; 
John, a minister of the Seventh D.ay Haptist 



Church, now residing in West Virginia; Kliz'dieth, 
wife of Cyrus C. Frink, of Milton Junction; Matil- 
da, honored wife of our subject; and Charity who 
wedded S. W. IJaker. a resident of Milton Junction. 
Mr. and Mrs. Coon are representatives of two of 
the pioneer families of this county. Thev have 
shared in the trials and hardships incident to life on 
the frontier, and to them is due no little credit for 
their assistance in the work of development and 
progress which has made Rock, the lianner county 
of this great commonwealth. In religious .associ- 
ations, they are members of the Seventh Day Rap- 
tist Church, at Milton Junction, and have devoted 
their lives to the work of the M.aster, while the 
moral and religious institutions of the comniunilv 
have found in them warm and true friends. At the 
early age of thirteen years. Mr. Coon united with 
the cluircli and has been identified vvith its inter- 
ests for more than a third of a century. For thirty 
years he has been one of the office holders, and 
from the time, when as a lad, his voice was heard 
mingling with the more mature tones of the older 
members of the choir, he h:is thus .a.ssisted in tho 
services. His wife has also has been a devoted 
member for thirt^'-two years and is beloved by all 
for her many excellencies of character. They have 
one of the most pleasant homes in the county, sur- 
rounded by all that makes life worth the living and 
their friemls are sure of a kindly welcome and lov- 
ing reception. 



)E 



W. F'lSIIKR, who is extensively engaged in 
farming and stt)ck-raising in Hock Town- 
ship, resides on section r>, and is a represen- 
tative of one of the early families of the c<»unlv. 
His father, J.acob Fislier. was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, born in Luzerne County, and emigrated fioin 
that State to Wisconsin in 184(i, residing in this 
community until his death, which occurred on the 
27th of iVugust, 1878. (See sketch on another 
page.) 

The subject of this sketch w.as born in I'lymoiilh 
Township, Hock Co., on the llth d.ay of August. 
1849, and lias followed the occupation of farming 
thronghout his entire hfe. On the 2;3d day of 
September, 1872, he w.as united in mari-iage with 



L. 






-h 



A. 






ROCK COUNTY. 



Miss Mary ^I. Douglas. .i <laugliter of E. A. Doii<r- 
las, wlio is miinbered among tiie ijioiu'i-r settlers of 
Koci< Count3-, and whose sketch will be found on 
nnotlici- p.igo of this volume. Their wedding was 
CLlcliiati'd at the home of the bride's parents in the 
town of P]\ mouth, and tlie young couple began 
their domestii' life upon a farm. Tiie family circle 
was coini)leted by the birth of five children, all of 
whom are yet living. John L., born March 3, 
1874; Jacob Agrippa, Out. it. 187;"); Happy Har- 
riet, March 14, 187'J; Joseph. May 19, 1881; and 
P'rank Whitney, March 9. 1886. 

In May. 1881, ^Ir. Fisher removed to his present 
home in Rock Township, purchasing 2(14 acres of 
land, but since that time has extended the bounda- 
ries of his farm until it comjirises olO acres, sit- 
uated on section 5, Rock Townsliip. and section 32, 
Janesville Township. The many fine improve- 
ments and the iiighl}' cultivated condition of the 
land have made the farm one of the best in tlie 
county. The pleasant home with all its surrouml- 
ings, indicate thrift and refinement. Since 1872, 
Mr. Fisher has been engaged in raising fine cattle, 
making a specialty of the Durham breed, and is 
very successful in that line. He Is now devoting 
considerable attention to the breeding of standard 
bred horses for driving purposes, and his stock is 
all of the liest grades. His good business ability 
combined with an energetic and industrious spirit 
h:is made him one of the leading young farmers of 
the county, and insures his success in any under- 
tfiking. As a citizen .nnd friend, he receives the 
ri'S|)ect of all who know liim, and we are pleased to 
record his sketch in the i>ermancnt history' of Rock 
Count}', in whose welfare and advancement he 
takes groat interest. 



DWAUD T. HA.MILToN, a resident of 
fej Milton, was born on the 1 9th day of Jan- 
L^ uary, 1819, in Allegany County, N. Y., 
and is a sc)n of Freeborn and Tacy (Green) Hamil- 
ton. He was one of a family of twelve children, 
seven of whom are now living. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
hood in his native State, receiving his education in 



the common schools. Thinking that the opportun- 
ities afforded young men were l)etter in the West 
than in the older states of the East, lie came to 
Wisconsin in 1812, and bought land in the town 
of Harmony. After some months he sold his land 
to his brother Horace (i. and returned to New 
York, where in 1843 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Weltiiy M. Burdick. a daughter of Daniel and 
Elizabeth liurdick. They hf^d a family' of nine 
children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom 
are still living, with one exception. Daniel M. and 
Waite S., the two eldest of the family are still liv- 
ing in New York State. Harriet E. is now de- 
ceased. The others are Kdon 1'., Benjamin F., 
John A., Mrs. Hamilton. Charles R. and Abigail. 
Mrs Hamilton was born on the 23d day of Ma}-, 
1824. She has had five ciiildren. Albert E., born 
March 27. 181.'), is tiie first in order of birth; a 
lawyer by i)rofession. living in Harper. Kan. 
Elnora, born .luly 2-3, 1847. is living in IMilton; 
Charles W., born Marcii 3o, 1849, was married and 
diejl in 1880; Haltic L. born May 19, 18;)2. is now 
deceased; and Ida M. was born June 22, 185.5. 

Shortly after their marriage l\\.v. Hamilton and 
his young wife came to Rock County, and settled 
on a farm of IGO acres in Ijima Township, he en- 
tering an 80-acre tract and purchasing the 
remainder. He there eng.aged in farming, develop- 
ing the wild land and making many useful improve- 
ments until his farm became one of the best in the 
community. In 18G1 he removed with his family to 
Milton, but retained the owiiershiji of the land on 
which he first settled until 1881, when he sold out. 
For some time he engaged in stock dealing, mak- 
ing a specialty of horses, and was quite successful 
in that line of business. Financially, he is a self 
made m.an. Starting out in life with no capital, 
he h.as steadily worked his way upward, gaining by 
good management, industry and enteri)rise, a com- 
fortable coinpctencj' which enables him to pass his 
declining years in retirement from the more active 
duties of life. Rrevious to the war he was a sup- 
porter of the Abolition party, but now casts his 
ballot with the Prohibition party. Throughout his 
life he has taken a deep interest in tem|)erance 
work, and aiiled in the |)romotion of temperance 
principles. He is a member of the Seventh Day 



n* 



k 



I 





^ 





I 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-•► 



745 



i 



liaptistCliuixh. of Milton, iind is mnnbered among 
till" fail}' settlers of that town, in tiie enterprises 
of wliieli lie has ever been found in the foremost 
ranlis. An honored [Moneer, a progressive and 
pulilie spirite<l citizen, he is well known throughout 
Ivoek C'oiuitv, and is lielil in high regard as a man 
of sterling wortli. 



-5"^^'^^^^-^M- 



AVID .IKFFRIS. Among tlie early settlers 
111 of Janesville none have been more pro- 
(f^^y minenth' identified with its growth and 
progress than the gentleman whose name 
heads this sketch. He arrived in this city on the 
Mtli d.ay of June, 1846, and for more than forty- 
three years he has made .lanesville his home. He 
is a native of Kentucky, having been born in 
(iraysoii County, Aug. G, 1821. His ancestors 
were residents of Virginia long before the War of 
llio Revolution, and liis grandfather, Thomas 
■leffris, served in the army of Gen. Washington for 
live years of that struggle. In the year 1797, he 
left ^'irginia, removing with his family to Ten- 
nessee and from thence to Kentucky some years 
later. 

The father of our subject, ^Villiam .leflfris, was 
born in Virginia in 17114, having been but three 
years old when with his parents he left his native 
Stale. While in Kentucky, he wedded Miss Susan 
Keller, who was born in Maryland, but went to 
Kentucky during her childhood daj-s. As an in- 
teresting f.aet in their history it m.ay be mentioned 
that the family of William .leffris and that of the 
jiarents of Aliraham Lincoln lived but a fevv miles 
apart in Kentuckx'. and on their removal to Illinois 
both settled in the same neighborhood and were 
well acquainted with each other. The martyred 
President was about twelve years the senior of our 
subject who remembers him well, first as a youth 
driving a team of six yoke of oxen while breaking 
prairie, and later ns a lawyer, long before he had 
made a National or even gained a.St:itc reputation. 
Hut a short time after the removal of the family to 
Illinois. Mrs. .leffris died, her death occurring Feb. 
8, 1830. After the death of his first wife. William 
.leffris was united in marriage with a Miss Ewing, 



a cousin of the eminent statesman, Thomas Ewing. 
He had seven children by his first marriage, four 
sons and three daughters, five of whom arc living 
in 188'.). One son. (ieorge. died in Des Moines. 
Iowa, in 1881. Thomas is living in Coles County, 
111.; D.nvid is the next in age; William is a resident 
of Rock County; Sarah, (many j-c.ars deceased), 
Mary B. and .Susan complete the family. There 
were three children born of his second marriage, 
two of whoni are living, Mary .Jane and John, while 
Elizabeth is now deceased. The father died in 
January^ 18(!8. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood 
in Illinois, and in the spring of 1846, made arrange- 
ments to join an overland expedition to the Terri- 
tory of Oregon, but on reaching St. Louis, from 
which place the expedition was to set out, found 
that the party had disbanded. His design being 
thus frustrated, he then went to Macoupin County, 
III., and engaged with Col. Anderson to accompany 
him to the Territory of Wisconsin with a drove of 
cattle, the intention of the Colonel being to dispf)se 
of his stock ut a good profit. They arrived in 
Janesville on the 8th day of June, 1846, but by 
this time Col. Anderson had become somewhat dis- 
couraged by the difficulties attending the enterprise 
and proposed to sell the drove of over three hundred 
head of cattle to Mr. Jeffris, demanding but a com- 
paratively^ small payment in cash, proposing to trust 
him for the greater part of the amount. This pro- 
position on the part of Col. Anderson would seem 
to be a strjingo one, .as he h.ad known Jlr. Jeffris 
only a short time, and the latter, too. was then but 
a youth. This certainly was a great compliment 
to our subject, that a comparative stranger should 
pl.ace so much confidence in his honesty and integ- 
rit}'. The sum involved was about ?!4.000, but 
even the small amount required as a cosh payment 
Mr. Jeffris did not possess. However, he found a 
friend in the person of the Rev. Hiram Tremble, 
a Methodist minister, who loaned him the three 
hundred dollars required, and he was thus enabled 
to consummate the tr.ade. This proved a profitable 
speculation for Mr. Jeffris .as he realized a hand- 
some profit from the sale of the cattle. After pay- 
ing the balance of his indebtedness to Col. Ander- 
son, he continued in the stock business for a 






746 






ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



number of years, thouah he eiiir.a^cd .-it carpenter 
work as his chief occiipatiuii. Many of the im- 
portant, hiiildings of .lanesvilleas well as of the n<\- 
jacent towus were erected through his induence and 
enterprise. For many years he worked on the 
principle of a loan and building association, and 
thus asssisted many a po(^r man to secure a iionieof 
his own. He has been instrumental in the erection 
of nearlj' fouriuindred luiildings, including private 
residences, business houses, churches, etc., and it 
can be truthfully said that no man h.as done as 
much toward the building up of tliis city as Jlr. 
Jeffris. Perhaps the most important liuildings 
which he has erected in Janesville are the .Mer- 
chants' and Mechanics' Bank and the Grand Hotel. 
The latter was erected in l.sTi), opened to the 
public on the 1st day of January, IS.sO. and is still 
owned by Mr. Jeffris. It is one of the finest and 
most popular hotels in the .State. In \><GH. he ex- 
tended his business interests by purchasing a 
lumber yard wliich he operated for man3- years, 
and he has also dealt considerably in real estate. 

On the 14th day of November, I^.'jO, Mr. Jeffris 
was united in marriage with Miss (irace Mouat, a 
daughter of JIalcolni IMouat, whc) came to Rock 
County with his family in the f.all of 1845, having 
the same year emigrated from Scotland to the 
United States. He settled on a farm on Rock 
Prairie, where he resided until his death, which 
occuned in 18G!I. His wife died on the 17th day 
of September, 1880. They were the parents of 
seven children; four of whom are now living. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jeffris have a family of si.x children — 
Susan .\lice; Thomas M.. a cajjitalist of Huron, 
Dak.; Willi.am S„ cashier of the .Alerchaiits' .and 
Mechanics' Bank of Janesville; Malcolm G., an 
attorney of this city; David K.. a lumber merchant 
of .lancsville; and Frederick James, at home. 

It can lie truly said of Mr. Jeffris that he has 
ever been one of the representative men of Janes- 
ville, and for fortj-lhree years has been intimately 
connected with its growth and progress. He has 
been connected with several important business 
enterprises beside those already mentioned, among 
the chief of which was the organization of the 
Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank, in September, 
187,T. He was made the first president of the 



bank, a position he occupied until 1879. and is 
still a director and one of tiie principal stock hold- 
ers of that institution. As a business man. he has 
been remarkably successful and has acquired a 
competence. Mr. and .Mrs. .leffris have long 
been faithfid and consistent nu'ml)ers of the Con- 
gregational Church, the latter since 1848. and the 
former for at least a quarter of a century. In 
politics Mr. Jeffris is a supporter of the lvei)ublican 
party. (.See jwrtrait on another Jiage. ) 




R. THORWALDSEX JUDD, of Janes- 
ville. one of the leading dentists of South- 
ern AVisconsin. established business in this 
city in June. 1881. opening an offlce on 
the East Side, liut in .June of the following year 
removed to his present location on the northwest 
corner of Milwaukee and Franklin streets. He is 
a son of Dr. Frederick Hill Judd. who was born in 
the town of Bethel, near Danbury, Conn., Apiil 
20, 1811. His father was reared and educated in 
his native State, and at the age of twenty-one 
years started out in life for himself, (ioing first 
to Canada, he lived for a time in the family of a 
physician, and while there an epidemic of cholera 
prevailed. His experience at the time induced 
him to pursue the study of medicine, and he soon 
afterwards entered the Ohio Medical College at 
Cincinnati, graduating in 1834. But a little later 
he settled at (Jreenville. Pa., where he engaged in 
the jjractice of his profession for a period of eight- 
een years, when in 18i)2 he removed to Rock Is- 
land, 111., in which city, .as at Greenville, he estab- 
lished an extensive and successful practice. 

During the early days of his medical profession, 
he was united in marriage in Mercer Co., Pa., 
with Miss Harriet J. Waugh, a sister of the emi- 
nent artist, S. B. M'.augh. whose ilaughter has be- 
come famous. Four children were born of their 
union: .1. 11.. wife of John H. Kinney, of Janes- 
ville: Dr. 1,. 1)., of Philadelphia: Dr. Thorwaldsen. 
of Janesville; and Ella, who married Phil. Mit- 
chell, a banker of Rock Island. 

In 18(10 Dr. Judd with two bankers of Rock 
Island, 111., formed a mining com|jany and estab- 



\ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



— • 
74' 




lislied the town kuon-n as l?lack Hawk, iicai- Cen- 
tral City, Col. This firm became iiossessert of 
large mining interests, in fact the largest then 
known in tliat territory, called tiie (iregory and 
liolitail Lodes. After several years of successful 
mining opcratioMs the company sold out to a stock 
comjianv at considerable advance. In 1865 Dr. 
.Iiidd removed with his family to Brooklyn, N. Y., 
and purcliaseil one of the most elegant homes in 
that cil3'. In 18(>7, accompanied by his eldest son, ! 
L.i)., he went abroad, spending a year visiting most 
of tlie principal places of interest in Europe. Soon 
after his return he came to Janesville, and being 
impressed with tiie many advantages of the city 
.and its healthful ehar.acter, decided to locate here. 
He purchased an improved and already beautiful 
home and settled down to rest after a lifetime 
marked with sturdy toil which had been rewarded 
with a competence. Here he and his interesting 
family gathered about them many warm friends, 
and here he p.assed the remainder of his life, his 
death occurring July 28. 1877. He was a Chris- 
tian gentleman, altogether such an one as could 
ailiiin a life of ease, exemplif3'ing before younger 
men the profit of an .active life, the value of integ- 
ritv and the final compensation of steadfastness to 
principle. Those who knew him (and his friends 
were many) bear tribute to his memory, to his 
man^' virtues, to liis clear mind and abounding 
goodness. He was a man whose heart never grew 
old. Venerable in appearance, his flow of spirits 
seemed to come from another life from within, as 
in truth it diil. for his faith, his religious life was 
joyous. He permitted no doubts. When he came 
to die there was no hurried anxiety to balance 
eternal accounts; he was ready. 

Dr. Thorwaldsen .ludd, whose name heads this 
sketch, is the only one of the family who did not 
accomp.any his fatlier to Colorado. He was born 
in Mercer Co.. Pa., in 184G, and was Init about 
four j-earsof age when his father removed with his 
family to Uock Island, III. Later he was sent to 
Norwalk, Conn., to attend school, and there re- 
mained for about three vears, rejoining the fauiily 
after their removal to Brooklyn. His father in- 
vested largely in the Kagleton Manufacturing 
Company in that city, and gave to his two sons. 



L. I), and our subject, an interest of ^7.5,000 in 
that business. Several years later the business w.as 
sold to Demas Barnes, and in 1868 the family came 
to Janesville. Soon after Thorwaldsen engaged 
in the hardware business under the firm name of 
K. S. Barrows it Co., whic!i connection continued 
about three years, when tiie partnership was dis- 
solved and he carried on the business alone, gradu- 
ally converting it into the manufacture of gas gen- 
erators, automatic machines for generating gas. 
w'hich he invented and for which he obtained a 
patent. In 1872 he went to Philadelphia, and with 
his brother. Dr. L. D. Judd. engaged in the manu- 
facture of this m.achineon a large scale. The busi- 
ness finall}- merged into a stock company and he 
became its manager. 

While residing in Philadelphia. Dr. Judd led to 
the marriage .altar Miss Abbie T, Lanman, a native 
of Brooklyn, N.Y., and a daughter of David T 
Lanman, a resident of that city and a representa- 
tive of one of the early Connecticut lamilies, being 
descended from the eminent Trumbull family of 
that State. LTnto them one son h.as been born, 
Frederick H.. whose birth occurred in November. 
1884. 

In 1877 the Doctor returned to Janesville and 
eng.aged in the study of dentistry. He is one of 
the energetic and progressive citizens of Hock 
County, and these elements of character are illus- 
trated in the pursuit of his profession, in which he 
holds high rank. He is an earnest and consistent 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and is Super- 
intendent of its Sabbath-school. In his political 
sentiments he is a Republican, and socially is a 
member of the Order of the Knights of Pythias. 
He was one of the organizers of the Janesville 
Guards, which was afterwards converted into the 
Janesville J.,ight Infantry, and served !»s Quarter- 
master .Sergeant of the former organization, also as 
Quartermaster of the regiment. 



«-fr^ 



D'ir 



ORRIS W. ADAIR, deceased. It becomes 
I the duty and the pleasure of the hislo- 
to perpetuate the lives of those who 
lave borne a prominent part in the history of the 



^r 



•^^1^^ 



a 



r48 



ROCK COUNTY. 



country, and therefore we are pleased to record 
this sketch of Mr. Norris W. Adair. He was 
niunhprod among the leading attorneys of Rwk 
County, and was a resident of Evansville. In this 
State lie passed liis entire life, having licen l)orn in 
Green County, Wis. He was a son of Jlathi.as 
and Elizahetii (Becker) Adair. His fatiier bravely 
enlisted in the service of the country during the 
late Civil AVar and was one of the thousands wlio 
offered up their lives on the altar of their country 
in order that the Union might be preserved. The 
death of his father (iccurring when lie was a lad of 
seven years, Jlr. Adair was then thifiwn upcui his 
own resources and from that time made liis own 
way in the world. He w.as truly a self-made man, 
.and the success to wliich he attained Avas but the 
greater on account of the station from which he 
arose. He received his education in the common 
schools, and on looking about him for .some trade 
or profession chose the law as the one which he 
most wished to inake his life work. With deter- 
mined energy he set to work to master that |irofes- 
sion, and being of a studious nature, undaunted by 
an}' trial which might cross his path, he soon 
gained a knowledge of the law which would have 
done credit to man)- an ')ld jirMClitioncr. In 187!) 
he was admitted to tlu; bar of Rock County in 
Janesvillc and located in the thriving little cit\- of 
Evansville. 

In 1877 Mr. Adair was united in marriage with 
Mi.ss Am.anda Winston, a daughter of Reuben Win- 
ston, of Evansville. Two little sons came to bless 
their union, Ralph and Herman. 

After locating in Evansville, Mr. Adair applied 
himself with untiring zeal to his i)rofession and se- 
cured a good practice. He was rapidly gaining a 
prominent position at the bar and displayed marked 
talent and ability, but contining himself tooclosely 
to his work, over-study and his arduous labors im- 
]>aired his constitution, and on the ■i'.lth of M.areh, 
IHlSl.the flame of life burned itself out. In his 
death tlie community lost one of her most brilliant 
and promising citizens, the young wife a lovint; 
ai.d leniler husband, and the little sons a kind and 
indulgent father. On being thrown upon his own 
resources he had resolved to make for himself a 
place in this world, and his ambition and love of 




study spurred him on until his health gave way 
before the strain. His life was one of the strictest 
integrity and uprightness, and he leaves to his chil- 
dren the [)riceless heritage of a good name. 

On the 2d d.ay of Ajiril. 1885, Mrs. Adair was 
.again married, becoming the wife of (Jeorge II. 
Butts, a leatling farmer residing on section 28, in 
the town of Milton. Her children are yet with her, 
and are bright intelligent little lads, of whom she 
may well be proud. Wlien only four 3'ears of 
age Ralph was atHicted with spinal mengenitis, 
which left the right lower limb paralyzed. He 
suffered greatly and at length lost the entire use 
of that limb. It was then thought best that the 
member shovUil be amputated, and it was Uiken off 
just above the knee. 

-*-^ ••o*o..{5JX®-of<. *,.— 

\f:*^ AVID WALSH, a retired farmer, resifling 
in Milton, Wis., is a native of the Emerald 
Isle, where his birth occurred on the 22d 
day of December. 1822. He is a son of 
John and Rebecca Walsh, who were also natives of 
Ireland, and unto them was borii a faniil\ of nine 
children, only three of whom are now living, 
namely: James, who resides in Winnepeg. Canada, 
where he is engaged in the commission business; 
Richard, a veterinary surgeon, residing in Port 
Perry, Ontario; and David, the suliject of this 
sketch. The members of the family now deceased 
are William. .lolui. Mary, (Jeorge. Charles and 
Mary. 

Our subject was but four years of age when with 
his parents he left his native land and emigrated 
to Canada. He. however, remembeis many things 
about his liirlhi>lacc. The family located ncarMont- 
real. Canada, where for some time the father eng,aged 
in farming and the dairy business, but later remov- 
ing to Cavau Township. Durham Co.. Ontario, he 
bought a farm ami eng.igcd in it.-* cultivation. He 
added to his original purc-hase until his landed \k>s- 
sessions aggregated 800 acres. l^avid was leareil 
to manhood upon that farm in Canada, and while 
there residing became acquainted with Miss Lucre- 
tia liarnhanlt. a native of Canada, who .afterward 
became his wife. She was born on the l,5'.h dav of 



n 



>•»• 



ROCK COUNTY. 



lit 



June, 1828, anrl lias two brolliers. John, who is 
li\ iiiii; in St. Cloud. Minn., and Zaciiniiali, wlm ic- 
.sides in Miliirook, Canada. Mr. and Mis. Walsh 
ii.MVf no cliiidii'n of their own, bnt have adoptinl a 
niece and nepliew, upon whom they lavish .all the 
eare and allentioii of fond parents. 

Mr. Walsh is nnnibercd among the early settlers 
of Rock County, datinu- his residence fiom 1855, 
when he left his Canadian home .and came tt> Wis- 
consin. At that lime he purchased 135 acres of 
land on section 12. in the town of Harmony, and 
for aliout thirty years there made his home. Hn 
has i)laccd the entire farm under a high state of 
cultivation, has made man\ line improvements, 
and otherwise increased the value i)f his Land. For 
some time he engaged in the dairy business, in 
which he was ijuite successful, turning out an arti- 
cle of butter which gained an excellent reputation. 
In connection with general farming, he also devoted 
considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, and 
made a specialty of Jersey cattle. Possessed of an 
energetic nature and good ability, he was quite 
successful in the line of his l>usiness, ami by his 
own elYorts has aiciiinulated a comfortable com- 
petence, which enables him to pass his declining 
years in retirement. In 1881 he erected a nice 
residence in Milton at a cost of ><3.()00. and has 
there since made his home. Religiousl.y. ^Ir. Walsh 
is a member of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church, 
and is a leading and representative citizen of the 
community. For some time he served his fellow- 
citizens as I'athinastcr. and for one year filled the 
odice of Supervisor. The cause of eilucation finds 
in him a true and constant friend, one who takes a 
prominent part in the advancement of that interest, 
believing it to be a necessary (lualilication to goi>d 
citizenship. For \ ears he ser\cil as Treasurer of 
the School lioard. and also filled the position of 
School Director. Politically, he is a Repiil)lican. 
having supported that i)arty since its organization. 
While living in Harmony he served as Justice of 
the Peace. 

In tlie many years of his residence in Rock 
County, Mr. Walsh has not onlj' witnessed the 
great transforniatinn which has taken place, but 
has been a participant in its progress and develop- 
ment and has aided in the advancement of its en- 



terprises. Many and great are the changes which 
have taken place during the past forty years, and the 
most far-sighted could scarcely imagine the promi- 
nent position to which Rock County has attained. 
To the early settlers it owes a debt of gratitude 
which can never be repaid, but we can perpetuate 
their names and lives by a written history which 
will last for .ages. 



MOS P.. SPAlLDlNi;. who is now living 
^W 11 ^ retired life in Milion .luuction, is one of 

11 iSt the representative citizens of Rock County. 
^ and though he has made his home in this 

coniinunit^' but a short time, i» one of ils most 
popular men. He is a native of the Empire State, 
having been born in the town of Plaiiifield. Otsego 
County, in 1815. He is descended from good old 
Revolutionaiy stock, his paternal grandfather hav- 
ingserved in the War for Independence under Gen. 
Washington, partici|)ating in the far famed battles 
of Bunker Hill and Brandywine, and in several 
other important engagements. The father of our 
subject was Sewell .Spauldiug. 

Amos 15. Spaulding was reared to manhood in 
his native State and there received his eilucation. 
He was always one of the strongest opposers of the 
institutions of slaveiy, regarding It as the darkest 
blot on the page of America's history. When the 
Abolition party was organized, he was one of the 
first to advocate its cause and cast his l)allot for the 
.\bolition candidates at a time when but two 
others in that town voted for the part3\ His busi- 
ness career was spent in the mercantile pursuits, 
he carrying on a store in Leonardsville, N. Y., until 
his removal to Wisconsin. Po.ssessed of good 
ability, he was veiy successful in that line, and bj' 
his honest^' and fair dealing and his earnest desire 
to please his customers, won a liberal share of the 
public patronage. Throughout his life Mr. Spauld- 
ing remained a resident of Otsego County, N. Y., 
until his removal to this State in 1878. He locatetl 
in .Milton Junction, where he has since lived in 
retired life, and is recognized as one of its worthy 
and valued citizens. He h.as traveled quite exten- 
sively, however, has made a trip into Canada and 



t 




■^•- 



-•»> 



750 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1' ' 
V 



visited many other places of interest, therehy 
gaining a knowledge of the world, its people and 
affairs, which could never have been acquired Ijy 
the study of hooks. 

Wliile residing in his native State, on the 'id day 
of October, 1876, Mr. Spaulding w.is united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary B. Smith, who was also born 
in New York. They have no children, but theirs 
is one of the most hospitable homes of Milton 
Junction, and their circle of friends and acquain- 
tances is large. Liberal in his views of public pol- 
icy, Mr. Spaulding is a supporter of all social edu- 
cation.al and moral interests and of all enterprises 
calculated to benefit the communit3-. He has 
served as Town Assessor, has filled the oflSce of 
Justice of the Peace, and in 1883, was appointed 
Postmaster of Milton Junction tc fill the vacancy 
caused by a removal. He discharged his duties in 
a manner satisfactory to all concerned and proved 
an able and an efficient officer. Mr. Spaulding is 
a man of sterling worth and uprightness of char- 
acter, and by all those who have the pleasure of his 
acquaintance, he is held in high esteem. AVe are 
pleased to record this brief sketch, knowing that 
none are more worthy a rei)resentation in the Poii- 
tk'.vit and BioGKAPiiiCAL Album of Rock County. 



#^ 



-5- 




-i- 



E. OSBORN, a retired farmer residing in 
Jlilton, was born in AVyoming County. N. 
Y., on the "ilst day of JIarch, 1827. and 
is a son of Cliancey and Polly (Skinner) Osborn. 
His father was born in New York in 1798. By 
trade he was a carpenter, but he engaged in farm- 
ing while yet quite young. AVhen only fourteen 
years old he enlisted for service in the war of 1812, 
serving a year and a half as drummer-boy and 
part of the time on picket duty. He was mustered 
out in 1814, and returned to his home and re- 
engaged in farming. He w:i,s married in New York 
in 1816 and had twelve children. His wife W!is 
born in 1798. When our subject was five years 
old his father, with his familj'. removed to Erie 
Count}% Pa., becoming one of the early settlers of 
that community, wliere he built a double log cabin, 
into which the family at once moved. After ten 



years residence in Pennsylvania. Mr. Osborn left 
the East and started for the Territory- of \Viscon- 
sin, which he reached in the month of June, 1843. 
That was before the day of railroads, when the 
means of travel were quite inferior to the improved 
methods of our daj'. Locating at Oconomowoc, 
AVaukesha County, in the midst of the timber, Mr. 
Osborn developed another farm which he bought 
in 1844. At that time the Indians had not left 
their home on this side of the Mississippi for the 
"Western reservations, but were still quite numer- 
ous in the neighliorhood. There the fjimily lived 
until 18o7, when they removed to the town of 
Harmon^-, Rock County, where Mr. Osborn bought 
a farm of 160 acres. He died in 1876, but his 
wife is living at the advanced age of ninety years. 

In 1853 our subject bought a farm of eighty 
acres on section 12. in the town of Harmony. 
Only ten acres had been broken, and a little log 
cabin constituted the onl}- imi)roveuient. Iminedi- 
atel}', as was his habit when an}- Labor awaitcl li<m. 
he began the development and cultivation of the 
raw prairie, which, in the course of time, he con- 
verted into one of the finest farms in the com- 
munity, extending its boundaries by subsequent 
purchase until it comprised 160 acres of highly 
improved laud. Neatness and order reigned, and 
the thick and rank growth of prairie grass w.as re- 
placed by fields of waving grain. 

In the month of January-, 1852, Mr. Osborn 
married Miss Lydia Car}-, a daughter of Rev. 
Richard Carj' and a native of Boston, Erie Co., 
N. Y. The young couple began their domestic 
life upon the farm in the town of Harmony, and 
there many happy years were s|)ent. In lcSG2 Mr. 
Osborn could no longer resist the country's call 
for aid to put down the rebellion, and bidding 
goodl)yc to his wife, enlisted in Scpten)ber in the 
22d Wisconsin Regiment, in Company K. under 
Captain Mills, entering the service at Janesville. 
For three weeks the regiment w;is encamix'd at 
Racine, and w:is then ordered to Cincinnati. Ohio. 
He was one of the soldiers who crossed the pon- 
toon bridge over the Ohio at that point. By 
exposure in service he was taken sick and was laid 
up in the Lexington, Ky., hospital for eight weeks. 
In December. 1862, he was discharged on account 



t- 



t 



* 



ROCK COUNTY, 






751 



of physical disability and returned to his home, 
wlicre for four months lie was confined to his bed. 
In 1888, ac-('onii)anied b}' his excellent wife, he left 
the farm wiiieh iiad been tlieir home for so many 
years aiKt removed to Milton, where he is now 
ii\iiig a retired life. He has one of the finest 
homes in tliat i)Ieasant village, modeled after his 
own dcsiiiii, and its entire surroundings indicate 
thrift and refinement. He is one of tiie honored 
citizens of the eonnnunity, and is numbered among 
the early settlers of Hocli County. Kor thirty-six 
years lie has been a witness of the rapid changes 
that liave taken place within its borders, has par- 
ticipated in its growth and development, and lias 
borne no inconsiderable part in the promotion of 
its enterprises. Though his path through life has 
been surrounded by many ililticulties, and though 
the obstacles to be surmounted have Ijeen not 
small, he has pressed forward, undaunted by trials, 
and his labors have i)rospered. 



y tun: 



Ifl-^OX. (lEOROE GLEA.SON. who is one of 
jr)j' Rock County's most honored citizens and 
i^y#^' pioneer settlers, is a native of Connecticut, 
((^ having been born in Hartford County on 
the 11th day of November, 1810. His parents 
were Thouias and I'',liz;il)eth (Curtis) Gleason. and 
his father was a soldier of the War of 1812. serving 
as quarterm.aster at New J.,ondon during that 
struggle. 

Our sid)jeet began his school life in his native 
county and completed his education in the [)nblic 
schools of New York, to whieh State he removed 
with his parents. While residing in Cortland Coun- 
ty, he formed the ae(iuainlanee of Miss LauraCleve- 
land. and their friendship ripening into love, they 
were unite<l in marriage. One child was born of 
their nnicjn, .Alary .lane, who is now the wiclow of 
lia Kinney, anil resiiles in Whitewater, Wis. In 
is:;,'], death visited tlie haiipy home, claiming as its 
victim the loving wife and motlier, who was laid to 
rest in Cortland County. (In the ;itli da\ of .luue. 
18.?;i. Mr. (lleason was again married, his second 
union being with .Miss Lovina Cravath. They con- 
tinued to reside in the Empire .State until 1812. 



when attracted by the more brilliant opportunities 
afforded by the new and growing West, they emi- 
grated to the Territory of Wisconsin and settled in 
Rock County. Mr. (ileason purchasing eighty acres 
of land on section 14. in what is now the town of 
Lima, but then a part of Milton. He bought the 
land of the Government and in the course of time 
extended the boundaries of his farm until it com- 
Ijrised 274 acres, but he hsis since disposed of a 
part of his propert}-, his landed ])cssessions now 
amounting to 182 acres of fine prairie land, which 
he has placed under a high state of cultivation. 
His property has all been acquired since becoming 
a resident of Rock Count}', and to his own efforts 
may be attributed his success in life. 

To Mr. and Mrs. (Jle.ason were born in the pio- 
neer home two children, who awakened the echoes 
with their laughter and fun and filled the cabin with 
sunshine. Norman M., the elder, is now a lejiding 
farmerof this community. [See sketch.] Elizabeth 
is the wife of John M. Thwing. a farmer living in 
Dakota, by whom she has had three sons, Wayland, 
Ralph W. and Clay, besides a daugliter whodietl in 
infancy. 

For the long period of forty-six 3'ears. Mr. (ilea- 
son has been numbered among the representaliive 
farmers and leading citizens of Rock County. Eor 
eighteen years he filled the t)ftice of assessor, has 
served .as supervisor, and in 187fj, was nominated 
by tlie Republican party as a candidate for the 
General Assenibh' and Iriumpliantly elected. While 
a mcmlier of the House, he was known as '• the 
patriarch," being the oldest member of that body. 
His sound judgment w.as brought to bear upon 
every question, wliieli he carefully considered in 
ail its details, and in consequence, he cast an intel- 
ligent ballot for what he deemed the best interests 
of the (•oniniunity. He (lischarge<l every duty de- 
volving upon him with credit to himself and to the 
satisfaction of his constituents, and won the respect 
and confidence of even his political opponents. 
Mr. Gle.ason has identified himself with the ad- 
vancement of such public enterprises as are cal- 
culated to be a benefit to the eomtnunily, and is 
pron)inent in the promotion of social, educational 
and moral interests. lie receives not only the 
respect due to his advanced years, but is highly 



!?r#-^' 



4 



752 



ROCK COUNTY. 



esteemed as a vvoitliy citizen, an ui'i'jjlit and lion- 
orable gentleman and a man of tiie highest woitli. 
Both lie and his wife are members of tiie Congre- 
gational Cliurcli, having devoted many years of 
their life to their Master's service. Mr. Gleason 
has been a liberal supporter of the church, has been 
instrumental in tiie building of four houses of wor- 
sliip in the community, and for many j'ears has 
filled the offlce]of deacon in the local organization to 
which lie belongs. The 9th daj- •f June, 1889, was 
the Bflietli anniversary of tlie marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Gleason. They were spending the day quiet- 
ly at home, but their many friends, unknown to 
them, assembled and proceeded to the home of the 
worthy couple to celebrate that hapjiy day. Though 
completely surprised, their native hospitality soon 
placed everyone at ease and the day was passed 
most enjo3^ably. Many valuable presents wei-e 
brought by the friends in token of their love, and 
the hopes expressed that thej' might yet live to 
celebrate many happ^- returns of their wedding 
day were heartfelt and sincere. Though they are 
now in their declining years, conscious of a well- 
spent life, thej' can look back over the pijst with no 
feeling of regret, and their hope for the future 
grows stronger as the daj's speed by. Truly their 
lives are worthy of emulation, and it is with pleasure 
that we record this sketch in the permanent record 
of Rock County, where tho\' are so well and honor- 
ably known. 



I 



oc5o~ 




W. B. R()BIN.SON, pastor of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Milton, 



,, Wis., is a native of the Empire .State, hav- 
^ ing been born in Buffalo, on the 10th 
daj' of September, 1848. His parents were John 
and Caroline Robinson. When nineteen years 
of age our subject was graduated from the High 
School in his native city, in the class of 1867, 
after which he entered the Xorthwestern Uni- 
versitj' at Evanston. 111., pursuing a classical 
course. He completed his studies in tliat institu- 
tion in 1874, graduating with tlie degree of A. B., 
and in 1875 he was gr.aduated from the Evanston 
Theological School, In October, of that year he 
joined the Wisconsin Conference, and his first ap- 



pointment was at Pewaukee. Ho next accepted a 
call from the church at Waterford, was then en- 
gaged in the pastoral duties at Palmyra, after 
which he served as minister of the churches at 
Hartford, Fox Lake. 13elavan, Omro, and Colum- 
bus. Receiving a call from the church at Milton, 
he was installed as its pastor in October, 1887, and 
has since continued in that place. For twentj--one 
successive j'ears, before entering upon his labors 
in the ministr}- he attended school, thus thoroughly 
fitting himself for the performance of his duties. 
On the 12th d.ay of October, 1875, Rev. Robin- 
son and Miss Ella L. French, a resident of Chicago, 
were united in marriage. Four children were born 
of their union — Pearl, who was born July 15, 1876, 
died on the 2d day of April. 1877; Frederick, born 
March, 10, 1878; Leot^i Belle. Nov. 4. 1880; and 
Springer, May 12, 1885. Mr. Robinson has won 
many friends since becoming a resident of iVIilton, 
and under his adiniiiistralion the church is doing a 
good work. He lias now entered upon his second 
}-ear. and has the love and confidence of all the 
people. 




F:0RGE R. boss, one of the le.-iding young 
business men of Milton, is a dealer in men's 
furnishing goods and groceries. He was 
born in Allegany County. N. Y.. on the 18th daj' 
of June, 1864, and is a son of Joseph and Orilla F. 
(Rogers) Boss, both of whom were natives of Con- 
necticut, whence they removed to New York. The 
parents are now deceased, the death of the father 
occurring April 27. 1872, that of the mother in 
Milton, Jan. 30, 1883. There were four chidien of 
their family, as follows: Martin P.. who is a min- 
ing engineer, now residing in California; Susie, who 
is Mrs. Ingraham. of Providence, P. I.: May E., 
who wedded John Ciimiingliam, and makes her 
home in Janesvillc, Wis. ; and George R., of this 
sketch. 

In August, 1880, our subject left Now York, 
where the early days of his boyhood were passed, 
and came witii his mother to Wisconsin, locating 
in Jlilton. For about three years he attended Mil- 
ton College, and in the summer of 1883 went to 
Villa Ridge, in .Southern Illinois, where he w.is eu- 



-t 




^ 



^.. 4„ fScU.,.^ 



^u. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



I 



gnjiod with ;i fruit dcaltT until tin- follinviii'j 
aiiliiiiiM. He tJRMi rt'tiiriUMl to iMiltiin, and eiitcrpd 
ii|K)ii Ills liiKsir.rss career in llial town as a member 
of the linn of M. E. and G. U. Boss, dealers in 
"jroeeries and men's fnrMit-hini; goods, that connec- 
tion continuinii- for ahout five years, when the 
junior nicnilier of tlie firm liocame sole |)roprietor 
of the business. He carries a full antl complete 
slock in each department, and is buildinjjup a good 
trade, securing the coiilidcnce and respect of his 
patrons by his fair and honest dealing. Although 
a young man. he is .a prominent and re[)resentativ(! 
merchant of Milton, taking an active part in the 
advancement of its interests, and well deserves a 
liberal share of the public patronage. 

On the l.'ithday of .lanuary, IS^s;), Mr. Boss was 
joined in wedlock with Mrs. .Stella M. Perrine. who 
was born in ^^■elton. Iowa, May 2G, ISOo, and is a 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Loofboro, who 
are natives of .Shelby County, Ohio. Mrs. Boss 
w.as educated at Milton College, and is an intellec- 
tn.al, rctined lady. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boss are 
members of the Sev(Mitli l),ay Baptist Church, and 
in politics he is a firm sni)porter of the l\ei)ublican 
l)arty. 

^ .^-^ ^ 

AXIKI- C. BABCOCK, M. I)., deceased, 
who for many years was a prominent 
physician of Uock County, w.as born in 
Batavia, N. Y., April 2, 1818, .and died .at 
San .lose, Cal., on the 19th day of January, 1875. 
He was a son of Klder D.aniel and Lois (Potter) 
Babcock. Mis father, who was born in 1787, was 
a minister of the Seventh D.ay Baptist Church, and 
died Oct. 2(;, 1808. at the ripe old .age of eighty- 
two years, surviving his wife who died in August, 
1846. 

After attaining to years of maturity, our subject 
was married on the 1st day of June, 181.'5, to Miss 
Amorilla Collins, a daughter of Dr. John P>. and 
Catherine (Btirdick) Collins. Her father was a 
celebrated physician of Allegany County, X. Y., 
and his death occurred Aug. 27, 1851, his wife de- 
parting this life in New York, April 14, 1860. 
Their family nundjered six children, of whom Mrs. 
Babcock is the eldest; John, the second iu order of 

<• 




birth, is living in Georgia; Amos and Lorenzo, are 
residents of Alfred, N. Y.; Teresa married Dr. 
William Henry Overt, of Clintonville, W.aupaca 
Co., Wis., and William, who resides in Missouri. 

Dr. Babcock received his literary education at 
Alfred Centre N. Y., and then entered the Medical 
College of Castleton, \\,.. from which he later grad- 
uated. He then attended a course of lectures in 
New York City for al)out a year, graduating 
from the institution there in the class of 1842, and 
the following 3"ear. was above stated, as united in 
marriage. Shortly afterward the young couple 
came to Johnstown, Rock Count}', settling on a 
farm near that place, where Dr. Babcock engaged 
in practice, and also devoted his attention to .agri- 
cultural pursuits in connection with his father. 
After a few years had passed, he went to ililton, 
where he opened an office and establishe(l one of 
the largest and best pr.actiees in this part of the 
country. Whatever the we.ather, whether in win- 
ter's cold or summer's heat, or in the storms wdiich 
visit us at all seasons, he responded to the call 
from the sick and suffering ones, and would ride 
for miles to visit his patients, often going 
without food for an entire day. In consequence 
of his exposure and fasting, consumption slowly 
fastened upon his frame, but for seven years he 
lingered on, during which time he could not ride 
out. but for some time would make calls in the 
town .as he considered the exercise beneficial. At 
length, with the hope of a i)artial if not a total re- 
covery, he sought the warm climate of California. 
where he p.assed away Jan. 19, 1875. 

Dr. Babcock was a member of the Seventh D.ay 
Baptist Church, and took a deep interest in its ad- 
vancement, and in the promotion of any enterprise 
for the public welfare. He w.as an ardent sup- 
porter of the Republican party, earnestly advoca- 
ting its principles, and while residing in Johnstown 
was twice elected to the Legislature, serving in the 
General Assemblies of 1847 and 1848. His public 
duties were discharged with promptness an<l abil- 
ily, and to the entire satisfaction of his constitu- 
ents, while even his political opponents could find 
no fault iu his pc)licy. He was a man of much 
more than ordinary ability, and his kindly manner 
in the sick room won all hearts. His death was 




•^^f^^ 



-•»i 



756 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i 



mourned not onlj- by liis imraediaie family, but 
the entire community sorrowed as for a i<iiul 
friend and brotlier. and the county lost one of its 
prominent and honored citizens. 

A widow and daughter, the only child of tiicir 
union, mourn the death of Dr. I'.abcock. His wife 
who is a most estimable luily, is still residing in 
Milton, and is a member of the (Seventh Day Bap- 
tist Church. The daugiiler, Dollie, who wa-s born 
Jan. 8, 1857, is now the wife of Dr. A. 8. Maxson, 
and they reside in Milton .lunction. See portrait 
of Dr. Babcock upon anotlier page. 



-l-t-l-^^s^^-^ 



\f( OANDEU ALLEN, a retired 

I (^ one of the representative citizt 

j IL-^ .lunction,Wis.,was born in .\lIeo 



OANDEU ALLEN, a retired farmer, and 

:-itizensof Milton 
egany County, 
N. Y.. in the year 1825, and was the second iu a 
family of six children, whose parents were Abrara 
and Dorciis (Burdick) Allen. Of the children, 
four sons and two daughters, four are yet living, 
.loiiathan, the eldest, lives at Alfred Center, N. Y.. 
and is President of the university at that pl.iee; 
Loander. of this sketch, is the next of the family; 
Orlenzo and Ormanzo were twins, and the latter is 
now a resident of Minnesota, but the former, wlio 
was a doctor by profession, is deceased; Emily and 
Enieline were also twins, the former being now de- 
ceased, the latter residing in Minnesota. 

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood in 
his native .State, his time l)eing passed in much the 
same manner as that of oilier farmer lads, he at- 
tending the common sclu)ols during the winter 
months, and assisting in the labors of the farm dur- 
in<i ilie summer niontlis. \\'hen seventeen j'ears of 
age. his parents left liie East and came to Rock 
County, arriving in the month of .Inly, 1842. Mr. 
Allen .it once entered a claim of KiO acres on sec- 
tions 28 and 21) in the town of Lima, and to his 
oritiinal purchase afterwards added a tract of forty 
.acres. He placed the whole amount under a high 
state of cultivation, made iiiaiiy improvements, 
built barns and t)ut-buililings for the care of his 
stock, and otherwise increased the value of his 
property, until it became one of the finest farms 
in the commuuitv. About 1852 Abram Allen sold 



his farm in Lima, and bought a farm of 160 acres, 
lying between the villages of Milton and .Milton 
.lunction. and known as the Norton farm, but sub- 
sequently sold his land and removed to Freeborn 
County, Minn., where he engaged in milling for 
some 3' ears, and in 1865 he sold out his mill busi- 
ness anil returned to Milton, and lived a retired 
life until his death, which occurred, about 1875. 

Our subject completed his education in Milton 
Academy, and then turned his attention to farm- 
ing, which he has made his life work. He pur- 
chased his farm of a Mr. Baldwin, it comprising 1 18 
acres of fine, arable land in the town of Lima, and 
to its cultivation and improvement devoted the 
greater part of his time and attention, until, wishing 
to retire to private life, he removed to Milton 
Junction, in 1880. 

In 1847 Mr. Allen was united in marriage with 
Miss Almira Babcock. and unto them were born 
three children — Madelia, the eldest, became the 
wife of Elias Ayers, a resident of St. .Andrew's 
Bay, Fla. ; Asher I)., who married Miss Viola Brown, 
has the management of his father's farm in Lima; 
Dora L., wife of William Birmingham, makes her 
home in Gratiot County, Mich. In 1865 Mr. .\lleii 
was called ujjoii to mourn the death of his wife. 
He was again married, his second union being with 
Amanda Huffman, of Milton. Mv. Allen h.as served 
in various official positions, having tilled the office 
of Supervisor of the t(_>wM of Lima for several 
terms, was a member of the School Board, was 
elected and served as District Treiisurer and also 
as Town_Clerk. He was elected Ro.ad Commissioner 
in 1888. has been Overseer of Highw.aysfor several 
years, and is now President of the Board of 
Health Commissioners. The promptness and fidelity 
with which he h.is discharged the various duties in- 
cumbent upon him. has madi' him an eflicient and 
faithful officer, and he is recognized .as one of the 
l)rominent and enterprising citizens of Milton Juiu'- 
tit>n. For about twenty-three years he has acted 
as Deacon of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, in 
which he holds membership, and is an untiring 
worker in his Master's vineyard. In politics he is 
a Republican. He is numbered among the honored 
pioneers of the county, has witnessed its develop- 
ment from a wild and almost unsettled prairie until 



-t 



;l* 



-•^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



it is on fi par with any county in this vast common ■ 
wealth, anil lias eviT l)t'en |ii'(iiiiiiii'nt in tho [ivo- 
motion of its l)est inU'rests. Upriyht anil honoralilc. 
his course Ihrougii life has always hccn such that 
he has uaincd the resiJcct and yood will of those 
with whom linsiness or pleasure have lirouyht liini 
in contact, and few men are more widely and favcu'- 
alily known. 



II. SCIIUKMAN, pholojiiapher, of Beloit, 
is a native of I'rince Kdward's Island (now 



if- 

jii=^ . one of the provinces of the Dominion of 
Canada) where he was liorn December 1.5, 1844. 
Ills parents were Isaac and jNIiriam (Tupper) Schur- 
man. The fnrmcr vras a native of that island, and 
the latter of New York, but who in early life went 
with her father's family to Prince Kdward's Island. 
Mrs. Schnrnian belongs to an old and prominent 
family, beinu a sister of Sir Charles Tup|)er, one 
of Canada's most distinijuishe<l politicians. When 
I,. II. was a small lii>y his parents removed to Nova 
.Scotia, where his father w.as en<i;aii:ed in farming 
and luniberinir, and there he grew to m.-inliood, 
assistinu; his father in the various occupations i)ur- 
sued by him. He received his education in the 
I'ountry schools, with the exce|)lion of a short 
time spent at the Ainhnrst Academy. After al- 
taininii- his m.'ijority he travelled for a time 
throuiihout Nova Scotia and New Hrunswick as 
colporteur for the r.ritisli American Book and 
Tract Society ; at the same time laboring iu the in- 
terest of the tem|)crance cause, by organizing and 
est.iblishing Good Templars' Lodges. 

In the Spring of 1871 lie left Nova Scotia and 
went to Newliuryport. Mass., and a year or so 
later cntere<l an art gallery in that city and leained 
photography, flfler which he visited many of the 
towns of New York State, studying and practic- 
ing the art which he designeil making his llfi' 
business. In 1871) he came west to Belvidere. 
III., where he located and pursued his profes- 
sion successfully for upwards of two years. On 
the 18th of October. 1882, he was ur.ited in mar- 
riage to Miss Sarah K. Doolittle, a n.ative of 
Belvidere, 111., and a daughter of Harry and Esther 



K. (Nichols) Doolittle. the former a native of Ver- 
mont, of Scotch descent, the latter a native of 
Ohio. 

Immediatelv after his marriage Mr. .Schurman 
established business at lieloit, where he has since 
continued to reside. He is ;ni artist of recognized 
ability, who keeps him.self abreast of the times iu 
all modern improvements pertaining to photog- 
raphy, and iu his pleasant and tastily arranged 
studio m.ay be seen many tine specimens of his 
handiwork, A number of the fine engravings con- 
tained in this album were made from photographs 
taken by him. He is an intelligent, genial gentle- 
man who enjoys the confidence and respect of many 
friends in the cit\- and surrounding country. By 
courteous treatment of his patrons and close atten- 
tion to their wants, he has established a large and 
profitable business. He t.akes an .active interest iu 
local affairs, and is ever willing to a.ssist in any 
movement having for its object the benefit of the 
comnuiuity. He is a stockholder in the Behtit 
Savings Bank and the Citizens' Printing Co. He is 
an outspoken temperance man who has the courage 
of his convictions, and is .an ardent supporter of 
the Prohibition party. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the .Methodist Episcopal Church, in which 
they both take an active |)art. To Jlr. and Mrs. 
Schurman have been born three children : Clark E., 
Bryce L.. and Blanche M. 



W;ILI.IAM WALLACE CLARKE, de.aler in 
lK>oks and stationery, of Milton, Wis., is 
„ „ the younger son of Er.astus P. and Mary 
.lane (Peck) Clarke, whose sketch will be found 
elsewhere in this volume. He was born in Una- 
dilla. N. Y., Dec. 25, IS47, .-md when a lad ofnine 
years came with his parents to .Milton, having since 
that time been a resident of Rock County. At the 
age of fifteen years he left the parental roof and 
entered the employ of R. Willi.ams. a merchant of 
Milton, with whom he remaiueil until 1881, during 
a period of nineteen consecutive years. At the 
expiration of that lime he established business for 
himself :i*i a deaK'r in books and stationery, and is 
the only one engaged in that line in Milton. He 



\r 



^t^fM^ 



758 



ROCK COUNTY. 



rl 



floes a good business, winning the confidence of all 
by his fair and iionest dealing, and is well deserv- 
ing of tlie ])iil)lic patronage. 

In 1«7(; .Mr. Clarke led to the marriage altar 
Miss H. \ine Cramlall, a native of Allegany 
County, N. Y. and a daughter of Ezra Crandall. 
She is a member of the Seventli Day I'.aptist 
Church and a most estimable lady, who has many 
friends in this community. Mr. Clarke is an Odd 
Fellow, having joined the lodge at Milton on its 
organization in 1H73. and since January, 1885. has 
been its treasurer. Politically, he is a warm suii- 
porter of the Republican party, takes an .active 
part in politics, and has served as secretary of the 
Repulilican Club, working earnestly for its inter- 
ests and advancement. For about fifteen jears he 
has been local correspondent of the .lanesville Ga- 
zftte and the Chicago Times, lie is a man of ster- 
ling worth and is held in high esteem by all with 
whom business or pleiisure have brought him in 
contact. 



ORKNZO R.VSFY. a leading farmer and 
stock-raiser of Reloit Township, living on 
section 17, is a native of New York, born 
in Itica, Oneida County, Nov. 27. 1835. His pa- 
rents, .Salathiel and Ermina E. (Hale) Rasey were 
n.ati ves of Rho<le Island. The maternal gre.at-graiid- 
father of our subject, whose name was IJrewer. 
emigrated from Holland to New York during the 
colonial daj's of this country, and claimed the land 
in New York City where Trinity Church now 
stands. The Hale family, which was of English 
origin, was also numbered among the early settlers 
of Eastern New York, to which they removed from 
Rhode Island, making the journey with ox teams. 
They there became prominent and inQuential far- 
mers. 

Mr. Rasey .Sr. passed the greater part of his life 
in the Empire St,ate, but in 1848 came to Wiscon- 
sin and purchased eighty .acres of land. He then 
returned to Clinton County, N. Y., where his death 
occurred in 1852. His wife is still living and 
makes her home with her daughter. .Sarah E., 
widow of Frank Bnrch. of (irandville. Washington 
Co., N. Y. She is now seventy-five years of 




age, having been born July 4, 1813, and for the 
past five years she has suffered the entire loss of 
sight. Mr. and Mrs. Rasey were the parents of ten 
children, all of whom are living, with the excep- 
tion of Charles W., who died about 1872, at the 
age of thirty -one \ears, in Fond du Lac, Wis. He 
wedded Mary Newton, who is also deceased, leav- 
ing two children at her de.ath; Frederick who 
makes his home with our subject, and Carrie, who 
is living with acousin. Samuel R.asey. Edward 1>.. 
the second child, born Dec. 20, 1833, is engaged in 
farming in Marion. Waupaca Co., AVis. ; Mary E., 
widow of F. D. Wray. resides in Washington 
County, N. Y.; Clark ().. who. at the early age of 
seventeen years, enlisted in the late war in a cav- 
alry company under (ien. Kilpatrick. was for many 
ye.ars a resident of lieloit. but is now living in 
Passadena. Cal.; Delia E. became the wife of Al- 
bert Williams, a farmer in West Pauleth. A't. : Hen- 
ry L. is living in Washington, llarlaud M. 
makes his home in Hebron. Washington Co.. 
N. X .: Samuel S. is also located in Washington. 
In the common schools of his native county, our 
subject received his education. Throughout his 
entire life he h.os followed the occupation of farm- 
ing. At the age of thirteen years he began life as 
a farm hand, giving his earnings to his mother, and 
followed that pursuit for several years. In lisOC 
he was united in marri.age with Emily L. A'ail, who 
was born in Rutland County, At., and is a daughter 
of Edwin and Margaret V. (Staples) \-a\\. Her 
parents were natives of Vermont, hut in 1852 
removed to Washington County, N. Y., where the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Rasey w.as]celebrated. Her 
father died upon the farm in that county in 1858, 
and her mother dei)arted this life in 18H3. Their 
family numbered live children, Emily L.. who was 
born Dec. 13, 1839. being the eldest; Harris E., 
born June 19, 1841, is a farmer of Middlebury. 
Vt. ; Marcus J. born Oct. 1., 1814, is |)roprie- 
tor of a hotel in Washington County. N. Y.; Ellen 
.S., b(.ni April 6, 1840. is the wife of .Solon C. 
Mason, a grocer and flour and feed dealer of W.ash- 
ington County, N. \'. ; Herliert I., born M.ay 14, 
1854. is a resident of Boston. .M.ass. The ancestors 
of Mrs. Riisey, the Vails and Staples were originally 
from England, and were t^uakers. The Vail fani- 



♦ 



n 



4= 



•«► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



75!) 



ily was founded in Aniorica by three brothers who 
cnnic over in the Mayllower. and tlie Sta|>le.s family, 
by ancestors who came at that time or soon after. 

In IHtiT Mr. and Mrs. Rasey ilecidod tocast their 
lot witli the citizens of Rociv County, and conse- 
(inently the iiiisband purchased 213 acres of land 
on section 17. Ueioit Townsliip. which was im- 
proved, fenced, and on whicii a small barn and his 
present dwelling had been built. His landed posses- 
sions have since boon increaseil to 1.31 acres. 391 of 
which is situated in Heloit 'I'ownship, the remain- 
iuii' 41) being located in Newark Township. The 
many improvements which Mr. Rasey has made 
has transformed his land into one of the finest 
farms in Rock County. He h.as an elegant resi- 
dence, while his barns are among the largest and 
most convenient in Southern Wisconsin. The di- 
mensions of the main barn arc 50 x !16 feet, with 
24 foot posts, witli a 9 foot basement under the 
entire building. His main barn will shelter sixty- 
four head of stock, while in connection with this 
he has stabling room for one hundred head. He 
also has stor.age room for two hundred tons of 
foeil. He milks sixty cows and successfullj' oper- 
ates a dairy. Though ver}' quiet and unassuming, 
he is recognized as one of the leading farmers of 
Rock County, is an honored and esteemed citizen, 
and h:us l)ecn identified with the social and educa- 
tional interests of the community for many years. 
Politically he is a Republican. By his own indus- 
try and energy, his possessions have been accum- 
ulated, and he is now a wealthy farmer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rase}' are the parents of one son, 
Edwin L.. who was born .luly (!, I.S(!9. and is now 
attending school in Beloit. 



-J- 



#-# 



-8- 






ir^^KYNOLDS .1. (i RKKNM.VX. a leading citi- 
IL^ zen and lumber-dealer, and editor of the 
News, of AHItou Junction, Wis., is a son of 
\^ H. G. (ireenraan and a native of New 
■^'ork, l)orn in nornellsville, July 24, 1810. When 
eleven years of age he came with the famil\- to 
Milton, where he has since made his home. His 
education was {•om[)leted at the academy, now the 
college of Milton, near the parental home, lie .as- 



sisted his father in liusinoss during his vacations 
and leisure hours, and also maile a thorough study 
of the law. His arrangements at one time were all 
made to V)egin the iiractice of that profession, but 
he abandoned the plan in order to engage in other 
business. His knowledge of law, however, has 
been of great value to him as well as to some of 
his fellow-citizens. He has been counsellor to the 
whole community, many people coming to him for 
.advice. Being of a kindly disposition he has al- 
ways used his best endeavors to prevent litigation, 
thereby preventing much bitter feeling and saving 
the parties considerable money, which would other- 
wise have been spent in lawyers' fees. 

On March 25, 1862, Mr. Greenman was married 
to Miss Lois P. Collins, daughter of Dr. F. B. and 
Tncy A. Collins, the marriage ceremony being per- 
formed in Milton by the Rev. W. C. Whitford. Her 
parents, as is also Mrs. Greenman. were natives of 
Allegany County, N. Y.; her father, B. V. Collins, 
was born on the ith d.ay of November. 1813, and 
her mother, Tacy A. Babcock. on Nov. 30, 1823. 
Lois P. Collins was born at Alfred Center May 30, 
1842. Mr. Collins died at Milton Oct. 10, 1864, 
and his wife passed aw.ay .at .St. Peter, Minn., on 
the 2d d.ay of February, 1888. They were highly 
respected Christian people. Of the three children 
born to IMr. and Mrs. Greenman two are yet liv- 
ing, namely: Mary Floy, born at Milton Junc- 
tion Nov. 11. 1863, who on the 3()tli d.ay of June. 
18H6, became the wife of F. R. Morris, the present 
postmaster and joint proprietor and local editor of 
the Milton Junction Neics; and .Stella A., born at 
Milton Junction April 12, 1871, who is still with 
her parents. Bertie Greenman w.as born Jan. Ki. 
1867, and died Aug. 7, 1869. 

In 18G3 Mr. (Jreenman entered upon his busi- 
ness career as a lumber dealer, at Milton Junction, 
and immediately after locating in that place was 
elected to the otlice of .lustice of the Pe.ace, serv- 
ing in that capacity for ten years. He built the 
first private residence on the vill.age plat of Milton 
Junction, and his lumlier ollice was the first build- 
ing on Merchant's Row, now the principal business 
street in the town. He is liberal in religious senti- 
ment, .sympathizing with the doctrine of I'nitarian- 
ism, and is independent in |)ulilics. lie has coii- 



1 ' 



760 



ROCK COUNTY. 



"^^T^ 



•r 



tiibuted liberally to every church in the place and 
also to every enterprise calculated to advance the 
interests of the public. He has advocated a lil)eral 
educational jiolicy, and served almost continuously 
on the Seliool Board of the district. He served .six 
years on the town" Board of Supervisors, and for 
five consecutive years was chairman of that body. 
From June, 1883, until May. 1885. he was chair- 
man of the County Board of Supervisors. Beinsi 
possessed of literary tastes Mr. (Ireennian has accu- 
mulated a line lil)rary and is well informed on the 
general topics of the day. lie has contributed fre- 
quently to the columns of the press, is a fluent pub- 
lie speaker, and is now joint proi)rietor and editor 
of tlie Milton Junction Nen-s. 



,REN 1). VINCENT, who is engaged in farra- 

ino- and stock-raising on section 8, in the 

111 !§l ^ 

\\sJJJ town of ^Milton, was born in Almond, Alle- 
gany Co., N. v.. on the -IQlh day of June, 1828. 
and is the son of David and Freegift (Saunders) 
^■incent, the former a native of New York and the 
latter of Rhode Island. Unto them was born a 
family of sixteen children, fifteen of wh<jm grew to 
manhood and womanhood, while ten of tliat num- 
ber, live sons and five daughters, are living at the 
time of this writing in 18811. Christopher died 
in Milton; Amelia is the wife of Russel Burdiek, a 
resident of Farina, Faj^ette Co., 111.; Lois died at 
the age of sixteen years; David departed this life 
in California; Abigail and Albert died in the Em- 
pire State; (). 1).. of this sketch, is the next in order 
of birth; Eli, who enlisted in the ranks of Berdan's 
.Sjiarpshooters was killed at the battle of Gettys- 
burg; Benjamin is now a resident of AUentown, 
N. Y.; Jolni is a resident of Almond, in the s.ame 
State; Joseph is living on the old homestead 
in Allegany County: Eleanor resides in Farina, 
III.; Nathan is located at Big Rapids. Mich.; 
Jane, widow of Alonzo Rogers, is living in ^Ves- 
terlv. H. I.: Mary is the wife of Ilenrj- Stillman; 
also of Westerly; and Susan is the wife of John 
Cottrell, a resident of Almond, N. Y. The sons 
all became useful and leading citizens of the sever.al 
communities in which they icsided and Eli. John 



and Nathan aided their eountr3' during the 
great Rebellion. Nathan, who enlisted as a private 
was promoted to the rank of a Colonel on account 
of meritorious conduct, being placed in command 
of the KGtli New York Infantrj', and during his 
term of service w.as ."several times wounded. He 
was a man of wonderful courage, brave and un- 
daunted in battle, never shirking his duty whether 
light or arduous. 

The father of this family followed the occupation 
of farming throughout his entire life. He was 
quiet and unassuming in manner, rarely' engaging 
in conversation to anj- great extent, yet was a man 
of strong convictions, a clear reasoner and deep 
thinker, and when once his mind w.as made up 
neither fear nor favor could induce him to change. 
He and his wife were both members of the Seventh 
Day Baptist Church, were devoted and consistent 
Christains, and in the faith of that denomination, 
their children were conscientiouslj- reared. Sever.al 
of them have united with the church and all are 
respected men and women. The death of the fa- 
ther occurred in Almond. Allegany County, N. Y., 
in 1865, and the following year his wife also de- 
parted this life. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
State, and in the common schools received his edu- 
cation. At the age of twenty-one years, he 
left the (larental roof to make his own waj* in the 
world. The opportunities :;fforded young men in 
the West seemed to him superior to those of the 
older States of the East and he resolved on the West- 
ern frontier to carve out a fortune for himself. 
Leaving home, he started for Wisconsin with liut 
a few dollars in money, yet determined, come 
what would, he would make his life a success. At 
the very outset lie met with a misfortue — the loss 
of his ticket which secured liis passage on the boat. 
After paying his wa^' a second time, he found that 
he had but ^'S remaining, yet with a young 
man's bright hope of the future, he pressed 
forward with a stout heart and resolute will, and 
the success which crowned his efforts is shown by 
Ills life work. The ITtli d.iy of July. 1849. witnessed 
his arrival in Rock Ctfunty wliere he has resided 
continuously since, covering a period of forty 
years. For a time he worked at vaiious occupations 



=t 



J* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Ipy wliicli lie ini^ht earn an lionest dollar; and 
from his meagre earnings soun saved a small sum 
which ho invested in land, purchasing thirty acres 
in the town of Milton. lie also engage<l in farm 
hilior for the settlers in llic noigiiborhood, and be- 
ing an expert with the cradle found plenty of em- 
j)loyracnt at fifty cents a day. which at that time 
was considered a good price. He then made a 
contract for cutting oak logs f(n- 300,000 feet of 
lumber, and by these various methods accumulated 
a small capital. After a short time, he sold his 
first purchase of land and invested elsewhere, and 
subsequently, in 18.J8, purch.ascd eighty acres on 
section 8. Milton Township, which constitutes a 
part of his present farm. The land'had hithcito 
been uncultivated and the improvements consisted 
of a little frame house 16 feet square. Working on 
ilaj" after d.ay he soon converted the wild land into 
rich and fertile fields, his crops yielded abundant 
harvests and prosperity attended his efforts. lie 
now ownes 23G acres under a high state of culti\:i- 
tion, and he is recognized as one of the leading 
farmers of the community. But few men who 
have started in life with as limited a capital as Mr. 
\'incent have risen to as prominent a position .as 
ho now occupies, but it shows what can be ac- 
cMPiiiplished by determined energy, industry, fair 
dealing and methodical habits. 

On the 2!)th of April, 18.32. Mr. \incciit was 
united in marriage with Miss Almira Taylor, who 
was born in Alfred. Allegany Co., N. Y., July ."3, 
18."?.5. Her parents. Jehiel and Phrebe (Stillman) 
Taylor, were also natives of the Kmpire State, and 
with their family emigrated to Hock Count}' in 
I S4 1. and became residents of Milton Township, 
where the mother died .\pril ."i. ISIil. Mr. T.aylor 
afterward removed to North Loup, Neb., where his 
death occurred Dec. 1 J, 1873. Six children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent — Addie, wife 
of Charles Gray, who is living in Milton .hinction; 
Harriet A. is the wife of Wilson Bowers, a resident 
farmer of Oraham County, Kan.; Orlo T. ami 
Avery I'., farmers of the town of Milton, were both 
unite<l in marriage on the 20tli day of December, 
1883. the former witli Miss Lillie Hall, the latter 
with Miss Lola Hall; Elmer D., is still living home; 
and Daisy is now a student at Milton College. The 




Vincent household is noted for its hospitality, and 
the family is well worthy a representation in the 
permanent record of Hock County's best citizens. 
For many years the i)arents have been memliers of 
the Seventh Day Baptist Church, and in politics 
Mr. Vincent is a Republican. He is numbered 
among the honored and prominent pioneers of the 
county, where he has long made his home, and by 
all is held in the highest regard. 

KHEMIAH W. CITTINO, mm dcce.ised. 
was niinibered among the honored pioneers 
of this county, and was pronuneiilly identi- 
fied with its history from 1843 until 1888- 
He was born on the 14lh day of December, 181 1. 
in the State of Vermont, whence he removed to 
New York, settling in Chautauqua County, where 
he made his home for many years. f)n the 6tli dav 
of .lanuary, 1842, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Charlotte Carter, a most estimable ladv, who 
survives her husband and is living in Milton. She 
was born July 8. 1824. and is a daughter of Luke 
and Catherine (Billings) Carter. Four children 
were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cutting, 
three sons and a daughter, three of whom are liv- 
ing: Arnenzo, the eldest, who was born Jan. 1, 
1844, was a graduate of the J.anesville College, and 
the year of his graduation died at his home in the 
town of Rock, on the 2Gth day of March, 1862, at 
the age of eighteen ye.ars; Edwin A., the second 
son. wa.s born July 31, 18411, and is now residing in 
Kearney, Neb., where be fills the office of Deputy 
Sheriff; George II., who was born at Oregon. Wis., 
on the 1st day of September, 18.51. is also a resi- 
dent of Kearney, Neb.; Ceneith A., whose birth 
occurred in Lima April li), 1854, is now the wife 
of Myron C. Bacon, and unlothcni havt' been born 
two children, named llay S. and Ida. 

The year following his marriage Mr. Cutting 
left his home in the East, and came with his wife 
to Wisconsin, locating three years in Lima, then 
going to Dane County, removing, eleven 3'ears later 
again to Rock County, where he |)urchase(l about 
ninety-three acres of land, situated in the town of 
Harmonj'. From that time he carried on farming 



■r 



4 



♦- 



762 



-4 



ROCK COUNTY. 






until 1882, when he letirefl from active life and re- 
moved to Milton. He was a man of prominence 
and influence in the coramunit}', was lield in the 
liigiiest regard hy all, and was an important factor 
in the upbuilding of the count}'. In political 
sentiment he was a radical Republican, taking a 
deep interest in the success and welfare of that 
party, and held various local ollices of trust. He 
served as Town Clerk during eight years of his 
residence in Dane County, and w.ns instrumental in 
the organization of the school districts of his town. 
The cause of education found in him a faithful 
adherent, and he did all in his power for its ad- 
vancement, also providing his children with the 
best advantages. He h.as shared in the trials and 
privations of pioneer life in Rock County, was not 
only a witness but was also a participant in the 
work of transformation and progress, which made 
it one of the leading counties in the St.ate, and 
when death called him the community lost a valued 
citizen. He passed away on the 5th day of March, 
ISKS. and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Milton. 



^ |{. W. H. BORDEN, who for years has 
1)1 been numbered among the prominent phj-- 
sicians of Rock County and is a leading 
citizen of Milton, was born in Schoharie 
County. N. Y., Sept. 24, 1824. The Borden 
family is of English descent. The doctor's great- 
grandfather, William Borden, was al.<o a physician. 
His family numbered three children, two sono and 
a daughter, one of whom, P. Borden, was the grand- 
father, and his son, James, one of a family of 
twelve children, was the father of our subject. He 
married Rebecca Craig, a native of New Jersey, 
and had seven children, six of whom are living — 
W. H., of this sketch; Marietta, now Mrs. .Strick- 
land of Otto, N. Y,; Andrew, who resides in 
Chautauqua County, N. Y.; L. S., who is engaged 
in the tobacjo business at Milton, Wis. ; J.ij', a 
tanner by trade, residing in Springfield, X. Y.; 
Henrietta, who died in Otto, N. Y., in 1887; and 
James C, a resident f.armer of Otto. James Bor- 
den emigrated to Otto, Cattaraugus Co., N, Y., 
and settled in a section which was then almost a 




wilderness. He was well and favorably known in 
that vicinity and at his death the county lost a 
good citizen. He died in the prime of life, wheu 
but forty-eight years of age; his loved companion 
survives him, aged eighty -nine. 

Dr. Borden was reared to manhood iu his native 
State and received his primary education in the 
public schools of his neighborhood. He finished 
his studies at the Fredonia Acaderaj', and began 
looking about him with a view to adopting some 
trade or profession. After due consideration he 
chose the medical profession and for a j'ear pur- 
sued his studies under the direction of Dr. Levi 
Goldsborough. of Otto, N. Y. In February, 1847, 
he entered the Medical University of Buffalo, N. Y. 
from which institution he graduated on the 19th 
day of April, 1849, receiving his diploma from Mil- 
lard Filmorc, then vice-presiilent of the college. On 
obtaining his degree of .M. I)., he located at James- 
town, N. Y., but soon afterward moved to Ran- 
dolph, N. Y.. where he formed a partnership with 
Dr. Samuel Wilcox. That connection contiinicd 
for two years, and the firm gained a liberal share 
of the public patronage. January- 23, 1851. while 
a resident of Randolph, Dr. Borden married Miss 
Lovina D. VanCampen. a native of New York and 
a daughter of Benjamin and Mary S, YanCampen. 
who were of (ierman descent. Three children 
were born to them: Mary Alice, born in Novem- 
ber, 1851, is at home; Emily A., born in May, 
1857, is now the wife of George A'anCampen. a 
real estate and loan agent, of Buffalo, N. Y. ; James 
B., born Septeml)er 24, 1869, is a student in ^Milton 
College. 

Leaving Raudolph, N. Y., Dr. Borden became a 
resident of Scio, Allegan}' Co., X. Y.. where he 
practiced two years, at the end of that time re- 
turning to Otto and forming a partnership which 
existed a year with Dr. Goldsborough, under whom 
he began the study of liis |)rofession. In 1854, re. 
solved to try his fortune iu the more promising 
field of the new and growing West, he came to 
Milton and soon had an extensive practice; and 
from that time he has met with increasing success 
and appreciation. 

In 186-1 Dr. Borden was commissione<l surgeon 
of the 1st Wisconsin Heavj- Artillery. 'I'he regi- 



-^»- 




UOCK COUNTY. 



765'^ 



ment was ordered to Virginia and placed in tlie 
defenses of Waslilngton and foi med the 3d brigade 
of I)eRuss3''s division of General Augur's corps. 
Tiie doctor was given charge of a post hospital near 
Kort Lyon, Va., and continued there until he 
was mustered oul of the service in June, 1865, and 
was discharged with the regimenl July 13, at ]\Iil- 
waukee. 

The greatest sorrow of the doctor's life came to 
him in 1885, when he was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife. The doctor is a progressive 
and pulilic-s|iirited citizen .'uid is one of the ener- 
gelicjand enterprising men of Milton. To his efforts 
lan lie attributed his success, and the prosperity 
which has attended him is due to his industry, 
ability and fair dealing which has ever marked his 
intercourse with his fellow men. lie has mani- 
fested gre.at interest in the political affairs of his 
country, his views being in .accordance with those 
of the Democratic party, which he h.as supported 
since 1872. 



?j;F.ORGE J. KELLOGG, one of the early 
:^ settlers of Wisconsin, who dates his resid- 
ence back to 1835, is now living on sec- 
tion 12, Kock Townshii>, this county-. He was 
b(jrn in the State of New York, in 1828, and is a 
son of Austin and .\rmenia (Howe) Kellogg. The 
family is of Kuglish descent, the paternal grand- 
father. Helmont Kellogg, having c mmigrated from 
England to America prior to the Revolutionary 
War. in which he served as a soldier, and for his 
services drew a pension until his death. Austin 
Kellogg was a blacksmith by traile, but also en- 
gaged in milling. In the summer of 1835. he 
emigrated to Wisconsin, locating near Kenosha, 
where he was among the first settlers, and tliere 
made his home for many jears. lie was accom- 
panied by his wife and five children: namely. Ar- 
temecia H.. wlio became the wife of Alonzo Bur- 
gess, of Racine count}'; .Mary S., who married the 
Rev. John Cruinmer. who is now living in Iowa; 
George J., of this sketch; .Maria I'"., now the wife 
of Dr. James Ozanne. a practicing physician of 
Soniers. Wis.; and Martha A., who became the wife 



of Hiram Balcolm, deceased, now living in Iowa. 
After their arrival in this State another child was 
born. Wilbur K., who is now engaged in farming 
near Red Cloud, Neb. 

Our subject was but seven years of age when his 
parents emigrated to Wisconsin. He was reared 
to manhood upon his father's farm, and at the age 
of eighteen went to work at lumbering in the 
northern part of the State. He also taught school 
for severa terms, but in 1849, with an ox team, 
made an overland trip to California, reaching his 
destination after one hundred and fort3'-six days of 
travel. He engaged in gold mining, in which he 
was reasonably successful, until July 1852, when 
he returned to Wisconsin, coming by waj- of the 
Isthmus of Panama, and located in Rock County. 
Purchasing forty acres of land, he beg.an its cul- 
tivation, and in 1854 embarked in the nurserj^ 
business, which he has since continued. 

In 1854, Mr. Kellogg was united in marriage 
with Frances M. Piatt, a native of New York, and 
to them w.as born one child, O. G., who is now 
living in Chicago. The death of the mother oc- 
curred in 1859. He was again married, in 1861, 
becoming the husband of Miss Emily Lewis, who 
was also born in the Empire .State, of English and 
Scotch ancestry. The second union has been 
blessed with a family of four children: namely, 
(iertrude. a successful teacher, who is now em- 
ployed in the schools of Minneapolis, Minn.; 
Leonard F.. Edith A. and Marcus L. 

Mr. Kellogg is a member of the Wisconsin Hor- 
ticultural Societ}', the Rock Count}' Agricultural 
Society and the Farmers' Institute, in which he h.as 
been engaged for three winters, delivering short 
talks on horticulture and several valuable papers. 
He is also a correspondent of the Farm, Field and 
Stockman. The Prairie Farmer, The Western Rural 
anil other papers on horticulture which are pub- 
lished in the East. He t.akes great interest in the 
work, knows more than he tlid twenty-five years 
ago, but not half as much as he thought he did 
then. He has added to his original purchase until 
his farm now comprises seventy-one and a half 
acres, most of which is devoted to this special 
work. Mr. Kellogg h.as ever taken a deep interest ^ 
in ;dl public enterprises, and has held several local 



-^»- 



■*► 



T 




ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



offices in tliis comm unity, and is now .lustiee of the 
Peace. He and his wife are both members of llie 
Molliodisl Kpiscop.d Chuicli, and have taken a prom- 
inent paiL in the work of l)Olh cliurch and Sunday- 
school, and are devoted Cliristian peoiile. lie has 
served as chairman of the Board of Trustees, and has 
also held tlieotfieeof .Superintendent of the Sundaj'- 
school for many years. In liis political sentiments 
he is a Prohibitionist, and has the entire respect 
of the comnuinity in which he resides. 

« n^II.LlAM 1;L0D(;KTT is the pioneer set- 
\rJ// tier of Beloit, having lived in that city 
W^ longer than any other resident. He was 
born in Columbus, Ind., on the 13th dn^- of March. 
1834, and is a son of S. K. and Mahalia (Norris) 
Blodgett, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
work. In 1836 he came with his grandfather and 
mother to Rock County, being then but two years of 
age. At that time not a house marked the site of 
the beautiful city of Beloit, but as far as the eye 
could see stretched one vast, wild waste of land. 
In the pioneer .school-house of that early day, 
which would now cause a smile if it could be 
])laced alongside of the elegant modern buildings 
of Beloit, William Blodgett received his primary 
education. 

Desiring a better business education, after accu- 
mulating means enough from his own earnings, 
young Blodgett pursued and completed a full course 
at D. V. Bell's Commercial College (now Br\-ant & 
Stratton's Commercial College) in Chicago. 111., re- 
ceiving his diploma for a thorough knowledge of 
commercial law and book-keeping, in the spring of 
1856. He was united in the holy bonds of matri- 
mony in IS.Oe. with Miss Elizabeth M. Hodge, a 
native of New York, and around the fireside of 
this worthy couple once gathered a little band of 
five children, but only two are now living: Frank 
H., who is book-keeper in his father's office, and 
Alice M. 

Since 18.'>7 Mr. Blodgett hiis been engaged in the 
milling business, being a partner in the same until 
1888, when he became sole proprietor. Socially, 
he is a member of the Masonic fraleinitv. beloiii;- 




^•■ 



ing to Morning Star Lodge Xo. 10. A. F. cV- A. M.. 
Beloit Chapter No. 9. R. .V. M.. and Beloit Com- 
mandery No. 6, K. T. He is also a member of 
Myrtle Lodge No. 10, I. (). (). F. In ix.litical 
sentiment he is a Democrat. He has been honored 
with several local offices of trust, including that of 
Alderman of the Fourth AVard, in which capacity he 
has served for three terms. Mr. Blodgett is a man 
of more than ordinary ability, and in his business 
relations stands high in the community. He is 
genial, possesses a kindl}' disposition, and makes 
friends wherever he goes. In all the numerous 
official and responsible ))osilions ho has held, lie 
has ever proved himself eapal)le and upright, and in 
every way trustworthy, while in tb.e citv of Beloit 
nf) man stands higher in public esteem than does 
William Blodgett. 

^fl O. WILSON, editor of tlie .lanes ville 
[@/yil Recorder, w.as born in Bradford. I'enobscot ' 
Co., Me., and was reared on his father's 
farm. He was educated in the common 
schools, and at Hampden .Vcademy, leaving that 
institution in the fall of 1864, to strike out for 
himself. In December, 1866, he went to Minneap- 
olis, Minn., but subsequently settled in Janesville. 
where he has resided since August, 1867. He 
studied law with the Hun. II. A. Patterson, the 
present municipal Judge, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1870 before Judge William P. Lyon. Soon 
after this event he entered upon the publication 
of the Janesville City Times, continuing the same 
until the spring of 1886, when the Times and the 
Recorder were mergeil. 

In i)olitics Mr. Wilson has been a consistent 
Democrat all his life. He was the Democratic 
candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court against the 
late A. W. B;Udwin. when that gentleman w.as first 
elected, in 1868. Subsequently he ran for Police 
Justice of the city, but was defeated by William 
Smith, Es(i. Although always active in politics, 
he has never sought nor held a political office except 
Postmaster of the Wisconsin Asseml)ly during the 
session of 1874. He has, however, held the oHice 
of School Commissioner for eight years consecii- 

-w^ 



-4^ 




ROCK COUNTY. 



767 



•tivel}', and is now n memlier of the Boiird of 
Education, was clerk of the board two years, in 
1885-80. and w.as re-elected to the clerl^ship in tiie 
spring of 1889. 

Mr. Wilson has lieen the political editor of the 
Jatiesville iJai/i/ and Weekly Kecmxler for the past 
three years, lie was married in August. 1879, to 
Miss Lizzie IJlinn. of Orwell, Ohio, they having one 
child, a dauLfhter. 




y 11. MAM ALEXANDER, one of the lead- 
ing; and representative farmers of the town 
of Lima, residing on section lo, w.as born 
in Roxburghshire. Scotland, on the 2.')th day of 
August. 1825, and is the only child of William 
and .lanettc (Douglass) Alexander, who were also 
born in the same shire. The first home of the 
family in America was in the Empire State, where 
they i-csided until 1842. when they became resi- 
dents of Rock County, where Mr. Alexander made 
his home until his dcatli, which occurred about the 
year 18.")('). For a number of years, he was a mem- 
ber of the Presbjterian Church, but after his re- 
moval to Milton, worshiped with the Congrega- 
tionalists. 

Our subject passed the days of his lioyhood and 
youth in his home beyond the sea. and received 
his education in the schools of his native land. In 
18.51, he led to the marriage altar Miss Maiy A. 
Goodfellow, and the following spring with his 
young bride crossed the broad Atlantic to America. 
l)n reaching the shores of this country, he at once 
continued his iourney until reaching Milton, ^\'is.. 
whore he arrived in the month of Aiiril. Having 
no caiiital with which to begin life in his new 
home, he at once began looking about him for 
emiiloyment and soon secured work, but received 
as a compensation for his services only ^12 per 
month, from which meager sum he paid his own 
board. For live years he was variously employed, 
and from the wages thus secured he saved enough 
to pturliase a farm. He bought eighty acres of land 
on section 1.5, in the town bf Lima, and in 18.50. 
moved into a small frame house, which w.as but par- 



tially finished. As soon .as he had made a comfort- 
able home, he began the work of developing a 
farm, clearing the land of the brush, splitting rails 
with which to fence the field and turning the broad 
, furrows on the hitherto unculiiv.ated prairie. His 
life in those d.ays w.as surely a busy one; from 
morning until night he labored in the fields, culti- 
vating the land and planting the crops, which, in 
the autumn season, brought an ample return for 
his labors. As the days sped by, his efforts were 
crowned with success, .and the bountiful harvests 
which he gathered, together with the natural in- 
crease in the value of Land, made him one of the 
well-to-do farmers of the community. To his 
original purchase he has added until now 325 broad 
acres pay a golden tribute to his care and 
cultivation and his farm h.as become one of the 
finest in the township, with a good grade of all 
kinds of stock, its improvements many and beauti- 
ful, and the entire surroundings indicating that he 
is a man of thrift and enterprise. In the dwelling, 
where they have so long made their home, unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have been born six child- 
ren: William G., who now has charge of the farm; 
John H., a leading physician of Waukesha County, 
Wis.; Janet, who is still with her parents; Marj-, 
wife of Rev. George Runciman. a Presbyterian 
minister, residing at the Cattaraugus Indian Res- 
ervation, Erie Co,, N. Y.; and Andrew and Thomas, 
deceased. 

Since Mr. Alexander became a resident of Rock 
County, he has been numl)ered amonii' the leading 
citizens of the town of Lima, and has identified 
himself with its best interests. His life h.as been 
well spent, and he is widely and honorably- known. 
His excellent knowledge of the value of stock and 
farm property h.as led to his election to the respon- 
sible position of assessor, at each election for six 
years and he was two years chairman of the Board 
of Su|)ervisors, and the prompt and able manner in 
which he has ever discharged his duties is testified 
by the general approbation in which his services are 
held. He is a man of sound judgment, firm in his 
convictions of right and wrong, an<i is held in uni- 
versal respect. In politics, he is one of the stanch 
supporters of the Republican party, and in his re- 
ligious associations, is a member of the I'resbvterian 



^l 



JU 



:L 



768 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



Church, of whicli he has been a communicant for 
tliirty-seven years. His vvife, wlio is a most estima- 
ble lady and irreatly beloved for her man}' excellen- 
cies of character, also holds membership with tiiat 
church. 

'•' ' P \^t^ ' < • •-• 

l^l^AX BUREN ANDERSON, deceased, was 
one of the leading citizens of Milton. He 
was a native of the Bay State, boi ii in 1825, 
and was a son of Orlin and Esther (Shaw' Ander- 
son. The days of his boyhood and youth were 
passed in his native State, and in its common 
schools he recei>ed his education. He there be- 
came acquainteil with and married Miss Clara 
Lillibridge, who was born in Connecticut, April 5, 
1834. Their marriage was celebrated on the 27th 
day of October, 1850, and unto them were born 
four children. Mary, the eldest, born Nov. 22, 
1851, became the wife of Henry Cutting, a resident 
of Kearnej-, Neb., by whom she has six children; 
William, born July 5. 1854, wedded Mary Mizo, 
and resides in Milton; James V., born Oct. 17, 
1856, married Eva Elilritlge, by whom he has two 
children, Clara and .James, and is now engaged in 
the commission Ijusiness in Milton; Charlie, born 
Oct. 25, 1870, is the 3-oungest. and makes his home 
with his mother. 

.Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of Edward and 
Lucinda (Swan) Lillibridge, who were natives of 
Connecticut, and is the 3'oungest of a family of 
four children, the other members being Lorenzo, 
who died in M.ay, 1885, at Brooklyn, Conn.; 
George, who dep.arted this life about ten years ago, 
and Louisa, who is the wife of Alexander Mitchell, 
of North Webster, Mass., by whom she h.as had six 
children, five of whom are living. 

In his younger years Mr. Andeison learned the 
tratle of manufacturing cotton goods, and for some 
time previous to the removal of the family to this 
county was overseer in cotton factories in different 
New England factf)ry towns. Wishing to tr}' his 
fortune in the then far West, he disposed of his 
business interests in the East and emigrated to 
Wisconsin. On the 1st day of October, 1858, he 
reached Rock County. Locating in Milton, he 
engaged with his brother in the manufacture of 



tinware. He later purchased a small farm west of 
the town and turned his attention partially to 
farming, whicli he followed until his death, in 
1873. 

He was a public. spirited and progressive citizen, 
who felt a deep interest in every enterprise calcu- 
lated to be of benefit to the community. Always 
well informed on the le.«i<ling issues of the day, he 
was a man of intelligence and ability, and in poli- 
tics was a supporter of the Republican party. He 
spared no pains or means in the education of his 
children, they all having been students at Milton 
College, and religiously he was a communicant of 
the Congregational Church. His honorable, up- 
right life secured him the confidence and respect 
of all with whom business or pleasure brought him 
in contact, and he was held in high esteem by a 
large circle of acquaintances. 



'i^^- 



[[ ^^ENRY B. GLASS, a retired photographer 

^ of Janesville, was the pro[)rietor of the old- 
est established house in that line in the 
city. He began business in Janesville in 
1860, carrying it on both there and at Clinton, 
Rock Count}', until 1866. when he sold out to his 
son, Charles F. Glass, and retired to private life. 
Mr. (ilass was born in Skaneateles, Onond.aga Co., 
N. Y., Nov. 16, 1816, and is a son of Cyrenus and 
Rachel (Bradt) Glass. He was reared to farm life, 
but after reaching manhood was eng.aged in lum- 
bering for six years on the Allegheny River. At 
the end of that time he embarked in the manufac- 
ture of carriages in the town of Panama. Chautau- 
qua Co.. N. Y.. continuing in that line for about 
four years, when he engaged in the hotel business 
for one year. In 1854 he left the east and came 
to Janesville, Wis., being employed at his trade of 
carriage; making until 1860, when, .as before stated, 
he engaged in the pliotographic business, buying 
out Samuel Thompson. 

Mr. Glass was married to Miss Laura Chaiiman 
in .laniostown. Chautauqua Co.. N. Y.. .Ian. 1, 
liSll. .She was a native of Saratoga County, N. 
Y.. born in 1816, and one child graced their union. 
Charles F., born in Chautauiiua County, N. \ .. 



u 



4> 



UOCK COUNTY. 



rc!) 





Nov. 28. 1848. He married Miss Nellie Salsmnn, 
who w;is liorn in .lerscy City. X. J., but came with 
her i>:uents to Wisconsin in infnncy. :>nil was 
roarc(l in Milwaukee. Chailes K. was cihicatcd in 
this city, and in 18.S(; bought out his father's gal- 
lery. Mr. Glass was called upon to mourn the loss of 
his wife in 1884. her death occurring Sunday Au- 
gust 3. Kor many years she wa.s a consistent mem- 
ber of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal Cinircli. 
and ber death proved a sad loss to many friends as 
well as her immediate family. In politics. Mr. 
Glass is a Democrat, and is a member of Janesville 
Lodge No. .")."), A. F. it A. M. His honorable, up- 
right course of life has won him many friends in 
Rock County, and he holds an enviable position in 
their regard. 

KA NCIS E. PECK, who is numbered among 
the early settlers of Hock County, Wis., dat- 
ing his residence in this community back to 
184."), is a native of New Vork. born in Monroe 
County. Nov. 28, 1840. His parents. Elisha F. 
and Eliza (Moore; I'eck. were married in that 
county, and there iiad a family of three children. 
James R.. Francis E. and lOlisiia B. In 18(5. the 
familj- removed to the West, stopping for a short 
time at Delavan, Wis., after which they continued 
their journey to Rock County, where the father 
entered a claim and developed a farm in Newark 
Township. The mother w.as permitted to enjoy 
her new home but a short time, for after two years 
liad passed she was called to her linal rest, in 1847. 
In 186;i, the fathei' removed to the city of Hcloit. 
where he continue(l to m.ike h'.s home until 187(). 
when he became a resident of California, when; he 
is still living. 

Our subject was but li\e years old wiicn his 
parents removed to this county. He was i-eared 
to farm life upon the claim which his father entered 
in Newark Township, and his educational advan- 
tages were indeed limited. His knowledge of the 
text books was received in a pioneer school house, 
built of logs, covered with sod. and withouta floor. 
This wiis only one of the inconveniences attendant 
on pioneer life, which, though the hardshi[>s were 

4^ 



often great, also had its pleasures. On Dec. 24, 
18G;i. Mr. Peck was united in marri.age with Miss 
Ellen Royce, who was born in Lewis County. N. V., 
Feb. 24. 1847. and is a daughter of William and 
Mary (Newton) Royce, of Lewis County, in that 
State. In 1861, the family emigrated to the West, 
locating in Newark Township. Hock County. The 
children were nine in numlicr, eight of whom are 
now living. Lorinda, Jenette, Charles A., Ellen, 
Eflie, Hubbard. Elizabeth and William. The 
parents both died in this county. 

On .Ian. 20. hSIU.Mr. IVck bade good bye to 
his briile of a mouth and enlisted in his country's 
service, becoming a member of Company F.. 
Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry. He then served 
until the close of the war. participating in all the 
engagements of his regiment from that time. 
While fighting in the front ranks at Leggetts Hill 
he was wounded, losing one finger, and after being 
confined in the hospital for some time obtained a 
leave of absence and returned home, expecting to 
join his regiment at Nashville. His furlough being 
over, he proceeded to that city to find that the 
command had joined .Sherman's army, and from 
there he was sent to .Savannah, Ga.. where he w.as 
detailed and ordered to ISIoorhead City. N. C, 
as quartermaster. Subsequently he was sent to 
Waslungton, I). ('., and later to Louisville. Ky.. 
where he was honorably discharged, July 15. 18G5. 

Around the fireside of our subject and his ex- 
cellent wife cluster a family of six interesting chil- 
dren, namely : M.'iy Hell, born Aug. 1, 1867; 
Frank E., May 1, 1871 ; Minnie E., Dec. 
21, 1875; Mervin, Aug. 29, 1881; Vena Vella. 
Feb. Hi. 1885; and Harry A., July 31, 188G. 
Mr. Peck is numbered among the energetic and 
enterprising citizens of Hock County, and is held 
in high esteem by all who know him. He is an 
active supporter of the Republican part^-. 



\|7 oris FHEDEHICK KNIl'l'. proi)rietor of 
'^^ the city brewery of Janesville, Wis., estab- 



ik' 



jlL^ lished business in this city in 1882. He i^ 
a native of Wisconsin, having been born Nov. 1, 
1853, in the city of Milwaukee, and is a son of 



■:^*rr^' 



, i 770 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4- 



i= 



William and Louisa (I?crg|es) Knipp. both of whom 
were natives of (M'l-many, wlio emigrated lo Amer- 
ica in 1852, settling in this State. The deatli of 
the motlier occurred in 1888, but the father still 
survives and is residitig in Kansas. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
hood upon a farm, and received his education in the 
common schools. When eighteen years of age, he 
was employed with the Fred Miller IJrewery Com- 
pany, and subsequently was engaged with the Mil- 
waukee Brewery Association, with wiiicli he re- 
mained until 188-2. when he estalilished Inisiness 
for himself in the same line at Janesville. He 
formed a partnership with C. II Gezelschap. under 
the firm name of (iezelschap & Knipp. proprietors 
of llie City Brewery, that connection continuing 
until Mr. Kniiip bought out his partner, in January 
1887, since wliich time he has been alone in busi- 
ness. His lirewery, wliich is situated at the cor- 
ner of River street and Mineral Point avenue, is 
the largest in the city or county. Since starting he 
has increased his facilities, and his annual output 
is u|)ward of 5,000 barrels of beer. 

On Sept. 26, 1877, Mr. Knipp was happily 
married, Miss Annie Siegel becoming liis wife. 
Their marriage was celebrated in West Bend, 
Washington Co., Wis., and the lady is a native 
of this State and a daughter of Lawrence Siegel. 
An interesting family of four children, one son and 
three daughters, have been born of their union, 
William, Annie, Lizzie and Laura. 

Mr. Knipp attends the Lutheran Church of Janes- 
ville, and his wife is a communicant of the Catholic 
Church. In politics he is a supporter of the princ- 
iples advocated by the Democratic party, and so- 
cially is a member of the Concordia Society. He 
takes an active interest in the affairs of the com- 
munity and is a worthj' citizen. 



^^^ OL. JESSE SMITH, an honored citizen and 
[if ^^ pioneer merchant of Rock County, was born 
^^^ in Thompson, Conn., July 5, 1784, .and 
was the son of Enos and Keziah Smith. His father 
was born in Connecticut, March 4, 1738, and tlie 
mother in the same State on the 13th day of June, 



1745. Her death occurred March 28, 1830. Both 
were descended from English Puritan ancestors. 
Our subject was reared on a farm, and was married 
in 1812 to Miss Betsy Willmartii. of Berkshire, 
Mass. 

.Soon after his marriage Jlr. .Smith engaged in 
merchandising at Philadelphia, Jeflferson Co.. Is. V. 
where his wife died in 1839. leaving six children 
to mourn her loss. JNIarcia, the eldest, was the 
wife of Timothy Jackman. a prominent business 
man of Janesville; her death occurred Nov. 23d, 
1888. The next eldest was Shubael W., who was a 
leading business man and banker of Janesville. 
His death occurred M,ay 3d, 1884. Hezekiah mar- 
ried Amy (iifford, and died in 1882. Abbie A., 
remained single, and died !it the age of sixty years. 
Hannah died when twenty-two years of age; and 
Caroline, the youngest, dieil when she had reached 
the same age. Mr. Smith was married again on 
the 2d day of February, 1841, at Newport. Herki- 
mer Co., N. Y.. to Miss Mary Caroline Brooks, 
daughter of Dr. John and Nancy (Rcddington) 
Brooks; the father was born in Worcester. Mass., 
but resided for forty years at Boriiardstoii. l-"rank- 
lin County, of that .State, where he was success- 
fully engaged in the practice of his ))rofession. 
Mrs. Brooks was born in Lunenburg, Mass., and 
was descended from an old New England family. 
Mrs. Smith was born at New Fane. Windom Co., 
Vt., on the (Jth day of March. 1808, was liberally 
educated, and at the age of sixteen j'ears engaged 
in teaching school, and pursued that vocation for 
seventeen years. In 1839 slie ventured out to 
Newport, Jefferson Co , N. Y., against the wislies 
of her friends and engaged in teaching; tliere siiu 
met iSIr. Jesse Smith, and in 1811 became liis wife, 
proving to be a worthy and loving hcl|)niate 
through the thirty-two years of their wedded life. 
She survived her husband and while now past four- 
score years of age, is in tlie full enjoyment of her 
mental faculties, entertaining in conveisalion, and 
warmly esteemed by all who know her. Three 
children were liorii of her marri.age to Mr. Smith, 
one son and two tlaughters. The son. Stanley 
Brooks Smith was born at Philadelphia. N. ^^ on the 
4th day of October. 1 843. and received his education 
at private schools, was married to Miss Martha M. 



J±J f' 



■♦- 



KOCK COUNTY 



'1 



Lognn, of Grecnsburg, Pa., and is the present 
cMsliier of tlie Hock County National Bank. Ki-.an- 
ees Klizaliotii, the eldest dauiriiter, was born Sept. 
1 1, I 84.J, is the wife of Tiionias Alsop, and lives 
in Brooklyn. (Jiven Co., Wis. Mary Catherine, 
the youngest, was born Dec. 22, 1H47. anil is the 
wife of Warren L. Richardson, of Eldorado, Kan. 
In 1846 Col. Sniitii and family removed to Wis- 
consin an<l settled in the town of Union, Rock 
Count}', where he was engaged in merchandising 
until his death, which occurred Feb. 27, 1873. Mr. 
Smith received tiie title of Colonel, while a resident 
of New York, where he had taken a warm interest 
in military matters, and was commissioned Colo- 
nel of Militia. Col. Smith was a Whig in early 
life, and on the breaking up of that party he joined 
the Republican parly, then in its infancy, and was 
ever afterward a consistent member of that organi- 
zation. He was never in any sense a politician, 
or a seeker after oflice, but devoted his attention to 
business pursuits, exclusively. He was upright 
and honorable in all the relations of life and was 
highly respected for his many excellencies of char- 
acter. 



ir.k 

j A li()rn 11 
If Sept. 17. 



Jt 



^f LBKRT S. ISHA.M, hardware dealer and a 
i .@//-JI | prominent business man of Clinton, was 

*^ " =11 Hamburg, Erie Co.. N. Y., 

|)t. li, 1810. and is a sou of Ira and 
Mary ( (lough) Isliam, who emigrated to Galena, 
III., ill 184(5, when our subject was but a mere lad. 
The following year they rpmovcd to Blue Mounds. 
Dane Co., Wis., where Albert grew to inan- 
hooil, receiving a common school education. He 
remained under tlu: parental roof until President 
Lincoln's call wa.s made for troops to put down 
the Rebellion, when he responded and enlisted in 
Coni|iany C, First Berdan Sharp Shooters, being 
mustered into the I'nited States service at New 
York Cit}-. With others, lie was sent to Washing- 
ton, 1). C. where the regiment w.as organized and 
then sent to the front. The first engagement in 
which he participated was the battle of Big Bethel, 
which w.a.s followed by that of Yorktown. where 
he participated in several skirmishes and the siege 



against the city, and was with the first troops to 
enter after its surrender. From there the regiment 
was sent to Williamsburg and on to West Point, 
where it remained a few days and then to Gaines 
Hill and to Hanover Court House, May 27, 1862, 
where a general engagement was brought on. 
While making a charge upon a North Carolina 
battery Mr. Isham was wounded, but nevertliele,ss 
remained with his men. He was next engaged in 
a series of battles, known as the Seven Daj's' Fight, 
the first being at McCormickvillo, which was fol- 
owcd by that at Gaines Hill, Charles City and Cross 
Roads, in which the regiment lost heavily, and the 
captain and several men of Company G were killed. 
The next engagements were at Gler.dale, Malvern 
Hill and Harrison Landing, where Mr. Isham was 
taken sick and sent to Fortress Monroe, going thence 
to New York City, where he had an attack of tv-- 
plioid fever. After regaining his health he rejoined 
his regiment and soon after participated in the sec- 
ond battle of Bull Run under Gen. Fitz John Porter. 
This was followed by the battle of Antietarn, 
Sharpsburg, Shepherdston, Fredericksburg, Mary's 
Heights and Chancellorsville, where he sustained a 
severe wound, the ball passing through his right 
knee, severing the large artery. For three long 
days and nights he laid upon the field, suffering 
untold .agony. The woods took fire and many of 
our brave boys were burned up. A surgeon gave 
him chloroform with the intention of amputating 
his leg, but the Union forces coming up at that 
time, drove the enemy back, aud thus that member 
»as saved him. He was placed upon a stretcher 
and carried to an old house, which was filled with 
Rebel prisoners, and subsequently placed upon an 
ambulance which was driven over a corduroj' road. 
By that time his limb had become much swollen 
and the pain which he then endured cannot be im- 
agined by any one who has never driven over such 
a road. He was subsequently sent to the Washing- 
ton Army Square Hospital, whence he went to 
to Philadelphia, and while on the way .Stewart's 
cavalry tore up the railroad and fired into the 
train. On the 17th of Septemlier, 18G;5, on account 
of physical disability he was discharged from the 
service at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. 

Returning to his home in Dane County, Wis.; 



f 



"t 



772 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Mr. Isham was joiiiod in wedlock tlic followintj 
3-ear at Black Eartli, with Miss Julicltc Park, a 
native of Vermont. In 11^()7 he removed with his 
youno; wife to Maiion Count}'. Iowa, wliere he en- 
gaged in farming for several years, when, in 187.5. 
he sold out and went to Waukesha County, Wis. 
Residing in the latter place for aliout four years, 
he then, in 1879. came to Clinton, where he em- 
barked in the hardware business. He has been 
very successful in that line and well deserves a 
liberal supply of the public patronage. He is en- 
ergetic, enterprising, and takes a deep interest in 
the advancement of any object which is calculated 
to benefit the public. In political sentiment he is 
a staunch Republican and h.is held several local 
offices of trust in Clinton. He belongs to the 
Grand Army of the Republic, being a charter mem- 
ber of Tallman Post. 

Mr. and Mrs. Isham are the parents of two 
daughters, Cora V. and Nellie A. The}' stand high 
in the community where they reside and are well 
known throughout the county. 



1'. SMITH, of the firm of Smith & Gate- 
ley, dealers in coal, wood and ice. Janes- 
ville, was born in Forestville, Chautauqua 
Co., N. Y., March 29, 1842. a sou of Ben- 
jamin R. and Harriet (Page) Smith. His father 
was a merchant in Buffalo, N. Y., and died therein 
1875, aged fifty -six years. His mother is living in 
Watertown, Wis. 

Young Smith was educated at the public and 
private schools at AYatertown. Wis., and at Wau- 
watosa Academy near Milwaukee. He left school 
at the age of fourteen and was employed for nearly 
a year upon the survey of the Milwaukee & Water- 
town Railroad. At the age of fifteen he went into 
the Bay State Machine Works at Milwaukee, a 
manufactory of steam engines and machinery, to 
learn the machinist's trade, but the company own- 
ing the establishment failed about a j'ear later, and 
he secured employment on the Milwaukee it Water- 
town Railroad as a fireman, and was employed on 
various railroads until August, 18G2. On the 29th 
of that month he enlisted at Chicago in Company 
H* 




A. of the Marine Artiller\\ and served in the war 
of the States until the regiment was mustered out 
of service Jan. 25, 18C3. Later he served in the 
(Quartermaster's department until April, 1863, 
when he returned to Chicago and entered the em- 
plo.y of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad 
Company, with which he continued as engineer 
and conductor till the spring of 1876. 

At the date last mentioned he embarked in the 
crockery trade on West Milwaukee street, Janes- 
ville. The following year he sold out to engage in 
the manufacture of the Harris & Smith Safety 
Lam|> and barbed wire, in partnership with James 
Harris, under the firm name of Harris i- Smith. In 
1885 he disposed of his interest in this enterprise 
to Mr. Harris, and did not resume active business 
until November, 1888, when he entered into part- 
nership with John H. Gatele}-, under the firm name 
of >Smith & Gateley, in the coal, wood and ice 
trade. The firm does an extensive business and 
has two large j-ards — one east of the river on the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, the other 
west of the river on the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad. There is an office at each yard, but the 
principal office of the firm is in the First National 
Bank building. Messrs. Smith & Gateley have es- 
tablished branch yards at the following i)oints 
about Janesville: Lima. Milton Junction. Shopiere 
Afton, Hanover, Footville, Evansville and Jeffer- 
son. The nucleus of this large business was estab- 
lished by Mr. Gateley several years ago, but it has 
lately increased with a rapidity far out of propor- 
tion with the increase of a similar period at any 
earlier stage of its history. 

Mr. Smith was married in September. 1865. to 
Mary I. Shumway, of Wauwatosa, Wis., dauo-hter 
of Hon. P. J. Shumway, who was a member of the 
first Wisconsin State Legislative Assembly, and 
was returned to represent his district in that body 
at a later date, and who, at his death, was under- 
sheriff of Milwaukee County. Mr. and Mrs. Smiih 
have five children, named as follow.s: M.uy H., 
D. P., Jr., Harriet, Charles (;. and May. Two sons 
died in infancy. 

Politically, Mr. Smith is ii Rcpulilican. He cast 
his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln at 
his second election in 18G4. He represented his 




^t;^^ 



X 



i^ 





(?, 




^ 



ROCK COITNTY. 



775 



ward in tbe common council of the city of .lanes- 
vilie two years, his term liavinij expired in 1889, 
and received tiie last Hepiiblionn nomination to the 
maj'oralty of the city and was defeated at the polls 
hy a majority of only 124 votes. Personally, lie 
is very popnlar with all classes, and few men in 
•lanesville have a larger circle of friends than he. 
Liberal and heljifiil to a great degree he is ever 
ready to aid any measure for public improvements 
or for the manifest benefit of an}- large number of 
his fellow citizens. With his famil^^ he attends the 
services of the Congregational Church. Still in 
the prime of life having scarcely reached middle 
age, enterprising, popular, far-seeing, there are 
those wlio predict for him a useful and successful 
future. 

-^m- 

ENRY Z.\DER, of .lanesville, is a pioneer 
)lj settler of this county, and dates his residence 
from Oct. 1. 1844. lie is a native of (ier- 
nian3', and was born near the city of Hano- 
ver, on the 2.'kl day of June, 1817. His parents 
were George and Elizabeth Zader. His mother died 
when he was but fourteen years of age. and in Ajiril, 
1837, the father, with his two sons. Ilenrj- and .John, 
came to America, the jiarty being on the ocean en 
route for the I'nited Stiites when Heni-y passed his 
twentieth l)irtli-ilay. The name of the family was 
originally- spelled in German. Solder, and with tlie 
exception of oursuliject all retain theoriginal mode 
of spelling; but Henry, wishing to spell it in Eng- 
lish .as pronounced, changed to the above mode. 
After landing in America, the little party went di- 
rectly to Rochester, N. V., where .lolin passed the 
remainder of his life, dying in .June. I.ss7, at tlie 
age of sixty-eight years. .Soon after his arrival in 
America, the father went to Meadville, I'a.. where 
he died a number of years later. Henry lived in 
Spenceriiort, X. Y., until he came west in 1814. In 
his youth he had learned the trade of a weaver, but 
after <-omiMg to America adopted farming as the 
occupation which he wished to follow and continued 
in that line until he retired from the active duties 
of life. John Zader, or Soeder, the grandfather of 
Henry, was a Hessian, ami at the time of the Revo- 
^ ' lutiimar}- War was about to be drafted into the 

4* 



service to come to America to assist the armies of 
Great IJritain. Not liking the idea he left his native 
place and located near Hanover. 

Mr. Zader has been four times married. His first 
wife was Miss Damiris Marvin, who died in the 
Stale of New York about a year after their marriage. 
His second wife was Sarah Thatcher, who came 
west with her husband in 1844 and died in 18.j;'>. 
He next wedded Mrs. Laney Wands, who died in 
1868, and his next union was with Mrs. Clarissa 
<iuiek, a daughter of Philip .and Am.anda Conklin. 
Mrs. Zader is a native of Cayuga County, N. Y. 
and in the summer of 1869 she came to Janesville. 
Her father died at Bergen, N. Y., at the age of 
ninety-three years, and her mother died in Erie, 
Pa., at the age of eighty-four years. By his second 
marriage Mr. Zader has two sons— Willis H., who 
is living in Janesville, and Wilbur L., a resident of 
California. By his third marriage two daughters 
were born — Elizabeth, wife of O. C. Hield of Janes- 
ville, and Emma, wife of Henry W. Sykes, also of 
this city. Mrs. Zader had three children by her 
first marriage — Ella, wife of Fred. Adair, of Chi- 
cago; Martha, wife of Willis H. Zader. of Janes- 
ville, and Silas, whose home is near Pike's Peak, 
Col. 

For the long period of thirty-six years Mr. Zader 
followed .agricultural pursuits, engaged in the cul- 
tivation of a fine farm in La Prairie Township, 
which he still owns. He is also the owner of a farm 
located in Rock Township. In 1878 he retired 
from the more arduous duties of life and removed 
to Janesville. where he owns a pleasant home on 
Milton avenue. In religions belief he is an Ad- 
ventist. and his wife is a member of the Baptist 
Clnircli of .lanesville. which they both attend. Mr. 
Zader is a great student of the Bible, and is well 
informed on Scriptural teachings. He has always 
been a supporter of the |{epublican party until 
within the past five years, when, having the courage 
of his convictions on the temperance (piestion. he 
luas supported the Prohibition party. He has been 
one of the successful men of Rock County, having 
Hiade bis own waj- in life unassisted from his early 
youth, and liy industry and economy has secured a 
competence, while he h.as ever been regarded as a 
worthy and estimable citizen. Mr. Zader has been 



r 



■» i r 4* 



O- 






776 



ROCK COUNTY. 



a resident of Rock County for the long period of 
forty-five years, becoming a resident during the 
territorial days of the community. He has wit- 
nessed its many changes, its progress and develop- 
ment, and. together with his wife, is well worthy of 
a iiiacc in the permanent record of the old settlers 
of Rock Count}'. 



/ij^^ ELNKY K. ULODUETT. deceased, was one 
^^^ of the pioneers of Rock County. Wis., and 
was numbered among its worthy citizens- 
He was born on the 12th day of January, 
1M12, in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., and in his 
native city grew to manhood, receiving his educa- 
tion in the common schools. When a young man, 
he emigrated from his native State to Oiiio, locat- 
ing in Coshocton County, where he formed theac- 
ijuaintance of Miss Mahalia Norris, who afterwards 
l)ccanK' liis wife. The lady was a Virginian by 
birth, and w:us highly esteemed for her many excel- 
lencies of character. 

Shortly after their marriage tlie young couple re- 
moved to Columbus, Ind., where Mr. Blodgett en- 
gaged in the distillery business until 183C. at which 
time he went to .lones County. Iowa, where he lo- 
cated a claim. In the meantime, his father, Caleb 
Wodgetl, had settled in Beloit, coming accom- 
panied by the wife of our subject and their oldest 
son. William. The father induced his son to make 
his home in this county, which he did. and after 
reaching his destination engaged in farming upon 
land now owned by a man by the name of Yost. 
In 1H.')() he disct)ntiuued his business in that line, 
and l)ecanie a resident of the city of Holoit, where 
he made his home until 1852, when he formed one 
of a party that crossed the plains to California. 
The wonderful stories told of tiiat western State 
|)roved mytlis to a great degree, and not l)cing 
satisfied with the country. Mr. Blodgett returned to 
his home and family after three months spent on 
the Pacific slopi'. He engaged in tlie buying and 
shipping of slock and produce until 18,')7, when, 
with his son. William, he purchased a half interest 
in the milling business of .loliii llackett. the 'con- 
nection continuing until 1S67, when they purchased 

-^« 



Mr. Hackett's interest. The mill has since under- 
gone many changes in ownership. The Messrs. 
Blodgett sold out to Messrs. Koenig and Derge, 
and six months later the latter gentleman sold his 
interest to AVilliam Blodgett, the firm becoming 
Blodgett & Koenig. the business being conducted 
by that firm until 1874, when Mr. Koenig sold his 
interest to John N. Nelson, the style of the firm 
becoming Blodgett & Nelson. In 1888. William 
Blodgett purch.ased Mr. Nelson's interest, since 
which time he has been sole proprietor. 

Mr. an<l Mrs. Blodgett were the parents of four 
children, three of whom are still living — William, 
the owner of the mill; SelveyK. ; and Sabra II., 
who is now the wife of F. S. Fenton, of Rock 
Countj'. Politically Mr. Blodgett was an old Jack- 
son Democrat, and was honored with several local 
offices of trust. For several terms he served as 
Alderman of his ward, and also filled the office of 
Supervisor of the township. He was an energetic, 
enterprising business man, who by his own efforts 
of industrj' and economj^ accumulated a large 
property. He .and his wife, who were highly re- 
spected people in the conimunil}-. never associated 
themselves with any ohnrch. but attended the Pres- 
byterian Church, and contributed lilierally to its 
support. 



JOHN J. NELSON, enginec 
& Northwestern Railroad, 
ville. Wis., is a native of 
having been born in Ro 



OHN J. NELSON, engineer on the Chicago 

resiiling in Janes- 
the Empire State, 
i^g// having been born in Rochester, N. Y.. on 
the nth day of .Inly, lfs3y. At the tender age of 
four years, his parents dying, he was left an or- 
phan, and made his home with an uncle until thir- 
teen years of age, when he started out in life for 
himself. Leaving R*)cliester, he went to Buffalo. 
N. Y.. where he w.is employed in the candy busi- 
ness for one year, after which lie reluriK'(l to his 
native city. The same year he went on a whaling 
voyage to the Baltic Seas, and was engaged in that 
line for three years. He then continued to follow 
the sea. and worked upon a canal until IS.jl), when 
he wji^ employed as a fireman on the .Syracuse it 
Oswego Railroad. In the mouth of March. 1861. 
he came West, locating in Chicago, where he se- 



n 



••► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ciii'efl !i position as fireman on the C'liicago & 
Noitliwostern Railroad, continuing in tliat position 
for two years, when he was placed in charge of an 
engine. Since tlial time he has continually hel(1 
the rank of .an engineer, and hy his ability and the 
cflicient manner in which he discharged his duties 
has gained the entire confidence of the company, 
and won favor with the travelling public. His run 
is now between J.inesville and Fort Howard, and 
in all the years of his long continued service he 
has never had an accident of any consequence. 

In lS(i4. on Christmas da}% Mr. Nelson was 
united in marriage with Miss Honore Than, their 
union being celebrated in Janesville. The lady is 
a daughter of Timothy and Mary Than, and when 
an infant, came with her parents from Ohio to this 
county. Four children have been born of their 
union, two sons and two daughters — Hattie, who 
is now the wife of Telfer Ironside, residing in .St. 
Louis; Cora, still at home; (George W., who died 
at the age of ten years; and Lcroj', the youngest 
of the family. In i)olitics Mr. Nelson is a sup- 
porter of the principles advocated bj' the Repul)li- 
can party. For the long period of twentj'-eight 
ye.'irs he has made his home in .lanesville. is num- 
l)ered among its worthy citizens, antl is highly re- 
siiected by many warm friends. 



A. ArilKRTON. pro|)rietor of the Tem- 
(©/Lji perance Billiard Hall, and dealer in fruits 
It and confectionery, at Milton, is a repre- 
.5^ sentative of one of the pioneer families of 

Rock County. His father, Simon S. .\therton, was 
born at Bolton, Conn., Aug. 4, 1817, and was a son 
of Simon aTid Roxic ( Hislcy ) Atherton, whose fam- 
ily consisted of the foUovving named children: 
Russel W., .Mmarin \V., Roxie S,, Ahnarin, Truman 
W.. .John M.. Riiyla A.. Cornelius, Simon. Ad.aline 
.1. and Caroline C. But three of that family' are 
now living — Cornelius, who resides in Rochester, 
.Minn.; .Vdaline .1., now .Mrs. Sowle, and Caroline 
C, now Mrs. McKwaii, both residents of Milton. 
When seventeen years of age Siuion Atherton left 
his native State, and in \S'M emigrated to Michi- 
gan, then a Territory. He was a carpenter by 




■<^ 



trade, and being an expert workman, at an early 
.age was pl.aced in charge of a comimny of men .as 
superintendent. 

When in his twentieth year he married Miss 
Ilesuer A. Clark, the we<lding ceremony being per- 
formed in Manchester, Mich. The lady was born 
in Syi-iicuse, N. Y., Nov. 2«, 1820, and in her girl- 
hood days came lo the West, becoming a resident 
of Michigan on the 13th day of .May, 18.{;5. She 
was one of a f.amily of twelve children born to 
Joseph S. and Alineda B. (Spencer) Clark, as fol- 
lows: Joseph, Hester A., Ali)heus, Abby. William 
Henry. Elsie, .loliii. Amanda, Elsie, Alvin, Harvey 
and Egbert. Mr. and Mrs. Atherton removed 
from Manchester, Mich., to Michigan Center, where 
they resided until November, 1812. when they 
came to Milton. Wis. The husband then pur- 
chased eighty acres of land on section 22, range 
13. in the town of Milton, forty acres of which he 
retained possession of until his death, which oc- 
curred on the olil homestead, March 2, 1879. His 
wife died in Milton on the 4lh da}- of September, 
187.5. They were highly respected citizens and 
had many warm friends. 

Into this worthy couple were born seven chil- 
dren, namel}': Royal S., who was born in Michigan, 
Nov. 3, 1841; Almeda A., Itorn in Milton, A|)ril 
11, 184.3; Joseph C, born in Milton, .\pril 13, 
1845; Alinarin A., born in .lanesville. Aug. 23, 
1850; Ella C, born in Milton May 14, 1852, 
Arthur A., born Sept. 14, 18."i7, and .Vlonzo A., 
Oct. 1, 1859. 

Alonzo A. Atherton, whose name ht'ads this 
sketch, was born in the town where he yet makes 
his home, and his entire life has been passeil in this 
county. He received a good education in the com- 
mon schools, and in early life spent his time work- 
ing on a farm. He was married on the 19tli da}- 
November, 1879, to Miss Emma L. Bump, a resi- 
dent of Waterloo, Jefferson Co., Wis. She is a 
daughter of Walter and Catherine (Daune) Bump. 
They have one child, a son, named Walter A., born 
in the town of Milton, Oct. 16, 1880. 

In March, 1882, accompanied by his wife and 
little son, Mr. Atherton removed to the village of 
Milton, where he has since iii;ide his home. For 
some time he was engaged in working at any prof- 



r 



••--f^^ 



-•»» 



778 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i 



itable unci honorable employment, but after two 
years spent in tliat way. in 1K8;3 lie establislied the 
Temperance Hillard Hall, which he has conducted 
since. In iwlitics he is a Hepul)liean, having east 
his ballot with that party since attaining to his ma- 
jority, and socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F., 
and was one of the charter members of Du Lac 
Lodge, No. 3-22. of Milton. 



-♦••r- 



"S^ZRA GOODRICH was the only son of 
|») Joseph and Nancy Goodrich, who were the 
jL^ founders of Milton and Jlilton College. 
He was born Feb. 24. 182H. at Alfred, Allegany 
Co.. N. Y. 

When he w:is thirteen years of age his parents 
emigrated to the Territory of Wisconsin, and set- 
tled out on the center of a wild and beautiful little 
prairie in the Rock River ^'alley, subsequently 
called Prairie du Lac. The army trails and camp 
fires of Black Hawk and General Atkinson were 
then there freshly marked; and the Indians in their 
native glory, were still there on their favorite 
hunting grounds. .lanesville and Fori Atkinson 
then had one log house each, the residence of 
their respective founders, the Hon. H. F. .lanes, 
and Dwight P'ostcr, each of whom had a ferry for 
crossing Rock River. 

Rock County held its first Fourth of .luly cele- 
bration in the (irove at .lanesville that year. 1839^ 
and Frank Kimball delivered the oration, while 
Governor Dodge was present, an honored guest. 
Charles Stevens, the first landlord in the .lanes- 
ville "Stage House" furnished a sumptuous dinner, 
on long tables, under the shade of the trees; and 
the pioneers dedicated his house that day with a 
dance. 

The cares and privations of a new country de- 
prived Kzra of most of the benefits of a school; 
while the mull'pli<'it\' of wants in his father's busi- 
ness gave him constant employment in the i)ractical 
lessons of life. He was a pupil in the first school 
kept in the town, in 1839. In 1811 his f.ather built 
an Academy in Milton, which he maintained for ten 
' years, in which Ezra was a pupil a part of the 



time, but being an only sun the many cares of his 
father's business prevented his giving his undi- 
vided attention to school, until he was in the pre- 
paratory department of Beloit College, the winter 
of 1847-8 and Alfred Academy. N. Y., in 1^48-1). 
In the fall of 1849. he engaged in the mercantile 
business at Milton. Wis., with ^Villiam H. (ioodiich 
and John .S. Carr, doing a general buj-iness. in dry 
goods, clothing, groceries, crockery and hardware. 
In 18,50 Milton was scourged with the cholera. 
A Norwegian labcircr at Mr. (Joodrich's father's, 
was the first victim. Then his uncle and aunt. 
Maxsoii and Lydia Green; then his cousin, Elijah 
E. Goodrich, in as m.any consecutive days, and 
finally his partner, Mr. John S. Carr. In the 
year 1851 his other partner. William H. (ioodrich 
also died with the consumption. Mr. Goodrich 
continued in business, first with George R, Maxson 
until 185(5; then with Jeremiah Davis until 18.58; 
and subsequentlj^ alone until the great Rebellion in 
1861. He married Elizabeth L. Ensign, daughter 
of Deacon Charles and Selina T. Ensign, of Kirk- 
wood, Broome Co., N. Y., June 24, 1854. She 
came with him to his Wisconsin home, and was to 
him a lovely and exemplar}' wife. Thej' had four 
children, two sons and two daughters: Joseph C. 
Goodrich, now of Fielding, III.; William II. Good- 
rich, now in the West; Mar}' E. Goodrich, now 
the wife of Dr. George W. Post, of Chicago, and 
Anna S. Goodtich, wife of William Davis, of 
Jauesvillc, Wis. 

In religious belief 5Ir. Goodrich is a Seventh 
Da}' Baptist. He was one of the first pioneer so- 
ciety, which first established meetings in Wisconsin, 
March 9, 1839. and also a charter member of their 
first church in Wisconsin organized at Milton in 
1840, to which he contributed largely in infiuence 
and support for many years. 

In politics Ezra Goodrich was one of the charter 
members of the great reform Republican party; 
with which he worked in full faith and communion 
for many years; but of late his faith in the iiurity 
of political parties was almost lost; and he cut loose 
and resolved henceforth to be free and untramraelcd 
by party lines, and to support the best man. lie 
is a man of strong convictions, and independent 
actions and thoughts. That which he believes to 



i 



ROCK COUNTY. 



779 






be riijht he dares to do, tlioii<>li fi'owninjj difficulties 
tlironj,' liie way. and tliat wliicli he believes to be 
wronjc lie will as oiieniy and fearlessly condemn. 
lie lias been an active partici pat or in Milton events 
for tlie |>ast fifty 3'ears. lie lias lieeii chosen to 
many places of responsibility and trust, and his 
liistory is interwoven with the lecurring; events of 
the |)ast. lie raised the oriijinal stock of the Mil- 
ton Academy, when it was incorporated in 1854, 
to which he contributed liberallj' himself. And 
when the great Rebellion came with its call for 
volunteers, and draft followed draft for more men; 
when the money in Milton had to come $0000 
at a time, and men's hearts failed them, and all 
seemed to lose hope, Mr. (ioodiich volunteered, not 
to tiji;ht, but to ;;et the money and the men, and 
soon Milton's quota w.as filleil. 

Ipon finding Milton College hopelessly involved 
in Kofi's, through the unauthorized expenditures of 
its chief ollicer, which disheartened its friends who 
had contributed time after time for its relief, Mr. 
(ioodrich again came forward and volunteered to 
secure them aid. Having just completed his 
house, he detcrmineil upon the expedientof getting 
up a big house w.arniing. to which he would get 
the people out and let them have a good time, 
williout knowing of his scheme for their subscri|)- 
tions for llie iKMiefit of the College. He invited 
300 guests, and provided siqiper for all, with tallies 
for seating 1.50 at a time. He had the house bril- 
liantly illuminated, and furnished with 450 chairs. 

The Slipper w.as followed by soul-cheering music, 
and w hen all seemed at the zenitli of good feeling, 
Mr. (ioodrich arose. called attention and announced 
the real object of the gathering, which was to lift 
Miltdii College out of a tight place. 

He told them of the heavy, though nn.authorized 
indebtedness incurred by the College president, 
whose note of Jil,500 was in liank, on the verge ' 
of protest, and could not be again extended; that | 
it was indorsed by three old college trustees, and 1 
not a dolhir in the treasury to meet it; and of the 
special etTort they had just made to raise means, 
which had utteiiv failed. He referred to the in- 
terest lliey each and all had in maintaining the | 
college, and said that in helping it, tliev were really 
helping themselves. Tears of gratitude tell thick , 



and fast from the president's eyes, .as he followed 
Mr. Goodrich, half hoping, and half doubting, 
with .some pathetic and touching remarks; and 
then the Rev. Darwin K. Maxson arose and ex- 
horted them in his magnetic way, as Darwin E. 
Maxson only could do. Mr. Goodrich then led 
with subscriptions, and a beipiest. which aggregated 
*2,;jO0. and the marvelous result was over $8,000 
was subscribed on the spot; and the president 
w.as furnished with the money to pay his note at 
bank the next day. And, within the following 
week Mr. (Joodrich secured subscriptions which 
increased the total amount to $13,000, of which 
about $5,000 was for an endowment fund for the 
College. 

Again, in IStSO when the cpiestion of locating 
and building a graded school building came up in 
Milton, as is usual, two (larties appeared. The 
College and its friends favored the location on the 
Hat in front of I. C. I'luinb's, while .Mr. Goodrich 
and others preferred the present site on the public 
sfjiiare. The latter location finally prevailed, as 
also did Mr. (Joodrich's plan and specifications. 
He superintended the erection of the building, 
the enclosing of the grounds, and the setting ami 
preservation of the trees; and also in procuring and 
erecting a line lilierty pole, giving hundreds of 
dollars of unrequited labor. He also superintended 
improving and enclosing the little North Park, and 
setting the trees in the same. 

He next turned his attention to Milton Ceineterv, 
which had lost its legal organization, b}- the neglect 
to elect officers, and which had been allowed to 
grow up to uncouth trees, shrubs, briars and weeds. 
The stakes .and landmarks for lots were also mosti}- 
rotted and gone, and graves were made in the 
walks, while walks were leading over graves, and 
many lots never had walks around them at all. 
Mr. Goodrich first secured a new charter, and a 
reorganization, by the election of trustees and offi- 
cers; he next secured the purchase of additional 
grounds, the enclosing of all with a fence, the plat- 
ting into lots, with each lot surrounded with a walk, 
and all ornamented with trees. He removed the 
picket fences surrounding some lots, and inaugu- 
rated a system of uniform grading and sodding of 
lots, which linally m.aile Milton Cemetery one of 



f 



*L 



780 



ROCK COUNTY. 



*F 



the finest and most beautiful in the State. He gave 
much unrequited labor in accomplishing- this work. 

In the political campaign of 1877, Mr. Goodrich 
in his usual fearless manner charged a reverend 
Republican candidate with the embezzlement of 
sacred funds. He was promptly arrested for 
libel, and t;10,000 damage was iisked, and he 
was required to give $8,000 bail to keep out of 
jail, which was trumpeted with much gusto all over 
the State. The trial was a hot one and it lasted for 
twenty-three days, the jury alone actually costing 
the county exceeding $2,000. They found for Mr_ 
Goodrich, and gave him a verdict for costs. Of 
late years his hobby has been the highways, as he 
deemed good public roads a mark of the highest 
civilization. He inaugurated a system of special 
taxation for grading and graveling the roads. Thisi 
like his other schemes, at first met with much oppo- 
sition, but like the schools, the parks, and the 
cemetery, it finall}' won general approbation, and 
Milton has now the finest school grounds, parks, 
cemetery, and public highways of any town in the 
State. He was elected in 1887 to drive the saloons 
and liquor shops out of the town, which was also 
effectually done the first year. 

He is generally conferred with in regard to the 
leading incidents occurring in his town, aud though 
not a lawyer is often employed as counsel in court. 
July 1, 1889, he w.as chosen President of the 
Rock County Pioneers' Association. He is pro- 
prietor of the Milton House, which his father 
opened in 1839; and he is a farmer on the same 
old farm where lie has lived for the last fifty years, 
and where he proposes to spend his declining d.ays. 

■ I > ;@ : -<t ' 

^^VA)RGE M. McKEY, insurance and real- 
Ill ,_-, esUite agent, is a son of Michael .and Eliza- 
"^^ji beth (Folds) McKey, and was born at Janes- 
ville. Feb. 15, 1857. Hisfatherand Uncle Kdward 
were the leading merchants in the State of Wiscon- 
sin in their day. Under the name of McKey Bros., 
they carried on an extensive retail store at Janes- 
ville with several large branch houses in the larger 
towns in the State. [See sketch.] 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 



schools of his native city, and began his business 
education in the well known business house of 
Marshall Field, of Chicago, with whom he served 
for two years. He then went to Madison, Wis., 
where he spent the greater part of four years, as- 
sisting in the management of a large mercantile 
house l)elonging to his brother and uncle, McKe^' 
(k Folds. In 1880, he bought his brother's inter- 
est in the stock of the old firm of McKe3' Bros., 
and carried on the business until June. 1885. He 
was then occupied with the care of the real estate 
of his father and uncle, and m .lune. 1888. en- 
gaged in his present business. 

Mr. McKey was married in Lockport, N. Y.. on 
the 15lh day of June, 1881. to Miss Mary A. 
Douglass, a native of that cit^-. Two ciiildren 
have been born of their union, a daughter and son 
— Elizabeth I)., and Douglass F. Mr. McKey is a 
Democrat in politics, and is a member of Western 
Star Lodge, No. 14. A. V. <fe A. M.. of Janesville 
Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.; and of Janesville Com- 
mandery. No. 2. K. T. 



^ ^-^^ 




HARLES E. PIERCE, of the firm .if Smilli 
it Pierce, attorneys and counsellors at law 
of Janesville, has been a member of the 
Rock County bar since 1881. lie is a representa- 
tive of one of the early families of Rock County, 
whose members have for half a century been iden- 
tified with its history. His grandfather, Prosper 
A. Pierce, emigrated from \ermoiit to Rock 
County, in 1839, and settled on a farm which is 
within the present city limits of Janesville. Upon 
that land he resided until his death, which occurred 
in 1876. His son, William H. Pierce, father of 
(lur subject, now owns and occupies the old home- 
stead. 

(Charles E.. the only child of William H. Pierce, 
was born on the 7th day of August, 1860, in Mon- 
roe, Green Co., Wis., where his father was then 
engaged in the grocery business, though he had 
previously resided in Rock County, and afterwards 
returned to his old home. Our subject was edu- 
cated in the schools of Janesville. and began the 
study of law with the firm of Bennett it .Sale, in 



T 



h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



"^^ 



781 



wliose ottice he continued as a student until the 
first named member of the firm was elected Judge 
of the Circuit Court, when he liecame associated as 
a partner with Mr. Sale, under the style of Sale & 
Pierce. Tlii.s connection continued until Oct. 11. 
188(), when tlie senior meniher of the firm, havingf 
received the appointment of Count)- Judge, with- 
(Irew, and tlic [jresent firm of Smith & Pierce was 
formed. Mr. Pierce was fortunate in being asso- 
ciated, both :us a student and in the early years of 
his practice, with able and experienced lawyers. 
He was admitted to the bar in 18H1. The present 
firm commands a good practice, which tliey have 
deservedly won, and their pnjfessional field includes 
Hock, Walworth and Green counties. Mr. Pierce 
w.as elected and served as City Attorney' from 
April- 188C, to April 1888. 

In the 7nonth of October. 1887, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Adelaide R. Pease, a daughter 
of .lohn .1. R. Pease, Esq., of Janesville, whose 
sketch is given elsewhere. These young people 
iiold an enviable position in the social world and 
are iicltl in the highest regard by all who knovv 
tlicui. 

-^^^^^^ 

^^ IIARLES F. (iLASS. a leading photogra- 
(l( r P'"'"' "'' Janesville, is a native of the Empire 
^1^7 State, having been born in Chautau(iua 
County on the I'Mtli day of November, 1848. Al- 
most his e:itire life lias l)een spent in this citv. to 
which his parents, Henry 15. and J>aura (Ciiapman) 
Glass, removed during his infancy. He received 
his educ.'itiou in the city schools, and on the 3d 
day of November. 1881, led to tlie marriage altar 
Miss Ella F. S-ilsman.a native of Jersey City, N. 
J., and a daughter of T. J. Salsman. who for 
many year.-^ was a merchant of Milwaukee, after- 
wind a |)rominent liotei man in ^Vauk^^silil. ('alniar. 
Iowa; Omaha and Janesville. .Mr. Glass has been 
connected with the pli(jtograpliic business from 
early youth, entering his father's gallery at the .age 
of eighteen years, in 186.'?. He continued with him, 
becoming thoroughly conveisant with the art in all 
its details until lissc. when he purchased the busi- 
ness. He is now one of the most popular artists in 
the cit3' and well deserves a liberal share of the 
< H — 



^ 



public patronage. The gallery is complete in all 
its appointments, and furnishes work of the best 
class in all sizes and styles of the photographic art. 
In political sentiment he is a sujiporter of the Re- 
publican party, and sociall.\-, is a member of Ori- 
ental Lodge No. 22, Knights of Pythias. He was 
also one of the charter members of Compan\- A, 
1st Regiment Wisccmsin State Guards, in which he 
was promoted from the rank of ( )rderly Sergeant 
to Second Lieutenant, and subsequently became 
Captain, being in command of the company for 
two years of the seven in which be was numbered 
in its ranks. He is a leading business man of 
Janesville and is highly respected by his manv 
fi'iends. 

\f|OIIN RICHARDS, a resident of Keloit and 
a native of the Keystone State, was born in 
Luzeine County, on the 21st day of June. 
1844, and was one of a family of six chil- 
dren, three .sons and three daughters, born to 
William and Catherine (Albert) Richards. Frances, 
the eldest is now the wife of C. W. Fangenroth. a 
resident of Edwardsville, III. ; Oliver is living in 
J^aFayette County, Wis.; Alice is now deceased; 
William makes his home in Mason Cit^', Iowa; and 
Mary is the wife of Henry Smith, of LaFayette 
County, Wis. William Richaids w.a.s a leading 
citizen of Luzerne County, Pa.. In 18.")7 he left 
his eastern home, and accomi^anied by his familv, 
emigrated to LaFayette County, Wis., where he en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a great 
reader, was well informed on all affairs pertaining 
to the Government, and was a f.aithful adherent of 
the Repul)lican party. 

The education of our subject was received in the 
common schools of his native county, and in 18.")7. 
he came with the family to this State. He remained 
under the parental roof until 18()2. when, though 
only eighteen years of age, he enlisted in the ser- 
vice of his countr3', being mustered in at Racine, 
and was assigned to Company E, of the Slst Wis- 
consin Infantry. From Racine the Company- was 
sent to Cairo, III., and thence to Columbus, K_y., 
doing guard duty until 1864, when it joined the 
20th .\rniy Corps. Asa member of that command. 



»► f ♦ 



-•^ 



r82 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-r 



Mr. Richards participated in the battles of Pieach 
Tree Creek and Tullahoina, the siege and capture of 
Atlanta, and was with Sherman on his celebrated 
March to the .Sea, and through the Carolinas. At 
the battle of Bentonville. X. C, the last engage- 
ment of that victorious armj', he was wounded and 
placed in the field hospital, where he remained for 
several daj-s, when he was sent to Goldsborough, 
then on to New Berne, whence he proceeded 
bj' steamer to New York. On the 28th day of 
May, 1865, he received his discharge at Madison, 
Wis., after having faithfully served his country 
for three 3'ears. 

Heturning to his home at the close of the war. 
Mr. Richards remained a resident of LaFayette 
Count}- until 1870, when he removed to Monroe, 
Green Co., Wis., where he was engaged as fore- 
man of the Monroe Wagon Works, continuing to 
fill that responsible position until 1882, when he 
became a resident of Beloit, where he has since 
niiide his home. Socially, he is a member of the 
G. A. R. Post of that city, and in political senti- 
ment is a faithful adherent to the principles of the 
Republican party. Although but seven j'ears 
have elapsed since he became a resident of Beloit, 
lie has gained manj' warm friends in the city, and 
is higlily respected by all with whom business or 
ple:isure have brought him in contact. 

In 1868. Mr. Richards was united in marriage 
witli Miss Beulah Berbe, a resident of LaFayette 
Count}-, Wis., where their wedding was celebrated. 
By this union two children have been born — Den- 
nie and Kittle, who are slill at home witli their 
l)arents. 

$-£§^5-« 

Ij^ RASTUS GILBERT SMITPL A. M., Ph. D. 
») Professor of C'liemistry and Mineralogy in 
l^—^i the Beloit College of Beloit, Wis., is a na- 
tive of Massiichusetls, having been born in South 
lladley, on the 3()th day of April, 185.5. Ilis pa- 
rents were Byron and Nancy (Dwight) Smith, the 
former a descendant of Rev. Nehemiah .Smith, who 
emigrated to this country about the year 16.S4, and 
the latter descended from an old New Kngland 
family. Byron Smith wius a prominent business 
man and a leading citizen of South lladley. Mass., 



and in that town was united in marriage with 
Nancy Dwight. Two cliildren were born of their 
union — Rebecca F., a graduate of Mount IIol- 
yoke Seminary; and Prof. Smith of this sketch. 
Politicall}'. he was a supporter of tlie Republican 
part}-, and at the time of the Rebellion materially 
aided in the service of his country by placing men 
in the field. He held several local offices in the 
town where he made his home, and for many years 
served as selectman. 

The early life of our subject was spent in his na- 
tive State, and his primary education was received 
in the public schools of South lladley, graduating 
from the High School of th.at town in the class of 
1873. He graduated from Amherst College, in 
1877 and received from the same college the de- 
gree of A. M., in 1880. For a time he was then 
employed as professor in chemistry and elocution 
at Willston Seminary in Easthampton, a leading 
Eastern school, and in 1881, he came to Rock 
County. AVis.. having been offered the Professor- 
ship of Chemistry and Mineralogy in Beloit Col- 
lege. The following fall he went abroad iind for 
about a year and a half remained in the old world. 
visitingQits historic scenes and pliices of interest 
and attending the rniversity at Gottingen, re- 
ceiving from that institution the degree of Doctor 
of Philosophy. In 1883 he returned to Beloit. 
where he luis since continued to reside. 

The s.ame year of his return. Prof. Smith led to 
the marriage altar Miss Fllizabeth Mayher, a 
daughter of John and Ele.anor Mayher, residents of 
F^.asthampton, Mass., of which city her father is a 
prominent business man, being President of the 
Savings. Bank and of the Valley Steam Pump 
Works. Mrs. Smith is a l.ady of superior intelli- 
gence, refined and cultured, and is a graduate of 
Mount Holyoke .Seminary. Unto them have been 
born two children — Gilbert M. and Pliilii) M. 

Prof. Smith is a young man of sterling worth 
and a live business man, not only in connection 
with his college duties, but .also as regards the 
welfare of the city of Beloit. In 1887 he was 
elected Mayor, and in 1888, re-elected to that of- 
fice, discharging his duties with faithfulness and 
fidelity. He and his wife are members of tlie First 
Congregational Church of Beloit. and for two years 



-t 




Jjyr-ay 



ay? 




u 




ROCK COUNTY. 



785 



he has served as Superintendent of the Sabbath 
School. At present he is making a special studv 
of the natural waters of the Central States, with 
particular reference to their application as a source 
of supply for the towns and cities. Extended 
analysis has been made in this direction for the 
city corporation and private companies of many of 
the larger cities. 



p-'/ir^ 



t 



ii RA HARDY was born in the town of Scm- 
0iui pronius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., June 18, 1806. 

* He moved with his father, while a boy to 
the town of Scott, Cortland Co., N. Y., 
his father iiaving sold his farm in Scmpronius and 
bouglit a farm and mill in Scott. He worked there 
at farming and milling until he was twentj'-seven 
jears old. Meantime, June 18, 1828, on his twenty- 
second birthday, he hail married Miss Electa M., 
daughter of Zerah and Roxcy Hull, of Cortland 
County, and now, wishing to build a home of his 
own, he removed to Seneca County, Ohio, bought 
a small farm in the wilderness, cleared it up, stayed 
five years and then returned to Cortland Countj'. 
In the fall uf 1839, in company with Zera Hull, 
his father-in-law, Mr. Hardy came to Wisconsin, 
making the trip from Buffalo to Milwaukee by boat 
across the lakes, in search of a Western home. He 
located 160 acres of land near Milwaukee and 
another claim of ninety-three acres, which with the 
exception of thirteen acres extending into Wal- 
worth Count}', was in Rock County. Not return- 
ing East with Mr. Hull before the close of naviga- 
tion, he made the journey of more than 1.000 miles 
back on foot in midwinter, traveling about forty 
miles a day. In May, 1840, he returned to Wis- 
consin with his family, again making the journey 
by way of the lakes, and settled in the town of 
Eima, in which most of his land lay. Hy industry 
and economy he increased his financial resources, 
and was enabled to add to his possessions until he 
at length owned 5.33 acres, the greater part of which 
was fine timber land. On arriving in the county he 
erected a house of the most primitive kind as a tem- 
porary shelter for his family, while a more substan- 
tial residence W!»s being built. It was made by driv- 



ing heavy posts into the earth, to which slabs were 
nailed, thus forming the sides, while the same rude 
material was used in the construction of the roof. 
Under that primitive roof-tree the family resided 
until Christmas Day, 1810, when they moved into 
their new residence, which had just been com- 
pleted. His family comfortabl}' settled, Mr. Hardy 
then began the improvement of one of the best 
farms to be found in the county, and the success 
to which he attained was such as always crowns the 
efforts of a persevering, energetic, enterprising and 
capable man who determines to reach a desired end, 
and with that fixed purpose in view pushes steadily' 
forward. 

In whatever community he lived Mr. Hardy was 
numbered among its prominent and influential citi- 
zens. While a resident of New York he was cap- 
tain, commanding a companj- in the State Militia, 
and after coming to Wisconsin w.as ever found in 
the foremost ranks in all public enterprises. He was 
cordial and genial in manner, yet very unassuming, 
was kind and sympathetic in disposition, and was a 
man of the strictest integrity and sterling worth. He 
was intelligent, a good conversationalist and an 
entertaining companion; his circle of acquaintance 
was extensive, and when once he secured any man's 
friendship he ever afterward retained it. His home 
was the abode of hospitality and good cheer, the 
latch string was always out, and the visitor was 
sure of a cheery greeting. Ever ready to help his 
friends and assist the needy, he was often too gen- 
erous for his own interests, and iii more than one 
instance he deprived himself of what many would 
call the necessaries of life, to assist others. He 
found true happiness in making others happy, and 
his moments of despondency were cheered by his 
noble efforts to brighten the lives of those weaker or 
less fortunately situated. So conscientious was he 
that his word was as good as his note, which was al 
ways at par, and his acts clearl}' demonstrated that 
he wanted nothing that could not be obtained hon- 
estly. 

In politics Mr. Hardy was a stanch Republican. 
He was elected and served as Justice of the Peace, 
about 1858. During the war of the Rebellion, be- 
ing too advanced in year.s to enter the service, he 
was ever ready and willing to assist with his ample 

- » 



T 






-•► ^ p "I 



ROCK COUNTY. 



means. .<irnl contvilniled generously whenever re- 
quested. Being energetic in his early life he feared 
no liardships, and traveled to some extent. In 
1847 he bought a team of horses, harness and 
wagon in Cortland County. N. Y.. and drove home 
to Rock County in midwinter. Although plain in 
dress and appearance he was zealous for liie ]iuljlic 
good and assisted in building clnirches and sui)- 
porting them and other piihiie institutions, and 
showed by liis every-day demeanor that he lived 
for others as well as for himself. He never be- 
longed to any secret society. He was for years a 
member of the Methodist Church. Those best .ac- 
quainted witli him know his trne worth, and all 
who knew him could l)ut respect him. He died Dec. 
6, 1888, as he had lived, a believer in Christ and 
in the full hope of the rewards of a life that he had 
lived for others rather Ihan for himself, leaving the 
world better because he had been a part of it. His 
wife snrvivcs him, .aged sevent\--eight years. Thej' 
have now living a son. Zera (see sketch), and a 
daughter, Roxcy, wife of James Woodbury, of Eau 
Clair County, Wis. They h.ad another daughter, 
named Louisa. See portrait. 



..o*o>@J^<^^.o»o- 



^y^l LFRKD McDOUGALL is numbered among 
(,@jO| the early citizens of .lanesville, dating his 
1*' residence from the month of May, 18o(). 
He was born at Morristown, Morris Co., 
N..J., on the 3d da>- of August, 182.J, and is of 
Scotch descent. William McUougall, the grand- 
father of our subject, was a native of Scotland, but 
emigr.ated with his jjarents to America when a 
youth. His eldest lirother was Genend ;\Ic!)ou- 
g.all, who gained distinction as an ofliccr in the 
American army during the Revolution.-ny War. 
William McDougall was one of the first pieachers 
of the Metiiodist Episcopal (lunch in .America. 

Walter McDougall, the father of Alfred, was 
born in Richmond. \'a.. on the 9tli day of June, 
1779. and was taken by his [laients to New Jersey 
soon after his birth. He married Miss Clarissa 
Stark, a lineal descendant of (Jen. John Stark, the 
iiero of the battle of ISeMuiugton, and his wif»'"s 
name, Molly, ii.as been a family name through sev- 



* ► ■ ^- 



eral generations. Walter McDougall and his wife 
were the parents of eleven children, but of that 
number onlj' three are now living: John and Will- 
iam, who are both residents of New Jersej' ; and 
.Vlfred of this sketch. 

In his _youth our subject learned the carpenter's 
trade, which occupation his father followed through 
life. He remained at home under the parental roof 
until twenty-two years of .age, and while residing 
in Brooklyn N. Y.. was united in marriage with 
Miss Emily Cyphers, a native of New Jersey. In 
.lannary, 18.j(;. Mr. McDougall made a trip to the 
West for the pui'pose of looking up a location witli 
the view to making a permanent settlement. The 
new city of .lanesville seeming to offer favorable 
inducements, he decided to make it his future 
home, and retui-ning for his family, took up his 
residence in this city in Mav of that year. For 
thirty-three years Janesville has now been his 
home, and he has witnessed its growth from a com- 
paratively small village with a few dwellings to its 
present size and im|)ortanco. He has been idenii- 
fied with the great progress that has been going on 
through these years and in the work of advance- 
ment has borne no inconsiderable part. 

Mr. and Mrs. McDougall are the parents of 
three children: (iertrude C, wife of Oscar I). Rowc, 
a tol)acco dealer of .lanesville; Leahretta. wife of 
C. W. Jackmau, also of Janesville; and Edward, a 
resident of Galesburg. 111. Mr. McDougall is a 
man of sterling integrity, courteous and affable in 
manner, and enjoys, as he deserves, the respect 
and esteem of all classes of citizens. 



*^ 



-S- 




i-RUMAN SHEPHEKD. deceased, was born 
in Litchfield County, Conn., on the fith day 

'' of December. 1800. His father. George 
Shepherd, was born December 11, 1 77.'i, and 
served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He nnir- 
ried Sarah Weed, whose birth occurred on the 
27th <l!iy of March. 177(>, and to them were liorn 
a familv of seven children, as follows: Susan, born 
.lanuary 28, 17f»('); Cynthia, i^ec. G, 17'.>7; Truman, 
December, 1800; Emily, Dee. 21, 1805; Norman, 
.hine 22. 1812: Jemima. Nov. 1.'). ISl.'); Esther, 



-4^ 




ROCK COUNTY. 



787 



Nov. 2.>. 1817. The fatlior of llii.s fiuiiil}- was 
called to liis final rest Aulc. (j, 1852. 

During the days of iiis youth our subject re- 
moved to New York, and in November, 1835, in 
Wyoming Co., Ky., led to the marriage altar Miss 
Kliza Willis. The young couple began their do- 
mestic life in the county where their union was 
celebrated, and there continued to make their 
home for ten 3'ears. when determining to try their 
fortunes in what wa.s then the Far West, in 1845 
they left New York and came to Hock County. 
Railroads had not then been built, and they had 
to make the journey with teams, but after man\' 
daj-s of fatiguing travel they arrived at their des- 
tination in the fall of the year and s|)ent the first 
winter in Clinton. The following spring they re- 
moved to a farm on section 10, in the town of 
Clinton, which had been entered by W. W. Willis, 
the father of Mrs. Shepherd. The first purchase 
made by our subject consisted of a tract of eighty 
acres, to which he added by subsequent purchase 
until his farm coniprist'd 1(11 acres. This he placed 
under a high state of cultivation and improvement, 
making a beautiful home, upon which his son now 
resides. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd numbered 
five children, four of whom are jct living: Dr. 
(iilbert. w1k> received his literary education at lie- 
loit College, then pursued a course at the Hahne- 
mann Medical College at Chicago, and is now a 
prominent physician of La Crosse, Wis., married 
Helen Cocman, by whom he has three children: 
George II., Kittie L. and Carrie 15.; Frank C., who 
wedded Hattic Simmon<ls. makes his home in Chi- 
cago; Alanson AV., who resides on the old home- 
stead, married Miss Hllcn Campbell, and to them 
have been born four children: Heulah E., Nellie 
A.. Truman and Ruth M.; Carrie K. is the wife of 
E. C. Spalding of Floyd County, Iowa; and they 
have two children, Rae and Mayne. The two 
elder sons served in the late rebellion, Gilbert en- 
listing in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry and Frank in 
the 28th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, both par- 
ticipating in many hard fought battles during 
their three years campaign. 

In 1888 a sad event occurred whicli cast a deep 
shadow over many homes throughout the county. 




being the death of -Mr. Shepherd, who departed 
this life on the 17th day of June, at the very ad- 
vanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife was 
called to her final rest June 18, 1887. They had 
traveled life's journey together for tlie long period 
of fifty-three years, .and the wife had lain in her 
grave for but twelve months when the loving 
husband was placed by her side. Thus one by one 
the old pioneers are passing aw.a3-, until but fc^w 
are left to tell the story of Rock County in her 
early history. Kind and accommodating, warm 
hearted and true, :Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd were 
held in the highest regard by all. anil their memory 
will long be enshrined in the hearts of tho.se who 
have had the pleasure of being numbered among 
their circle of acquaintances. 



^NTON 15EHRENDT, proprietor of the 
IM Union Hotel, and also of the elegant new 
brick hotel called the Windsor, is a native 
of Western Prussia, and was born on the 
4th day of July, 1828. His parents, John and 
Mary Behrendt, were born in the same country. 
Our subject learned the gardiner's trade in his na- 
tive land, continuing to follow that vocation until 
June, 1857, when he decided to try his fortune in 
the New AVorld, and emigrated to America. Prior 
to coming to this country he served three years iu 
the Prussian Army. After landing on the shores 
of the United States he came directly to Janesville, 
Wis., working at any honest employment that he 
could find to do until ,Ian. 2, 1862, when he en- 
listed for the late war as a private of Company K. 
3d Wisconsin Cavalry, serving in the ranks until 
August, 18(;5, when he received an honorable dis- 
charge. He participated in the battle of Perry- 
ville, was in the Red River Expedition, and also 
was on detached service as Orderly on the staff 
of several different generals. 

On his return from the war .Mr. Behrendt was 
united in marriage on the 4th day of December. 
18G5, with Miss Mary Newman, their wedding 
being celebrated at .Madison, Wis. The lady w.as 
born in I'osen, Germany, is a daughter of John 
Newman, and came to America in liccerabor. 1861. 



«•>. 



i 




■•► 



788 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Unto them liave been born seven children, three 
sons aii<l four daughters: Frank E., the eldest, is 
the manager of the Windsor Hotel ; Anna is the 
twin sister of Frank, who is followed by .b>lin. 
Eliza, Lillian, M.ay, and Edward. 

In 1865 Mr. Behrendt first engaged in liis present 
business as proprietor of the Farmer's Home on 
East Milwaukee street, from which he removed to 
his present location on Nortli Fifth street, in the 
Union House, in liSCT. In 1888 ho built the 
Windsor Hotel, adjoining the Union, on the north- 
east corner of North Maine and North Fourth 
streets, a description of which is given'in the sketch 
of Frank E., who is manager. Mr. Behrendt is a 
worth}' citizen, highly respected by ail. 



— HAHI.ES H. WOODBURY, section 6, Por- 
ter Township, was born in Windsor County, 

_, Vt., Se|)t. 1 1, 1834, and is a son of Earl and 
Abigail (Frost) Woodburj-, wlio were also natives 
of that State. Earl Woodlmry was a farmer bj- 
occupation, and remained in his native State until 
1819, when he came to Wisconsin and purchased 
160 acres of land in Porter Township, which he 
improved, and on which he remained until 1862, 
when he sold out. and in the village of Cooksville 
engaged in the mercantile business, which he fol- 
lowed for about three years, and then lived a re- 
tired life. Politically, he w.is a Republican, and 
was a firm believer in the principles of that party. 
By the union of Earl Woodbury and .Vbigail Frost 
there were seven children, namely: George, who 
"resides in California; Ellen, now the wife of Benja- 
min Hoxie, who resides in Evansville; Ryland, now 
residing in Evansville; Henry, deceased; Ch.arles, 
the subject of our sketch; Mary Jane, deceased; 
Josei)hine, the wife of Hosea Dow, now residing in 
Duluth, Minn. The father of these children passed 
to his final re-st in June, 1880, at the .age of eighty, 
and was interred in Waucoma Cemetery. The 
mother's death occurred Se|>t. 27, 1«71, at the age 
of seventy-three. 

Charles Woodbury, the subject of this sketch, 
received a common-school education in his native 
State, and came with his parents to Wisconsin in 



1849. He remained at home, assisting his father in 
the cultivation of his farm, until the .age of twent^-- 
one j'ears, when he engaged .as a clerk in a store at 
Cooksville, where he has since continued to reside. 
After a four year's clerkship he purchased a half- 
interest in a store at that place, where he rem.ained 
for about two years. He then sold out and en- 
gaged in farming, which occupation he continued 
until 1864, when he enlisted in Company K, 2d 
Wisconsin Cavalry, and served until Aug. 20, 
1865, when he received his discharge and returned 
to Cooksville. On his return to the vill.age he 
purchased a stock of general merchandise, .and 
with the exception of about six mouths, he luis 
since engaged in the mercantile business. On the 
31st (lay of December, 1857, Mr. Woodbury and 
Sarah Elizabeth Brooks, a native of New York, 
were united in marriage. One daughter came to 
bless their union. Mabel, born March 19, 1869, yet 
residing at home with her parents. 

Mr. Woodbury is now doing a thriving business 
in the mercantile line, and carries a complete stock 
of merchandise. For eleven years he w.as Post- 
m.aster of Cooksville. and is at present Clerk of 
the town of Porter, an oHice which he h.as held for 
six terras. He is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nit}% and politically, he is a Republican. His first 
Presidential vote was cist for John C. F'remont. in 
185C. He has always been an .active worker in the 
ranks of his party, and has always been very libe- 
ral with his means for its support, and for the ad- 
vancement of all public enterprises. Few men 
enjoy the confidence of the community in which 
they live in a greater degree than Charles II. 
Woodbury. 



-^■^- 



bE^T LEOX.VRD, a retired farmer residing 
in Evansville, is nund)ered among the 
.-^_^i pioneer settlers of Rock County, dating his 
residence from 1840. He was born in Broome 
Countj', N. Y.. in 1815. His grandfather, Capt. 
Joseph Leonard, was one ot the few survivors of 
the Wyoming massacre, and w.as the earliest settler 
of Broome County, N. Y. The Leonard family in 
.\mcrica originated in Connecticut, and \v;is of 



t 



-^^ 



ROCK COIINTV. 



789 



•>-4: 



Knjllish descent. After settling in Broome County, 
('.•i|>t. Leonard there continued to reside until his 
divilh, which occurred at the advanced age of 
iiinclv-six years. His son, Amasa J>eonard, the 
father of our subject, was the first white child horn 
in the county. After arriving at 3'ears of matur- 
ity, he wedded Miss Lorana Bennett, a daughter of 
Silas and Lydia (Crocker) Bennett, who were long 
residents of Broome County, where they made 
their home until death. 

Our subject was deprived of a mother's care 
when only seven years of age, after which he went 
to live in the family of his paternal grandfather, 
where he remained for a nundjer of jears, when 
his father remarrying lie returned to the parental 
roof, where he made his home until his emigration 
totlieWestin 1840. He had tiu-n attained toman's- 
estate, had received a good English education, 
and had also followed the profession of teaching. 
Wlien he left his father's home in 1810 his object- 
ive point was not tlie Territorj' of Wisconsin, for 
he had resolved to make his home in the .Sunny 
South, where he iH'()|)osed to engage in teaching, 
lie was accompanied by William Brown, and to- 
gether they started for the land of Dixie. Going- 
west to Chemung County. N. Y., the^- there en- 
gaged to raft Unnlier <lown the Chenango and Sus- 
([uehanna rivers to Port Deposit, the head of 
navigation on the latter stream, but on arriving at 
I'ort Deposit events so shaped themselves as to 
induce the young men to change their minds, anil 
the}' determined to seek their fortune in the un- 
settled West, (ioing to Havre de (irace and from 
there to Baltimore by rail, they continued to 
York, where tliey took a stage and proceeded to 
Harrisliurg, continuing their journe}' b^' canal to 
lloUidaysburg. and crossed tiie mountains to James- 
town. From tlie latter place they proceeded by 
canal to Pittsljurgli, where the}' again took a stage 
and went to Clevelan<l, Ohio, and from there by 
steamer to Chicago, continuing tiieir journej" to 
Uockford by a private conve^'ance. They then 
ciDssed the prairie on ft)ot to Janesville, arriving 
in Rock Ct)nnty in .\pril, 1810. 

The pioneer life in the West was then begun. 
Mr. Leonard, accnmpanied by Virgil Pope, went 
to what is now the town of Union, Rock County, 

4* 



where he was engaged as a farm laborer with Hiram 
Griffith, receiving as a compensation i<l 1 per month. 
He made his home with Mr. Griffith at intervals 
for several years, and in tiie fall of 1810 purcha.sed 
forty acres of land in the town of I'nion. breaking 
twenty acres the following season. For some time 
he spent his summer months in working upon a 
farm, and when tiie coming of winter caused the 
discontinuance of outdoor labor he engaged in 
school teaching. In the meantime lie assisted in 
opening up a farm in Brooklyn. Dane Co., Wis., 
in whicli he owned an interest. At about tliis time 
he became a victim to fever and ague, a disease 
then quite prevalent among the early settlers, and 
in consequence thereof he sold his interest in the 
f.arm in Dane County, and in 1814 returned to New 
York on a visit to iiis old home. The sprint of 
1845 again found him in Rock County as an in 
mate of the home of Mr. Griffith. The same sea- 
son he planted a nursery on a portion of the site 
of the present village of Evansville, and also pur- 
chased the farm near the village which is now the 
property of Henr}- Campbell. 

In 1852 Mr. Leonard led to the nuuri.age altar 
Miss Charlotte Taggart, who was born near Port- 
age, N. Y.. but on lieiiig left an orphan in child- 
hood by the death of her parents, came West with 
an uncle. Levi Taggart. But two years of hai)py 
wedded life had passed when Mrs. Leonard deiiarted 
this life, leaving a young son, who died in infancy. 
In 1858 Mr. Leonard was again married. Mrs. 
.Sarah M. Jones becoming his wife. .She is a daugh- 
ter of Elislia and Sarah (Howard) Prentice, and by 
her first marriage became the mother of one son, 
who is now the Hon. Burr W. Jones of ALadison. 
She came to Rock County with Mr. Jones in 1845, 
and has here since resided. 

Mr. Leonard continued to engage in farming 
until 1865, when he removed to Kvansvillc, and 
has since continued to reside in that town. For 
nearh' half a cenlur}' he has been identified with 
the history of Rcik County, h.os witnessed its rapid 
growth from a wild and undeveloped region to its 
present condition of wealth and prosperity, and 
has taken an active part in the promoticm of its 
interests, especially the cause of education. He 
taught the first school on the present site of Evans- 




790 




ROCK COUNTY. 



ville. and for not less than six winter terms was 
there engaged in that line. He also served as 
town .Superintendent of Schools for a number of 
years, and proliably no man lias been more prom- 
inently connected with the educational interests of 
Rock County. In his business pursuits he has been 
successful, and has secured a comfortable com- 
petence by his untiritig industry, perseverance and 
enterprise. For a number of years past he has not 
been engaged in active business, and during the 
time luas found an opportunity to gratify his taste 
for reading. He possesses a fine library of standard 
literary and scientific works, and to the latter 
especiall3' has given much attention, having ex- 
plored extensively the fields of geolog}", astronom}' 
and other sciences. In his political affiliations Mr. 
Leonard was in early life a Democrat, later sup- 
ported the Republican part}', and is now a Pro- 
hibitionist, believing that the evil of intemperance 
should be suppressed by the strong arm of pro- 
hibitory law. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have a beau- 
tiful home, the abode of elegance and refinement, 
and are highly respected by their many friends 
throughout the county. 

AMUEL H. GISH, the oldest dentist in 
years of practice in Janesville, established 
^business in this citj' in 18(56. He was born 
in Lancaster County, Pa., April 27, 1819, 
and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Ken}'on) Gish. 
The .ancestry of the family can be traced back to 
the old Guise family of Europe, and was founded 
in America by three brothers of that name, who 
came to this country prior to the Revolutionary 
War, and settled in Lancaster County, Pa., one 
of the three brothers being with Gen. W.ashington 
as a scout at Fort Pitt, at the defeat of Gen Brad- 
dock. Our subject is a direct descendent from 
one of those brothers. His father, Jacob Gish, 
Sen., was super-cargo of an American ship for six 
years, visiting, in that capacity, tlie ports of St. 
Petersburg, Russia; London. France, South Amer- 
ica and the West India Islands. His youngest bro- 
ther, J. W. (iish. of the firm of Gish, Geiger & 
Co., was editor and oue of the proprietors of the 




first newspaper ever published in California — a 
dailj- which sold at twenty cents a copy — a weeklv 
and a large sizeil pictorial monthly, published in 
.San Francisco before the big fire there; after that 
editor and jjroprietor of the Democratic StnUi Jour- 
nal until after the death of his friend, Senator 
Broderick. The mother of Dr. Gish was of Welsh 
origin. 

The subject of this sketch received his primary 
education in the schools of Lancaster County. Pa., 
completing his literary studies at the Stroudsluirg 
Academy, of Monroe Count}-, Pa. Deciding upon 
the medical profession as his life work, he became 
a student of a Philadel])hia Medical College, grad- 
uating from that institution in the class of 1851. 
He at once entered upon the practice of his profes- 
sion in Elizabelhtown, Lunc.asler Co.. Pa., together 
with that of dentistry, and also carried en a drug 
business until the time of his removal to the West. 
On coming to Janesville in 186G. he opened a den- 
tal office and also established a boot and shoe store, 
which he sold out the following year, and h.as since 
deroted his time exclusively to the pr.actiee of den- 
tistry. He has gained a wide reputation for skill, 
.and has built up a large and lucrative practice. 

Dr. Gish was married in Jlonioe County. Pa., in 
1849. his union being with Miss Sarah Frederick, 
who was born in Stroudsburg. Pa., 1H18, and was a 
daughter of Peter Frederick. They became the 
parents of five children, three sons and two daugh- 
ters, namely : Family, who is now the wife of Jerry 
Harding, of Dolaud, Spink Co.. Dak.; Hester, who 
wedded George Boggs, and is living in Elizabeth- 
town, Lancaster Co., Pa.; Frank, unmarried, and an 
engineer in Southern Dakota; Dr. Charles L.. who 
married JNIiss Laura Butler, and is now living in 
Wellsville, Allegany Co., N. Y.. and George W., 
who is now engaged in business in Chicago. The 
mother of these children was called to her final 
rest in 1864, and Dr. Gish was again married in 
Janesville. in the fall of 1868, his second union 
being with Miss Jennie McNeil, who w.as burn in 
Canada. 

The Doctor and his wife are consistent members 
of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and in politics he is a Republican, stanch in sup- 
port of the party i)riuciples. He is a non-atliliated 



l^ 



ROCK COUNTY, 



791 



()(M Fellow, liolding a. withdraw.al c.iid from Fort 
I'lMiii Lodge No. 134, of Stroiidshurg, I'a, Dr. 
( Ji.sli is a prominent and re|)resentative citizen of 
.lancsvillo, and is a man well informed on all the 
ie.'idinir (|nestions ()f the <lay. Me li.as also made a 
special study of ancient history anil chcniistr}', and 
has a thorough knowledge of these two sciences. 
He is also deeply interested in the researches and 
discoveries among tlie old ruins of Soutiiern Eu- 
rope, the Holy Land and Egypt. By his many 
fi'iends tliroughout the county he is held in tiie 
highest regard, his honoi'aljie, upriglit life winning 
iiim tlie confidence and love of ail with whom busi- 
ness or pleasure have brought him in contact. 



v 






ILLIAM N, SHEPARU, a young and en- 
terprising farmer of Turtle Township, and 
one of the representative citizens of Rock 
County, was born in the city of New Orleans, La,, 
on ah'' l.ith day of .lanunry, 18.57. His parents 
were .losiah and Clara (North) Shepard, the former 
a native of the Empire State, and the latter of 
Connecticut. His father was a man of great in- 
LCeiiuity, and possessed those tr.aits of character 
which insure success. At the early age of fifteen 
years he was left an orphan, and from that time 
forward he made his own way in the world. At 
the breaking out of the Civil War he w.as residing 
in New Orleans, and had gained considerable prop- 
erty, but during that struggle it was all swept 
away. His reverses did not discourage him, but 
with characteristic energy he went to work to re- 
trieve his fortunes, and at the time of his death, 
which occurred in August, 1H8(), was a wealthy 
man. \\'e can probably best give the story t)f his 
life by copying from the Ueloit Free Press a bio- 
gr:i|)hical sketch, supplemented 1)V a few facts 
obtained from other sources: 

" Josiah Shepard was born in Toronto, Canada, 
May 20, \X'2'A, and like his father was distinguished 
for Ills manufacturing enterprise and his Christian 
character. At the age of lifteen years he was left 
an or|)han. and his life was composed of events 
)f stirring interest. The days of infancy and 
early boyhood passed, we find him at school in 



JIassachusetts. Next we catcli a glimpse of hira at 
work in tlie interior of New York; at eighteen 
years of age ho sailed on a fishing expedition to 
Greenland, and subsequently was engaged in busi- 
ness in New York City. In 184!) the California 
wave swept him to the Pacific coast, and its rellux 
•landed him in New Orleans, where he became con- 
nected with the silk house of Cyrus Yale. His 
fidelity, energy and sagacity contributed largely to 
the eminent success of that firm, in whose employ 
he remained for about fifteen years. At length the 
war broke out and he lost everything, and, after 
long wandering with his wife and child in the 
Southwest, he i)assed the line, and .again estab- 
lished himself in business, in 18G3, in New Britain, 
Conn,, as a manufacturer of umbrellas. His na- 
tural business ability, indefatigable energy and 
perseverance, led him on to such success, that 
upon the failure of his health, he was able to retire 
with a competent estate, after having engaged in 
manufacturing in that city for fourteen years. In 
tiie meantime, about the year 1878, accompanied 
by his family, IMr. Shepard made a pleasure trip to 
Europe, visiting various noted and historical 
places in France, England, Ireland, (iermany and 
Switzerland. After retiring from business he chose 
the city of Beloit. which he had visited in former 
j'ears, as his future home, and in the spring of 
1879 became a resitient. Though his health lim- 
ited hts personal acquaintance, his untiring vigor 
and enterprise have been felt in the equipment of 
a farm, which he conducted in connection with his 
son, while his sympathy with the higher interests 
of the community was made manifest by his gift to 
the Beloit College of a superb microscope, worth 
^1,100, which bears his name, together with a 
l)revious donation of ¥')0(), 

" Mr, Shepard was twice married. His first 
union was with Miss Clara H, North, a lady of New 
Britain, Conn. She possessed rare gifts and g^races 
of mind and character, and belonged to a distin- 
guished family, being a sister of Prof, Emerson, 
and Mrs, Roger II, Mills, who.se husband was an 
eminent attorney of Beloit, .She was companiona- 
ble and entertaining, and iiossessed a high degree of 
intelligence. To Mr. and Mrs. Shepard were born 
two children, William N. and Anna M. In 1870 



4^ 



j > M -*-' 



792 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-*-IH^ 



the death of the mother occurred, ami her remains 
were interred in the cemetery at New Britain. Mr. 
Shepard was a second time married, wlicn Miss 
Jennie Yale, of Ware. Mass., became his wife. Her 
loving care blest his later years, sourroimding his 
last daj-s with happiness. Mr. Shepard's religious 
convictions and life were most decided, clear and 
earnest, while the strong beliefs of the evangelical 
system filled and satisfied his mind. In iiis 3-ears 
of business activity, as well as in the months of 
disease and suffering which closed liis life, thougii 
his sickness was lingering and painful, his last 
hours were peaceful, and when his eyes were finally 
closed in death, his countenance assumed a dignity 
and serenity, in harmonj- with an .assurance that 
it was well with him. After appropriate funeral 
services on the Sabbath da^' at his late residence 
conducted by the Rev. Dr. Bushnell, his wife and 
son accompanied his remains to Connecticut, laying 
them to rest in the famil3' burial [>lace at New 
Britain. Mrs. Shepard and Miss Anna are now 
traveling in Italy. Tlie}' are ladies of refinement 
and culture, holding a high position in the social 
world of this communit}'. and are members of the 
First Congregational Church of Beloit. 

Throughout his boyhood andj'outh the great de- 
sire of William SI)epard,our subject, was to become 
a farmer, and for the purpose of permitting him to 
carry out his cherished scheme, his father removed 
to Beloit and purchased a farm in Turtle Town- 
ship. From the school room he at once embarked 
in life .is an agriculturist, and is now operating 250 
acres of land, pleasantly situated within two and a 
half miles of the cit}- limits of Beloit. During the 
eight j-ears he has followed his chosen occupation, 
he has made most rapid advancement, having 
begun without experience or practical knowledge 
of the methods for operating a farm. Considering 
his past success, we predict for him a bright future 
in his life work. Many improvements have been 
added to the land, the barns and outbuildings are 
models of convenience, a 20-foot windmill has 
been put up. arrangements made for the curing of 
corn fodder and green clover, and in f.act every in- 
vention necessary to a well-reguLated farm will be 
found on the land. In connection with his other 
interests Mr Shepard is engaged in operating a 



I 



dairy, and is the owner of a fine herd of Jersey and 
Guernsey cattle, while he also owns Poland-China 
hogs and a fine grade of slieep. 

Mr. Shepard resides in an elegant residence on 
Oaklawn avenue, in the city of Beloit, presided 
over by a charming lady, whose maiden name w.as 
Miss Mary Yale, who is now his wife. She is a 
daughter of Dr. John Yale, a prominent physician 
of Ware, Mass.. and of their union two children 
have been born. Marion and Stanley. They are 
members of the First Congregational Church, and 
in )iolilics, he is a Republican. In every enterprise 
for the improvement or advancement of the com- 
munity, Mr. Shepard stands in the front rank, and 
is a worthy citizen of Rock County. He has 
traveled extensivelv on the Pacific Slope, and owns 
some property in the beautiful city of Los Angeles, 
Cal. 



/^^ LARK G. PEASE, deceased, was uurabere( 
fl(^, among the prominent phvsicians of Janes 
^^Jfl ville during its earlier history. He was 



LARK G. PEASE, deceased, was numbered 

fanes- 
story. He was a 
native of Concord, N. H., born on the 30th day of 
December, 1821, and w.as a son of John and Judith 
(Iloyt) Pease. He was liberally educated, complet- 
ing his literary studies in Dartmouth College, from 
which he graduated in the same class with Salmon 
P. Chase. Wishing to pursue the medical profes- 
sion he entered the Castleton Medical College of 
Ca-stleton, Vt., and after receiving his diploma from 
that institution, entered upon his life work at IIol- 
yoke, Mass. For a year and a half he was also 
engaged in teaching at Lansingburg, N. Y. 

On the 26lh day of October, 1850. at Albany. 
N. Y., Mr. Pease was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah Strong, daughter of Timothy and Aurelia 
(Goodsell) Strong. The same year, with liis younor 
bride, he came to Wisconsin, and deciding upon 
Jiiuesville .as a location, entered at once upon the 
practice of his profession in that city. He con- 
tinued in this and built up a good practice until the 
f.ill of 1861, when he enlisted in the service of his 
countrj- and was commissioned surgeon of the 2d 
AVisconsin Cavalry under Col. C. C. Washburn. 
Ilis was the first surgeon's commission signed bv 
Gov. Harvey, and he continued in active service 




;- 



t 



ROCK CUl NTY. 



795 






until .Imio 27, 1801. niifii his (lc;itli occMurcd from 
lilcKxl poisoning. 

Two cliildri'ii were lioiii fit" llic iinioii of Doctor 
ami Mrs. IVaso — Kiiiina 1'. ami Kdv.aril. 'riio for- 
mer is now the wife of Garrctl \' coder, a resident 
of .lancsvillc. In her early life she was engaged in 
leaching sciiool, until Oct. 2.'?, 1872. when she I)ecMme 
tlic wife of 1. Newton Otis, a Preshyterian niinisler. 
tln'ii living in Kalamazoo. Mich. Tiiere were three 
ciiildreii horn of their union — Mnrdock. Willis ;nid 
Lillian. .Mr. and Mrs. Otis resided at .Stillwater .Minn., 
for al>ont live years, and then removed to A'alnmnt. 
C"ol., where the death of Mr. Otis occurred on the 
2'.ltli day of October, 187i). After the death of 
her husband. Mrs. Otls taught one year in thc> puli- 
lic scluKjls at Boulder, Col., and then came to 
.lancsvillc. where she was married Sept. 10, 1885, 
to Mr. \'ceiler. They have one son. (iarrett. who 
was born Oct. 80, 188(). Kdward, the younger 
child of Dr. and Mrs. Pease was l)orn Feb. 1, 185(), 
and is now engaged in farming ne.ar Wichita, Kan. 

Dr. I'ease was one of the valued citizens of 
.lanesville, and his death wassincerely mourned by 
many. He made friends wherever he went, and was 
highly respected as a man of sterling worth an<l un- 
•inestioned integrity. He ranked high among his 
professional brethren, and in the arnn* won the love 
and coulidence of all. He and his wife were con- 
sistent members of the Congregational Church, and 
were earnest Christian people who did all in their 
power to advance the Master's cause. In politics 
he was a supporter of the Republican iiart\-. 

After the death of the Doctor, Mrs. Pease en- 
gaged as preceptress, as successor to ^Irs. Anderson 
in the l>adies' Seminary of .lanesville, and was very 
successful in that line of work, which she followed 
for eight years. Cultured and refined, and of a 
higli moral chanicter, she exerted great inlluence 
over her pupils. Her death occurred on the 23d 
<lav of Decendier, 1875. 



KRMAN IMJCHHOLZ, a pioneer carriage 
I, maker, of .lanesville. of 1 800, now senior 
^ partner of the firm of II. Hnchliolz <k Co., 
^ the leading carriage and vehicle factory in 
Rock County, was born in the town of Elbing, in 



Eastern Prussia, on the 15th day of April. 18,39, 
and is the son of Ernst and .Instina (Horn) lUicli- 
holz. He was educated in his native town and 
learned the trade of carriage maker, of the wood 
department, in his father's shop. In 1850 he emi- 
grated to America, ai-riving in .Lanesville on the 
17th d.ay of .July, after which he w(nked as a jour- 
neyman at his trade in the employ' of Robert 
Hodge, carriage maker, until 1800, when, having 
saved up some money, he bought an interest in 
the business, and the lirm became Hodge iV- Huch- 
holz. That connection continued for twent\-one 
years, or until the death of Mr. Hodge, in 1882. 
Mr. Buchholz then carried on the business alone 
until M.ay, 1887. when Clarence W. .lackman was 
admitted into partnership under the firm name of 
II. linchliolz iV" Co. They manufacture omnibuses, 
w.agonettes, carriages, carts, and deal in all sorts of 
wheel vchichs, sleighs and cutters. The plant of 
this company cost u[)wards of 825,000, and consists 
of one L shaped brick build>ng, three stories high, 
40x57 feet and 10x70 feet; one building, two sto- 
ries high. 30x70 feel; another. 30x100 feet, one 
stor3'; and one. ."Vi.xGO feet, two stories high. 
.Vbout thirty hands are emi)loyed, and the work 
the}' turn out is not excelled in any estal)lishment 
of the kind in the West. During the year 1888 
the business amounted to more than >!00.0OO. 

Mr. lUichholz was married at .lanesville on the 
IGtli day of .lannary, 1863. to Jliss Dorothea Pos- 
sen, a daughter of .Martin and Sophia (.laneike) 
Possen. Mrs. Huchholz was born in the city of 
Berlin, Prussia, on the 19th day of March, 1842, 
and came to America with her parents in 1847, 
when five years old. The family settled in the 
town of Theresa, Dodge Co., Wis. In the for- 
est her father made a farm, which he improved and 
where he now lives in comfort, having reached the 
advanced age of eighty-eight years. His wife also 
lived to a good old age, and died .Inly 7, 1881. 

Mr. and Mrs. Huchholz have five children, three 
sons and two daughters: William, the eldest, horn 
June 3, 1865, is now employeil at his trade of car- 
riage trimmer, in .Salt Lake City, I'tah; Eda Fran- 
cisco was born Maj' 22, 1867; George Otto .and 
Carl Alexander, twins, were born May 20, 1875; 
the youngest child. (Jertrurle Alma, was born ^ 



-4^ 



T- 



■^*- 



r96 



ROCK COUNTY. 



March 15. 1883. in Janesville. the birtliplaee of all 
the other children. Mr. and Mrs. Buchholz and 
their ohler children arc nieuiliers of tlie Lutheran 
Church. Mr. Buchholz is a Republican in politics 
and has held the offices of Supervisor and Alder- 
man. He is a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 
14. A. F. it A. M.; Janesville Chapter, No. 5, 
R. A. M.: of Oriental Lodge, No. 22. K. of P.; of 
Olive Branch Lodge. No. 36, A. O. l'. W.; and of 
the Concordia Singing Society'. Mr. Buchholz is 
recognized as one of the active and enterprising 
business men of Janesville, who l)v persevering in- 
dustry and the exercise of good business ability, 
has achieved marked success. He began in Janes- 
ville with no other capital than .skill in his trade 
and habits of industry and economy. He has 
worked hard and managed prudently and gradually 
urcw into a prosperous business and a good prop- 
erly, and to-day the establishment of which he is 
llie head is one of the important industries of the 
cit}'. 



S/ T. ROIiERS. The following contains a 
I (^ few facts in the life of L. T. Rogers, of 
jIL^ Milton Junction, Wis., with a brief account 
of his ancestry, .lames Rogers, tlie 1st (who was 
by his family tradition a son of John Rogers, the 
martyr, that was burned at Smithfield, England, 
for his religious belief and his non-adherence to 
the rules of the established Church of England, 
during the reign of C^ueen Mary), came over from 
Enuland in the sliii) "Increase" in 1G35. and, ac- 
cording to his family history, settled first at Strat- 
ford, Conn., where he married Elizabeth Rowland, 
the daughter of one Samuel Rowland. He after- 
ward removed to Milford, Conn., and then lo- 
cated at New London, Conn., on the river 
Thames, where he spent the remainder of his . 
days and reared his family. He w:is promi- 
nent in both civil and ecclesiastical affairs; six 
times he was chosen a ••Representative to the Gen- 
eral Court." Between the years 1660 .and 1670 
he had a greater interest in the Port of New Lon- 
don than any other person. lie became quite 
wealthy: his landed possessions were very exten- 
;ive, consisting of several hundred acres on Great 



Neck, from four to five miles southwest of the 
citj' of New London, on the north shore of Long 
Island Sound; several town lots, and 2.100 acres 
east of the river Thames, held in [)artnership with 
Col. Pynchion, of Springfield, Mass. His children 
were as follows: .Samuel. Jose|)h. John. Bathsheba, 
James, Jr., Jonathan, and Elizabeth. He and his 
family, with the exce|ition of Samuel and his wife, 
became dissenters from the P^stablished Church in 
Connecticut, and during the years 1674 and 1675 
embraced the doctrine and faith of the Seventh Day 
Baptists. Hnd united with the Seventh D.ay Baptist 
Church, of Newjjort, R. I., which was organized 
Dec. 23, 1671, as the first Seventh Day Baptist 
Church in America. His son John Rogers after- 
ward dissented from the Seventh Day Baptists and 
formed a new sect, which were, and are now, 
called. Rogerene (^)uakers. 'I'hey are a small sect, 
and are located northeast of the city of New Lon- 
don, Conn. 

.lames Rogers, the 1st, by his will gave his 
lauds east of the river Thames to his sons Samuel, 
Joseph, and John; to bis son James, the Ooshen 
farm; and to Jonathan, the Magunk Farm on 
Great Neck. To his son Joseph he also gave the 
Brewin Neck farm, west of Jorden Cove — the sons 
paj'ing the daughters their shares in money. 

The said Joseph Rogers, .son of James, the 1st, 
and Elizabeth (Rowland) Rogers, was born May 
14, 1646, and married Sarah (surname not given.) 
Of his children we have no account, except of 
James, the 3d, who was born in 1672, and mar- 
ried one Sarah Stevens and lived on his Great 
Neck farm. At the age of forty-nine he was acci- 
dentally killed by a gun set bj- the Indians to kill 
game. His wife died Jan. 4. 1752. Of his chil- 
dren we have no account, except of James, the 
4th. who was born July 6, 1717, and who married 
Mehitable Newbury and died in 1700. He owned 
several farms, a plantation, and many slaves. His 
children were: Mehitable, Sarah. Elizabeth. .lames 
the 5th, Ames, Solomon, Hannah. Stevens, Mary, 
and Isaac. 

Isaac, the youngest son of James the 4th and 
Mehitable (Newbury) Rogers, w.as born June 30, 
1762. and married Marj- Grifflng. of Lynne. Conn., 
April 13. 1786, and died at the age of seventy- 



i~ 



n^ 



w 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-«► 



7!)7 



T anil 

4^ 



eiglit, his wife livinjj to I>c nhoiit ninety yt-ai's old. 
His i-liildrt-n wfie: .Iiimes the (ilh, David. X;ipoleon 
Bonaparte, Fanny, Isaac. .Ir., Joseph (irilliim'. and 
Thomas .lefferson. 

Isaac, .h-.. the fourth son of Isaac Roger.s, .Sr., 
and Mary ((J rifling) Rogers, was born Nov. 3, 
17^0, and married Elizalu'th Tinker, daiigiitcr of 
Ezeldel and Elizabctli Tinl<er, in the fall of 1820. 
She ilied Jan. 5. 1JS27. k>avin2: one son, Lester 
T'uker Rogers (the subject of this biography), 
aged five years and two montlis. After a few 
years the said Isaac, Jr., settled in business in New 
York City, and in tlie year 18.');i married one Mar^- 
\Vhite. of Middletown. N. J., and through her in- 
fluence and otliers. they went with the Mormons to 
Nauvoo, III., and thence to Salt Lake City. He 
afterward went to San Francisco, Cal., after iiis 
his household gooils tiiat liad been shippeil around 
Cape Horn. He was taken sick and died ttiere, 
at the age of fifty-five. 

Ezekiel Tinker, above mentioned, was the second 
son of Samuel and .Vnna ( Lester) Tinker), and a 
descendant of John Tinker, who came to New P^ng- 
land in 1G37, and married one Sarah Barnes. He 
was the Attorney in tiie Middlel)ur\' Court, founded 
the city of Grcton. Mass.. and was an extensive fur 
trader with the Indians. He is supposed to be a 
relative of Tlioinas Tinker, who came over with 
the noble band of I'ilgrims on the "Mayflower," in 
1820, who, with his wife and one child, died soon 
after their arrival, .as stated by Gov. Bradford. 
The said Fzekiel Tinker was born July 20, 17G2, 
and died Oct. 12, 183.5. He married Elizabeth 
Beebe, daughter of Othniel Beebe, who died durin"' 
the War of the Revolution. Kzekiel Tinker was a 
soldier of the ReVolution, and drew a pension from 
the United States Government. His children 
were Lester an<l Klizal)cth; Lester died at sea 
while a young man. and Elizabeth was, as above 
stated, the wife of Isaac Rogers, Jr., and the mother 
of L. T. Rogers, and died at the age of twenty-one 
years. 

Lester Tiid<cr Rogers, son of Isaac. Jr., and 
Elizabeth (Tinker) Rogers, was born in U'aterford. 
New London Co., Conn.. Nov. 8, 1821, his mother 
dying when he was five years and two months old. 
d.his father being in poor health, he was Uiken 



home by his firandfather Tinker, and cared for 
until he was fourteen years old, at which time his 
grandfather died. His advantages for education 
were rather limited. He attended the district 
school winters, and worked on the farm summers. 
During the summers of 1836 and 1837 he .attended 
school in the city of New York some two months 
each year, and in the latter took the measles and 
came near dying, after which his health was poor. 
In the summer of 1838 he attended school in the 
city of New London, Conn., and in January, 1811, 
entered De Ruyter Institute, in Madison County, 
N.Y, where he remained three and a half terms, when 
he was called home to take care of the farm and 
his aged grandmother; this finished his education. 
In the fall of 1837 in his native place, under the 
preaching of the Rev. Alexander Campbell. Mr. 
Rogers made a public profession of religion, and 
five years afterward united himself with the Water- 
ford Seventh D.iy Baptist Church, and. firmly be- 
lieving this to be the only Bible Sabbatii. has 
continued in its observance. 

On the 7th day of January. 1845, Mr. Rogers 
was married, in Otselic, Chenango Co., N. Y., to 
Elizabeth, daughter of Erastus and M.ary (Butts) 
-Miller, and returned to the farm in Waterford, 
C(jnn. To them, on the 31st of October, 1846. was 
born a son, whose name was .lames Lester Rogers. 
On the 1 1th d.ay of March, 1848, his wife died, and 
on the 20th of March, 184!), his son James Lester 
died. After his wife's death he left the farm and 
followed the George's Bank halibut fishing busi- 
ness for two seasons. In the spring of 1851 he 
started on a tour of the West, traveling tlirougii 
the States of New York, Michigan, Illinois and 
Wisconsin. After spending five months and travel- 
eling 3,700 miles, he returned home, and followed 
farming for two years. In the fall of 1853 he re- 
turned to De Ruyter, N. Y., and on the 8tli d,ay of 
April, 1854, married Sarah Melissa Corn, a lady of 
Scotch descent, daughter of Deacon I'ardon and 
Esther (Walker) Corn, of De Ruyter. The follow, 
ing summer and fall he worked with his brother-in- 
law, the Rev. James C. Rogers, at dagucrreotypeing, 
and in the fall of 1855 removed to Milton. Wis., 
and bought a farm on section 18. Here he lived ten 
years, but during the War of the Rebellion, in the 
a^ 






•M-^ 



-•► 



r'j8 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



cold January of 1863, while enlisting men to avoid 
the draft on the town of Milton, he took a severe 
cold, which settled on his lungs, from the effects 
of which his health was very poor for several 
years. In the fall of 1«()4 he took a trip with a 
team into Iowa and Jlinnesola. and in the summer 
of ISfi") again visited his native State; in 18GG he 
sold his farm and removed to Jlillon .lunction, and 
worked for several years ,as a carpenter and joiner 
until the work hecainc too laborious for him. After 
removing to Milton .lunction, he was elected ,Ius- 
tice of the I'eacc, which ofticc he held for four 
years. He was then appointed Notary Public and 
Conveyancer by Gov. Lucius Fairchild, which 
olhce he has held ever since, under Govs. C. C. 
Washburn, William R. T.aylor. Harrison Luding- 
ton, \\'illiani K. Sniilli. and .IiTi'miali M. Rusk 
(eighteen years.) 

In the spring of 185G. when the Rock River 
Seventh Day Haptist Chun-h was organized, oursub- 
j(X'l was one of the constituent members, and on the 
1st day of .lune following he was chosen one of 
the Deacons of the new church, and on the 2iSth 
day of the same month was ordained to that otlicc, 
and on the 2d day of .June, 1861, was chosen 
Clerk of the Church — both of which offices he still 
holils in the same church. When the Rock Count}' 
Central Association of the P. of II. was organized, 
he was chosen Secretary, which ollicc lie held until it 
was merged into the Rock County Pomona Grange 
of the P. of II. In this Grange he was the Secre- 
tary for several years. In I.h7.'5. when Du Lac 
(i range No. 72 was organized, he was chosen Sec- 
retary, which otHce he held for two 3-ears, when he 
was elected Master of the Grange for one year, 
lie was again elected Secretary in the year 1878. 
Since then he has held the office of Chaplain 
of Du Lac Grange several times, and is at 
this time Chaplain of the Rock County Pomona 
(i range. He has held the following offices in 
the town of Milton: Assessor, six years (from 1858 
to 1862, inclusive, and again in 186(>); Justice of 
the Peace, four years (from 18(!7 to 1870 in- 
clusive; Supervisor, three years (1863, 1875 and 
1876); Town Clerk, eight years (1881 to 188!) in- 
clusive, and still holds that office). His children 
liy his liist wife were as follows: Delana Fran- 

^ 



eeanya, born Oct. 9, 1857; Benedict Wescote, Oct. 
9, 1859; Eliz.abeth Arloine, born Sept. 9, 1867, 
died Feb. 16, 1884. His son, Benedict Wescote 
Rogers, studied medicine with Dr, Henry Palmer, 
in Janesville, one year, and attended lectures three 
years in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
in Chicago, where he was graduated on the lOlh 
day of March, 1885. After remaining about six 
mouths in Chicago, he removed to Rockford, III., 
where he practiced medicine one year, and was 
married. Oct. 5, 1886, to Mrs. Adda Garnhart, of 
that place. He then returned to Chicago, where 
he now has a successful practice. 

Mr. Rogers is a member of the Rock ('ount\ 
Pioneers' Association, and his time is almost 
wholl}' t.aken up with jjublic business, which testi- 
fies to his executive ability, ami also shows that his 
labors are highly a|)|)recieated by his fellow-citi- 
zens. He is one of the progressive residents of his 
township and county, and has been very active in 
maintaining a temperance sentiment in the conunn- 
nity. I'olitically. he has been a sujiporter of the 
Republican part}' since its organization. He is 
strongly in favor of the Anti-saloon movement, 
and utterl}' opposed to license for the sale of in- 
toxicating liquors as .a beverage. 

Aii\ ATIIIAS GUNDEL. a retired farmer re- 
'// W siding on section 15, Plymouth Township, 
is a n.ative of Bavaria, and was born on the 
29th day of Decend)cr, 1812. The days 
of his boyhood and youth were spent in his native 
land, and his education was there received. When 
twenty-seven years of age he resolved to try his 
fortune in the New World, an<l embarking on a 
vessel .sailed for America. After a long voyage of 
ff)rty-rive days the ship dropped anchor at Balti- 
more, Md.. and Mr. (iundel at once continued his 
journey by laud until reaching Ohio, where he had 
a brother-in-law residing. For five years he re- 
mained in that community, when his health failing 
him he hasteneil to the home of his sister, under 
whose tender care he was again restored to health 
and strength. In 1840 he eng.aged with a farmer, 
for whom he worked for some time, but regularly i f 

i» 




-4^ 



-•^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



799 



n 



each fall for several j'ears he was visited with an 
attack of fever and airue. For two months while 
niakinir his home in Coliinibiis he was empk)ycd on 
a eanal, l)iit receiving no compensation for his ser- 
vices he entered the employ of a farmer, with 
whom he remained for eight muntlis, engaged in 
chopping wood, cutting about two cords per day. 
He remained in the vicinity of Columbus for about 
five years, when in 1844 he came to Rock County 
aiKJ l)egan the development of the farm on which 
lie has since resided. 

'riie same year Mr. (iundel was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Anna Rodli, who was also a native 
of ficrmany, born in 1819, and who came to this 
country' in 1RI4. The children born of their union 
arc twelve in number, six sons and six daughters, 
all of whom are living except two, Andrew and 
Margaret, who died in infancy; John, the eldest, re- 
siding ill Portland, Ore., is engaged in teaming in 
that city; (ieorge, also a resident of Portland, is 
connected with his brother John in business; Mi- 
chael also makes his home in Oregon; Philip mar- 
ried Miss Rolofif; Andrew, who is married, resides 
in Portland, Ore.; Annie married Oren Dickenson; 
Harliara married William Roloff; Dora married 
Henry Datmor; Mary married (Ieorge tilinii. .iiid 
is now deceased ; Catiierine married George I'^liii- 
gcr. The sons are all industrious and enterprising 
citizens, of wliom any father might well be proud, 
and arc engaged in farming in the far western St;ite 
of < )regon. 

Mr. and Mrs. (Iundel l)egan tlieir domestic life 
on tlie iitti*' farm of forty acres which the husband 
pre-empted, and whieli is situated on section 15, 
I'lynidutli TowMsiiip. Erecting a little log cabin 
lie covered it with sod and into this nuived with 
ills voung wife. After one year he made a shingle 
roof and .alsd enlarged the house by building an 
n|i-stairs. With characteristic energy he devoted 
himself to the cultivation of his land, and .as his 
efforts have been attended by prosperity be has 
been enabled to extend the boundaries of his farm, 
until it iiiiw comprises 210 acres, which p.ay a gol- 
den tribute to his care and cultivation. His suc- 
cess is all due to his own efft>rts of industry, per- 
severance and good nuuiagemeul, and the manv 
line im|ir(ivcments on the farm are the work of his 
m* ■ ■■ ■ 



bauds. He built a barn at a cost of $1,500. but 
.Sept. 13, 187(), had the misfortune to have it de- 
stroyed b^- lightning, though he at once rebuilt it. 
Ever3-thing about the place denotes the thrift and 
enterprise of the owner, who is one of the leading- 
citizens of the town of Plymouth. Having gained 
a competency sufficient for his declining years, Mr. 
(lUndel has now retired from the more active du- 
ties of life, enjoying the benefits of his former d.ays 
of toil. He is well known throughout the com- 
munity, where he has made his home for the long 
l)eriod of fort^-five years, witnessing almost the 
entire growth of the count}-, and is held in high 
regard by man}' friends. They are Iioth members 
of the Lutheran Church at Hanover. Mr. Gundel 
is an ardent supporter of the Democratic parly, 
has held the office of School Director and Hoad 
Supervisor, and we are pleased to record the sketch 
of this worth}- couple in the history of Rock 
County. 



cC>o 



S: 



]AMES MONTGOMERY, a prominent an<l 
I well-to-do farmer, who resides on section 1 7, 
Union township, is numbered among the 
pioneer settlers of this county of 18l;j. He 
was born in Brookfield. Trumbull Co., Ohio, on the 
31st <lay of May, 1817, and is the son of Robert 
and .lane (Kearney) Montgomery, who were na- 
tives of W.ashington County, Pa. After the year 
1803. the Jlontgonu'rv family removed to Trum- 
bull County, Ohio, where the father purchased .'SllO 
or 40(1 acres of land, d( veloping it into one of the 
finest farms of that comn)\inity. He engaged ex- 
tensively in stock dealing, driving his horses, cattle 
aud hogs to market in Philadelphia, and became 
one of the wealthy farmers of Trundjull County. 
His death occurred in 1836, at the age of sixty-five 
years, and his wife died in 1840, at the same age. 
She was a member of the Presltyterian Church, and 
an earnest, sincere Christian lady. Although not 
belonging to any religious org.anization, Mr. 
Montgomery gave liberally iu sui>port of the 
Church, and was every where known for his kind 
and benevolent s|)irit. His family numbered eight 
children, bvit of that number oidy three are yet liv- 
ing. William died in IJrookficld, Ohio, and Rob- 



-i. 



4 



i 



800 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-Mh-H 



4 



ert, Samuel, John and Nancy have also passed awaj'. 
Of the surviving members of tiie family James is 
the eldest; Hugh is engaged in fanning near 15rook- 
field, Ohio; and Kliza J., widow of Wvatt McKay, 
is living on tiie old homestea<l. In the month of 
August, 1884, Mr. Montgomery attentled the re- 
union held at the home of his sister to celebr.ate the 
eightieth anniversary of the settlement of the 
family in Trumbull County, Ohio. Only four of 
the orio-inal family were in attendance, but seventy- 
six of the relatives were gathered together in com- 
memoration of the day, which was passed in a 
pleasant manner and will long be remembered by 
those present. 

The days of his boyhood and youth our subject 
spent upon his father's farm, receiving his educa- 
tion in the common schools of his native county, 
where he was reared to manhood. On the 16th 
day of November, 1838, he led to the marriage 
alter iSIiss Jane D. Collins, who was born in 
Tninibiill County, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1818, and is a 
daughter of Thomas and Tersey (Collins) Collins. 
Her i>arents were natives of the Empire State, and 
settled in Ohio at an early day, where they passed 
tlie remainder of their lives. Four children of 
that family are yet living— Mrs.] Montgomery; 
James, a prosperous farmer, who has been a resident 
of Huron County, Ohio, for half a century; Au- 
"ustus, whose home is in Sylvester township. Green 
Co., Wis.; and Lavina, widow of H. B. Stewart, 
wlio was a prominent and wealthy citizen of Brod- 
head. Wis, where she is yet living. 

In 1839, Mr. Montgomery and his young wife 
removed to W.ayne County, Ohio, where he pur- 
chased a farm, but on account of the unhealthful- 
ness of the climate, he disposed of his property in 
1840, and became a resident of Portage Countji, 
Ohio. In 1845, accompanied by six families he 
started for Uock County, Wis., where he h.as since 
continued to reside. Purchasing 160 acres of land 
on section 17, I'nion tuwnship, he moved into a 
rented house and thus commenced his life on the 
frontier. Not anotlicr house was in sight, only the 
broad and desolate i)rairie stretching away as far 
as the eye could see. Nothing daunted, however, 
Mr. Montgomery having resolved to make a home, 
set about to accomplish that end. He was first 

4* 



compelled to build a house. Cutting the logs, he 
hauled them to the mill, prepared his own shingles, 
and on tiie IGthday of April. 1846, raised tlie little 
cabin, whicli he had made un.assisted. Into this the 
family moved, and shelter having been provided 
for his wife and children, he inimediatelj- turned his 
attention to the development of the land. Day liy 
day the work of cultivation and improvement was 
carried forward; the original boundaries of the farm 
were extended, until it comprised 221 acres, and he 
became the owner of t)ne of the finest farms in the 
county. In 1856, the little log cabin was replaced 
by a handsome residence and many other improve- 
ments have since been made. The beautiful ever- 
greens and the fine fruit trees were set out by Mr. 
Montgomery, barns and outbuildings were erected 
and ever}- thing necessarj^ for a model farm was 
made. When we know that ]\Ir. Montgomery 
started out with a cash capital of $100, we wonder 
at his great success, but the results whieli have 
l)een accomplished are not due to money alone, Imt 
)jut to his indefatigable energy, his untiring industry' 
and skill, and the assistance of his frugal and in- 
dusirious wile. 

By the union of our subject and his wife five 
children have been born, but only one remains; 
Lawrence, the eldest, died in infancy. Mary J., 
born in Ohio, March 27, 1845. is the wife of (ieorge 
Shaw, a boot and shoe merchant of Berlin, Wis., 
and to them were born three children, Minnie, Low- 
ell and Wayne, the last named being the only one 
now living; and the only grandchild of Mr. and 
Mrs. INIontgomery, Augusta, born April 7, 1847, l)e- 
came the wife of William Pierce, of Greene County, 
and died Nov. 30, 1879. Major and Sidia, twins, 
were born Jan. 10, 1857. The f(jrmer died on the 
9th day of April, 1 874, and the latter May 1 9, 1 875. 
On the 16th day of November, 1888, the parents 
passed the fiftieth anniversary of their wedded life. 
They can now look back over well spent years, 
with no regret for the past and no fear for the 
future. As the result of the labor of other years, 
they have a comfortable competenc3\ which will 
enable them to live in peace and retirement dur- 
ing the remainder of their d.ays, knowing that it 
will not be long until the summons to their final 
home is heard. Progressive and public spirited, 



r 



..fe. 



ROCK COUNTY. 



801 



Mr. Montudiiieiy lias been ono of the le.'xding 
citizens of the county and has taken an active part 
in its pnlilic interests, ^\'llen the Greenl)ack party 
was making its influence felt throughout the land, 
he was one of its foremost members in this coni- 
inunity and belunged to the .State Central Com- 
mittee, in which he was an earnest worker. He be- 
lieved in the enacting vf laws that wouhl do the 
greatest good to the greatest number and did all in 
liis power to promote tiiat principle. In later 
years he lias not atliliated with any party, but 
votes for the best man. Straightforward and 
honorable in .all his dealings, he has the entire conli- 
dence of his fellow citizens, and his word is as good 
as his bond. Loved by his friends, respected by 
his .acrpiaintances, his sketch will be welcomed and 
read with interest liy the readers of this volume. 



-€-*-^ ' 




ARK ALLEN NORRIS, was born in the 
city of Janes ville, Oct. 19, 1851. lie is 
the eldest of three children born to Alvin 
and .\nna ( IJates) Norris. He enjoyed the 
.advant.iges of a eomnKin school education; sujiple- 
mented by a course of study under a private in- 
structor, having previously spent a portion of two 
years .as a student in Lawience Universit}-, at Ap- 
pleton, Wis. For a few years after leaving school 
he assisted his father in conducting the old Norris 
House, one of the e.arly hotel landmarks of the 
city — which then occupied the site of the present 
Windsor Hotel, at the corner of Main and North 
First streets. 

Mr. Norris was actively engaged for several 
years in newspaper work. He w.as an attache of 
the Janes ville Da/I;/ Rccdrder when the paper was 
in its infancy, undci- the management of Uarrett 
Yeeder and W. H. l.eon;ird. It was in this office 
that he learned the practical details of the "art 
preservative." He was for a eonsiderable lime 
employed in the business office, and subsequently 
was promoted to the editorial room. In 1H71I he 
W!Ls nominated as the KcpulJican candidate for 
City Clerk in opposition to the late J. M. Burgess, 
the Democratic incnmlient of the office. He w.as 
defeatcil by a small majority. His opponent an old 



and highly respected resident, was deiiendent for 
support entirely upon his earnings, and jiopular 
sympathy re-elected him to the office. Mr. Norris 
h.as always been a Republican, but since his defe.at 
h.as never entered the list for office. Accompany- 
ing Col. p:dward Ituger's engineering expedition to 
New Me.\-ico in the spring of f880 he remained in 
that territory until .Inly. 18«2, filling various posi- 
tions of responsibility and trust in the employ of 
the Wiley Construction Company. The summer 
and autumn of 1882 was spent in travel through- 
out New Mexico, Colorado and I'tah. Returning 
to Janesville he accepted his former position on the 
stati' of the Recdrder which he soon afterwards re- 
signed to accept a position .as business manager of 
the Pierre, Dakota. Recorder, a promising newspa- 
per, founded shortly before by Myhr and Nolan, 
of Janesville, Wis. He removed to Pierre early 
in 1883 to assume the duties of his ])osition. A 
ye.ar later he purchased a one-half interest in the 
business, and for several months edited the pajjcr. 
Disposing of his interests in the West he returned 
to Wisconsin to engage in his present enterprise. 
He was a mend)cr of the Fire Department for sev- 
eral years before its reorganization, holding at 
times the offices of Vice President of the depart- 
ment and Secretary of the Water Witch Kngine 
Company No. 2. He w.as one of the drill-team of 
the Janesville Gu.ards, and holds an honorable dis- 
charge for service to the State in the First Regi- 
ment, Wisconsin National Guards, having served 
the full teim of enlistment; is a member of good 
standing of Janesville City Lodge No. 90, I. O. O. 
F. ; is manager of the Janesville Thermo-Tlierapeu- 
tic Baths and Magnetic \acuum Institute, which 
is situated in Norcross Block on River street, in 
Janesville. The pro|)rietors are ftlrs. A. B. and 
Mr. M. A. Norris. The treatment consists of 
Turkish, Russian, electro-thermal and medicated 
baths; massage; electric, magnetic and vacuum 
equalizer treatments. This institution is first-class 
in all its appointments, has perfect ventilation and 
highest temperatures. The Turkish bath is .ap- 
proved and recommended by the most eminent 
medical authorities and physicians every where. 
The business was established in 187."). liy Mrs. A. 
B. Norris, and our subject has had an interest since 



r 



i 



■^*- 



802 



^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-t 



its inception, and since 1886 has bepn activelj- con- 
nected with its management. Mrs. Norris was first 
led to undertake the estalilishment of this institu- 
tion by being cured of paralysis, by means of the 
magnetic, vacuum and electro-thermal bath treat- 
ment. Wishing to give suffering humanity the 
l)enettts of her experience she has made this her 
life work and stud3-. Starting in a modest way, the 
benefits to patients have been so pronounced tiiat 
the bu.siness has grown to important proportions 
and has justified the proprietors in fitting theestab- 
tablishment with the mcjst complete of modern fa- 
cilities for successful treatment of the sick and 
well. M. A. Xorris, the manager, is well versed in 
all that pertains to the business and has won hosts 
of friends l)y his courteous and unremitting atten- 
tion to the wants of his patrons. 



<JY;()I1N W. STONEV. one of the prominent 
farmers of Clinton Township, residing on 
section 4, was born in Monroe Countj', N. 
' Y.. July 17, 1834. and is a son of William 
and Mary E. (Barker) Stoney, both of whom were 
natives of Yorkshire, England, the former born 
Feb. 8, 1801, the latter Nov. 25, 1799. In May, 
1831, with the desire to benefit their fortunes by a 
removal to the New World, they left their native 
land and sailed for America, locating first on 
Staten Island, liut later removing to Monroe 
County. Seven children graced their union, four 
of whom are living at this writing: William H., 
born May 2, 1833, married Susan L. Webster, and 
is now a resident of Orleans Countj', N. Y.; Jane 
E., born Jan. 28, 1836, is the widow of J. T. Ham- 
ilton, of this count}-; Tiiomas, born Julj' 12, 1838, 
makes his home in Clinton County, Mich. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stoney were sincere Christian people, and 
while residing in tiieir native land were members 
of the Church of England, but after coming to 
America united with the Congregational Church. 
Mr. Stoney deiiarted this life May 26, 1848, his 
wife surviving him for many years, her death oc- 
curring in Rock Conntj- in 1883. 

The early life of our subject was spent upon a 
farm, but his father dying when he was fourteen 



4^ 



j-ears of age he was thrown upon his own resources 
and forced to make his own way in the world. His 
chances for obtaining an education were thus very 
limited, but being of a studious nature he has ac- 
quired i)y subsequent study and observation a 
jiractical knowledge which could not be obtained 
in text liooks. He is a self-made man, and his suc- 
cess is due entirely to his own efforts of industry, 
perseverance and good management, combined 
with natural ability. In 18,5.j he came to Wiscon- 
sin to make for himself a home, having barely 
enough money to pay the expenses of the trip. He 
first made his home in AValworth County, where he 
secured employment on a farm, working by the 
month for three years, and during the first year he 
received only $12 per mouth as a compensation for 
his arduous labors. 

On the 23d of November, 1857, Mr. Stonej- was 
united in marriage with Miss Hannah M. Webster. 
a daughter of Caleb D. and Xanc}- C. (Putnam) 
Webster, wiio i'as proved herself a worthy help- 
mate. Her parents were natives of New York and 
were married Aug. 5. 1833. Their family con- 
sisted of the following children, who grew to man- 
hood and womanhood: David P., who served in the 
^iuarlermaster's service during the late Rebellion; 
James N.. who enlisted in the 13th Wisconsin In- 
fantr}-, serving with honor until the close of the 
war; Hannah M., wife of our subject; Susan L. 
and Mary E., wife of Burt Kaufman. Mr. and 
JMrs. Webster w'ere pioneer settlers of Walworth 
County, Wis., of 1846, and are still living in that 
community, where they are held in high regard. 

In 1864 Mr. Stoney responded to the President's 
call for troops and enlisted among the boys in 
blue of Company G. oth Regiment Wisconsin, 
being mustered in at Milwaukee. After a short 
stsiy in Madison he joined his regiment, which 
was then in the front before Petersburg and 
participated in the battles of Hatchers Run. Et. 
Steadman. and all the engagements until reaching 
Sailor's Creek, where he was severely wounded, a 
ball severing his forefinger and passing into the 
hand. For thirteen mouths he carried in his left 
hand an ounce of reliel lead, which he still keeps 
as a relic. He remained in the liospiial until re- 
ceiving his discharge, when he went to .Milwaukee 



t 




Lyuvin a ty^.'a^^t-i<:f 











J) 





CrO'azMyy /y7 S2) 



-4*- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



80? 



T- 



■ind was miistored out of service on the 4tb day of 
July. 18G."). 

After the ek)se of liostilities Mr. Stone^' returned 
to his iioine and fainil}' in Walworth County, wliere 
he resided until l.s72,nt wliieii time he removed 
to his pleasant home in Clinton Township. Few 
men deserve more credit for their success in life. 
Thrown upon bis own resources at the early age of 
fourteen years with no capital save a j'oung man's 
bright hope of the future, be has steadily worked 
bis way upward, and b}' untiring labor and judi- 
cious mansigement, together with the assistance of 
niB good wife, has accumulated a comfortable 
property, and can well be cl.assed among the well- 
to-do farmers of Kock County. His landed pos- 
sessions comprise 270 acres, which cannot be sur- 
passed in point of fertility 1)3' any in the State. In 
|)olitics, Mr. .Stoney is a Republican, and socially, 
is a member of the G. A. R. Post of Clinton. His 
union with Miss Webster has been blessed with an 
interesting family of eight children: Ettie N., who 
is now engage d in teaching school ; Frank W., 
Charles .]., Cassius L., George W., Clayton E., 
Jesse .M., and Kutli. Mr. and Mrs. Stoney are 
mendiers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Clinton, and are zealous workers in the Master's 
cause. 

R. JOHN M. EVANS, a leading physician 
of Evansville, and proprietor of the 
" Pioneer Drug Store," is one of the well 
known pioneers of Rock County. He is a 
native of the Green .Mountain State, having been 
born in Rutland County on the 12tii day of Feb- 
ruary, 1811), and is descended from old New Eng- 
land stock. Ilis father was Calvin R. Evans and 
his grandfatiier Gilbert Evans. The Doctor's ma- 
ternal ancestors were also early settlers of New- 
England and his mother's maiden name w.as Pene- 
lope Goodrich. She was a daughter of Allen 
Goodrich who w.is born in Massachusetts, but lo- 
cated in \ermont. during the earl}' days of that 
State. 

When our subject was a young lad his mother 
died, and he went to live in the family of his 
grandfather (Joodrich, with whom he remained 




until nineteen 3'ears of age. His advantages for 
education in his j-outh were such as the common 
schools of Vermont afforded in those days. In 
1H3S, he went to La Porte, Ind.. to which place his 
father had removed. He had now attained to 
man's estate, and had his own w.ay to make in the 
world. The o|ii)ortunities for young men, save in 
the field of manual labor, were limited in those 
early daj'S, and in casting about for an occupation 
the Doctor decided to learn the trade of carpenter 
and served an apprenticeship of three years. It is 
not improbable that he would have followed the 
occupation throughout his life had he not been 
compelled to turn his attention into another chan- 
nel. During his apprenticeship he contracted a 
hip disease, which finally' became so severe that by 
the advice of his physician, he gave up all thought 
of pursuing his trade of carpentering, and in 1843, 
became a medical student with Dr. Meeker as his 
preceptor. At about this time a medical college 
had been organized in La Porte, and young Evans 
became a memlier of the first class at that institu- 
tion and was one of its first graduates, receiving 
the degree of ^I. D. from the college in the spring 
of 1846. The La Porte Medical College continued 
a few years and was then merged into the Rush 
Medical College of Chicago. In April, 1846, Dr. 
Evans left his Indiana home and came to what is 
now Evansville. There was then no town on the 
site of the present village, and the place was des- 
ignated simpl\' as '"The Grove." The buildings 
within the present corporate limits consisted at that 
time of a frame dwelling, a log school house and a 
double log cabin. A colony from La Porte and 
vicinity had settled in that neighborhood, manj' of 
whom were former patients of Dr. Meeker, and it 
was by the advice of his preceptor that our subject 
decided to locate in Evansville. Several years 
later his father and stepmother removed from La 
Porte to Evansville, where the death of the former 
occurred in June, 1860, while his wife departed 
this life in August, 1877. 

The whole of the Doctor's professional life has 
been passed in his present home, a period of more 
than fortj' 3'ears. When a post office was estab- 
lished, in lH4'.l,il was called Evansville in his honor, 
and when the town was platted, in 18j.j, it also 



-*>—■- 




^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



received the name of Eyansville. From lSo2 until 
1855 lie held the ofBce of postmaster, and in 1853 
was elected to the Legislature of Wisconsin and 
was again a member of the General Assembly in 
1873. After the breaking out of the late war. in 
October, 18G1, he was commissioned Surgeon of the t 
13th Regular Wisconsin Infantry, and ent^ned the 
field with his regiment, contiiuiing in active service 
until March, 1865, when his health failing him he 
resigned and returned home. The labor and expo- 
sure attending his army experience was such as to 
seriously and permanently impair his health. 

On the 1st day of June, 1854, in La Porte. Ind.. 
Dr. Evans was united in marriage with Miss Emma 
Clement, who is a native of New York, but re- 
moved with her parents, Richard and C'hloe 
Clement, to Indiana, when she was a child. The 
union of the Doctor and his wife has been blessed 
with three children, two of whom are living, a sou 
and a daughter. The latter. Elizabeth Emma. w;is 
born April 7. 1855, and the former, .lohn M., was 
born Nov. 14, 1858. He was educated in the public 
schools of Evansville, read medicine with his 
father and graduated from the Rush Medical Col- 
lege of Chicago, after which he engaged in practice 
at Evansville for three years. In August. 1888, he 
went to Europe to complete his medical studies at 
the famous school at \ienna, Austria, one of the 
most noted medical institutions in the world. Dr. 
Evans, Jr. is a j'oung man of much ability and 
gives promise of eminence in his i)rofession. The 
deceased child, Annie Penelope, who was second in 
order of birth, was born Sept. 22, 185G. and died 
Aug. 26, 1858. 

Dr. Evans is one of the oldest and most zealous 
Masons in this part of the State, and has been 
prominently identified with the order for nearly 
half a centurj'. He was initiated into the myster- 
ies of that ancient and honorable society March 21), 
1841, at La Porte, Ind., becoming a member of 
La Porte Lodge, No. 41, A. F. and A. M. He be- 
came a member of Janesville chapter. No. 5, April 
17, 1851, and joined Janesville Commandery, No. 
2, Jan. 28, 1857. On the 24th day of October, 
1882, he became a member of H. A. S. V., Orient 
of Wisconsin, Valley of Milwaukee, and on the 
27th of the same month w.os advanced to the 32d 



-^^ 



degree of that body. He has also Iteen inducted 
as an honorary member into the •• ( )riental Order of 
the Palm and Shell." an honor that has been con- 
ferred upon but few Masons in the State. During 
these many years he has filled various official posi- 
tions in the order. He was W. M.of Union Lodge. 
No. 32, for twelve consecutive years, and was High 
Priest of Evansville Chapter. No. 35, during the 
first six j-ears of its existence. In 1882-3 he w:u> 
Grand High Priest of the State. 

The Doctor is a member of the Episcopal Church 
at Evansville and h:is held the office of Senior 
Warden of that body since its organization. In 
the formation of the parish he was quite active, 
and has ever been active and influential in this 
body, contributing largely of his means to its sup- 
port. For several j-ears he has been a lay reader 
in the church. 

Dr. Evans bears tlie distinction of being not 
only the earliest physician of Evansville, but one 
of the earliest of Rock Count}'. He has been 
identified with the county for forty-three years, 
has witnessed its growth and development and has 
borne a prominent part in the advancement that 
has been made during that long period of time. 
His long and successful career as a ph^ysician has 
given him a wide acquaintance and his characteris- 
tic sympathy and kindness has endeared him to the 
hearts of the people. Few men enjoy the confi- 
dence and esteem of the community in which they 
reside to a greater degree than does Dr. J. M. 
Evans. 



\¥) .VMES VANDERLYN. deceased, w.as a highly 
resi)ected citizen of Rock County and one 
of its pioneer settlers. He was born in 
Cortland County, N. Y., March 7, 1818, 
.and was a sou of James and N.ancy (filenny) 
Vanderlyn, who were of Holland descent, their an- 
cestors having emigr.ated from that country dur- 
ing the early d.ays of the history of New Y'ork, 
and settled in the Mohawk Valley. Our subject 
never received the iirotection of a mother's lov- 
ing care, Mrs. Vanderlyn dying when he was only 
about seven months old. His father soon after- 
ward married again, and at the tender .age of eight 



- 




i^f^^^^ ^^^JPa^^ 






fW 




^a4^<>) /^^;2C:^^-^-^l_- 




JU 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■u 



809 



years, lie was placed adrift on life's great sea to 
battle alone with its winds and tempests. From 
that time lie has made his way unaided, and 
though many would have given up in despair he 
worked on with !i lirave heart, and at length his ef- 
forts were crowned with success. 

On the 3d day of January, 1841, iSIr. Vanderlyn 
was joined in wedlock witli Miss Elizabeth Case, 
their union being celebrated in Cortland County, 
N. Y. Unto them were born two children, one of 
whom is living at this writing, in 1889 — Elnathan, 
a prominent farmer of this county. In 1848, ac- 
companied bv his family, our subject, with the de- 
sire of bettering his financial condition, emigrating 
to the West and settled in Rock County, locating 
the land which is now owned by his son. With 
characteristic energy, he began the development of 
a farm until he had the whole tract highlj- cultiva- 
ted and improved. As his income was increased, 
he extended the boundaries of his farm until at one 
time it comprised 100 acres of valuable land, which 
paid a golden tribute to the care and labor which 
ho had bestowed upon it. Truly he was a self- 
made man, whose successes were all the greater on 
account of the dirticulties which he had to over- 
come and the adversities to be met. 

In early life, Mr. Vanderl3'n was a Whig, and 
supported William Henry Harrison, but on the 
dissolution of that party he joined forces with the 
Democrats, ever afterward supporting that organi- 
zation. He was never ambitious in a political 
sense, preferring to devote his attention to farming 
interests, rather than accept public oflice. He 
died at his home in Clinton, on the 1st da}' of 
April, 1889, of heart disease in the seventy -second 
year of his age; his death mnrked a sad event 
in the history of Clinton, which had so long 
been his home and his pride, and to the prosperity 
and growth of which ho had so liberally contri- 
buted. It may truthfully be said that in all his 
long years of varied and extensive business exper- 
ience, he w.as never known to intentionally wrong 
any one. Just and prompt, courteous and consid- 
erate, he possessed the confidence .and kind regard 
of all with whom he came in contact, from the hum- 
blest laborer on his farm to the highest official and 
wealthiest capitalist of the city. In manner, he 



was plain and unassuming, free from all ostenta- 
tion or display, earnest in his devotion to his 
family and friends, sympathetic and warm-hearted. 
The story of the life of such a man as James 
Vanderlyn is both interesting and instructive, and 
teaches a lesson that may well be studied by young 
men of coming generations, as well as the present, 
encouraging them to renewed efforts when reverses 
overtake thom. .and pointing the way to success like 
a beacon star in the sky of the future. 

Mrs. Vanderlyn, who was a consistent member of 
the Baptist Church, died on the 12th day of July, 
1888, preceding her husband a few months. She 
was one of nature's noble women and was beloved 
by all for her many excellencies of character. 



'-^^^:^^!^^^^tf^ 




' . <. .>. Sf->— 



)HOMA.S B. FIFIELD, an early settler and 
an honored citizen of J.anesville, w.as born 
in Gilraanton, Belknap Co., N. II., on the 
21st day of June. 1809. His parents, S.amuel and 
Abigail (Loavitt) Fifield, were natives of New 
England, and were people well connected and 
highl}- respected. His father was a merchant of 
Gilmanton; and in 1820, removed with his family 
to Chittsnden County, Vt., where he made his home 
on a new farm. Thom.as B., then eleven j'ears of 
age, attended the district school in the winter time 
and at other seasons of the year assisted his father 
in clearing and working the farm. In this way he 
grew to manhood, inured to hard work and trained 
to industrious and frug.al h.abits. The moral teach- 
ings of his parents and the wholesome influences of 
his New England home developed a character that 
fitted our subject for an honor.able course in life 
and in his subsequent career he proved himself 
worthy of the confidence and hopes of his parents. 
Having attained his majority, he engaged in farm- 
ing, and in the course of time purchascti a small 
farm in Berlin, just across the river oiiposite Mont- 
pelier and in the suburbs of that city, which he 
conducted sever.al years. The pl.ace w.as one of 
groat beauty, and the farm house, which had been 
the residence of Judge Buckley, was one of great 
elegance. 

Mr. Fifield sold tli.at property about ISoii, and 

r » 



1- 



■•► 



810 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



came to Janesville. Wis., wliere he joined his 
brothers in tlie lnml)ei' business. He was niarrifd 
in this city on the 3id day of Januaiy, KS(i.5, to 
Miss Eliza Isabel Waterman, a daugliter of the 
Hon. Aruiiah ami Mehitjible (Dodge) Waterman. 
Mrs. Fifielil was born at .Arf>nti)elier. Vt.. and was 
reared and educated in New England. Her father 
was born in Norwich, Conn., and wa.s of English Pu- 
ritan descent. The Waterman family originated 
in America by the advent of two lirothers of that 
name, vvlio took passage for .Vmerica in the consort 
of the ••MayHower." which vessel, it will be remem- 
bered, got disabled and was oliliged to return to 
port. The following year, they again started from 
England and this time landed safely at the Ply- 
mouth Colony. They settled in Connecticut and 
one branch of the family, the grandfather of Mrs. 
Fifield. subsequently located at .bjhnson, \'t.. near 
Montpelier. His cousin. Capt. Hyde, accompanied 
him and located at Hyde I'ark. He was a man of 
[jrominence and for him Hyde Park w^•^s named. 
The Hydes were a distiuguisiicd family both in 
England and in the New World. Mrs. Fifield's fa- 
ther was a man of prominence in his day and held 
various official positions of importance, serving in 
the State Senate of Vermont and in the Lower 
House. He w.asalso Probate .ludge and held other 
offices. His wife, Jlrs. Fifield's mother, was born 
at New Boston, N. H., and was descended from an 
old New England family. 

Three children, two sons and a daughter, were 
born to >rr. and Mrs. Fifleld. Charles L., the eld- 
est, born at .lanesville, Oct. 10, ISfio, w.as educa- 
ted in the city schools, and in 1884, entered upon 
the study of law in the office of Judge J. W. Sale, 
of Janesville, where he spent two years. He then 
became a student of the law department of the 
Wisconsin State University, from which he gradu- 
ated in the <-lass of ..luiie, 1888, and was admitted 
to practice in the Circuit and Supreme Courts at 
the same time. In August of that year, he was 
admitted to membershi|) in the law firm of F'eth- 
ers it Jeffris, now Fethers, Jeffris & Fifield, his 
partners being the acknowledged peers of any in 
the legal profession in Soulheru Wisconsin, while 
the junior member is a thorough student and indus- 
trious lawyer, who with years and e.xperience is 



sure to win prominence in his chosen profession. 
The second child. Emily May, a young lady of 
briglit promise, died March .30, 188.'). at the age of 
seventeen years. George Waterman, the yf)uiig- 
est, was born at Janesville, March 12. 1872, and is 
now attending school at IJeloit. preparing for col- 
lege. He is a voung man of intelligence and good 
moral principles, and promises to do justice to the 
teachings and precepts of his parents. 

Mr. F'ifield continued in the lumber Inisiness 
with his brothers with slight iiUerriiptions until 
187;"), when he sold his interest to the other mem- 
bers of the firm and retired from active business. 
A few years later his health began to fail and liis 
death occurred at his home in Janesville on the 7th 
d.ay of July. 1882. Mr. Fifield was a consistent 
member of the Congregational Church, and a He- 
pulilican in politics, but was never in :\ny sense a 
politician or olHce seeker. He preferred the more 
quiet way of legitimate business in which he was 
quite successful. In all the affairs of life he was 
ever known to be uijright and honorable and lived 
in the enjoyment of the respect and confidence of 
his felk)w citizens. Mrs. Fifield survives her hus- 
band and with her sons resides at the old home in 
Janesville. .She is an active meml)er of the Con- 
gregational Church, and is highly esteemed by a 
large circle of acquaintances. 



UILLIAM DEWITT KELLOGG, a leading 
attorney at law of Beloit. Wis., and Special 
^^/ Agent and Adjuster for the Citizens' In- 
surance Compan3' of Pittsburgh, is a native of 
Massachusetts, having been born in Lee, Berkshire 
County, on the 4th day of .\pril, 1858. He is a 
son of Leroy and Jidia (Steadraan) Kellogg, the 
former a native of Soutliwick. Hampden Co., M.ass., 
and the latter of Berkshire County. The}- were the 
parents of two children who are 3"et living — Wil- 
liam of this sketch, and M. Isabel, the latter being 
a lady of culture and the possessor of superior 
ability as a poetess, many of her i)roductions hav- 
ing been published in Harper's Magazine. Leroy 
Kellogg was for many years a prominent merchant 
of Lee, Mass.. and in politics was a staunch Demo- 



r 



ROCK COUNTY. 



811 



4 



t-rat. ami well posted on all tlie affairs of the coun- 
try. Me iwssessed a splendid piiysif|iie, and atone 
time was the stronj^esl man in Massacliusetts. 

The subject of tiiis skelcii was reared to man- 
iiood in liis native State. He received his literary 
education at the Academies of Stockbridge, Mass., 
and Sutlield, Conn., after which he took a prepara- 
tory course at Fort Edward Institute^ New York. 
In 1877, he entered Yale College, graduating from 
the literary department of that celebrated institu- 
tion with the highest honors, after which he took 
a course in the law department, ranking third in 
scholai'ship in a class of 180. After leaving Yale, 
he traveled extensively throughout the North and 
Southwest, thereby gaining much information of 
the world, and in October, 1882, finally located in 
Beloit, where he has been in active ])ractice contin- 
uously since. 

iMr. Kellogg was joined in wedlock in Beloit, in 
1887. with Miss Tedie R. Rood, a graduate of the 
Beloit High School and a daughter of J. F. Rood, 
one of the earl}' settlers of Rock County. 

I'olitically, our subject is a stalwart supporter of 
tile Democratic party, following in the footsteps 
of his father and grandfather, who were also faith- 
ful adherents to the principles of that organization. 
Although a young man, he ranks high among ids 
brethren at the bar and bids fair to become a prom- 
inent man in his profession. His natural abilities 
have been suiiplcniented by the best educational 
advantages and he is thoroughly conversant with 
the law in all its departments. His arguments are 
logical and conclusive, and, speaking without an 
apparent effort, lie convinces his lieareis of the 
correctness of liis statements an<l comm.inds the 
respect of all. Socially, he is connected with the 
Knights of l'\thias, being Chancellor Commander 
of that order, and is also a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, being a thirty -second degree Mason and 
member of the M^'Stic Shrine of Milwaukee. 



li, ^11,1.1 AM SHAW, a retired farmer and 
\rJK mercliani residing in the city of Beloit. is 
\y\y an honored pioneer of Rock County, of 
wliicli lie has been a resident since the spring of 
ISIJ. He has borne no inconsiderable part in the 

M* 



upbuilding of the community in which he resides, 
Ikis aided in the advancement of its interests and is 
known througiiout the county as a worthv and 
respected citizen. The most important facts in his 
life are as follows: 

William Shaw was born in the town of Corboy, 
County Longford, Ireland, September 2;'). 1819. 
and his parents, Alexander and Mary (Clinchay) 
Shaw, were also natives of Ihe Fmerald Isle. The 
father w.as born of English descent and the mother 
of Scotch parentage, while l)oth were members of 
the best families in the community where the}- 
resided. Alexander Siiaw was a weaver by trade 
and for many years followed that occupation, dur- 
ing which time our subject hail charge of the farm. 
At length, discontinuing thai employment, he took 
charge of his land and also engaged in the buying 
and selling of grain. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaw there 
were born fourchildren. threeof whom are living — 
Mary, wife of William Jones, a resident of Ireland; 
William of this sketch; and CJeorge, an extensive 
farmer of Rock County. 

Our subject received his education in his native 
land, and .as before stated there followed agricul- 
tural pursuits. At the age of twenty-five years, 
he decided to make his future home in America and 
sailed for the United States, landing at New York. 
For some time after his arrival, it seemed that 
every letter from home brought news of the death 
of some loved one, who had been called from this 
earth. In 1845, the mother departed this life and 
in 1818. the father's death occurred. On landing 
in this country, Mr. Shaw went to work by the 
month for John ,1. Moore, of Long Island, and con- 
tinued with him for almost a year, when he went to 
the city of New York. He there remained until 
the spring of 184."i. and was in that city when the 
first telegraph wires were put up. Going to Staten 
Island, he made his home with Gen. Van Buren, an 
own cousin of Martin Van Buren, who was then 
manager of the Custom House, .and became the 
trusted employe of that gentleman. 

While on Staten Island, Mr. Shaw, in 1841, was 
united in marriage with Sarah Martin who was born 
in the North of Ireland. After his marriage, he 
remained with Gen. Van Buren until the spring of 
1845, when, with his j'oung bride, he emigrated to 



i- 



^ i -^ 



■<^ 



812 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Rock County, then a part of llie Teiiitory of AVis- 
consin. Purchasing a farm of forty acres in Beloit 
Townsliip. he moved into tlie little log caliin and 
on the frontier lived in true pioneer style. Man3- 
improvements were added to the land, shade and 
fruit trees were set out, the place was otherwise 
beautified, and at the end of five years the pioneer 
home was replaced bj- a fine frame dwelling. The 
luml)er of which this w.is built was hauled from 
Freeport. Taking a load of grain to that place, 
Mr. Shaw would return with a load of lumber and 
in this manner procured the materials for his house. 
He added to his original purchase until at one time 
he owned 600 acres of fine land, both prairie and 
timber. In connection with his farming interests 
he engaged in merchandising as a clotiiier, in com- 
pany with liis nephew, while his son operated a 
grocery store. In 1874. wishing to retire from 
active life, he left the farm and removed to Beloit, 
where he purchased and improved a fine residence 
located on the corner of Broad and Mill streets and 
there has since resided. lie has not only been 
identified with the growth and development of the 
township, but has done much toward the improve- 
ment of the beautiful city in which he now makes 
his home. On the corner of Broad and Main 
streets, he erected a fine business block containing 
two stores, and was also interested in the building 
occupied by the I. O. O. F. He is a shrewd and 
practical business man, thoronghl3- honest in all his 
transactions, and has been very successful in the 
various enterprises whicli he lias undertaken. 

B^' the union of Mr. and Mrs. Shaw three sons 
and one daughter were born: Alexander, the eldest, 
was accidcntly killed in Custer City, and his remains 
were brought back to Beloit (his father sending a 
metalic case from Chicago for that purpose) and 
interred in the city cemetery; AVilliam Henry is 
now a commercial traveler in the employ of a firm 
in Minneapolis, Minn.; George is a resident of 
Caledonia, 111.; and Mary A. is the wife of James 
McAlpine, who is engaged in the bakery business 
in Beloit. The children have all received excellent 
opportunities for securing an education and are now 
useful men and women, occupying responsible 
positif.ns. On the 5th day of May, 1888. the happy 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Shaw was severed by the 



hand of deatii and the loving wife called to her last 
rest. She was untiring in her devotion to her 
family and was a faithful member of the Presby- 
terian Church. Each Lord's Da^' slie was seen in 
her place at the house of worship and her life was a 
living example of tlie true Christian spirit. For 
forty-four j-ears she had traveled life's journey by 
the side of Mr. Shaw whose home has been indeed 
made desolate by her absence. 

Our subject has served in various township 
offices and no man has a more extensive acquain- 
tance in the community. He is financially a self- 
made man. Coming to this country' in limited 
circumstances, by his energy, industry and good 
management he has gained a coni|>entencv which 
enables him to rest from active labor in his later 
years. Since becoming a citizen, he has supported 
the Repul)lic.'ui party by his ballot and intluenee. 



^^ ALV1>J PERKINS, a retired farmer and 
(l( _ representative citizen of Rock County, now 
^^^ residing in Clinton, was born in Guildhall, 
Essex County, Vt..on the lOth da3- of April, 1815, 
and is the son of James and Eunice (Howe) Per- 
kins, whose family numbered five children: Althea, 
the eldest, married Israel Cheney, who was one of 
the earl^' settlers of Beloit; Mary became the wife 
of a Mr. Rosencranz; Fivilla married Leander Be- 
mis; Maria was first the wife of Arthur Kincaid, 
and after his death wedded William Legett. In 
1876 the death of Mr. Perkins occurred, and his 
widow was again married, becoming the wife of 
David Tucker. They later removed to the West, 
settling in Turtle Township, Rock County, but 
subsequently became residents of Eureka, Green- 
wood County, Kansas, where both p.assed awaj'. 

Calvin Perkins, the subject of this sketch, was 
educated in the common schools and was reared to 
manhood in his native State. After reaching ma- 
ture years, he in 1838 was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Curtis, a native of New Hampshire, 
born in Strafford on the 30th day of April, 1818. 
Their union was tilessed with four rliildrcn, two 
sons and two daughters, as follows: Althea. who is 
now the wife of Myrou Favor, a resident of Greea- 

i» 



-h 



ROCK COUJSTY. 



813 




wooil County. Kjui., is the inotluT of five children, 
\Villi;ini I*.. (Jeorge. Cleoii, Eda aiirl Jessie; George 
N., who WMS numbered among the brave Boys 
in Bine of the 22(1 Wisconsin Infantry, belong- 
ing to Company B, served with iionor for three 
years, participating in many hard fought bat- 
tles; Amanda hecauie the wife of Artliur Wain- 
wright, and died in Clinton. Wis.; .lames is now in 
the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Kailroad; he m.-irried Alice Griflith, Nov. 12, 1873, 
and one child h.as been horn tot'.iem, Arthur G. 

In 1852, accompanied l)y hisf.unilj', Mr. Perkins 
emigrated to Rock County and settled in Turtle 
Township, where he [nirchased a farm. With 
characteristic energy he .at once began tlie cultiva- 
tion and development of his land, which he con- 
tinued to operate with good success until 1882, 
when, retiring from active life, he removed to 
Clinton where he h.as since made his home. In his 
political views Mr. Perkins, in early life, was .an 
ardent supporter of the Whig luuty, and in 1840 
cast his ballot for William Henry Harrison, whose 
illustrious grandst)n, our present Executive, be 
voted for in 1888. He takes that interest in polit- 
ical affairs which ever}' true .American slionid feel, 
and is well inft)rmed on all the leading questitms of 
the day, both State anil National. Honest and up- 
right in all his dealings, he lias gained the respect 
and good will of all with whom business or [)leasure 
have brought him in contact. In 1884 he was called 
upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on 
the l.')tli daj' of December. 

"if) GUN DATES, one of the honored pioneers 
of this county, residing in the city of 
Heloit, was born on the lOtli day of Se|)- 
' teniber, 1813, in Dutchess Countv. X. Y., 
and his parents were .Viidrew and Elizalieth (M.as- 
ton) Dates. They had a family of five children, 
:is follows: Julia A.; .lohii. of this sketrh; Harry; 
Gertrude, who is residing in Tompkins County, N. 
v.; and Thomas, of Uochester, N. Y. The an- 
ceslnrs of the Dates farnih- emigr.ated from Holland 
to America in the early colonial days, settling in 
the Mohawk \'alley. and the father of John Dates 






was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grand- 
father w.as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 
Andrew and Elizabeth Dates have both now passed 
aw.ay, dying in Pouglikeepsie, N. Y. 

Our subject received such educational advan- 
tages .as the district schools afforded, and was 
reared to manhood upon a farm. When nineteen 
years of age he left home and began life's l)altle for 
himself. He first went to Chemung County, N. 
Y.. and subsequently located at Monroe, near 
Rochester, where on the 28lh day of April. 1842, 
his inarri.age with Miss Caroline VerA'alin was cel- 
ebrated. The lady is a daughter of Col. Isaac H. 
A'erValin, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
who for his services received a pension. His death 
occurred in 1884, at the age of eighty-five years, 
and his wife died in Beloitin 1872. Col. \'erValin 
was a I'liiversalist. and Mrs. ^'er^'alin a member of 
the Methodist Church, and were both earnest, con- 
sistent Christians. 

In the year 1844, Mr. Dates, accomi)anied liy his 
wife, left the Empire State, and followed the course 
of emigr.ation westward, becoming a resident of 
Winnebago County III., where he remained for one 
year. At the expiration of that time he came to 
Beloit, where he has since made his home. At that 
time Rock County was almost in its primitive 
condition, but few settlements had been made, and 
in the present flourishing city of Beloit but one 
house h.ad been built on the west side of the 
river. Like all others who settled on the frontier, 
Mr. Dates endured the many trials and incon- 
veniences of pioneer life, but has been one of the 
active participants in the upbuilding of the county, 
and in the work of development which h.as trans- 
formed its wild lands into farms of great fertility. 
Immediately after his arrival, he purchased the 
land now owned by A. B. Carpenter, within the city 
limits of Beloit, paying $6 an acre. At that time, 
only a (piarter of an acre had been put under the 
plow, and the improvements consisted of a little 
fr.ame house, but he immediately began the work 
of cultivation and development, and in the course 
of time was the owner of one of the fine farms of 
Rock County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dates are the parents of three chil- 
dren. George enlisted in the late Rebellion, in the 



_ «► ,i i <? 



814 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-•^Hh-* 



22d Wisconsin Infantry, .anil was discharged on 
account of sickness, but, regaining his health, he 
again enlisted in tlie 42d Wisconsin regiment, 
serving until the close of the war. He died on the 
16tli day of January, 1887. Alice, the onl}' daugh- 
ter, is now the wife of J. K. Godfrey', of Parma, 
Mich. Frank, the 3-oungest, is a resident of New 
Hichland, Minn. In earl}- life, Mr. Dates was a 
Jackson Democrat, but since the organization of the 
Republican part3\ has supported that body with his 
ballot. His wife, who is a most estimable lady, 
has been a member of the Methodist Church for 
twent\--five years. This worthy couple, who have 
been residents of Rock County for almost fort}-- 
five years, are held in the highest respect b}* all 
who know them, and in the hearts of their many 
friends, liold an enviable place. 



4^-^^- 



^EBA CLARK MOORE, a representative 
farmer of Magnolia Township, residing on 

' section 8, has been a resident of this county 
since the early days of its history. He was born in 
the town of Montgomery, N. Y.. February 28, 1834, 
and is a son of William and Phila (AVrighf) Moore, 
the father a native of Germany, and the mother of 
New York. William Moore received his education 
in his native land and after his emigration turned 
his attention to farming, which occupation he fol- 
lowed until his death. He was married in this 
country, and in 1858, emigrated with his family to 
Rock County, Wis.. locating first in Johnstown 
Township, wliere he made his home until 1861, when 
he removed to Magnolia Township. Purchasing 
140 acres of land on section 8, the family removed 
to their new home, a little log cabin which is still 
standing and is used as a side building by our sub- 
ject. The fatlier there continued to reside, engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, until his death, which 
occurred on the 18th day of Februar}', 1873. He 
was one of the highly respected and lionored 
citizens of the community, and his death was a loss 
not only to his family but to many friends. His 
excellent wife survived lier husband until Novem- 
ber, 1879, when she too was called to lier final rest. 
Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal 



.>-H|^^ 



Church, and took great interest in church work, 
training their children to love and respect the teach- 
ings wf the Bible. This earl}- instruction lias not 
been forgotten by them for all have become respects 
able men and women, occupying useful and respon- 
sible positions in life. Their family numbered 
nine sons and two daughters, all of whom attained 
to mature years— Philander W. is now living in 
New York in the town of Gloversville; Mont- 
gomery one of the first settlers of Wisconsin, died 
in this State; Ambrose, who was a leading citizen 
Magnolia, died in 1877; William died in Black 
River Count}-, N. Y. ; Philip was a resident of this 
State during its pioneer days, but later returned to 
New Y'"ork, where his death occurred man)- 3-ears 
ago; Betsy M. became the wife of Peter Merritt, 
of Albany County. N. Y. ; John E. is a minister of 
the Adventist faith, now in Otter Tail Count}-, 
Minn. ; Caroline became the wife of James Christie, 
and died in 1870, her husband's death occurring in 
1872; Francis O. died in Los Angeles, Cal., in 1883; 
Clinton W. is engaged in farming in the town of 
Magnolia. 

Our subject was twenty years of age at the lime 
of the removal of the family from New York to 
Rock County, since which time, he has been num- 
bered among its citizens. He assisted his father in 
the cultivation of the farm until the 12th day of 
February, 18G5, when he enlisted in Company I, of 
the 44th Wisconsin Infantry, but was discharged 
in July of the same year on account of disability 
caused from the exposure and hardships incident to 
army life. While in the service he did duty at 
Nashville, Tenn., Padueah, Ky., and at E.ostport, 
Ala. After his return, being broken down in 
health, he w-as compelled to lay aside the duties of 
the farm for some time. 

On the 1st day of January, 1862. Mr. Moore and 
Miss Fannie B. Rodd were united in marriage. 
The lady w-as born on Prince Edward Island, Jan- 
uary 4, 1846, and is a daughter of John and Caroline 
(Horn) Rodd, whose sketch f.ppears on .another 
page of this volume. Six children have been born 
unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore, all born on the old 
homestead. Phila M. the eldest, is the wife of 
Harry Blakely, a farmer of Nebraska; Carrie E. is 
now the wife of Herman Schroder, of Center town- 



-•► 





^ 



/ ^Z<xj^ 



^ 




\ / • 



I 



^- 




UOCIv COUNTY. 



Si: 



ship: Wultliii K.. Editli A.. Mary K. and Zelia I). 
(■(iiii|>li't(' llie family. Mr. Moore is now tlu' owner 
of tiie old homestead consist! nj; of 120 acres of 
arable land. Since coming into his (josscssion h»; 
has made improvements npon it, and the farm is 
considered one of the best in Magnolia 'I'ownshiii. 
The stock is of the best grades, the barns and out- 
bnihiings are well kept and every thing abonl the 
place denotes the thrift and industry of the owner. 
In iiis i)leasant home he is snrrounded by all the 
comforts of life, and he has become one of the well- 
to-do farmers of the comnninitj-. Mr. Moore casts 
his ballot with the Democratic (larty. and has been 
called upon to fill various townshii) offices, and 
discharges his duties in a manner satisfactory to all 
concerned. .Socially, he is a memljer of the Masonic 
fraternity of Evansville. Energetic and progres- 
sive, he has made bis life a success, and has won 
the respect of all with whom business or pleasure 
have brought him in contact. 



t= 



►l-^f=^^^^-J- 

|, IfelLLIAM. T. OOODHUE. One of the 
\/\j/i P''"'>''"i''it n\cn in IJeloit's past history was 
\\Af the lion. AVilllani T. Goodhue, who died on 
the lllth day of April. 1879. 

Mr. (Joodhue was born at .Sherbrooke, Lower 
Canada, .lanuary 18th, 1823. He was christened by 
the Lord Hishop at Montreal, in infancy, the Kev. 
Mr. Le Eevra the clergyman of Sherbrooke stand- 
ing as his godfather. His father was the Hon. 
Charles Freder'ck Henry Goodhue who was for 
many years a member of the Canada rarliament. 
William T. Goodhue was the youngest of the three 
sons and the fourth in age of the family of five. In 
the summer of 1835 or 1836 (ieorge. the eldest 
brother, in company with his uncle Tyler H. Moore, 
came west, touching first at Chicago where they 
purchased a tr.act of land where now stands the 
Trcmont House. Thence they went to Uelvidere, 
III., where they tarried but a short time. In 1857. 
the father came west to join the party that had 
preceded him. William T. at the age of fourteen 
years, a pale-faced boy, started alone in the year 
1837, to make the trip around the lakes, and during 
the journey of three weeks he saw no one that he 



knew till he landed in Milwaukee, where stood his 
brother Cieorge on the wliaif to meet him. Thence 
the two proceeded to Chicago, then to Belvidere 
where the father and uncle ha<l made some invest- 
ments; thence in the month of August to I'eloit 
where thc_y l)uilt the first store and where William 
became clerk, and sold the first yard of calico ever 
sold in Keloit. Here they built a sawmill and 
soon after a tlouring-mill which was the first that 
was built in the State, then a Territory, and which 
stood until 1875, in the rear of what is now the 
Feet & Keeler lumber-yard. There being so little 
|)rospect of their property in Chicago increasing in 
value, being then nothing but a mud-hole, tliey 
permitted it t(^ be sold for ta.xes. In the fall of 
1838 the remaining i)art of the family in Canada 
moved to Beloit. The mother and his sister Clarissa 
(Mrs. Dr. Evans) were the first coinniunicantsof the 
Episcopal Church in licloit. the father belonging to 
the first vestry. The firm of Goodhue & Co. 
which embraced the father and hi.'? three sons was 
at one time one of the strongest firms in the North- 
west; they owned extensive tracts of pine land in 
Northern Wisconsin, and while IJeloit was their 
home their business extended all the way from the 
pinery to St. Louis. William T. after leaving the 
clerkship in the store became the financial manager 
of the large firm, carried on the brain work, ami 
w.os constantly' engaged up and down the river from 
Northern Wisconsin to St. Louis. In November, 
18.55. the father died and the firm passed into the 
hands of the three brothers. Their extensive land 
interests fell beneath the crushing panic of 1857, 
and their united and unfiinching energy- and deter- 
mination recovered only a small part from the 
ruins, though they kept on in the struggle. In 1856, 
William T. was elected the first .M.ayor of the city 
of Beloit, .and was married to Miss Carrie F. Pond, 
of Buffalo, N. Y., on March 17, 1859. 

There is no doubt that to him more than tf) any 
other one is due the influence of securing to Beloit 
the early oi^ening of the railways. He sold to both 
companies the lands on which the depots were built, 
and he w.os for many years one of the directors of 
the Western Union. His .active life has contributed 
much toward the present prosperity of the city of 
Beloit. He enten il into large plans, made large 



:?^r+^ 



••► 



818 



ROCK COUNTY. 



investments, and while through financial crises he 
faileil to realize what lie was striving to gain, yet 
the vvorlv he lias clone is seen in its good results 
throughout the city. He was a man of fine intel- 
lectual attainments, gifted liy nature with affaljle 
and courteous manners, and a comniandingand be- 
coming presence. Possessing the refined instincts of 
a modest gentleman, and the highest appreciation 
of personal and business honor, he felt, as only such 
men can feel, the shameful ingratitude of men he 
had helped, and the disrespect which follows 
worldly misfortune. His name is spread upon the 
iiia|is and plats of said city and recorded in the 
otiicial record and associated with others of historic 
fame, and the future history of Beloit gives promise 
of revealing by reality the wisdom of his foresight 
and judgment. 

<* lElLLIAM FATHKRS, born in London. En- 
\/\j/l "'•'"•'■ '■="ne to America with his father, 
Vx5 the late John Fathers, when but six years 
of age. He attended the iiublic schools of Janes- 
ville for several years, and then occupieil him- 
self several years mining in California and in 
farming in Missouri, returning to .lanesvillc in 
l,H,sy, and followed the occupation of a farmer 
until, the death of his brother Samuel, in 1887. 
when he purchased the wholesale and retail liquor 
business of the estate, which he now carries on. 
While in California he married Miss Emma Lein- 
inger. Of the three children born to them, Sadie 
E. and Benjamin F. now survive; Anna ^'iola, 
born Nov. 13, 1880, died the following 22d of 
February. 

0. V. GAAKDKR. a farmer and stock-r.aiser of 
I) Spring Valley 'I'ownship, now residing on 
section '25, was born near the home where 
he is now living. His father, I'eter H. Gaardcr, was 
born in Norvvay in 1799, and married Randena 
Olseson. The children liorn of their union were: 
Ingburg, who became the wife of S. O. Hesla. a 
native of Norway, who is now engaged in the occu- 
pation of farming in Allamakee County, Iowa; 



Hans, who was born in Norwaj' in the year 
1831, married Carrie Huseman. and is now a 
resident farmer of Worth County, Iowa; Ka- 
ren, who was born in Norway and engaged in 
farming, wedded S. O. Narum. and his death oc- 
curred .March 27, 1889, leaving a widow, who still 
resides in Allamakee County, Iowa; Olina married 
K. B. Tlion. and died in June. 1807; Andrew 1'. 
now makes his home w'itli tlio subject of our 
sketch. When I'cter Gaardercame to Rock County, 
the nearest market of any importance was Milwau- 
kee, to which place farm |)roducts were hauled 
with ox teams. He engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, and in 18;') 1 built a stone residence, hauling 
the lumlier and shingles necessary for the work 
from a distance of seventy-live miles. He can 
remember when a tri|) to Iowa seemed :\s great 
an undertaking as would now a journey aruiinil 
the world. 

The subject of this sketch received his educa- 
tion in the [lublii' schools of Rock County, and was 
reared to manhood upon his father's farm. On the 
20tli day of February. 18()8, he led to the marriage 
altar Miss Anna Husemon. who was born in New- 
ark. Their union has been lilessed with the fol- 
lowing children: Nellie, who was born Jan. 30, 
18G9; Perry E., Aug. o, 1871; Bertha, Nov. 23, 
1873; Ida. June 7, 187(5; Arthur. Dec. 28, 1880; 
Luella, Oct. 13. 1883; and Otto, May 1, 1886. 

Mr. Gaardcr made his first purchase of land in 
187-1, which was a brother's share of the old home- 
stead, and now comprises the farm on which he yet 
resides. The land was but partly improved, but 
he has since placed the whole under cultivation, 
and has now one of the fine farms of the township. 
All the improvements necessary for a well-regu- 
lated farm have been made, and everything about 
the place indicates thrift and enterprise. 

The i^arents of Mr. Gaarder are both now de- 
ceased. The death of the father occurred on his 
farm on section 36. Spring Vallej' Township — his 
first purchase of land in this county — he dying on 
the loth of May, 187.5, at the .age of seventy-five 
years. His wife died in 1882. They were highly 
respected jieople. and many friends mourned their 
loss. They were both Christian people, having 
been reared in the Lutheran faith, in which they 



n^ 



h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



" ■» g ^ 



819 



hotli coiitiniuMl until they were cJillcd away. Mr. 
GaaicU'i- ami liis excoUent liuly are both iiiemhers 
of the Lutheran Cliurcli. at Newark. I'olitienlly. 
he i.s a supporter of the Rei)ul)lieau (larty. 



^^s^ AAU'EL FATIIER.S, born in London. Eng- 

^^^ land, ou the 23d of June. 1854. died at 

(It/lj) .lane.svillc. Wis., ou the 3d of October, 

1887, he being the second son of John 

P'athers. whose sketch appears inthis book. Samuel 

Fathers attended the public schools of Jauesville, 

and when quite young entered the employ of the 

late William Sillito. as clerk in his wholesale and 

retail liquor store. He soon became manager of 

the establishment, and in May, 1885, purchased 

the estaljlishment of his employer, and continued 

the business with llalti'iiug success until his death. 

lie was unmarried. 



^^ LANSING DkFOREST, a well-known citi- 
l(( 1) ''*^'" *^^ Jauesville Township, traces his ances- 
^^^ try back to the seventeenth century. Three 
brothers. Hendricks. Isaac and David DeForest, 
who were Huguenots, came lo America, by way of 
Holland, in the early part of the seventeenth cen- 
tury. The name first ai^pears on the old Dutch 
records of New Amsterdam, now New York, in 
1638. David settled in Stratford, in the New 
Haven colony, and from him David C. DeForest, 
founder of the fund in Yale College, is descended, 
also J. W. DeForest, the author. Hendricks and 
Isaac settled in New York. The former died in a 
few years without children, but Isaac took out a 
patent of land of the Dutch Governor and located 
on Long Island in 1615. His descendants are nu- 
merous in New York and vicinity. One of his 
sons, David, settled in Albany, where the faniil3' 
name appears at intervals on the public records 
and iu the early wars of the country. From this 
branch Mr. DeForest of Jauesville is descended. 

The i)aternal grandfather of our subject. Jacob 
DeForest, went from Greenbush to Guildersland, 
Albany Co., N. Y., in 1870. and in his later years 



removed to Schenectady, N. Y., where his death oc- 
curred in 1854. He w.as twice married and had 
nine children. His fir.st wife, Anna Lansing, whom 
he married in 1 784, was the mother of his eldest 
son, Jacob, Jr., father of O. I^ansing. 

Jacob DeForest, Jr., was born in 1797, and mar- 
ried Anna, daughter of Hon. Bartholomew Sclier- 
mcrhorn, of the old .Schuylerburg M.ansion, near 
Schenectady, the birthplace and home of his an- 
cestors for 200 years. Mr. Schermerhorn's wife 
was Anna Teller, a descendant of Anneke Jans. 
Their daughter, Mrs. DeForest, was liorn in 1799, 
and died in 1851, her husband surviving until 1882, 
and was a man greath' respected. They had five 
daughters and seven sons, five of whom enlisted in 
the Union army during the late Civil War, gaining 
by their valor marked distinction. They were Col. 
Jacob J., of Duaresburgh, N. Y.; Bartholomew S., 
a Quartermaster, deceased, of Cleveland, Ohio; 
John Teller, wdio served .is Captain; William F., a 
Serge.ant, .at present residing in San Francisco, C.il., 
.and Capt. ftlartin J., of New York City. The 
other children are (). Lansing, of Janesville; Rich- 
ard S., deceased; Mary A., wife of Julian Bur- 
roughs, of Chico, Cal. ; Catherine L., deceased, wife 
of H. Van A'ost, of Schenectady, N. Y,: Cornelia, 
wife of Archelaus Felts, of Niverville, N. Y.; 
Sarah, deceased wife of Harry Phelps, of Albany, 
N. Y., and Jane, deceased. 

The subject of this sketch, the fifth child of the 
family, was born in Schenect.ady, N. Y., Nov. 15, 
1828, .and in early life removed with his parents to 
a farm four miles from that citj-, where he lived 
until 1815. When sixteen years of age he accepted 
a clerkship in Albany, N. Y., and continued in 
mercantile life in tliat city until 1849, when he re- 
moved to New York, and for three 3'ears followed 
his business in a wholesale flour and feed store. 
Returning to Albany, on the 19th day of January, 
1852, Mr. DeForest was united in marriage with 
ISIiss Alary Filling, at Hudson City. She was a 
daughter of Thomas and Anne Filling, of Stock- 
port, Columbia Co., N. Y. Her father was born in 
Manchester. England, in 1788, and was descended 
from an old family, of which the name was origi- 
nally spelled Felen. later became Pellen, and sub- 
sequently was changed to Filling, The family 



i 



:^^r^-^ 



820 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4> 



figured prominently in the early history of L.incas- 
t€rshire, and represented Ireland in parliament 
before the relijrious movement known as the 
Reformation. The}- founded the town of Pilling 
in that siiire, and built the cathedral which was 
confiscated at the time of the religious wars. This 
change brought a reverse of fortune to the family, 
and caused their descendants to turn their attention 
to other things than politics as a vocation. Thomas 
I'illing and his two brothers were engaged in man- 
ufacturing, first in Manchester, England, then in 
America. His brother Samuel came to this country 
in 18 Hi, and a few years after started the second 
print works in the United States, at Frankfort, Pa., 
em[)l()ving at one time 1.000 wtnkmen. Thomas 
Pilling and his family came to the United States in 
1821, After residing in Germantown. Frankfort 
and Trenton, N. .1.. he at length settled at West 
Farm, N. Y.. where he established bleaching works 
in connection with the cotton mills of James 
liollon, a brother-in-law. In 182G he removed his 
factory to .Stockport. Mr. Pilling died in 18:?.0, 
leaving nine children. He was a Liberal in the 
l)est sense of that word, and w.is honored for his 
chariUible spirit. His second wife, Anne Beau- 
mont, was born in lIudderBeld, England, in 1790. 
Her family were of French origin, went to England 
by wa}' of Scotland at an early ilay, and resided 
there for some time. Her immediate family en- 
gaged in the manufacture of silk and woolen goods 
anil in agricultural pursuits. Her father, Luke 
Beaumont, was one of the younger branch of a 
titled family. Airs. Pilling died in 1877. 

Mrs. DeForest was born at Stockport in 1827, 
and received hei- education at the State Normal 
School at Albany. N. Y. Her untiring energy of 
mind and hand, so necessary to the pioneer, has 
contributed in no small degree to the success of 
the Waveland Garden. After her marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. DeForest made their home in Albany for 
two j-ears, spending the succeeding year in Claver- 
ack. l^eciding to remove to tlic \Vest, tiiey arrived 
in .lanesville, Dec. 1, 185G, and one year from that 
date located a half mile west of the city limits, on 
.Mineral Point avenue, where tliey yet reside. 
Having inherited a natural taste for horticultural 
pursuits, Mr. DeForest's selection of a home was 



made with a view of gratifj'ing his ambition in 
that direction. The result was the establishment of 
the Waveland (iarden. the first market garden in 
Rock Count}'. In early years he raised small fruits 
in connection with vegetables in large quantities, 
and was the introducer of the leading varieties of 
small fruits and vegetables in general cultivation 
in this vicinit}'. Public improvements of all kinds 
have ever met with his hearty approval. He has 
taken a deep interest in i)()litics, but was never an 
aspirant for office. He formerly voted with the 
Republican party, but of late years has been inde- 
pendent. He is a free-thinker in religion, and finds 
among his associates a sympathizing element on all 
subjects pertaining to the welfare of his fellow 
men. 

Mr. and Mrs. DeForest have four diughters and 
three sons — Shirlie. Rosamond (deceased). Jessie, 
Beaumont. Anna (deceased), Eugene and John Tel- 
ler. Beaumont married Anna Home Jan. 10. 1H82. 
.■Mid to them was born one child. Harry Beaumont. 
The mother died Dec. 25. 1882, and on the 10th of 
February, 1886, he married Florence, daughter of 
M. H. Soverhill. of Janesville. by whom he has one 
child, Annie Florence. 

-^ 4>^ ^ 



i 



UILLIAM LATTA. a practical and progres- 
sive farmer. resi<ling on section 1. Clinton 
W^J township, is a native of the Empire State, 
having been born in Niagara County. June 26. 
184.3. He is a son of Benjamin and Deborah 
(Stevens) L.atta. who emigrated to Rock County, 
Wis., in about the year 184;') and were numbered 
among its highly esteemed citizens. The family 
has always been one of the highest respectability, 
its members being useful and honored citizens. 

Since his third year, our subject has si)ent the 
greater part of his life in this county. He began 
his education in the school taught by Miss Piatt in 
a private house and afterward attended the district 
school. On arriving at a sufficient age lu' .assisted 
his father in the development of the farm and has 
followed agricultural pursuits during the greater 
[lart of his life. As soon as he had attained his 
majority he enlisted in the service of his country, 

>> 



r 



*^f^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■«»- 



821 



t= 



ou the 13th day of May, 1864, as a member of tlie 
40th Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, w.as as- 
sig-ned to Com[)any H and was mustered in at Mad- 
ison, where he remained two weeks, when the regi- 
ment was ordered to Washington, hut while makint;' 
the trip to that city, a telegram was received with 
orders to ])roceed to Memphis. It was there doing 
guard duty when Forest made a raid against the 
city at which time Mr. Latta was lying sick in the 
hospital, which was surrounded by Rebel troops. 
At the close of the term of his enlistmoit. Sept. 21. 
1864, be was mustered out at Madison. 

After his return from the army, he attended 
Bryant (k Stratton's Ihi.siness College at Milwaukee 
during the winter, and in the spring of lH(io, 
worked on the farm. lie then went to Cliicat;(>, 
where he again attended college, and spent the 
winter of 1M0.')-C in Detroit, Mich., engaged as a 
clerk in a coal nllicc. lie then si)eiit the time in 
Clinton until the winter of 1867, when he went to 
Sharon, Venn., where he was employed as s.alesman 
in a general store until the s|)ring fif 1868 when he 
returned to Rock County, where he has since 
made bis home. 

In the autumn nf IfsC'.i. a marriage ceremony 
performed in Darien, Wis., united the destinies of 
William Latta and Miss Emma .Schutt, a native of 
Sturgis, Mich., and a daughter of Minard and 
Catherine E. (Gillette) Schutt, both of whom were 
natives of New York. The former <lie(l Sept. 17, 
18.')!. The latter is yd living, and now resides at 
Los Angeles, Cal. By their union have been born 
eight children, five sons and three daughters — Ar- 
thur W.. I'lennie. Homer, Elmer, Eddie, Fred, Nina 
and Annie. 

Mr. Latta is a Republican and a warm supporter 
of the i)rinciples of that party. He has never 
sought or desired pul)lic preferment, but has served 
his fellow-citizens fur two terms in the county as 
Supervisor. Socially, lie is a member of the G. A. 
R. I'ost of Clinton, lie is now engaged in general 
farming and owns ninety' acres of line prairie land, 
which he has placed under a high state of cultiva- 
tion. For almost forty-five years, he has been a 
resident of Rock County and is numbered among 
her honored pioneers. Mr. Latta shared in the 
trials and hardships which are evervwhcrc incident 



to pioneer life, for his parents were among the first 
to locate in the town of Clinton. He can remem- 
ber when one could ride in almost any direction 
with no fence or house to obstruct his [irogress, and 
when there was but one cabin between Clinttjii and 
Janesville. In the great work which \\:is trans- 
formed the once wild and niisetlled prairie into 
one of the finest counties in Wisconsin, he has 
nobly born his part and has greatly assisted in the 
advancement of any enterprise for the public wel- 
fare. 



f^ HAMLIN TREAT, one of the early .and 
^ respected citizens of this county, was a na- 
ka^ tive of New York, having been born in 
■Monroe County, Nov. 15, 1808. He was one of a 
family of five children, who grew to manhood and 
womabood, their parents being Ebenezer and Han- 
nah (Park) Treat. Malinda. their eldest child, be- 
came the wife of Philander Cliambeilain, who 
settled in Mendon, Monroe Co., N. Y.; Esther, who 
married Relamy Clatlin, died in Hastings, Minn., 
in 1884; Jemima was united in marriage with 
Charles Curtis, of New London, Ohio; Park re- 
moved to Hillsdale, ;\Iich.. where his death oc- 
curred, and Hamlin completed the famih-. 

The education of our subject was received in 
the common schools of his native .St.ate, where he 
was reared to manhood. He was married in 1832, 
to Miss Ferret Newcomb. a daughter of Ilezekiah 
and ^larj- (Oodfi'ey) Newcomb. and six children 
bless their union, nanidj : William M..a farmer of 
Emerson, Iowa; Jlarj' L., wife of E. E. Hatch, 
builder, Kansas City, Mo.; Milton P.. furniture 
dealer, Clinton, Wis.; Franklin IL, insurance ad- 
adjuster, Canton, Dak.; Esther C.. wife of \V. 
M. Newell, accountant, Des Moines, Iowa; Emma 
M., wife of .1. L. Pangborn, lioot and shoe ilealer. 
Clinton, Wis. In the year of 1845, accompanied 
by his family, Mr. Treat followed the course of 
emigration which was stcadil}- flowing westward, 
and settled in Rock County, locating in what 
is now Turtle Township. The country was then 
in a wild and uncultivated condition, and the 
little log cabins of the settlers were few and 
far between. With characteristic energy he be- 



t 



I 



822 



■*^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



gan the development of the farm, and by his 
untiring labor transformed a wild tract of land into 
a beautiful home. Not only was he numbered 
among the pioneer settlers of Rock County, but he 
also shared the trials and ditticulties of frontier 
life in Ohio, to which Slate lie removed in 1833. 

Mr. Treat was a man highly respected and es- 
steemed by all who had the pleasure of his ac- 
quaintance, and his circle of friends w.as a wide 
one. Tn politics h<; was first an old-line Whig, but 
joincil llic Frecsoil party and supported .lohn 1*. 
Hale for the Presidency in 18.52. He served his 
fellow citizens in various local offices of trust, la- 
boring foi- the greatest good to the greatest num- 
ber. He was a faithful and consistent member of 
the Raptist Church, and an earnest worker in the 
Master's vineyard, and was known as Deacon Treat 
by all. Being in sympathy with the i)0or and 
those in distress, he was never apiiealcd to for help 
in vain. His motto in life was '-AH things what- 
soever 3'e would that men should do unto you, do 
ye even so to them," and at his reipiest it was en- 
graved upon the monument that marks his last 
resting place. He died .Ian. 21, 1S(!7. His widow 
still survives him (July, 1889), living with her son 
Milton r. at Clinton, Wis. 






\ff OHN SKKLLY, deceased, was born in Sussex, 
N. J., on the 30th daj^ of November, 17!»0. 
His father, John Skelly, who was born in 
Dublin, Ireland, emigrated to America, when 
eight years of age and settled in Sussex, N. J., 
where he was reared and where he married Mary 
IMcKlosky. Their two sons, John and Hugh, were 
sohliers of the W^ar of 1812, and the latter w.as 
killed .at the battle of Lundy's Lane, on the 12tli 
day of July, 1814. 

The subject of this sketch, .lohn Skellj-, was 
united in marriage with Miss Christiana M usser. who 
was born in Reamslown, Fa. May 20, 1804. .and 
was a daughter of William and Christiana Musser. 
Their union w.as blessed with a family of thirteen 
children, eight sons and five daughters, of whom 
nine are now living, while .all of the thirteen lived 
to be adults. John married I.,evina Squires, and died 



November 19, 1877; Klizabelh. wife of Ephraim 
Shupe, resides in Fort Hill. Ontario. Canada; Wil- 
liam wedded Malvina W^illiaiiis. now deceased, and 
makes his home in Janesville; George, who is sin- 
gle, is a resident of the same city; Charles married 
Amanda C'rall, and is engaged in merchandising in 
Janesville; Harriet, unmarried, is living in Janes- 
ville; Fanny died in September, 18G2; llenr}' 
wedded Anna Sanderson, and is a wagonmaker of 
Janesville; Adam died June 15. 1 865; Christiana 
is the wife of Amos trail of .lanesvillo: Daniel died 
June 21, 1877; Richard is single and resides in 
Janesville; Emily is also a resident of the same 
city. Two of the sons, Daniel and Richard, served 
in the late Civil War. 

The following memoranda of the Musser fam- 
ily was handed the writer by a member of the Skel- 
ly famil}': "John Adams Musser, born Nov. 28, 
1746. in Lancaster. Pa., died Jan. 26. 1823. His 
wife, Christiana Musser. whose maiden name was 
Urunner. was born Nov. 5, 1752. and dieil Nov. 5, 
182.3; INLircns Montilius. born Oct. 25, 1752. died 
M.ay 16, 1805. and his wife, Christiana Montilius, 
who was born Nov. 16, 1759. died Dec. 20. IS30: 
(Jeorge Musser, born Dec. 20. 1774, died Jan. 21. 
1853; Elizabeth Musser, his wife, whose maiden 
name was Montilius, was horn in 1 787, and died !\I,Hy 
21. 1833." 

Mr. Skelly removed from New Jersey- to Reams- 
town. Lancaster Co.. Pa., in early life, was there 
married and came in 1M48 to Janesville. Wis., where 
he made his home until his death on the 10th daj' 
of August, 1872. He had previously ilwelt in 
Canada for a period of thirteen years. 

"ll^^ICHOL SMITIL deceased, was born on 
I /// '"^'"'tland Island, in 1797. and is the son of 
(li(^ William and I'rcelia (Jameson) Smith. 
His earlier years were spent in his native land, 
where, in his y'outh. he learned the trade of a car- 
penter. He followed that occupation in after life, 
and also engaged in agricultural pursuits, wliich he 
carried on for several years. He was iiniled in 
marriage with Mary Ann Halcow, who was born in 
1799. .and their union wiis blessed with six chil- 



-f^ 



-r 



-I 



^*- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



823 



(Iren. who reached mature years: I'eter, a steain- 
sliip agent, now liviiiir in Lerwick, .Slietland; Mal- 
ciiliii. who is engaged in farming in Oiiio; Forbice, 
wife of .Tames Simpson, (jf La Prairie Township; 
James, a resident farmer of Xel>raska; John, who 
is engaged in farming in Iowa; and Urcelia, wife 
of .lolin I'nderwood, a miller residing in Kalama- 
zoo, Mieii. 

In 18(il, during the first year of our Civil War, 
Mr. Smith emigrated to America, and after landing 
in this country came ilireetly to Rock County, 
making his home vvith his son-in-law, James Simp- 
son. After some time lie removed to Iowa, living 
with his son, JNIalcolm Smith. Ilis death there 
occuired in 1882. at the age of eight^'-five years, 
and his wife departed this life four years later, in 
the eiglity-eiglith year of her .age. They were 
both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal 
( liureh. and were universally respected liy all. 




□"V, OBERT MORTON, wlio is engaged in gen- 
■' eral farming and stock-raising, is the owner 




n 



of a fine farm of '2'.(t acres on sections 
^35 and 36, Johnstown Townsliip. He is a 
native of Fifeshire. Scotland, born Nov. 3(1, 1839, 
and a son of John and .Lane (Barclay) Morton. He 
was the fourth in order of birth in a family of six 
children, four of whom are now living — John, the 
eldest, died in Johnstown Township, in the month 
of Septemlier, 1876; .fames, whose sketch will be 
found elsewhere in this work, is a leading fanner 
of Rock County; Jane is the wife of David Carter, 
of .lolmstown Township; Robert is the next in 
order of birth; Alexandei- died in La Prairie Town- 
ship, in -Vpril, 187"J;and Margaret is living with 
her sister in .lolmstown Township. 

The early life of our subject was spent in his na- 
tive land, but at the .age of fifteen years, he emi- 
grated with the family to America, the ocean voy- 
age la.sting thirty -seven da3-s. Landing at New 
York in the latter part of June, 1855. the father 
then went to Albany on a steamboat, whence 
he proceeded by railroad to Rocl\cster, continuing 



his journey by canal to Piflard. then traveling 
.across the country al)out five miles to Peoria, 
where his brother-in-law. James (iordon, w.as liv- 
ing. That gentlem.an at the lime of his death, w.as 
the oldest Postmaster in the United States. He 
died in January, 1887, and his wife still survives 
him, yet enjoying excellent health for a lady of 
her age. Locating in Livingston County. N. Y.. 
Mr. Morton sent for his family who were soon in- 
stalled in their new home. Shortly after his arri- 
val, our subject began working as a farm hand for 
James Dow, who resided in the town of York, and 
remained in his employ for about seventeen months. 
During the winter of 1856-7, he attended school in 
Peoria, which completed his eihication. and the 
following spring, he came to Rock County, his pa- 
rents having in the meantime become residents of 
this community. Tlie same spring, he enjjaged to 
work for Willi.am Oalbraith, continuing with liiui 
until 1859, when he w.as employed as a farm hand 
by Quartus Torry, a farmer who resided on the 
present home of our subject. He w.as employed by 
him from the spring of 1859 until the sjiring of 
1863, having almost the entire charge of the farm 
work, which fact testifies to his ablity- and the con- 
fidence placed in him by his employer. In the 
winter of 1863, he was married, but continued to 
oper.ate that farm until 1870. The previous year 
Mr. Torry died, and in 1870, Mr. Morton pur- 
chased of the widow 160 .acres of land, comprising 
a part of his present farm, at a cost of $8,000. He 
afterwards bought eighty acres of fine land in 187 I. 
from the heirs to the estate, and l)ef()re the deed 
reached him it had traveled through every Slate in 
the Union, all of the heirs, who were scattei-ed in 
various pLaces over this broad land, beiuL;- required 
to sign the same. He is now the owner of 291 
broad acres, 240 of which on section 35. to- 
gether with thirty-two .acres, on section 36, are 
under cultivation. For the past twenty years Mr. 
Morton has given considerable attention to the 
breeding of Clydesdale horses, and now has Ihirtv- 
one bead of fine animals upon his farm. For nine 
ye.ars he has also been eng.aged in grading Polled 
Angus cattle, and has done much toward the intro- 
ducing of fine stock into Rock County. Every 
thing about his place denotes the thrift and enter- ' 



4^ 



824 



ROCK COUNTY. 



l)rise of the owner, and his farm is one of the best 
in Jolmstown Township. 

In the month of February, 18G4, Mr. Morton led 
to the marriaire altar Miss Isabel Gentle, a daughter 
of James Gentle. Tlie family of which she is a 
mcmlier numbered five children, liut only two are 
now living — .lames, who married Wilhelmina Hos- 
sovv, a daughter of Louis Rossow, by whom he had 
seven children, died in May. 1888; Agnes, wife of 
Duncan (Graham, a resident of La Prairie Town- 
ship, who died in Kansas in August. 1879, had four 
children by her marriage, and her death occurred 
Oct. 1, 1866; Mrs. Morton, who was born in Kinro- 
shire, Scotland, in May, 184.5, is the third in order 
of birth; Ellen departed this life in Johnstown 
Townsln|i, in Februarv, 1804; George, who was 
burn in May. 1851, is tlic husband of Delilah Sco- 
ficld, a d.aughter of .lolin and Clarissa (I'ember) 
Scoficld. 

lly the union of Jlr. and Mrs. Morton five chil- 
dren have been born, .and the family circle remains 
unbroken — John, the eldest, born May 15, 1865, is 
still at home; James, born June 15, 1868, is a stu- 
dent of the commercial college of Janesville; Jane 
Isabella, born Nov. 29, 1871, attended school at 
Whitewater Normal for two years but is now at 
home; Agnes Margaret, born M.ay 3, 1873. and 
Ella, Oct. 21, 1878, are still living with their pa- 
rents. In his political afliliations, Mr. IMorton is a 
Democrat, and he and his wife .are members of the 
Presbyterian Church of Johnstown Township. They 
are numbered among the highly respected people of 
tlie comnuinity where they reside, and during their 
lesidence in Hock County have gained many warm 
friends, by whom they are held in high regard. 



-t 



^ ON. JAMES iMEXZIE, a prominent and 
well-to-do farmer. rcsi<Iing on section 24, 
Harmony Township, has been a resident of 
Rock County since 1841, with the excep- 
tion of six and a half years. He is a native of 
Scotland, having been born in Perthshire, Sept. 3, 
1830. and is a son of John and Helen (Douglas) 
Menzie. who were also born in the same county. 
Throughout his entire life the father followed the 



occupation of farming. Accompanied b^- his 
family, he emigrated to America in 1844. locating 
in Rock County, Wif., where he purchjuscd the farm 
upon which our subject now resides. It consisted 
of 560 acres of land, which was mostly in an un- 
cultivated condition, but he immediately' began its 
improvement, and soon transformed the unculti- 
vated prairie into a rich and fertile farming tract. 

John Menzie was twice married, his first union 
being with Helen Douglas, and to them were born 
three children: James, of this sketch; Helen, wife 
of William Menzie, a resident farmer of Rock 
County; and Christina, residing on a farm in this 
count}', became the wife of Robert Barlass. who 
died in 18()9. The death of the mother occurred 
in 1833, when twenty-eight years of age. She w.as 
a meml)er of the Presliyterian Church, and a lady 
beloved for her many excellencies of character. 
After her death Mr. Menzie was again married, 
and in 1881 his second wife was .also called to her 
final rest. He was a man of more than ordinary 
ability, and possessed a fair education for his time. 
He also |)rovided good advantages for the instruc- 
tion of his children, and was a liberal contriliutor 
to public institutions. He commanded the highest 
respect of all, and liy his upright niid honest life 
won the confidence of bolli his business and social 
friends. His religious faith was that held by the 
Presbyterians, in wliich clnirch he was a I'uling 
elder for many years. His death occurred in 1868. 
when seventy-six years of age, and caused a feel- 
ing of sadness and grief throughout the commun- 
ity for the loss of one who had hcM a [n'ominent 
place in their midst. 

The boyhood d.ays of our subject were spent in 
hi.- native land, but when fourteen years of age he 
left his childhood home and crossing the Atlantic 
came with his |)arents to Rock Count}'. Remain- 
ing under the |)arental roof until 185 1. he was then 
united in marriage with Miss Susan Jehu, who was 
born in Wales, and was a daughter of Hugh .lehu. 
Five children grace the union of this worthy couple: 
Susan, wife of Thomas .laniison, a resident farmer 
of Harmony Township: John, an attorney -at-law 
of Janesville; Hugh, a (jracticing physician of llie 
same citj'; James, vvho died at the early age of two 
and a half j-ears; and William Wallace, who is yet ' 






2^^::2-^z^^s-';^''S^p-»'*-T^ 





l^sJcecoD 




t^^ 



^ 



4 



ROCK COUNTY. 



829 



a college student. In 1874 Mrs. Menzie, who was 
a faithful member of tlie Presbyterian Church, 
(lied at the age of forty-five. Mr. Menzie again 
married, in 187C, Miss Jessie Campbell, a native of 
Dane CounI y. Wis., becoming his wife. To them 
have been liorn a family of five children — Helen 
Douglas, Robert Campbell. Isabella McGregor, 
Charles Stewart and David A. 

Mr. Menzie h.as been honored by his fellow citi- 
zens with several positions of trust. lie has served 
as a member of the Town Board, as a member of 
the Board of County Supervisors for ten years, in 
which he acted as chairman for two years, and in 
1880 was elected by the Republican party, of 
which he has always been an ardent supporter, to 
the Gener.al Assembly of Wisconsin. In all his 
piiblic life he has endeavored to act for the best 
interests of the people and the public welfare, and 
with this end in view has proved an eflicient and 
competent officer. He is now engaged in general 
farming, and is the owner of 200 acres of highly 
improved land, u|K>n wliich he has erected a com- 
fortable and commodious residence, at a cost of 
§52.000. The barn.s and outl>uildings for the care 
of his stock and m.achiner^' are in keeping with his 
pleasant home, and the entire surroundings denote 
thrift and enterprise. I'ublic: spirited, forward in 
tiic advance of any enterprise of public benefit, 
and he has won the entire confidence and respect 
of the people of Rock County, and is numbered 
among her leading citizens. 



^=^EOR(iE IIANTHORN, ex-Sheriflf of Rock 
Ij ^=j, County and a retired farmer, was born in 
*^^J5) Dilworthstown, Delaware Co., Pa.. May 2(5, 
lS32,and is theson of Thomas and l^ouisa (Coburu) 
Haiitliorn. His father was born in the same town, 
on the 1st day of March, 1807, and was a farmer 
by occMiwtion. Tlie family moved to Chester 
County soon after George's birth and his mother 
now resides at West Chester. She was born 
August 11. 1810. on the same farm as her luisliand. 
an<l was of English extraction. Thomas Ilanthorn 
came of Irish descent, and died in 1850. 

George was reare<l on his father's farm until fif- 

-<»- 



teen years of age, when he engaged as apprentice 
to the stone mason's trade, and worked .at that oc- 
cupation until 1H,')7, when be removed to Rock 
County, Wis., and engaged in farming in Johns- 
town Township. On the 17th day of September, 
1862, he was united in marriage at Allen's Grove, 
Walworth Co., Wis., with Miss Rebecca A. Van- 
denberg, a daughter of William and M.ay A. 
(Leavenworth) Vandenberg. Mrs. Ilanthorn was 
born in the town of Schodack, Rensselaer Co., 
N. Y., and is of Holland and P^nglish descent. Her 
father was descended from a family of the earl^' 
Holland Colonists who settled in the Mohawk Val- 
ley, and her mother's ancestors were among the 
English Colonists who first settled in New England. 
Her parents located in the town of Bradford, Rock 
Co., in 1846, and were among the early settlers of 
that place. Mr. and Mrs. Ilanthorn have two 
children, sons: Oscar Duane, the elder, was born 
March 7, 18G4, married Miss Minnie Ilenkie, 
daughter of Frank Ilenkie. and resides on his 
father's farm of 160 .acres in Johnstown Township; 
Orlando Van, the younger, was born Maj- 8, 1861), 
married Miss Nellie Inmann, daughter of Edward 
Inmann, and resides in .lanesville. 

Mr. H.anlhorn continued farming until the fall 
of 1884, when, having been elected Sheriff of Rock 
County, he quit the farm and removed to Janes- 
ville, and entered upon the duties of his office on 
the first Mond.ay of January, 1885. At the close 
of his term he continued his residence at Janes- 
ville, leaving his farm in the care of his eldest son. 
He is a Republican in politics, and h.is held vari- 
ous public offices in addition to that of Sheriff. 
AVhile a resident of Johnstown he served four years 
as Chairman of the Township Board of Supervisors 
and also represented his township in the Counts- 
Board of Supervisors. He is the present Alder- 
m:m from the Second AVard and is also Coroner of 
Rock County. While residents of Johnstown, Mr. 
and Jlrs. Ilanthorn were members of the Emerald 
Grove Congregational Church, a connection which 
they still continue. In the Spring of 1888 he 
joine<l Mr. Shurtleff in the creamery business in 
this cit}', under the firm name of .Shurtleff it Ilan- 
thorn. In all the relations of life he has been found 
upright and honorable; prompt and capable in the 



_ ■► ■ ^ 



•^ 



t 



830 



ROCK COUNTY. 



discharge of official duties, .and always reliable in 
matters of private Inisine-ss. lie wins and retains 
the respect and confidence of the liest of his fellow 
citizens. 

The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Hiuitliorn will i)e 
found elsewhei-e in this volume. 



-se^- 



-t 



ON. WILLI A.M GARDINER, of Janesvllle, 
V one of the pioneers of Rock County, settled 
in the town of Bradford, in the month of 
Mav. lS4fi. He is a native of (iloucester- 
shire, England, born Sept. 3, 18'2fi, and a son of 
Charles and Anna Ciardiner. His mother died 
when he was but nine years of age. ard when thir- 
teen j'ears old he was left an orphan by the death 
of his father. 

The family numbered si.x children, of which 
William was the your.gest. He left school at 
his father's death and soon afterwards went to 
London, remaining in that citj- until nineteen 
years of age, when he decided to come to America. 
Unaccompanied he crossed the broad Atlantic and 
landed at New Orleans, a stranger in a strange 
land, where w.as not one familiar face to welcome 
him. He had read letters published in the Engli.sh 
papers giving favorable accounts of the Territory 
of Wisconsin, and he resolved to make this State 
his future home. With scarcely any delay he 
came directly to Rock Prairie, and has been a resi- 
dent of Rock County since that time. He took up 
a farm of Government land, on which he at once 
settled and began its improvement, and the land 
then entered is still in his possession. He now 
owns two fine farms, one of 160 .ncres and the 
other cora|)rising 120 acres. Until 1886 he con- 
tinued to follow agricultural pursuits in Bradford 
Township, but in November of that year removed 
to Janesville .and retired from active lif(\ He was 
the only one of his family who ever came to 
America. 

In 1860 Mr. (iardincr w.as united in marriage 
with Miss Carrie DocksUider, a daughter of Jacob 
Doi'kstader, who was one of Rock County's early 
settlers. Her father was born in Montgomery 
Count}', N.Y., al)()ut 1796, was there reared to 



manhood, and married Jliss Cornelia Balch. a na- 
tive of Massachusetts. The^- continued to reside in 
Montgomery County until their removal t(> Wis- 
consin in 1847, when they settled at .Shopiere, where 
Mr. Dockstader engaged in f:uniiiig until death 
called him in November. 1807. His wife died six 
j-ears previously. They left a family of nine chil- 
' dren, four sons and five daughters, eight of whom 
are yet living, namely: Maria, wife of .Jacob Dunn, 
a resident f)f Iowa Ealis, Iowa; Sarah A., who wed- 
ded A. F. Turner, of Beanian. Iowa; Joseph, who 
is living in La Prairie 'I'ownship, Rock County; 
Cornelia, wife of E. F. Dole, of Shopiere; Cather- 
ine, now Mrs. Dennis Jacobs, is a twin sister of 
Mrs. Gardiner; Jacob is a resident of Chatfield, 
Minn. ; Frederick makes his home at West Su|)crior; 
and Hezekiali died aliout 1863. leaving a wife ;ind 
two children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner have a family of nine 
children, four sons and five daughters, all of wJKini 
are still at home witii their parents, though Willie 
D. is now a law student at Madison. Tiie children 
in order of their ages are as follows: S. Kate, 
Willie D., Charles J.. C. Lillian. Edwin. Emma C.. 
Benjamin H., Gr.acie E. and .Mar}- E. 

Mr. Gardiner is one of tlie representative men 
of Rock County. He began life In the pi(>neer 
days with little means, in fact had only sutlicienl 
capital to pa\ fi>r his land, but b\- industry and 
good management on the part of himself and wife 
he hiLs accumuhited a comfortable competence. 
While a resident of tlie town of Bra'lfurd lie was 
called ui)on to serve in various oflicial positions. 
and the duties pertaining to those offices were dis- 
charged in a thorough and satisfactory mannoi-. 
He was for twelve years Chairman of the Board of 
his town, and for two years was Chairman of the 
County Board. In 1M7M he w:is nominated for the 
position of Representative and w:is triumphantly 
elected, the returns showing l.")76 voles in his 
favor, while liis opponent. W. 11. r>;irden. rec<'i\ ed 
but oitS vote;*. He is a Repul)lican and a warm ad- 
vocate of the principles of that great political or- 
ganization, and was one of the foundeis of that 
party in Janesville. In religious connection Mr. 
and Mrs. (Jardiner are members of the f'ongrega- 
! tional Church. Her parents were .also for many 



f 



-4»- 



ROCK COI'NTY. 




831 



years comiectoil with that religious b()')_y, and four 
of tiicir children have united with that church. 
Mr. and Mrs. (iardiner have a pleasant home on 
Ituger Avenue, where they reside. The^' iiave ever 
received the esteem, respect and confidence of their 
fellow-citizens. 

-■^5 ^-€|^^ ;- 



Ljii H. ASIICRAFT is one of the representa- 
i// live and early business men of Janesville. 
\Jf^ He was bt>rn in the Empire State, in Ot- 
sego County. N. Y., on the 1st day of August, 
1833. The traditional history says that the fam- 
ily settled in the Connecticut colony- long previous 
to the Revolutionary War. and it is certainly- known 
that W. II. Ashcraft, the great-grandfather of our 
subject, was long a resident of that State. Jared 
Ashcraft, the paternal grandfather, was a native of 
Otsego County, N. Y., where he passed the greater 
part of his life, but his death occurred at the home 
of his son in Michigan. 

.Icdidiah Ashcraft, the father of W. H.. was also 
born in Otsego County, of which county iiis wife, 
whose maiden name was Miss Hannah Smith, was 
also a native. They became the |)arenls of three 
sons and a daughter, who grew to mature years, 
and all. with liie exception of our subject, are still 
residents of New York. 

\V. H. Ashcraft was reared in his native county, 
and remained under the parental roof until sixteen 
years of age. His father was a cabinet-maker by 
occu[)ation, and tlic son assisted him in his business 
from an early age, when, arriving at tiie age of fif- 
teen years, he was possessed of a good knowledge 
of the trade. The following year, in 1849, he left 
home, and, going to Binghainpton. N. Y.. worked 
at his chosen occupation for a peiiod of four years. 
At tlie expiration of that time he emigrated to the 
West, locating in Janesville, where, two years later, 
in IS.'iG, he established his present business .as a 
furniture dealer, which he has carried on continu- 
ously since. He began on .1 small scale as a retail 
dealer, but not long afterward engaged in manufac- 
turing, conducting Imtii liranches of the business. He 
now owns a fine store, in which he is located, on the 
north side of West Milw.inkec street, of which he 

<■ 



took possession in 1870, and also the store building 
adjoining it on the west. His success is due entirely 
to the careful attention which he has given to the 
details of his business, together with bis honest, 
u|)right dealings, which have secured the confidence 
and resi)ect of the public. I>eginning business in 
Janesville when liut a youth, and with no means 
save his personal earnings, he b.as gradually built 
up an extensive and substantial trade, and is num- 
bered among the leading and enterprising business 
men of the city. 

In 18.54 the marriage ceremony which united 
the destinies of Mr. Ashcraft and Miss Martha 
C.arodine was performed. The lady is a daughter 
of .lolin Carodinc. an earl}' settler of Green 
Count}', AVis., who is now residing in Albanj', that 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Ashcraft have two children 
— Estella H. and William H. The latter is asso- 
ciated with his father in business. He is a gradu- 
ate of the Oriental School of Embalming, and 
makes a specialty of ernb.alming the dead, being 
verj- skillful in that art. He is now married, his 
wife having been Miss Kate Carle, a daughter of 
W. F. Carle, of Janesville. 



E 



LLIS SHOPBELL, senior partner of the firm 
of Sliopbell & Noiris. proprietors of the 
Fha'uix Planing Jlill, was born in Lycom- 
ing County, Pa., March 20, 1835, and is a son of 
Peter and Catherine (Hill) Shopbell. His parents, 
who are now deceased, were also natives of Penn- 
sylvania, and were higlil}'- respected people. Ellis 
received a common-scliool education, and when 
nineteen j-ears of age began to learn the carpenter's 
trade, at which he worked until August, 1862, 
when he enlisted during the late war as a member 
of the 12th Wisconsin Batter}', and served three 
years. He took part in the following battles: luka, 
Corinth, Raymond, .lackson. Miss., Vicksburg, Mis- 
sionary Ridge and All.atoona. He was then witii 
Sherman on the march to the sea, after which he 
engaged in the battles of Savannah and Benton- 
ville, N. C. 

On being discharged from the army. Mr. Shop- 
licll returned to Janesville. where he had made his 



r 



A. 



,t 



4«— 

832 



RUCK COUNTY. 



4 



home from 1856 until the time of his enlistment, 
!ind resiimefl work nt liis trade. In 1871 he begnn 
the niMiiufncture of sash and doors, and in 1872 
formed theexistin? ])artnership with Siiltoii NOrris. 
Their estahli.shment is known as the PluBni.K Plan- 
ing ]\Iill. and employs from fifteen to oiyhteen men. 
They engage in the mauufafttne of sash, doors, 
blinds, mouldings and brackets on tlie race near 
Milwaukee street, and also manufacture the Jackson 
Refrigerator, the most popular refrigerator in the 
market. They are the sole proprietors of the patent 
of the improved common sense weather strips, for 
Wisconsin and Illinois. This indispensable inven- 
tion is known as ••Kellogg <fe Devers' Air-tight 
Weather Strip," and is a great success. 

In the month of May, 1867, Mr. Shopbell w.as 
joined in wedlock with Jliss iSIattie Parker, a 
daughter of John Parker. Esq. She w.-us born in 
Oneida County, N. Y., and removed with her par- 
ents to ISIonroe, Wis. She is a member of All 
Souls' Church. Pour children have have born of 
their union, all daughters — Kittle, Mamie, Mattie 
and Edna. In political sentiment Mr. Shopbell is a 
Republican, but has never sought tr desired public 
oflice, i)referring to give his undivided attention to 
his business. He is a member of \\'. H. Sargent 
Post No. 20, G. A. R., and of Crystal Temple of 
Honor No. 32, and is held in iiigh respect by all 
who know him. 

— - ccx> ' — 

^^ YRUS OSHORNE, deceased, w.as for many 
,l| _ years numbered among tlie prominent and 
^^^^ influential citizens of Rock County. He 
w.as born in Newport, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Dec. 7, 
180.5, and was the son of Asa and .Sarah (Hyde) 
Osborne. The family is descended from English 
ancestors, who settled in Connecticut in an early 
day. 

Our subject w.as one of a family of five children: 
Simeon married Miss Hannah Farrington and set- 
tled in Herkimer County, where ten cliildren were 
born unto them; Asa, who resided in INIedina, Ohio, 
became the husband of Sophia Hullard. by whom 
lie had three children, two sons and a daughter; 
Lucy married Joseph Miller and located in Oswego 
Count}', N. Y., their family circle being completed 



bj' the birth of five children; Sally was united in 
marriage with Hiram Getuian and to them two 
children were horn; Abijah wedded Sarah Caswell 
and their union was blessed with four children: 
Cyrus is next in order of birth; and Cynthi;i is the 
wife of Aljjheus Suiitli. liy whou) she has four 
children. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
hood on his father's farm and received such ednca- 
tioniil advantages .as were afforded by the district 
schools, he attending school during the winter 
months, wliile in the summer season he assisted his 
father in the labors of the farm. In 1825, he left 
the parental roof and led to the marriage altar Miss 
Elizabeth .Swift, a native of Connecticut, born in 
.Sharon, Aug. 16. 1805. Her parents, Jonas and 
Asenath (Griswold) .Swift, were also natives of 
Connecticut, and their family numbered two 
daughters and a son, of whom Mrs. Osboi-ne is 
the eldest; Aaron, who wedded Marj' Johnson, of 
Newport, N. Y., is now a resident of Richfield 
.Springs, in the same State; Maria became the wife 
of Harvey .Stowell and died in Otsego County, N. 
Y. Mr. :uid Mrs. .Swift were kind and accommo- 
dating neighbors, true and loyal friends and faith- 
ful and consistent members of the Kaptist ('liurch 
to which they belonged. The death of both oc- 
curred at Newport, N. Y.. to which they removed 
in 1809. when that community w-as almost a 
wilderness. 

Mr. and Mrs. Osborne began their domestic life 
in Ilerkinier County N. Y.. where he carried on 
the milling and lumber business but subsequentlv 
removed to Richfield Springs, Otsego County, where 
he eng.aged in merchandising for the long period of 
thirty years. At length retiring from active busi- 
ness life in 1871. he came to the West and made his 
iiome in Clinton until his death, which occurred in 
February, 1888. 

Aroun<l the fireside of Mr. and Mrs. Osborne 
once gathered a happy group of six children, but 
the little band is now widely scattered. Harriet, 
the eldest, is now the wife of James Chamberlain, 
a resident of Rock County; Edward now makes 
his liome in Beloit; Hester we<lded Delos Getman. 
and ri*iides in Ot.'sego County, N. Y. ; Cenie M. is 
living in Clinton, Wis : Helen, who became the 



=f 



-^»- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



833 



wifi» of John Ili'liner. died in Clinton in 188G; 
I'iinnic, the ^ounLrcsl. was united in nmniage with 
!• rink Dana and they are now residents of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, b'or the long period of sixty-lliree 
years, tlic parents of these cliihiren traveled life's 
joniney together, sharing with each other tlie joys 
and sorrows, the snnsliine and gloom, which clieck- 
ers the years of all. The love and respect f)f early 
life grew stronger as the days spe<l liy and tlie 
iiappy home was indeed made desolate when the 
hnshand was called to his long rest, .Mrs. Osborne 
is still living in Clinton and is now nearly eight}'- 
four years of age. She receives not only the re- 
spect due to her years, hut is beloved by all who 
kiKJW her. 




jr^RKD C, P.URl'KE, attorney-at-law, son of 
Austin K. and Eliza F. Burpee, was born at 
_ .lanesville. Wis., on the llth day of Octo- 

ber. 18(;.>. He married MattieC. Barker on the 13th 
day of .lanuarj', 1887. He commenced the study 
of law in the oHice of the law firm of Winans (k 
llyzer on the Istd.-iy of January 188(i, and was ad- 
milted to practice on the 21(111 day of .\ugust, 1888. 



4 



OHN C. SPENCER, born in the vill.age of 
Little Falls, Herkimer Co,, N. V., May 17, 
18.'!8, is the third son of A. C. and Lucina 
(IJye) Spencer, the father being a n.ative of 
Vermont, of English descent, and the mother of 
Cattaraugus County, X. Y„ of Irish descent. In 
the autumn Of 18i5, when John was in his seventh 
year, his parents emigrated to the West, settling at 
Danville. III., at which place his father followed the 
occu|)alion of school te.acher; later liis parents re- 
moved to Covington, Ind., thence to Bloomington, 
111., and in 1852 the family removed to Janesville, 
arriving here in December of that year. Our sub- 
ject received his limited education in the private 
schools of that day, the first public school he at- 
tended being at Covington, that being the first 
term of the free public schools of Iniliana, in the 
winter of 1849. In his boyhood previous to com- 
ing to Janesville, John was employed in the sum- 

<• 



mcr season herding cattle and sheep on the prairies 
of Illinois; in the summer of 18.J2 he drove team 
hauling earth in the construction of the Illinois 
Central Railro.ad between Bloomington and Ran- 
dolph Grove, eight miles south, and also north of 
Bloomington to the present site of Normal; he 
drove one of the ox teams (four yoke) employed 
in breaking the ground for the planting of the 
I'lKcnix Nursery at Bloomington. In December, 
1852. he entered the employ of the Janesville Gaz- 
ette, then owned by Messrs. Alden & Holt, carrying 
papers one day e.ach week. In March, 1853, he 
entered the office as an apprentice, and with the 
exception of two months, .lanuary and February, 
1854, he has been constantly employed in that 
office, and has successively filled every mechanical 
department in that estaljlisliment, taking a greater 
liking to the news department. For ten years 
p.ast Mr. Spencer has been in charge of the local 
department of the Gazette, as city editor. AVith 
the exception of Hon. David Atwood, of the Madi- 
son Journal, he is the oldest newsiwper man in 
point of service in one office in the State of Wis- 
consin. On the organization of the Janesville Fire 
Department in 1855, he became a member, being 
appointed as torch boy of Company No. 2, and 
has from that time to the present been constantly 
connected with the organization, holding every 
official position in his company, serving twelve 
years as Secretary of the Fire department, two 
years as Assistant-Chief-Engineer, two years 
(1885-6) as Chief, and is now serving as First-As- 
sistant-Chief. The recent re-organization of the 
fire department was mostly by his suggestion, and 
it is his aim to further increase the efficiency of the 
department bring it up to the maximum, thereby 
decreasing the insurance rates sufficient to meet the 
cost of its maintenance, including the hydrant 
rental. Mr. Spencer is frequentlj- appealed to by 
the citizens in reference to the local events of the 
past, and he is said to be almost a perfect enc^-elo- 
pedia in relation to the history of Janesville and 
Rock County, and no man has a more extended 
acquaintance in the county. As city editor of the 
Gazette, he lays no claim as a brilliant writer, yet 
he is a hard wtiiker, and aims at getting local news 
of which the columns of the Gazette are an illustra- 



f 



834 



ROCK COUNTY. 



tion of his success. Socially, he is a raember of 
the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. fraternities. 
Politicallj-. he is an outspoken Republican, yet he 
never allows his politics to cause estrangements 
in his personal relations with others. On the 
30th day of October, 1870, Mr. Spencer was 
united in marriage with Miss Helen M. Brown, a 
native of Portage, Wis., and daughter of the late 
Daniel G. Brown of this city. This union has been 
blessed with three daughters and two sons — Marion 
E., born Aug. 28, 1871; Clara, Feb. G, 1874; 
Llewellyn R., Jan. 30, 1882; Jessie, Nov. 13, 1884, 
and Harrison M., Nov. 11, 1887. All are abiding 
at the family home, 217 Nortli Blufif Street. 

■^fJOSKPH (4. C'ARR, residing on section 32, 
town of .Milton, is numbered among the en- 
terprising and representative farmers of this 
county, and well deserves a place in its per- 
manent record. Of him can be said what is true 
of but few of Rock County's citizens. His entire 
life, exce|)t during time spent in travel, has been 
passed in the township where he now makes his 
home. He was born March 19. 1840, and is a son 
of Peleg S. and Deborah (Goodrich) Carr, who em- 
igrated to this county in 183<J, locating on the 
farm where Hon. S. C. Carr now resides. The 
death of the father occurred in September, 1846, 
after which tlie mother made her home on the home 
first owned by her husband until 18.')4, when with 
her three children. Klijali M.. Sarah and Joseph 
G., she removed to the farm where our subject is 
now living. She purchased eighty acres of land on 
section 32. in the town of ^lilton, and at once her 
sons, Elijah JM. and Joseph G., began its cultiva- 
tion and development. 

Mr. Carr was educated in the public schools of 
the town and at Milton Academy, and made his 
home with his mother until his marriage, which 
occurred on the 17th day of October, 18G3, Miss 
Pha'be I. Maxon becoming his wife. The lady is 
a native of Allegany County, N. Y.. and a daugh- 
ter of Nathan and Isabel (^YeIls) :Maxon, who 
were 'ilso born in the Empire State. In 1850 Mr. 
Maxou removed with his family to Rock County 



and became a leading merchant and farmer of Mil- 
ton. His death occurred in 1855, and his wife died 
in Farina, 111., in 186G, her remains being interred 
by the side of her husband's in Milton Cemetery. 
By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Carr have been born 
five children, four of whom are yet living: Fred 
M., Anna Belle, Joseph L. and Alice May. A lit- 
tle daughter. Maudie, died at the age of two years. 
Mr. Carr is one of the leading farmers of the 
community, and now owns and operates 250 acres 
of land on sections 29. 31 and 32. town of Milton. 
The many beautiful and useful improvements 
thereon denote the thrift and enterprise of the 
owner. His home is a commodious and substan- 
tial two-story frame residence, his stock are all of 
the best grades, his barns and out-buildings are 
models of convenience, and his machincrj' is of the 
latest improved manufacture. Mr. Carr has long 
been interested in the Patrons of Husbandry, and 
has been an important factor in the advancement 
of the interests of that organization. He takes an 
active part in political affairs, is an ardent suji 
porter of the Republican party, has fllleil various 
local offices of trust, and is held in high esteem by 
all who know him. 

«o» »i y' « S ' ir ' I * ^" ' *" 

t£) Jit <y 




,UEL G. WEBSTER, an early settler of Wis- 
j—,.,^., cousin, now deceased, was born in Xorth- 
/ji\S)))l, ern ^■ermont on the 25th day of Se|)teni- 
^^^^ ber, 1821, and was a son of Alanson and 
Lucy Webster, who were members of old New 
England families. Mr. Webster was twice married. 
His first union, which was celebratedin St. Albans, 
Vt., on the 21st day of December, 1851, was with 
Miss Sarah A. England, who was born Aug. 24, 
1824, and was a daughter of Philo and Ruth Eng- 
land. One child, a son. William Alfred, was born 
unto them at Rii)on, Wis.. Nov. 24, 1856, and yet 
resides in that city. He was married at Janesville, 
Oct. 1, 1879, to Miss Annie Hoskins, daughter of 
Alfred Hoskins, an old settler of Rock County. Of 
their union a family of three children were born: 
Harold B., Nov. 21, 1880; Robert George. Aug. 
21, 1882; and Helen Hoskins. Dec. 25. 1884. 
About the year 1853 Buel G. Webster removed 



-^•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



83 ^ ^ 



A E.ni 

•4* 



to Wisconsin .•iiul settled at Ripon, wliore lie was 
one of tlio pioneer nicrcliants, dealing in general 
niereliandise and fnniiture. His wife died in that 
eity t)n tlu; 27lli day of January, 1857, and he was 
again inairied at Janesville "Sei)!. 7, 1 8,')'.i, Miss 
Helen M. Newell becoming his wife. The lady is 
a native of Lii I'orte, Ind., born Nov, 8, 183;j, and 
is ;i danghter of Noah and Klizabeth (I'ealiody) 
Newell. Of their five children only their eldest, 
Fraidc, is living. See sketch elsewhere in this work. 
Mr. Webster removed with his family from Ri- 
])oM to .lanesville in May, 187;!. but did not en- 
gage in active business on account of being in very 
feel)le health. His death occurred Dec. 19, 1878. 
Ill' was a member of the r.;iplist Church, and in 
l)olitics was a Republican. While a resident of 
Ripon he w,i,s elected by that party and served as a 
member of the City Council several terms, but was 
never an oltice-.seeker. He was a consistent Chris- 
tian, a kind husband and father, and was highl}' 
respected as a neighlior and citizen. 



ANHiL SHKLDON ROGERS residing on 
I) section '■>'2. I'orter Township, has passed 
his entire life in Rock County, where he 
was born on the 7th day of .Vpril, 18.")0. 
He is the son of D.aniel and Rachel (Khinehart) 
Rogers, who were natives of New Ycjrk, the father 
of (icrnian and the niother of Scotch descent. His 
grandfather on his father's side was a soldier in the 
Revolutionar}' War, wliile his grandfather on his 
mother's side, served in the Wjir'of 1812, and was 
in the United States service fourteen years, enter- 
ing at the age of eighteen. His ancestors, on his 
mother's side, emigrated to this country about 
1770, and on his father's side aliout 17(;(!. Daniel 
Rogers was a fairner by occupation, and in 1822 
removed from New York to AHchigan, before the 
territory was organized. In 18IGhecame to Wis- 
i-onsin. and on the l.'Uli day of September, located 
In the town o( I'orter, where he puri'liased a farm 
on whieh he passed the remainder of his life, his 
death occurring March 11, 1850. Mr. and Mrs, 
Daniel Rogers had a family of four children — 
Emily, who is now the wife of Nelson Everson, re 




I sides in Evansville; Daniel, of this sketch, and two 
children who died in infancy. Within the course 
of three or four years after the death of her first 
husband, .Mrs. Rogers was again married becoming 
the wife of Charles Everson. who enlisted in the 
late war, and gave his life for the cause of freedom. 
Mrs. Everson is now residing on section 30, in the 
town of I'orter. 

The subject of this sketch when four years of 
age, went to live in the home of his grandfather, 
where he remained until attaining his thirteenth 
Near, when he starteil out to fight life's battles for 
hiuLself. Previous to this time he had received a 
common school education in the district schools, 
l)ut not content to consider his education com- 
jileted, he resolved to continue his studie.s. He 
began working upon the farm during the summer 
and with the wages received for his labor paid his 
tuition for a term of schooling in the Evansville 
Academy, and in this way he continued until he 
completed a two years course in that institution. 
He afterwards took a private commercial course 
with .1. M. Cregg, of Evansville, which completed 
his educational career. He has. since however, pur- 
sued a course of reading which has proved beneficial 
to him, and is well informed on all the le.adlmr 
topics of the da^'. 

On the 1st d.ay of April. 1874, Mr. Rogers was 
united in marriage with Miss Emma Barnard, and 
to them have been born four children — Claude De- 
Wjiyne, who was born April 5, 1876; Zoe Elnora, 
Feb. 11, 1878; Daniel Lamont, Oct. 11), 1881 ; Flo- 
rence Maud, ,l;ui. 15, 1884. 

Mr. and Jlrs. Rogers began their domestic life 
upon the farm where they yet reside. He is now 
operating 320 acres of land that is highiy improved 
and well cultiv.ated, .and he makes a specialty of 
raising thoroughbred stock, including hogs, cifltle 
and horses, Mr. Rogers is truly a self-made man, 
for since the age of thirteen years he has been de- 
penflent upon his own resources, beginning his 
business career as a farm hand, 3'et by his enter- 
prise, his industi-y and honest labor has acquired 
a comfortable comiietenee. He receives the re- 
spect which he so richly deserves, and is a friencl 
to all. always having a kind word and cordial greet- 
ing for every one. Socially he is a member of the 

•► 



, i 836 



•«► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 90 A. 
F. & A. M.. of Waueonia, in vvhicli lie lias held all 
the offices, and is also a member of Evansville 
Chapter K. A. M., No 3.5. He has also received a 
diploma of the Oriental Order of the Palm and 
Shell, one of the ancient degrees of Masonr}', 
which without doubt but few men in the State of 
Wisconsin have taken. In politics. Mr. Rogers is 
a Democrat. He votes from principle, not for 
party, supporting a candidate because he thinks 
him well able to fill the oflice and not l)ecause he 
has been nominated bj' a certain political organi- 
zation. 

-J^^- 

EZEKIEL GAVEY, deceased, was born on 
tlie Island of Guernsey-, France, in the j-ear 
' 1826. He received a liberal education in 
his native land, where he remained until sixteen 
years of age, wlien, in 1842, lie bade good-by to 
home and friends and crossed the Atlantic to 
America. Locating in the city of New York, he 
learned the cabinet-maker's trade with his brother, 
Frederick Gavey, who was engaged in the manufac- 
ture of furniture in the eastern metropolis. After 
three years spent in tiiat line our subject came to 
Janesville, and the same year of his arrival, 1845, 
purchased eighty acres of land, a claim which had 
been located by J. I'. Dickson. In the spring of 
1846 he engaged in the work of developing his 
farm, an<l also was employed at anything which his 
willing hands could find to do in order to gain a 
livelihood. He worked in that manner until the 
spring of 1850, when, in company' with his brother 
Alfred, and a number of other young men of the 
neighborhood, he left Wisconsin for the gold field 
of California. After five montiis of weary travel 
over the broad and barren plains, where danger 
threatened on every hand, and hardships were 
many, they arrived at their destination, and Mr. 
Gavey at once began working in the mines, at 
which occupation he was reasonably successful. He 
made the return trip by way of the Isthmus of 
Panama and New York City, arriving at his home 
in Uock County in the fall of 1853. 

In the spring of tlie following year Mr. Gavey 
erected a frame house upon his farm on section 1 1 , 



Spring Valley Township, ami on tlie 6th day of 
Jul}-, 1854, W.1S j<nned in wedlock with Miss Mary 
A. Clossett, who resided in that township. Mrs. 
Gavey emigrated from her native land (France) in 
company with her parents, in tlie year 1837, locat- 
ing in Lewis County, N. Y., wliere her father en- 
gaged in farming until his death. After the death 
of her husband Mrs. Clossett was united in mar- 
riage the second time, becoming the wife of .Jacob 
Beck, and in 1846 the family came West, locating 
in Spring Valley Township, Rock County. The 
family of Mr. .ind Mrs. Clossett numl)ered three 
children, as follows: Catherine, who was born Feb. 
14, 1834. and became the wife of James Morrell, a 
native of Canada, who died in the hospital at Mem- 
phis, Tenn., while defending the Lnion in the late 
war, has two children by her marri.age, and now 
resides in Clarmont, Mo.; Mar}' A., wife of our 
subject, was tiie second in order of birth; John 1'.. 
who was born Aug. 17, 1839, enlisted in Companj' 
E, 22(1 Wisconsin Regiment, and died in the hos- 
pital at Danville. Ky. 

Mr. and Mis. (!avey began their domestic life 
■upon the farm which he (mrchascd upon his arrival 
in the county, and under the roof of that home 
their five children were born: Daniel, the first in 
order of birth, boin April 16. 1855, weilded Miss 
Flora Brown, of Magnolia Township. June 24, 
1887, and unto them have been born two children, 
Harry and an infant. The second child of the fam- 
ily, born in 1857, died in infancy; John E.. born 
Feb. 1, 1859, resides in Orfordville. where he is 
engaged as salesman in the general merchandise 
store of G. Hanson; Walter F., born Oct. 10, 1861, 
is a carpenter bj' trade, and makes his home with 
his mother on the old home farm; Katie L., the 
youngest of the family, born Sept. 28, 1867. mar- 
ried Daniel Mowe, Jr., Jan. 26. 1886, and herrlcath 
occurred in March, 1888. 

When Mr. Gavey first came to Rock Count}' he 
was in limited circumstances. He used to make 
hickory whip-stocks, and with a load upon his 
shoulder walked to Janesville, wliere he sold them 
in order to biij- |)rovisions to keep him while he 
devoted his time to the improvement of his farm. 
Notwithstanding his early disadvantages he labored 
on, and his efforts of industry, economy, persever- 



-U 



HOCK COUNTY. 



839 



tiiH't' iiiul uiitii'iiiy: enei'ijy at length rcccivcfT their 
reward. His land became fruitful, and at the time 
of iiis death h(! wms a weli-to-chi farmer. Politi- 
cally, he was a supporter of the Uepuhliean partj', 
and for many long years w.as a consistent member 
of the ?"ree ^^■ill Baptist Church. He took an 
active interest in the welf.are of the community 
where he resided, was prominent in the promotion 
of social, educational and moral interests, and at 
liis death the county lost a valued citizen, one who 
stood high in the respect and esteem of all, and 
who will biug be remembered bv bis mau\' friends. 



-^•-*-^ ^ 






^ ARRETT \'KKDKI{. the earliest resident of 
11 g=, .lanesville. \\'is., and now ijrojjrietor of the 
^^4 .lanesville <S'/;/»a/, was born in the city of 
Schenectady, N, Y., on the lOth day of July, 1821, 
and is a son of Nicholas S. and Elizabeth (Faling) 
\'eeder. The family dates its origin in this coun- 
try back to IGlb. only twenty years after the land- 
ing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth Rock. 
Nicholas \'ceder was born in .Schenectady, X. Y., 
and was descended from llollanti and English an- 
cestry. His wife was a native of England. 

While our subject was a lad, the family emigra- 
ted from his native town to Ogdensburg, .St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y., the journey being made in ji 
covereil wagon, (iarrett was there roared to man- 
hood, making his homo in that |)lacc until twenty- 
eight years of age. When a lad of thirteen years, he 
began learning the printer's traile with .Judge A. B. 
.lames, and workeil in that line for two years, when 
he abandoned his trade in order to secure an edu- 
cation, lie entered the Ogdensburg Academy, 
where he look the higher liranchcs and having suc- 
cessfull}' jjassed the examination received a teach- 
er's certiBcate when eighteen years of age. He 
then taught school for four succeeding winters, and 
in \H\'3. again followed his trade, securing employ- 
ment in a p.rinting otlice at Rociiester, N, Y. I„m- 
ter he wns employed at .Syracuse, afterwards at 
I'tica and subsequently in New York City. 

Wliile residing in Ogdensburg, on the 1st day 
of Octolier, IS.'iO, .Mr. \' coder was united in mar- 
riage with Miss I'^lizabeth Burke, who was born in 

^» 



St. Lawrence County, and was n. daughter of John 
Burke. They became the parents of six children, 
three sons and three daughters: Elizabeth married 
Willis Lake, and died in 1(S8.'3, at the age of thirty- 
two years; Charles (!,, wluj learned bis father's 
trade ami was a first-class printer, wedded Miss 
Ida Lam|)man, and ilicd in 1880, when twenty- 
seven years of age; John died in 1881, aged nine- 
teen years; William died at the .age of six years; 
and two chiklren died in infancy. On the 17th 
day of February, 1884, Mr. Veeder was called 
upon to mourn the loss of his wife. He was .again 
married in October, 1884, to Mrs, Emma P. Otis, 
widow of the Rev. I, N. Otis, and daughter of Dr. 
Clark Pease, an early settler of .lanesville. Mrs. 
Veeder has tJirec children yet living by her first 
marriage — Newton Murdock, Willis Clark, and Sa- 
rah Lillian. By the present marriage there is one 
son, Garrett \ .. aged three years. 

Mr. Veeder dates his residence in this city from 
18.")6, when he left his Eastern home and emigra- 
ted to Rock County, Wis,, locating in Janesville. 
For two years he was engaged in the shoo business 
with J. C. Echlin, when he went to Il:uin\er, Rock 
County, and operated a store of general merchan- 
dise for a i)eriod of three years. At the end of 
that time be returned to .lanesville, puri'basing an 
interest in the job otlice of Ellis Doty, with whom 
he continued in business from 18(>3 until the spring 
of 1871, when, in connection with .S. S. St. .John, be 
began editing the Rock County Ileciirdcr. a weekly 
newspaper. In the month of December, 18HI,.Mr. 
\'eeiter formed a i)artnership with T. ,S. Nolan ;iiid 
W. II. Leonard, and the linn l>ecame incor|)or;itcd 
under the name of the Recorder Printing Company 
of which Mr, ^■oeder was elected President, and 
with which he continued his connection until the 
spring of 188."{, lie then sold out his interest, and 
one month later purchased the interest of W. II, 
Towslej- in the Times job ollice, then located in 
the Lappin Block. In April, 1888, he moved the 
office to its present location in tiie Jeffris Block 
at the west end of the Milwaukee street bridge. In 
September, 188G, Mr, \eeder began editing his 
present paper, the Janesville Signal, which is a 
bright, new.sy sheet, |)Ul)lished weeklv. It is inde- 
pendent in politics, gives the latest news of county 



■► 11 ^ 



-■ » II <• 



840 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i' 



;vi)fl nation, and is esi)ccially adapted to the families 
of the vicinity. In connection willi the paper. 
Mr. \ceder operates a job office whicli turns out as 
line work as is done in the county. He lias mas- 
tered tlie printing trade in its every detail, and as 
an editor ranks anionji- the best. He started in 
Janrsville witii a casli cipitnl of i*70(l. but with a 
strong determination and energy to succeed, he 
has .accumulated a handsome property, his real es- 
in -lanesville consisting of his residence, office and 
two oilier buildings, lie is now the oldest resident 
editor and publisher in the county. 

Mr. Vceder is a genial, vvhole-SOule<l man, kind- 
hearted ami benevolent, and has won hosts of 
friends who have learned to respect and esteem him 
for bis manly integrity and many excellencies of 
character. Religiously, he is a member of the 
Congregational Church, while his wife belongs to 
the Presbyterian Church. For the past eighteen 
years, lie has been a member of the Odd Fellows, 
and now holds membership with Wisconsin liOdge, 
No. 1 4, I. O. ( ). F. 

We are much i)leased to iiresent an excellent 
portrait of this veteran newsiiaper man, which ap- 
pears upon the opposite page. 



YRFS GRISWOLD.a prominent citizen and 
., honored pioneer, now engaged in farming 

^^f^ on section 7, Clinton Township, was born 
in Spafford, Onondago Co., N. Y., Dec. 17,1829, 
and is the son of Sylvester and Polly (Carpenter) 
flriswold, who were also natives of the Empire 
State. They were married in Onondago County in 
1 825, and there two children were born unto them. 
In 1830 they emigrated to the West, settling in 
Huron Countj% Ohio, which was then a wild and 
uncultivated country. In the midst of the heavy 
timber Sylvester Griswold developed two farms, 
and in the little home on that frontier the family 
circle was increased by the birth of nine children, 
and eight of the entire number grew to manhood 
and womanhood. John L., who was unmarried 
died in Mellenry County, Feb. 11, 18GI; Cyrus is 
the second in order of birth; Sarah yi. is now a 
resident of Sharon, Wis.; Annie wedded John Ro- 

^> 



dawalt, who also makes his home in Sharon ; Teressa 
M. is now the wife of Charles Iloyt, a shipping 
clerk ill the employ of the State at Madison; Ade- 
lia is the wife of Luke Fuller, a resident farmer of 
Hiiml)olt County. Iowa: Dorothea was united in 
marriage with John Kilpatrick, of Dickinson 
County. Iowa; Eugene married Nellie Emerson, 
and resides in Auroi'a County. Dak.: Eva is the 
wife of Edwin Miller, who makes his home in 
Dickenson, Iowa. 

In his early political afiiliations Sylvester (uis- 
wold was a Democrat, but later joined forces with 
the Whig party, with which he cast his ballot until 
uniting with tiie Republican party at its organiza- 
tion. As every true American citizen should do, 
he felt a deep interest in i)olitical affairs, but he 
never sought or desired public preferment. He 
was a great reader, and was always well informe(l 
on the leading issues of the day. He was a man 
of the strictest integrity, scorning dishonesty in 
ever}' form, .and his word was .as good as his bond. 
His death occurred in 1864. and the community in 
which he resided felt the loss of a valued citizen. 
After the death of her husband. Mrs. ( Jriswold 
made her home with her son Cyrus, until she. too, 
passed away, though she died in Madison. Fell. 25, 
1879. They were rniversalists in religious belief. 
On the death of the wife, in an obituary notice it 
was said: "Mrs. Griswold ever manifested a kind, 
generous and loving spirit, and b}- a large circle of 
friends she was esteemed as one of the excel- 
lent of the earth. By all the members of 
her family, children and grandchildren, she was 
tenderly loved, and in their iiearts she will continue 
to live on, though the earthly form has been con- 
signed to the grave. As in her life she w.as calm 
and tranquil, so in her death was she peaceful .and 
happy, fully resigned to tlie will of her iieavenly 
Father." 

"Sweetly she slept from tlie toils of life. 
Sweetly awaking to life and love; 
Sweetly she passed from an e.arthly home. 
Sweetly she rests in the home above." 

Our subject was a mere infant when his parents 
removed to Huron Count}', Ohio, and on that wild 
and unsettled frontier he was reared to in;inhood. 



*r 





^ 



.^ 






^ 




]: 



■^- 



llOCK COUNTY. 



••► 



»41 



He iccpived such e(hie:itioiial :ulv:nitages as were 
afforded liy the priinilive scIkjoI in those days, the 
schoolhousc hciiii;- Iniilt of loijs, vvith a piiiK'heun 
lloor. slab seats, a hiiirc fireplace and an ohl diim- 
iiev luiiltof sticks and mud. When a lad of twelve 
j'ears. he went to live vvith an nncle, Reuben Car- 
penter, with whom he made his home until nine- 
teen years of age, when he let't the Buckeye State 
and emigrated to Wisconsin. On the Oth day of 
.lune. l.S4il. he landed in Rock County. This was 
his lirst introduction to the community in which lie 
has ever since resided. For a few years after his 
arrival he worked at his Iratle of shoeraaking, 
which he followed until ISO"), when he |)urchased 
land on section 7, Clinton Townsliip. and has there 
resided contiinionsly since. lie now owns 142 
acres of fine land, higidy cultivated and improved, 
and which is pleasantly situated a mile and a half 
from the village. 

After becoming a resident of Rock County, ^Nlr. 
Griswold formed the acquaintance of JMiss Fannie 
A. Eggleston, a native of Onondago Count}', N. 
Y., in which county her parents, Nathan and Ruth 
(Carpenter) Eggleston, were also born. The ac- 
quaintance of the young people at length ripened 
into a warmer relation, and on the Gth da}' of 
April, 1S,');J, they were united in the holy bonds of 
matrimony. Eight children have been born of 
their union, live of whom are living — Nellie, the 
eldest, is now the wife of D. I). Winkley, of this 
county; Ina is still at home; Ernest married Lottie 
Miner, and is now living in Dickenson, Iowa; Loreu 
died at the age of twenty-four years; Arthur died 
when two j'ears of age; Fay is still at home; Harry 
i.s now em|)loved as salesman in the hardware store 
of C. v. Drake; and Blanche died at the age of 
thirteen years. 

Mr. Griswold came to Wisconsin when Rock 
Counly w.a.s almost in its infancy, and consequently 
has witnesseil almost its entire growth. He has 
been prominent in the promotion of all public en- 
tcr|)rises which have for their object the general 
welfare of the communit}', and has borne no in- 
consideralde part in the upbuilding and progress 
which has been steadily carried forward since the 
earliest days. lie cast his lirst I'resi<lential vote 
for John I'. Hale, the candi<late of the Free Soil 



party, and since the Republican party sprang into 
existence, h.as afhiialed with that gre.at organiza- 
tion. He is at present a memlicr of the Board of 
Supervisors, which office he has held for two years, 
and socially, is a Master JIason, holding member- 
ship in the Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 135, A. F. 
i^' A. ]M..of Clinton, in which he has filled all the 
offices, and is at [)resent Master of the Lodge. 
None stand higher in the community than the gen- 
tleman whose name heads this sketch, for his up- 
right, honorable career has won him the resitect of 
all with whom business or pleasure has brought him 
in contact, while he is deservedly held in high re- 
gard. Any count}' might be proud to own him as 
a citizen, and his sketch deserves an honored place 
in this volume. 




[j^ ^15. WOOD, deceased, is numl)ered among 
the pioneer settlers of the county, and was 
a leading farmer for many years. He w.as 
was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 18 IT), 
the son of David and Sarah (Bishop) Wood, who 
were parents of eleven children, five of whom are 
now living. Our subject became a resident of Rock 
County in 1841. but previous to that time had re- 
si<led in Michigan, where he marricil Miss Rhoda 
Howard, Nov. i'J. 1837. On removing to Wiscon- 
sin he located in Harmony, where he engaged in 
farming for many years, owning a fine tract of valu- 
able Land, which he at length rented, removing to 
Milton to live a retired life. His wife dying Oct. 
5, 187(), he was .again married on the 22d dav of 
November. 1877, to Abbie J. Root, a resilient of 
Whitewater, Wis. She was born Feb. 18, 181G, in 
Oneida County. N. Y.. a daughter of Lyman 
Burleigh, a native of Connecticut, who died in 
1863, his wife surviving him until .Vpvil 1. 188G. 
There was also one son in the family. Ilor.ace 
Bishop, who w!is born Feb. 17, 1819. 

Mr. Wood was a trustee of the Congregational 
Church, and took a dec|) interest in religious mat- 
ters, being a leading worker in the societ}'. He 
was also a friend to education, serving on the school 
board for some years, and in politics was a stalwart 
supporter of the Republican party. His death 




■» ■' 4> 



842 



ROCK COUNTY. 



occurrefl in May. 1882. nnd proved a loss to the 
entire coniiniinit^'. He was an lionored pioneer. 
Laving witnessecl almost tlie entire growtli of the 
county, had been i)ri)niinentl\' identified witli the 
worli of devch>|jmcnt. and was an iinportant factor 
in tlie upbuilding of all leading public interests. 
His excellent wife is still living in Milton, where 
she is surrounded by a large circle of friends. 

The following items of the history of the family 
of Mrs. Abbie (Burleigh) Root, wl o became Mrs. 
Wood, will be found interesting in this connection. 
Cyril Burleigh, her grandfather, moved from Con- 
nec^ticut to Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y., and thence 
to \'erona, N. Y. In 1817 he went to Covington, 
Wyoming Co., N. Y., and built a house on the 
summit of a steep eminence since known as Bur- 
leigh Hill. After a few years he removed to the 
adjoining town of Bethany', and thence to Sweden, 
Monroe Co., N. Y'., where his wife died June 8, 
18."52, aged sixty-one years. Removing to Bj-ron, 
N. Y., where he was a farmer and hotel keeper, lie 
married .Sally Darling, a sister of his son-in-law. 
lie later moved successively to Caryville, Baire and 
Murray, and thence back to Barre. In 1844 he 
came West and located in Milwaukee, where he 
died Jidy 5, 1847. Having been Justice of the 
Teace many years in his early life, he was known 
as 'Squire Burleigh. His health was always good, 
and he retained his mental and physical faculties in 
a reniarkalilc degree to the end of his life. A man 
of sterling integrity and fine social qualities, he had 
a wide acquaintance and was highly respected by 
all who knew him. His son, layman Burleigh, was 
born in Union, Conn., Sept. 7. 17!>l.and died in 
Albion. N. Y., Oct. o, 18fi3. He was married .at 
Verona, Oneida, Co., N. Y., March 8. 181;"), to Nancy 
Bishop, who died in 1888. His daughter, Abbie 
.1.. granddaughter of Cyril Burleigh, was born in 
N'erona, X. Y.. and was married May 1, I,s36, to 
Francis Asbury Root, who w.as a grocer at Barre, 
N. '^■.. and at AHlwaukee and Trenton, Wis., and 
died at the latter |)lacc Aug. 30. 1850. at the age of 
forty years. Her sul)sequent marriage to the late 
1). B.Wood is above referred to. Her children by 
her former marriage were as follows: Lyman Bur- 
leigh Root, born in Clarindon, N. Y., Oct. 12, 
1837, married, at Barton. Wis., Ella Foster, and is 



now a farmer at Cold Springs, Jeflerson County, 
who has children — Francis .\sbur3'. born at Tren- 
ton. Wis.. .Inly 4, 18G(j. and Albert Jay, born at 
Cold Springs, Wis., Dec. 24. 1869; Celia Elizabeth, 
liorn at Albion. N. Y.. Aug. 21, 1840. who married 
Barnc}' Potter, a merchant of Trenton, Wis., had 
a son named Albert Lyman, who died young, and 
died at West Bend. Wis.. Feb. 2, 18G6. Horace 
Bishop Burleigh, lirotlicr of Mrs. Wood, was born 
in Covington, N. Y.. and marrifd. A])ril 12. 1847, 
Miss Elizabeth C. Strong, d.-uighter. of Timothy 
Strong, long the able editor of the Orleans AniPri- 
can, at Albion, N. Y., and lived most of his life in 
that town, but during the past few years has lived 
in Dakota. He has a large family, who rank among 
the most respectable people in the coniniunities in 
which they have their homes. 

J?OHN W. CKIST, a leading farmer, residing 
on Section 14, Beloit Township, has been a 
; resident of Hock County since 1858. He 
' was born in Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., 
August 27, 181 G. and is a son of Philip and Martha 
(Kinbark) Crist, the former a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and the latter of Orange County, N. Y. 
During his early life, before the d.ays of railro.ads, 
Philip Crist engaged in driving a mail st.age in 
New York .State, and subsequentl}^ purchased a 
farm in Orange Count}' and engaged in its cultiva- 
tion until his death, which occurred in 1878, at 
the advanced age of eighty-seven years. By in- 
dustry and enterprise he became one of the wealthy 
farmers of Orange County. It was after he bo- 
came a resident of the Empire State that he became 
acquainted with tlie lady whom he afterwards wed- 
ded, their union being celebiated in 1808. Unto 
them were born ten children, all of whom lived to 
adult age, while eight are 3'et living — DeWilt. an 
extensive farmer, residing near the old homestead; 
Yirgil, who is living in Orange County, N. Y.; 
■lohn W of this sketch; Thomas, who is living in 
Orange County; Theodore and Philip, who are 
also residents of the same county; Mary, widow of 
Samuel Foster, residing ne.ar Ann Arbor, Mich.; 
Ann. widow of George Cranse, who makes her 



i 



*r 



.#-i^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



843 



home in (Joslien. N. Y. Washington and Nelson 
l)()lli (lieii in New York Stnte. 

( )ur subject received a limited education in tlie 
coniuion school of liis native comity, vvliicli lie at- 
tended durinj;- the winter term, while his siiiiiiners 
were largely spent in assisting his father in the 
laliors of the farm. At the age of sixteen he 
started out in life for himself, first entering a 
|)rinling otllci^ at Goslien, N. Y., where he served 
an apprenticeship, after which he went to New 
York City, wliere he secured employment in tlie 
office of the Joitriuil of Omiiierre. During the 
presiilential campaigns of 1 8;3() and 1840 lie was on 
the force of the New York Tribune, ,and subse- 
quently was employed in Harper Bros.' ofHce for 
several years. Ilis experience as a primer has been 
of vast importance to him, cultivating his powers 
of observation and consideration, while it served 
as a school in which he studied the characters of 
different men and the current events of the day. 
At length he relintiuished his business in this direc- 
tion, making a trip to New Orleans, La., where he 
remained for two years, when ho returned and es- 
tablished a job printing office in New York City, 
wliicli enterprise proved one of success. Health 
failing, he was forced to abandon the office in 1858, 
and selling out, he came to Hock County, Wis., in 
the month of April, and purchased the farm which 
lie still owns. It is situated on sections 14 and lo, 
Heloit Township, and comprises 300 acres of 



Brooklyn, N. Y.. about the year 18o7, and Mr. 
Crist was again married, wedding Mrs. Marj^ Law- 
rence, widow of William Lawrence. By her for- 
mer marriage two children had been born. Henry 
and Jennie: the latter is now deceased, and l)v the 
second union the children arc: .lohii W. .Ir., who is 
a carpenter and is a resident of Montana, and Het- 
tie, who is engaged in teaching in the pnlilic schools 
of Milton. Wis. In the month of March, 1884, Mr. 
Crist was again bereft of his wife, who was a mem- 
ber of the Kpisco|)al Church, and a most estimable 
lady. His third union w.as celebrated in 1885, 
when be became the husband of 'Mvs. ALargaret 
Haggett, a native of Lawrence County, N. Y. 

Since coming to Rock County Mr. Crist has been 
honored b\- his fellow citizens with various offices 
of public trust. For six years he served his town- 
ship as Treasurer, and for the same length of time 
held the office of County Supervisor, acting as 
Chairman of the Town Bo.anl and member of the 
Count}' Board. His official duties were discharged 
with [iromptness and fidelity, reflecting credit not 
only upon himself, but also upon those who elected 
him to office. His life has been one of honest indus- 
try and he is numbered among the self-made men of 
the county. From the age of sixteen ho has been 
diligently employed, either as i printer or as a 
farmer, and the success which has crowned his ef- 
forts is truly well deserved. We take pleasure in 
presenting this sketch of John W. Crist to the 



land, which was then in a wild and uncultivated \ readers of this Album, knowing it will be gladly 
state, but the improvements and care which he has received and read b}- many. He has been a life- 
bestowed upon it have developed it into one of the long supporter of the Democratic parly and is a 
finest farms of Rock County. A fine residence has fi'""> advocate of its princijiles and policy. 
l)een erected, a large biirn has been built and the 
entire surroundings indicate the thrift and enter- 
lirise of the owner. Upon this land will be found 
a good grade of all kinds of stock. 

Mr. Crist was united in marriage with Miss Eliza 
Dibble, a native of Danbury, Conn., and a daugh- 
ter of Taylor and Clara Dibble, who were also born 
in the same State. The children born of this union 
who are yet living, arc: Charles, who makes his 
home in Beloit; Edward, who is cashier in a bank- 
ing house in Huron, Dak; Joseph, who is living 
at home: Mary, wife of Walter McCord, a miller 
in Beloit. The mother of these children died in 



'SfOHN WINANS, Janesville. was born in the 
town of A'ernon, comity of Sussex, New Jer- 
sey, on Sept. 27, 1831. His f.-vther, Wil- 
liani R. Winans. and his uncle, Ross Winans, 
of Baltimore, were descendants of the Hollanders, 
who were among the earliest settlers of that State. 
The subject of this sketch, after reading law at 
Newton and Trenton. N. .1., and a portion of the 
time with Martin Rverson. since one of the Su- 






i 



^^ 



■«►■ 



-4•■ 



•«^ 



844 



ROCK COUNTY. 



preme cand circuit judges of that Stale, was, in the 
fall of 1855, admitted to practice in all the courts. 

In the fall of 1857 Mr. Winans came to Wiscon- 
sin, locating at tlie city of Jane.«ville. engaging in 
the practice of his profession, where he lias since 
resided. Tiie source of every lawyer's wealth, so 
far as the practice of his profession is concerned. 
is the confidence of the people in his personal and 
professional integrity. This confidence, though 
ea.sily lost, can only be won and retained by a long 
and honorable professional career. His very large 
and successful legal business demonstrates that Mr. 
Winans has not only won the confidence and es- 
teem of his fellow-citizens, but that he easily and 
justly retains them. 

lie possesses all the (lualifications requisite to a 
great lawyer. In his mental organization he is 
clear, calm and comprehensive, and wliile in his 
affections he is tender and symi)athetic, yet his will- 
power and sense of justice are so strong tiiat iio 
cannot be moved from those tilings wliicli he be- 
lieves are just and proper, or swerve in the least 
from the path in which duty and honor call him to 
o-o. AVell grounded in the principles of the law, 
industrious and attentive to business, he brings to 
all cases entrusted to him thorough preparation 
and earefid study. Some lawyers iiave great power 
in discussing questions of fact to a jury, but are 
not equally able in arguing tlie points of law to the 
court. Mr. AVinans is fortunate in possessing those 
qualities of mind and heart whicii enable him 
to excel in both positions, and it would be ditli- 
cidt for his brethren to determine in whicli he 
takes the highest rank and is most successful. 

His arguments to the jury are clear, forcible and 
imi)ressive, and in important cases are characterized 
by a sinceritj', zeal and persuasive eloquence that 
at once command and retain the attention, and not 
infrequently touch and move every heart, while 
those addressed to the court are models of logical 
clearness and legal analysis. In Rock C'oimty. 
which has always had an able bar. Mr. Winans 
stands to-daj' the acknowledged leader, and his 
brethren throughout the State acconl to him a 
position in tlie very foremost rank of the profes- 
sion. The late Senator Carpenter, whose fame as 
a lawyer is national, said that if he had an inqior- 



tant case of his own. iie would as soon commit it to 
Mr. Winans, or one other lawyer whom he named, 
as to any member of the bar of Wisconsin. His 
uniform kindness and courtesy to his professional 
brethren are as noticeable as they are worthy of 
Imitation, and however vexatious or |)er|)lexing the 
circumstances of a case may be, he never becomes 
angrj' or for one moment loses his self-possession. 
It may be unnecessary to add that such a man and 
lawyer is ever a faithful friend and an upright, 
honorable citizen. In politics Jlr. Winans has 
been classed as a Uemocrat. though he follows his 
own convictions instead of the dictations of party. 
In 1864, he w.as a member of the Democratic Na- 
tional Convention of Chicago; in 1868 the Demo- 
cratic candidate for Congress in the Second con- 
gressional district, then composed of the counties 
of Rock. .Jefferson. Dane and Columbia, which 
being largely Republican, he was defeated; and 
Member of the Assembly in 1874 and 11^82. To 
every public position he has been called to till, 
whicli have been many, he has brought abilities 
amply adequate to the performance of every duty, 
and a sincerity and uprightness of pur|iose which 
places all his acts above cavil or reproach. Mr. 
Winans. both in his professional life and in his 
pulilic acts has ever been governed by high moral 
principle. And this is •■ the only torch to light 
the way of a lawyer amidst darkness and obstruc- 
tion. It is like the spear of the guardian of para- 
dise." 

The above, taken from The Bench and Bar of 
Wincongia, pulilished in 1!S82. is understood to be 
from the pen of .ludge .John R. Bennett. Since its 
publication Mr. Winans has been called to several 
[)f)sitions of honor and trust. Although pre-emiu- 
eutl3- a lawyer, tiis success in politics has been re- 
markable. Living in a Republican State and in an 
overwhelmingly Republican congressioTial and as- 
senil>ly district, he has tdways adheied to the Demo- 
cratic |iarty. but as a Democrat has disjilayed a 
liberality and iinlepeiideuce that brings respect 
and confidence from political opponents. 'I'lie ])eo- 
l)le irrespective of party, conscious of his ability 
aiid desiring his services, have on three seveial 
occasions elected him. although a pronounced Dem- 
ocrat, to represent them in the Legislature. He 



*P 




,.?«««^*^- 








A 



♦- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



845 



', 



T 



was so plected in the fall of 1873. and was made 
cliairniaii of llie C'otiniiitU'o on Jiidiciarv, and took 
a lending' |)art in all matters before tlie House. 
During that session the IMilwankee Ereiiiiif/ IF/s - 
rii/isin. said: "Mr. W'inans is tlie eoneeded leader, 
although several others .ispired to that distinction, 
lie is the nu)St elo(inent speaker in the assembly, 
and is always listened to with attention." The 
Milwaukee iVcT.s, referring to him, said: "lie was 
the ablest debater on the reform side of the 
Mouse." 

Mr. Winans was again elected to the Legislature 
from the .lanesville (listriet in 1882, and served 
with distinction. 11' was nominated and voted for 
by the Democrats as Speaker of the Assembly, but 
his party, being in the minority, was of course; 
defeated. During the session of 1882 the Milwau- 
kee Sentinel said of him: "Mr. Winans is one of the 
most interestini; speakers in the Assembly. He is 
forcible, elocpienl and sensible, and never gets up 
to address the Assembly unless he has something 
to say." In referring to one of his speeches the 
Madison Democrat said: "One of the ablest and 
most effective speeches ever made in the Legisla- 
ture of Wisconsin was made 153- Assemblyman 
Winans on Thursd.ay morning, on the bill to ap- 
priate $2,000 to the widow of the murdered 
Sheriff Coleman. The bill came np f<ir considera- 
tion, its indefinite postponement having been 
recommended by the Committee on Claims, but 
after the speech of Mr. Winans it was ordered 
engrossed with scarcely a dissenting vote. 

In is.st; .Mr. Winans again representeil the city 
of .lanesville in the Legislature and was again voted 
for by his p:irty for Spe;iker of the Assembl3-. He 
w."i.>i also honored by being selected as the Demo- 
cratic candid;ite for I'niled States Senator, against 
I'hiletus Sawyer, the political complexion of the 
Legislature of course pre\enting his election. The 
RLadison Dcniocrat. in speaking of him during the 
session, said: "Just after the adjournment 3'ester- 
day a squad of Republican members, on passing out 
of the liuilding sai<I; ' Well , we have no such mm 
as Winans in the Chamber. He is a host in himself 
and as sound as granite on all measures. He can 
carry the House just about as he pleases.' " 

In the fall of 18.S2, Mr. Winans was elected to 



Congress from the lirst congrcssion.'d district, which 
then had a Republican m.njority of over 5,(100. 
He served his term in Congress with credit to him- 
self and his district, and although deeply ap])re- 
ciating the honor done him, declined :i renomin- 
ation. He has frequently .served his friends in 
lesser political oflices. such as City Attornev and 
M.ayor, having been twice elected to the last name<l 
office by large majorities. Under his administra- 
tion as M.ayor many public improvements were 
accomplished, notably flagmen at raihv.ay cross- 
ings, " the Kvansville cut-off " (so-called), a system 
of waterworks,' street cars, fire alarm system and 
■ electric lights. 

On July 4, 1888, at the national convention of 
the Democratic Club, held in Baltimore, Md.. .Mr. 
Winans w.as made its permanent chairman. 

Mr. Winans is still in the iirime of manhood, 
and actively engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion and has promise of years of future usefulness. 

—>> •o*c.-^y^^^..o4<>^ <.-. 

U<\: ILTON P. TRKAT, furniture dealer of 
Clinton, Wis., wxs born in New London, 
Huron Co.. Ohio, on the 2Isl day of Sep- 
tember, 1837. and there resided until eight 
years of age, when, in IHl.";, he emigrated with the 
family to the 'i'crritory of Wisconsin, and since 
that time has made his home in Rock County. He 
here received a liberal education in the common 
schools and academies. In 1863 he left the pa- 
rental roof and was united in marriage with .Aliss 
Fausta A. (Jonklin, a daughter of 1). I. Conklin. of 
Darien, Wis , hut after three short years of happv 
wedded life the wife w.os called to her final rest. 
Mr. Treat was again married in 18(;x, the lady of 
his choice being .Mrs. Catherine J. Sa.\ton, a resi- 
dent of Stephenson County, 111. 

In his political altiliations our subject is a Re- 
l)ul)lican, having sui)ported that party since its 
org.anization. He feels a deep interest in its suc- 
cess, but is a faithful adherent to the princii>les of 
temperance and religion, holding these above party 
ties. He is a prominent business man and repre- 
.sentative citizen of Clinton, and with good ability 
anil fair and honest dealing combines an earnest 



-•► 




■^^ 



■•► 



846 



ROCK COUNTY. 



desire to please his customers, which secures for 
liini a liberal share of the pul)lie patronage. Both 
Mr. and !Mrs. Treat are members of the Baptist 
Church in which they take an active interest. For 
a number of years he lias filled the office of deacon 
in the same church, and for thirty years has been 
numbered among the prominent .Sunda^'-school 
workers, and is probably one of the olilest superin- 
tendents, in point of service, in Southern Wiscon- 
sin. Such men are an honor to any comnuinit}-, 
and Clinton may well be proud tlial he is num- 
bered among her citizens. 



v^i YRON KYES, who is numbered among 
;// (\\ the early settlers of Rock County, of 1 854, 




is a general farmer and slock- raiser of 
.Magnolia Township, operating 388 acres of 
land on section 5. He was born near Kingston in 
Ontario, Canada, on the l!)th day of December, 
I.s;5C. and is a son of Thomas M. and Eliza A. 
(l)ockham) Kyes. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, for ser- 
vices rendered the British government, was given 
a tract of land comprising 800 acres, about forty 
miles frtnn Kingston, Ontario, and at Landsdown, 
the name given to the farm in honor of Lord 
Landsdown. Thomas Kyes was born. He was tliere 
reared to manhood and married the lady above 
mentioned. Four children were born to them in 
Kingstijn and nine after their removal, of whom 
eleven grew U> manhood and womanhood. M}n-on, 
of this sketch, is the eldest of the family; Jason is a 
farmer of Isemaha County, Neb.; Sarah is the wife 
of E. Peebles, a farmer of Green County, Wis. ; 
Asel ia a commission merchant of Yankton, Dak.; 
Harlej- P. is living in Washington; Emma C. is the 
wife of Leander Patterson; and Lester is a resident 
farmer of Dakota. 

In 1854, Mr. Kyes, accompanied by his family, 
removed from Jefferson County, N. Y., to Rock 
Cnuuty, Wis., and purchasing 134 acres of land on 
section 5, Magnolia Township, began life as a pio- 
neer in the little log cabin which had been built 
thereon, which is one of the few landmarks of 
pioneer days yet remaining to remind the people 



of the wonderful progress made bv our western 
civilization. He at once began the develoiiement 
of the wild land, step by step, transforming the 
hitherto uncultivated prairie into a tract of the 
greatest fertility. He became one of the leading 
citizens of the community and when the final sum- 
mons came was mourned by all who knew him. He 
filed in February. 1867, his wife surviving until 
September, 18G',). Plain and outspoken, fearless in 
defense of the light, during tlie days of slavery, he 
labored earnestly for its abolition. He could well 
defend his political views, being well informed on 
all subjects, and for hours could hold a crowd wait- 
ing eagerly to he.ir his next utterance and his con- 
clusive arguments. He lived to see the fulfilment 
of his wishes brought about by the Civil War. He 
was highly respected by all who knew him, .and his 
memory will long be enshrined in the hearts of 
many who have witnessed his good deeds and 
shared in his generosity. The five children of .Mr. 
and iNlrs. Kyes who have passed to their long rest, 
are Reuben who was drowned at the age of seven ; 
Alexander, who died in infancy; Nelson. who'w.TS 
killed b}' the Indiiins in Montana; John, who was a 
member of the 44lh Wisconsin Infantry and died 
in the service of ins country in the hospital of 
Paducah. Ky.; Mary, deceased wife of O. A. Pat- 
terson; and T. M., who died in Nebraska. 

The early education of our subject was received 
in the common schools of Jefferson County. N. Y., 
and his entire life has been passed upon a farm. In 
1854, he came with his parents to Rock County, 
whicii w.as then in a wild state, and after the death 
of his father, assisted by his younger brothers, he 
took charge of the farm, providing and caring for 
the mother who had devoted herself to his interests 
in earlier years. He cheerfully performed the 
arduous labors, making many improvements, and 
placing the land under a high state of cultivation. 
Mr. Kyes was united in marriage with Miss Diana 
Peebles, a native of .Schenectady County, N. Y., 
and a daughter of Seth V. and Mary (.Stevens) 
Peebles, who were also natives of the Empire State. 
The death of the father occurred in .Vlbanj-, Green 
Co., Wis., in 1883, but the mother is still residing 
with her son in that township. The children of 
their famiiv were William H., who is engaged in 



^p 



M*"^ 





■-B' 



A^V: 






^^^^-fLX-y-L^ 




o^' 




-4*- 



UOCIv COUNTY. 






849 M 



farming in Green County-, Wis.; Edwin, who is 
living in the same count}'; Dinah, wife of our sub- 
ject; and Ilial G., whose iiome is in Lincoln, Neb. 
By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kyes four children 
have heen born, but only one, Alarcia M., is now 
living, the other three having died in infancy. Mr. 
Kyes has been one of the sucfossful fanners of 
Rock Count}', and now owns and operates 388 acres 
of land in one body, situated on section o. Mag- 
nolia Township, and section 32, Union Township. 
Mis farm is acknowledgerl to be one of the finest in 
the vicinity, and is stocked with a good gr.ade of 
.tU the farm animals. Fn earlier years, our subject 
was an ardent supporter of the Republican party, 
and wa.s an active worker in its ranks, but of late 
years, he has identified himself with the Prohibition 
party, and is unfaltering in his support of that or- 
ganization. He is not afr,ald to advocate its prin- 
ciples, but warmly defends it whenever an oppor- 
tunit}' presents itself, believing that onl}' through 
the agency of a national political party can the 
cause of temperance win. The cause of education 
also finds in him a staunch friend. In all his labors 
for the .advancement of the interests of the com- 
munity, he has been ably seconded, whenever op- 
portunity afforded, by Mrs. Kj'es, who is one of 
Rock County's noble women, beloved and respected 
b}- all. We are pleased to record the sketch of this 
worthy couple, whose names sre familiar in nearly 
every household. Their honorable, upright lives 
.are well worthy of emulation, and the}- .are deserv- 
edly held in the highest regard. 



Ir^) KV. NATHAN WAHDNER, pastor of the 
ilkir .Seventh Day Baptist Church at Milton 
Junction, was born in Wheatland, Monroe 
^ Co., N. Y., on the 12th day of April, 1.S20, 
and is the ninth and youngest child of Philip and 
Polly (Wise) Wardner who were natives of Ver- 
mont. The family on the father's side is of Ger- 
man descent. The paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, Jacob Wardner, was born on the Atlantic 
Ocean, while his parents were en route from Ger- 
many to America. After attaining to mature 
years he settled on a farm in Roxbury, Vt., where 



Philip was born and reared to manhood. He m.ar- 
rietl Polly Wise, who w.as probably of English de- 
scent. He was a carpenter by trade, but resolved 
to secure some land for his children, and with that 
end in view removed to the unsettled portion of 
Western New York, where in the midst of the for- 
est he developed a farm. He was ordained a Dea- 
con in the regular Baptist Church in 1827. and 
continued to fill that position until his death in 
1852. While laying the foundation for the mater- 
ial welfare of his children, he was unable to afford 
them many literary advant.ages, but his youngest 
sou, our subject, resolved to secure an educa- 
tion. 

Determining to carry out his resolution, on reach- 
ing his majority, with only eighteen pence in his 
pocket, Nathan Wardner left his home for the 
school room. By perseverance and the closest fru- 
gality, he secured the benefit of a course at Alfred 
University, in Allegany County. N. Y His cash 
outlay for a year was not allowed to exceed *75, a 
sum which would seem very meager indeed to the 
youth of the present d.<iy. In 1842 he became con- 
vinced that the seventh day of the week was the 
true Sabbath, and associated himself with the Sev- 
enth Day Baptist Church. In the latter part of 
1846, that church determined to send missionaries 
abroad, and Mr. AVardner was solicited as one of 
them, although his university course was not quite 
completed. He was therefore ordained as a regular 
minister of the church. lie was married Oct. 6, 
184G, to Miss Olive B. Forbes, who was born at 
Lock, Cayuga Co., N. Y. On the 5lh day of Janu- 
ary, 1847, he sailed from New York for China, ac- 
companied by his wife and a fellow-missionary. 
Mr. Wardner was one of the first sent out by the 
Seventh D.ay Baptist Church to make converts in 
the eastern countries. While in China, he so far 
mastered the language of the people as to be able 
to preach to them in their native tongue, and was 
doing a grand work, when he was compelled to re- 
turn home on account of his wife's failing health. 
Mrs. Wardner returned to America at the end of 
nine years, and finding, a year later, that she would 
never again be able to -go to the field of their 
labors abroad, Mr. Wardner also came home. Their 
three children were born in China, where one died; 



: ^j > ^ 



»► i f <^ 



850 



ROCK COUNTY. 



another cliild died at the age of nine years, and 
after their return to America. The living son, 
^Morton Smitli, is now a successful physician and 
pharmacist in Chicago. Altiiougii never full}' re- 
covering her health, Mrs. Wardner survived until 
Oct. :>, 1888, when she was called to her final 
rest. 

In consideration of his distinguished services 
and his success in mastering tlie Chinese language, 
Mr. Wardner was awarded a diploma by the uni- 
versity at Alfred, N. V.. on liis return to this 
country'. For eight \'ears he was pastor of the 
Church at Alfred, Allegany, Co., N. Y., and for a 
year and a half had charge of the church at West- 
erly, R. I., when he received a call from the 
church at West Ilalleck, Peoria Co.. 111., where he 
remained for seven years. The two succeeding 
years were spent in nussionary work in Scotland, 
and after his return, in the autumn of 1877. he be- 
came pastor of the churi'li at Milton Junction, 
where he has since remained. Since ado))ting the 
seventh day as the Subbatli, Mr. Wardner has been 
very zealous in spreading the doctrines of the 
Seventh Day Baptist Church. In 1807 the Ameri- 
can Sabbath Tract Society, published a series of 
four powerful sermons prepared b}' him on the 
subject of the .Sabbath, which were revised and 
published in 1875. Having l>ecome involved in a 
discussion with the editor of the Battle Creek Be- 
view and Herald, and being shut out of the columns 
of that journal, Mr. Wardner pulilished in 1882 a 
review of tlie whole discussion, wliicli had a wide 
circulation. He has also published numerous 
tracts, reviewing the fallacies of the American Re- 
form Association, and on other subjects which con- 
cern the public niiiul. Ho lias taken an active |)art 
in the abolition and temperance movements, and 
by delivering lectures and in other ways has shown 
his deep interest in the vital issues of theda}- affect- 
ing the welfare of mankiml. In 1877. Milton 
College conferred upon Mr. Wardner the degree 
of 1). D. 



♦ > » < ♦ 



4 



EUGENE H. SKINNER, the owner of one of 
the most highly improved farms in Newark 
Townshiii. situated on section 7. and also a 
raiser of tobacco, was born in ^Vayne County. N. '\'., 

^1 



Dec. 6, 1846, and is a son of Jacob and Eliza 
(Peck) Skinner. His father was a native of Kent 
Count}'. P>ngland, his mother of Monroe County, 
N. Y. Mr. Skinner had previously been married, 
wlule a resident of England, and by that union two 
children were born — Elizabeth, widow of William 
Golding, of ]\Iinnesota; .and Theroii. who was a 
member of the 22d Wisconsin Infantry, was taken 
prisoner, and died at the home of our subject from 
disease contracted while in Libby Prison. 

About the year 1840, Air. Skinner emigrated 
with his family to America, becoming a resident of 
New Y'ork. where his wife died. In that State he 
afterwards became acquainted with and married 
Miss Eliza Jane Peck. In 184tl he removed to 
Rock County, Wis., and pre-empted fort}' acres of 
land on section 7, Newark Townsliip. luit subse- 
quently added to his original purchase until his farm 
comprised 1 20 acres. He there made his home \intil 
December, 1857, when he made a visit to his 
mother in New York, where he was taken sick and 
died. His wife survived him until Feb. 7. 1881, 
dying at the old homestead in this cotmty. They 
were the parents of four children — Eugene, of this 
sketch; Sylvester A., who is living in Louis Coinity, 
Wash., was a soldier in the late war, serving 
in the 13d Wisconsin Infantry, from October, 1804 
till July 18G5, when he w.as honorably disihargcd : 
Mary J., wife of K. K. Felt, of Washington County, 
Kan.; and Hannah A. 

The earlier years of his life our suliject passed 
upon his father's farm, and in the common schools 
of the county received his education. When 
thirteen years of age. however, he left his home 
and went to live with an uncle, with whom lie re- 
mained until his eighteenth year. Returning to 
his home in 18()3, he took charge of the farm, con- 
tinuing to ra.anage affairs tintil 18(!5. when he 
bought the interest of the other heirs. He now 
owns 2()-"5 acres of line land, ISO of which is nniler 
a high state of cultivation, while the improvements 
are among the best to be found in Newark Town- 
ship. He has a fine grade of all kinds of stock, 
including short horn cattle, and his l).irns provi<le 
shelter for one hundred he.ad of stock. 

On the 20th day of November, 1871. the \inion 
of Mr. Skinner and .Miss Clarinda I'adfield was 






-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



851 



ceU'l)r!iti'(1. Unto them lias lieen born an inter- 
esting family- of four children, one son and three 
daughters — Hiirlon E., Editii E., Eva I. and Agnes 
M. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have one of the most 
ef)nifort.alilt.' homes in the community, where hos|)i- 
tality abounds and all receive a hearty welcome. 
He is regarded as one of the leading citizens of 
tlie community, and has held various township 
oflices. including that (if treasurer. In March, 
1H74, he was elected secretaiy of the Fanners' Mu- 
tual Fire Insurance Company, representing Rock, 
Plymouth, Newark, Avon, Spring Valley, Beloit 
and Center townsiiips, and has annually l>een re- 
elected. The company insures nothing but farm 
property. Honorable and u|)right in all his deal- 
ings, Mr. Skinner has won the confidence and 
respect of all who know hira. 



— ••4*i«J'J*^'* "" ■ 



"vT^ARNABAS BALLOU ELDREDGE, a pio- 
l^^, neer lawyer and honorc(l citizen of Janes- 
ville, was l)orn at Sharon Springs, Schoharie 
Co., N. Y., on the 2nd day of February, 
1824, and is descended from an old New England 
familv. Ills parents were David and Sall^- (Swift) 
Eldredge, and his father was also born in Sharon 
Springs. The Eldredge family on the paternal 
side is of \Velsh origin and dates its advent in 
America back to 1 TijO, when two brothers, Zenas 
and Edward Eldredge, emigrated from Wales to 
America, settling on Cape Cod, Mass. The latter, 
from whom our subject traces his descent, w.as born 
in Wales, Sept. 9. 17.37. came to America in his 
youth and w,as married in Massachusetts, to Jliss 
Adna Hammond, an annt of Judge Hammond, a 
well known iiolitical writer of New York. She 
was born at Dartmouth, M.ass., Ma}- 2.5, 17,35, and 
died at Sharon Springs, N. Y., on the 5tli of De- 
cember, 182."), her husband having died at the same 
place, March 28, 1821. 

Barnabas Eldredge, their son, was born at New 
Bedford, Mass., Sept. 2;i. 1708, went to New York 
with his parents, where he married Dacia W.ads- 
worth, daughter of Josiali Wadsworth, of Pough- 
keepsie, formerly of Hartford. Conn. Eleven chil- 
dren were born of their union. The father died at 



Sharon, Sept. .i, 1«12, and his wife died at the 
same place, Dec. 5, 1825. 

David Eldredge, their son and the father of our 
subject, was born at Sharon, .Sept. 3, 17t)7, and 
married :Miss Sally Swift, on the 9tli of October, 
1816. She was born in Otsego County, N. Y., 
Nov. 11, 17;)8, and was a daughter of Thoni.as 
Swift, formerly of Rhode Island. Her death oc- 
curred Oct. 8,1865. Five children were born of 
their union, one son and four daughters — Irene, 
who was born ,at Sharon, April U, 1818, is the 
widow of William Dale, who was the superintend- 
ent of construction of the great acqueduct bridges 
of New Y'ork and New Jersey ; Nancy, born in Sha- 
ron, F'eb. 8, 1820, wedded Philip H. Palner, and 
died at Cherry Valley, N. V.. M.arch 19, 1882; Ju- 
lia, born Dec. 14, 1821, is the wife of William 
Becker, of Easton, Pa.; Barnabas B. i> the fourth 
child; Louisa, born Sept. 11, 1825, is the ^id'>w of 
a Mr. Worthing, and resides at Sharon Springs, 
N. Y. 

Barnabas B. Eldredge took a preparatory course 
of study at the Clinton Liberal Institute and grad- 
uated from Hamilton College In the cLass of 1845. 
He entered upon a course of stud}' in the Cam- 
bridge Law School under the direction of Prof. 
Greenleaf and Judge William Kent, son of Chan- 
cellor Kent, closing his term at the lavv school in 
1847. Next, he went to Alb.an}', N. Y'., where he 
pursued his law studies with the Hon. Samuel Ste- 
vens, of that city and was .admitted to practice in 
the courts of New Y'ork at a terra of the .Supreme 
Court held at .Salem, in May, 1848, Judges Cady, 
Hand and Willard presiding. He liegan practice at 
Sharon Springs, but soon after made a trip to Wis- 
consin for the purpose of selectiag a location. The 
serious illness of his father recalled him to New 
York before he had established .an ollice, and he re- 
mained in his native State until 1850, at which 
time he came to Janesville, arriving at his destina- 
tion on the 9th day of November of th.at year. 

At Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y'., on the 2nd d.ay 
of Februarv, 1848, the marriage of Mr. Eldredge 
and Miss Louisa M. Ilutchens w.as celebrated. The 
lady was born at Clinton, May 6, 1825; and is a 
daughter of William Ilutchens. Two children 
were born to them. William Mellen. the elder, 

■► ^ « 






'i 



852 



" •► ^ B * 



ROCK COUNTY. 



who was born at Clinton, X. Y.. in 1848, maiiied 
Miss Sarah C. Pease, daughter of ilie Hon. .lohn 
J. R. Pease, of Janes\*ille. and is enjraged in the 
drug business in this city; CiiarU'S C'lianiliiu-hiiii. 
the younger, was born at .lanesville. July 1", 1856 
and died in infancy. The mother. wi)0 was a lady 
possessed of many excellencies of eliaractcr. died 
March 29, 1877, in this city. 

On coming to Janesville, IMr. Kldredgo formed 
a law partnership with Isaac Woodell and .1. .1. R. 
Pease, under the firm name of Woodell, Eldredge ife 
Pease, which connection continued until June 0, 
1851, when Mr. Woodell retired, the firm remain- 
ing Eldredge it Pease until January, 186C. 

In 1857, Thomas H. Ruger, wiio was afterwards 
a General of the United .States Armj', joined 
Messrs. Eldredge & Pease .-uul the firm was El- 
dredge, Pease & Ruger, till tlie breaking out of the 
late war: when the latter entered the service and 
the old firm name was resumed. In 1853, Mr. El- 
dredge was appointed local attorney for the Mil- 
waukee & Mississippi Railroad Company, serving 
iu that capacity until 1860, and in 1855, became 
.attorney for the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac 
Railroad Company, now the Chicago & Xorth- 
western, serving until February 1866, when he re- 
turned to Sharon, N. Y., with the intention of re- 
tiring from business, but on the 1st day of July, 
1868, he again came to Janesville, where he lias 
since made his home. Me did not resume practice 
again for several years on account of the delicate 
condition of his wife's hea[th, which made it necss- 
sary for him to devote his whole time to her care, 
until her death, which occurred in March, 1877. 
Soon after that sad event, he opened a l.aw oflice in 
the same rooms which he liad formerlv occupied, 
and on the 1st day of January, 1«78. formed a 
partnership with Ogden II. Fetliers, continuing 
with him until January, 1881, since which linu' 
he has been alone in practice. 

Mr. Eldredge was a Democrat in early litV and 
east his first vote for Silas Wright for Governor of 
New York. In 1848, while in the Empire State, 
he was a delegate to the convention at Utica, which 
nominated Martin Van Burcn for the Prcsidenc_v, 
and was also a delegate to the Harnburners con- 
vention, held at Rome, N. V., where the object 



was to c(msolidate the Ijarnlnirners and the Hunk- 
ers, hut which failed of its purpose. He then 
voted for Mr. Van Buren and continued to frater- 
nize with the Democrats until the organization of 
the Re|)ublican party, when he joined that ])olit- 
ical body and has since been recognized as an ac- 
tive Republican. 

On the 17th day of .hine. 1S7><. IMr. KIdrcdge 
was again married, bei-oming the husband of Miss 
Mary A. Hunter, who was born at t^ueliec, Canada, 
and is a daughter of the Rev. .lames Hunter of 
Galashiels, Scotland, ller father was a remarkable 
man in tiiat he retained his physical and mental 
vigor until nearly a hundred years old. He died 
of cholera at the age of ninety- two years, only two 
days after what proved to be his last sermon. He 
was a minister of the Congreg.ational Church, of 
which his daughter is a member. Mr. Kldredge's 
jiarents both died at their home in New York, of 
an epidemic, within a few daj's of each other, the 
mother dying Oct. 3, 1865, the father on the Sth 
day of the same month. 

Mr. Eldredge is a member of the K|iiseoi)al 
Church Mt Jnnesville. He w.as one of the incori)o- 
rators of the Rock County National liank. and was 
President of that institution from Nov. 19, 1H8I, 
to Jan. 17, 1887, since which time he has served as 
Vice-President. He is also a stock-holder and di- 
rector of the New McLean Manufacturing Com- 
pau}'. proprietors of the woolen mills. He took a 
deep interest in the ipiestion of procuring a good 
water supply for the city and was the first to ad- 
vocate the plan of sinking .an artesian well for that 
puriwse. in oiiposition to all plans to utilize river 
or creek water. He w.as elected a member of the 
Board of Water Commissioners and was largel}' 
instrumental in carrying through the plan for arte- 
sian water, being ably supported by John J. R. 
Pease and Milton M. Phelps. The well was sunk 
to the depth of 1,087 feet with an eight-inch bore 
and tiie water rose to :\ height of fort\--two feet 
.above the level of the water surface in the river, 
discharging at the rate of 800,000 gallons every 
twenty-four hours. The water is of excellent 
(piality, and the system now in use. which is vir- 
tually the same with slight variations, as the one 
proposed by the original Board of Comniissioners, 

s^ 



t- 



-^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



is voted a graiul success. Mr. Eldredge is entit- 
k(l to jjieat credit lor liis early conception of the 
artesian S3'steni and liis indefatigable efforts in fa- 
vor of its adoption. lie was the first to advise, 
while a meraher of tlic Rock County Agricultural 
Association in 1S71, the sinking of such a well at 
the fairgrounds, as a test for agricultural purposes, 
which was carried through successfully, excei)t so 
so far as raising the water to the necessary height 
for the purpose stated. lie personally secured 
the subscription for the purpose, which he headed 
with a liberal sum. Mr. Kldredge, while one of 
the very few left of the early lawyers of .lancsville, 
has always been conspicious as a leading member 
of the Hock County bar. He has been proniincntl_y 
identified with llie growth and de\eliipuient of the 
city and ciiunty and has always Imrne his i)art as 
an enterprising and public spirited citizen. In 
manner, he is courteous; in discourse, interesting; 
and is universidly cstccnu'<l and respected for his 
upright course in life and unswerving integrity. 



*>^ 



•it 



R^jRIGADIER (;ENERAL ELON .1. FAWNS 
'l^^ WORTH was l)orn in (ireen ( )ak, I.iviug- 
5^1 III son Co., ^lich., on the ;?Oth day of July, 
1<S;?7. and in 1 «;")!. removed with his fathei-. 
.lames I'. Farnsworth. to Rockton. 111. Later, in 
l.sCiS. the family removed to Rock County. Wis., 
whore the elder Mr. Farnswuith is an honored citi- 
zen and resident of IJeloit. The only brother of 
our subject die<l in Michigan at the age of eighteen 
years, before the lemoval of the family to Illinois, 
and his mother's death occurred in is.")."). Elon .1. 
was sent by his father to the I'niversity at Ann 
.\rbor, Mich., where he remained until the winter 
of 1<H.') 7 -.'),*<. when he joined the army of Gen. 
Johnston, then on its way to Utah to suppress the 
Mormon insurrection in that Territory. He entcic<l 
the service as an assistant in the (Quartermaster's 
department, and remained with the army on that 
distant frontier, traveling through the Westeiii 
Territories until the breaking out of the Rebellion 
in 18(;i. Love of adventure, buffalo hunting and 
other like sports frecpiently led him to make long 
journej's on horseback through the uiountaius and 

4t 




over the plains of the Far AVest, and it was there 
doubtless, that he IcaruiMl to have such mastery 
over horses, which subseiiucntly gave him the rep- 
utation of being -'the best rider in tlie army." 

News of the Rebellion reached .Mr. F.unsworth 
in the summer of 18GI, and he immediately h,as- 
tened home to join the Sth Illinois Cavalay, which 
his distinguished uncle, (icn'. .lolin F. Farnsworth, 
was then organizing. He was made I5attalion 
tinartonuaster, but soon afterward, by election, was 
|)romoted to the Captaincy of Company K. of that 
celebrated regiment. During all the battles of the 
Army of the I'otomac, he was never off duty in a 
fight or skirmish in which his troops were engaged, 
and which encounters aie said to be forty-on(! in 
number. He was brave and daring to a fault, and 
so kind and cunsidcratc to his men that he early 
became their i)ride and boast. Whenever a scout 
or reconnoisance was instituted, C'ai)t. Farnsworth 
was almost invariably i)laced at its head, and so 
intrepid was he in his attacks, and so watchful in 
his movements that his name became a terror to 
every bushwhacker along the line. For his skill 
and daring on one occasion the following compli- 
mentary order was issued. 

Hkaixjiahtkus Fiust C\\ \i.i;y Division. / 
Gexkual ()i;iii;i; No. 15. ) 

The General eommainling takes this occasion to 
thank Capt. Farnsworth of the Sth Illinois Cavalry, 
for the gallant and etlicient manner in which he has 
performed the scouting duty intrusted to his 
charge. W^)v score of prisoners taken from the 
enemy is largely in his Cavor. and the skill and 
adroitnesss displayed in the capture ;ire worthv of 
high commendation. 

This order to be pnblislie<l at the headqij;irters 
of each regiment, by order of 

IiiniiADIKR GkN'KRAL Pl.lCASANTON. 

A.J. CoiiKN, Captain and A. A. G. 
To Cait. E. .1. Faunswortii, 8th Illinois Cav- 
alry. 

This compliment w.asi well merited, for to his genius 
and bravery much of the celebrity of his regiment is 
due. In May, 1863. Gen. I'leasanton placed him 
ni)on hisstatTas aid. and so well pleased was he with 
Capt. Farnsworth that he nominiited him to the 
■» 



♦ 



r 



i , 854 



ROCK COUNTY. 



*Tr* 



office of brigadier general. Tiie news of tiie ap- 
pointment reached him while on duty in the field. 
The cavalry was then at Frederick City, Md., mov- 
ing toward Pennsylvania in pursuit of the rebels, 
and the newly appointed general was at once as- 
signed to the command of the 1st brigade of the 
3d division of cavalry, consisting of the 1st Ver- 
mont, 1st Virginia, 5th New York and 8th Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry Koginients and a battery of artil- 
lery. With his brigade he moved rapidly forward, 
and on the 30th day of June met the rebel cavalry 
under Gen. Stewart in a fierce engagement, but 
succeeded in routing that celebrated officer. 

On the 3d of July our subject was ordered by 
Gen. Kilpatrick, who commanded tlie 3d Division 
of cavalry, to charge the right flank of the rebel 
army. The rebels (infantry) were posted behind a 
stone wall, and a little in the rear was another wall. 
They also had their artillery placed in such a man- 
ni . Miat they could pour a deadly fireof graiie and 
canister u. m the flanks of an advancing column. 
Gen. Farnsw(./"i reconoitered the ground in pei-- 
sou and reported lo his commanding officer that a 
charge at that point would lie madness, and would 
only result in tiie loss of his men. (Jen. Kilpat- 
rick, however, ordered the charge to be made. The 
" gallant young hero and martyr replied, '•Very well, 
I will not send my men where I do not go witli 
witl\ tiiem." JSefore entering upon that awful 
charge he bade good-bye to his many comrades and 
brother officers and then rushed on to his death. A 
correspondent of the New York Tinie.t who was with 
the cavalry gives the following account of tiie ter- 
rible charge, one of the bravest, most gallant, but 
most disastrous of any during the war. 

''The 1st Vermont under Col. Preston, the 1st 
Virginia under Maj. Copeliart. and the 18th Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry under Col. Brcnton. led by Gen. 
Parnsworth, dashed forward at the command until 
the stone wall was readied. A few men pulled the 
rail-fence away from liie the top of the stone wall. 
Gen. Farnsworth leaped his horse over and was 
followed by tiie 1st Vermont, tlie enemy lueaking 
befori' tliem and taking a position lichind the sec- 
ond fence. The few rtxls between tiie two fences, 
where our men crossed, was a fearfully dangerous 
place, the little force receiving the concentrated 



T- 



fire of three lines, from front and liotli flanks. The 
witnesses of the movement stood in breathless 
silence, their blood running cold. As the charge 
gained the second fence, man after man was seen to 
fall. Gen. Farnsworth among the rest. 'He is killed' 
grasped many a one looking at that fatal spot. But 
no, that tall form and slouched hat are his, he lives, 
and all breathe again. His horse was killed, but a 
soldier gives him his horse, the General again mounts 
and dashes on. The enemy here makes amore 
formidable stand but is driven away, and the whole 
force go dashing, reeling over the fence in a whirl- 
pool of shot and shell, such as is seldom witnessed 
even by soldiers. The constant roar of musketry 
and artillery on the main field lent to the scene a 
peculiar sublimity and fearful grandeur. The sec- 
ond fence crossed, and new fires were opened upon 
the brave band. To retreat was certain death, and 
the only chance of safety was to advance, and ad- 
vance they did for between one and two miles to 
the rear of the rebel army in sight of the coveted 
train, but at what a cost. Despairing, the men re- 
turned under a galling fire as best they could. A 
few did not get back to their command for hours, 
many never came. The list of missing was gradually 
lessened, and hope led us to look anxiously for the 
return of Gen. Fansworth. and when, with morning's 
dawn, no tidings from him were heard, then hope 
said he was wounded, a prisoner, he had been left 
seriously, perhaps dangerously wounded at some 
house by the roadside. A'ain hope, messengers 
vere sent in cver\' direction to search for the miss- 
ii;g one. It did not seem possible that he could be 
dead, and yet so it was. He fell just after cross- 
ing the second fence, his bodj' pierced with five 
wounds. There some of the \'ermoiit boys found 
him some two days after, (the rebels having fallen 
back.) The brave, noble and generous Farnsworth 
has gone to his last rest, and the sod which covers 
his grave has lieen wet by the tears of those who 
loved and honored him while living. His name 
will be held in rememlirance Iiy ever^' member of 
the 3d Division. Gen. Farnsworth was jjossessed 
with rare beauty, both of person and of soul. No 
man who knew him failed tt) admire his great so- 
cial attractions, nor will they soon forget his tall, 
athletic frame." 



-^ 



■^•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



855 , . 



4 



INIaj. (Jeh. Pleasanton. wlio commanded the cav- 
aliv corps, and Capt. )')nnnmond, of Gcu. I'leas- 
anton's staff who sui)erintended the burial of Gen. 
Farnswoith and aiinoiinced his fate to his friends, 
wrote the foliowinji; letter to his uncle, (len. .1. F. 
Karnswortii." 

IIix^ius. Cavamiv Co. ()!•' riir'. Poto.mac, } 
July (!. 18G;?. \ 
Gen. J. F. Farnsirorth ; 

1)i:ai: ( ii:\i:i! ai,: — I deeply regret to announce 
to you the death of Hrig. (lon. Karnsworth, late 
Captain of the 81h Illinois Cavalry. He was killed 
while leading a charge of the brigade against the 
enemy's infantry in the recent liattle of Gettys- 
liiirii-. His death was glorious. He made the first 
grand charge against the enemy's infantry — broke 
them. When found, nearly a mile in the rear of 
the enemy's lines, his body was pierced with five 
bullets. He has becni buried in the cemetery at 
Gettysburg, and the grave is properly marked. 
The enemy stripped the l)ody to the undershirt, an 
unheard of piece of N'andalism, as the General was 
in his proper dress. 

Accept my warmest S3'nipathy; you know ray 
estimate of our late friend and companion in arms. 
We have, however, a consolation in his brilliant 
deeds in the grandest battle of the war. 

Very truly yours, 

A. I'lkasanton. 

Another letter written by Gen. Pleasanton to 
Gen. .1. F. Farusworth, Feb. 16, 1864, was as fol- 
lows: 

Ml/ Dear General — In looking over my Gettysburg 
report it has occurred to me that you should know 
wliat I said and what I thought of j'our late 
nephew, and as it will probably not see daylight 
for a long time I send you the following quotation 
from tiiat report. 

"It was in one of those brilliant engagements 
that the noble and gallant Farusworth fell, heroic- 
ally leading a charge of his brigade against the 
rebel infantry, (lifted in a high degree with a 
(|uick perception and a coirect judgment, remarka- 
ble for his daring and coolness, his comprehensive 
grrisp of the situation on the field of battle, and the 
rapiditj- of his actions had already distinguished 



Gen. Farnsworth among his comrades in arms. In 
his death was closed a career that must have won 
the highest honoi-S of his profession." 

In July, 1863, Gen. J. F. Farnsworth visited 
(Jettysburg, disinterred the remains of his nephew, 
and after embalming, renuived them to Illinois, 
where now sleeps the heroic brave. He rests, to 
be remembered with the honored dead who have 
fallen in defense of their country, .and a >i"ation 
mourns the inestimable loss. 

-^ .^^ ^ 



^OIIN P. TOWNE, who is numbered among 
the older members of the bar of Rock County, 
having opened a law office at Edgerton in 
_ September, 1858, is a native of the " Old 
Granite State," having been born at Milford in 
1 826. He is descended from one of the early New 
England families, which w.as founded in America 
by William Towne, who emigrated from England 
in' 1640 and settled at Topsfield, Mass., only twenty 
years from the landing of the Pilgrims from the 
Mayflower at Plymouth Rock. The longevity of 
many members of the family is quite remarkable, 
many of them having attained to a very old age. 
The subject of this sketch is of the sixth generation 
in lineal descent from William Towne. His great- 
grandfather left Massachusetts, the first home of 
the family, and removed to Milford, N. H., in 17(11. 
The farm 0]i which he first made his home is still 
in jKjssession of his descendants. .lonathan Towne, 
the father of our subject, was born, lived and died 
on the old homestead where his grandfather first 
settled. Theie, also, .John P. resided from the age 
of three years till mnidiood, and there his mother, 
with one of her sons, still resides. She has readied 
the very advanced age of ninety-nine years, having 
been born on the Pith day of February, 1790. Her 
maiden name was Clarissa Hojt. and she also is de- 
scended from one of the early families of New 
England, her grandfather having been one of the 
first English children born at Concord, N. H. The 
ancestry of Mr. Towne were i)rominpntly identified 
with the early settlement of New England and 
were j)eople held in the highest respect. His great- 
grandfather, who. as stated, settled in Milford, N. 



^^M ^' 



-U 



■» n -^ 



856 



KOCK COUNTY. 



H., in 1761, fought for Independence in the War 
of the Revolution and died in the Army at Crown 
Point, in July, 1776. His maternal grandfather. 
John Hoyt, was a Captain in tlie American Army 
during the AVar of 1812. 

Throughout his life Jonathan Towne followed 
the occupation of farming. He and his wife were 
the parents of ten children, all of whom, with the 
exception of one, grew to mature jears. Of the 
five sons and four daughters who attained to man- 
hood and womanliood, two sons and three daugh- 
ters are living, in 1889. Of these, John P. is the 
eldest. His surviving brother, Ezra C, resides on 
the old homestead in New Hampshire with his aged 
mother, and the daughters still living are Mrs. 
Clarissa Adams, Mrs. Nancy Duncklee and IMrs. 
Carrie Nye. The members of tlie family who have 
passof' nwaj' are William, Jonathan, Nathan and 
Mrs. Mai_ Hamblett. None of the family, except 
the subject Oi this notice and his brother, Nathan- 
iel, ever left their native State to find homes in the 
West. The latter settled at Manchester, Iow\a, 
where he continued to reside until his death, which 
occurred in March, 1889. 

On the old homestead in New Hampshire John 
Towne was reared to manhood. He received his 
education at the Military' Academy at Norwich, \'t., 
and in 1853 left the jiarental roof and started out 
in life for himself. His course lay to tlic westward, 
and he continued his journey until reaching John- 
son County, Ind., whei'e he eng.aged in teaching un- 
til 185C, when he came to Wisconsin, locating at 
Milwaukee. ' Previous to this time he had pursued 
the study of law and had lieen admitted to the bar 
of Indiana in 185C, and after settling in ^Milwaukee 
he continued his studies in tliat line for a 3X'ar. At 
the end of that time he became a resident of Pal- 
myra, whence he removed to Edgerton in 1858. 
At once opening a law oflice in tjiattown.he began 
practice, which he has carried on continuf)usly 
since with fair success, gaining an honorable repu- 
tation among his professional bretliren. 

Mr. Towne w.as married in 1860 at Edgerton, 
Rock Co.. to Miss R(«illa Ford, a native of Oswego 
County, N. Y., and a danglitcr of Nelson Ford, 
who settled in Waukesha County. Wis., in 1842, 
and later made his home on Rock Prairie, this 



county, whence he removed to Cambridge, Dane 
Countj', and subsequently became a resident of 
Keokuk, Iowa. A family of three children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Towne. Louis H., the eldest, 
wiio was born in Edgerton in April, 1863, received 
his literary education at the schools of that city 
and at Milton College, and graduated from the 
Law Department of the State University, in the 
class of 1884. He is now engaged in the practice 
of his chosen profession in Edgerton and is a joung 
man of high ability and much promise. Angle F., 
born in 1871, and Metta, born in 1873, arc still at 
home with their parents. 

Mr. Towne is one of the representative men of 
Edgerton and has ever been prominent in the pro- 
motion of any object which tends to advance the 
best interests of the community. In 1861 he was 
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and for 
twent3--six years served in tiiat position. In 1887 
he declined a re-election. He has also served as 
a member of the school board for seventeen years, 
and in his political sentiments is a su|)porter of the 
Republican parly. In his religious views he is 
liberal, but since the organization of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at F^dgerton he has acted as one 
of its trustees. In addition to liis other Ijusincss 
interests he is connected witii the bank, in which 
he holds the office of Vice President. Throughout 
the many years of his residence in this comnuinity 
liis life has been one of the strictest integrity and 
he has won the highest regard an<l confidence of 
all. Cordial and genial in manner, he possesses 
not onl}' the power of securing friends, but the 
greater gift of retaining them, and his circle of 
friends is indeed larice. 



^WJAMES S. ROHERTY, section 6. I'orter 
I! Township, is a native of the townshi|). born 
^,^1. July 23, 1856, and is a son of Neal and 
(^^ Catherine (Sweeney) Roherty, both of whom 
are natives of Ireland. In his native country Neal 
Roherty followed tlic occuj>ation of a farmer, but 
on coming to this coimtr3' in 1849, he located at 
Ilazelton, Pa., and there engaged in coal mining. 
He remained at H.-izelton until about 1854. when 



J ±J* ■» 



-k. 



A^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



iot 



he f.ame to Rock Countj' and loc:vtcd in I'orter 
Township, wlicrc hcag;iin i'ngai>T(l in f:irinin<j. He is 
at present residing in l.aT'rairieTownsliip, wlicic he 
is engaged in llie same occ'iipation. His wife died 
in April. 18M',(. (_)f the family of thirteen cliildreii 
tlicre are eigiit yet living. Four died in infancy, 
and one, Annie, died in March, 1888. Those living 
are Ivate, who resides in Chicago; James, the sidj- 
jeet of tiiis sketch; Matthew, .lohn, Charlie. Mary, 
Nellie and Hugh, all of whom are residing at 
home. 

When fourteen years of ago the subject of this 
sketch left home, and secured emplt)yment' as a 
laborer on a farm, and farming has been his occu- 
pation thus far through life. He was married to 
Alice Leary. FeV). 1, 1882, and six children have 
been born unto them. Matthew, born Nov. 21, 
1882; John, Dec. 26, 1883; Mary. Feb. 20, 1885; 
Alice, Oct. 22. 1887; Kate and James, twins, liorn 
Dee. 2G, 1888; the former died in infanc3'. 

Mr. Roherty is at present operating a farm of 
210 acres on shares. He is a hard working man, 
iionest and upright in his dealings, anil is worthy 
a place in this record of old settlers .•uid promi- 
nent citizi'ns of a county. He and his wife are 
members of the Roman Catholic Church, and polit- 
ic.-illy be is a I'rohibitiouist. In the success of the 
cause of temperance, he takes a lively interest, 
giving of his time and means for the support of the 
cause. He is well known in the community in 
which he resides, and is res{)ected by ;dl who know 
him. 



" .M. .MARZi-lFF. of the lii' f F. M. 

PMarzlufl' & Co. is engaged in the manufac- 
ture of hulies' fine shoes, with oltiee and 
factory located on the race, near Milwaukee street, 
Janesville. The company was organized in Octo- 
ber, I88S, by the following name<l gentlemen: F. 
M. Mar/.lulT. II. \V. Rau and J. (i. .Metzinger. Mr. 
Marzluff is a practical shoe manufacturer and is the 
superintendent of the factory. They make a spec- 
ialty of ladies" line shoes, employ seventy -five oper- 
atives and turn out on an average of about 
$7').000 worth of goods annually. The manager 
has had many years' experience in his business, and 



sees tliat none but (irst-class work leaves the estab- 
llshmeiit. 

The subject of this .sketch was born in Rochester, 
X.V., ]Mareh 18. 18.')7. and is the son of John and 
Elizabeth (IJerl) .Maiv.lul'f, who were of (ierman 
l)irth and emigralc'd to America in early life. He 
was rearetl to manhood in his native city, and from 
eight to ten years of age drove a canal team for 
his father. When twelve years of age he began 
to learn the shoemaking trade, at which he became 
so proficient that he was employed for .several 
years as foreman of two of the leading shoe maiui- 
faeturing hou.ses in New York. His education was 
obtained in the night-schools of Rochester. For 
si.\ years he was foreman in the eslablishinent of 
John Kelt}', of Rochester, and for two years was 
engaged in the same position for Dunn. Barber & 
Co., of Auburn, N.Y. In 1S84 he emigrated to 
the West, locating in Janesville, where he estab- 
lished a shoe factory in company with Alexander 
liichardson. the tlrin developing an extensive busi- 
ness, which they carried on until 1888. when the 
l):irtnership was dissolved and the present lirm 
organized. 

On the iUh d.ay of Septemlier, 1877, Mr. Marz- 
luff was united in marriage with Miss Frances P. 
Hansz, daughter of (;corge Ilans/;, who is still re- 
siding in Rochester. N.Y. Mr. Marzluff's mother 
ilicd on the 2()th day of December, 1875. but his 
father is still living and makes his home in Janes- 
ville. In |)olitics our subject is a supporter of the 
Republican i)art3'; and he and his wife are members 
of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The factory of 
which he is superintendent and |)art proprietor is 
ra|)idly winning a high reputation for the quality 
of its work, and will without doulit l)ecorae one of 
the leading manufacturing institutions of its kind 
in the State. 



VfJAMES A. CIIAMBP:RLAIN is a leading 
farmer of La I'rairie Township, residing on 
section 35. We are pleased to record the 
^_^ sketch of this pioneer, whose history has 
been identified with that of the county since .March 
22, 1838, nearly his entire life having been passed 



■^•- 



A 



I 1 ' 



858 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■♦HH^ 



•f 



witliin its borders, while for a half century he 
l)as resided upon the same farm. He wiis born in 
Hartford. Conn., March 2, 1833, and is a son of 
James and Maria (Jackson) Chamberlain. The 
father was born in the Isle of Wight March 13. 
1791, and in 1819 sailed from the shores of Eng- 
land across the broad ocean to America, locating 
first on Long Island. He was a carpenter and 
joiner by trade, and while there residing became 
acquainted with the lady who afterward became 
his wife, she being a native of Long Island. 
Shortly after their marri.ige they removed to Hart- 
foid. Conn., where Mr. Chamberlain was employed 
as a contractor and builder, erecting many of the 
finest buildings in that city, including tiie Episco- 
p.Tl Church. In 1832 the city awarded him the 
contract of building a stone arch bridge, which yet 
stands as a monument to his efficient skill, while 
many other fine structures testify to his ability as a 
workman. In the month of December, 1836, he 
made a trip to the AVest and stopped at Rockford, 
111., anil in January of the following year made a 
trip t(j r.cluil. i'roccedingup Turtle Creek, he lo- 
cated a claim on its banks in the town of Brad- 
ford, pre-empting a half-section of land, and when 
tlie land came into market in 1837, he sold IGO 
acres in order to pay for the remaining quarter 
section. This land was entirely unimproved, 
but he at once built a log cabin on the claim, and 
in the spring of 1838 removed his family, consist- 
ing of wife and three children, to their new home 
which he had prepared. The journey was made by 
team fnim Hartford, Conn. Starting on the 20tli 
day of January, 1838, they traveled until March 
22d, when they arrived at their destination. 

Mr. ('Ii;imbcrlain at once turned his attention to 
farming, and began the development of the wild 
l.ind, upon which he made his home until 1811, 
vviicn he traded for forty acres on section 35, La 
I'rairie Township, and removed tf) that farm, where 
he continued to reside until his ileath, Sept. 10, 
1871. He was numbered among the leading citi- 
zens of this county, and was a member of the first 
convention that metflin Madison to frame the con- 
stitution for the State of Wisconsin. He filled 
various township offices, erected the first school- 
luiuse in the township, and bore a prominent part 

^ 



in the promotion of religious and educational in- 
terests. None stood higher in the community 
than Mr. Chamberlain. His estimable wife de- 
l)arted this life Oct. 19. 187G. To them were born 
eight children, four of whom grew te maturity: 
Julia A., widow of Peter Smith, one of the early 
pioneers of this count}', is now residing in Clinton: 
James A., of this sketch; Sarah J. is the wife of 
Joseph Dockstadei', who is engaged in farming in 
La Prairie Township; and Mar}^ C, who resides in 
Darien, Walworth Country, is the widow of Napo- 
leon Johnson. 

Our subject received his i;ducation in the com- 
mon schools of Rock County, and his entire life 
has been spent upon a farm. Coming to this 
county when five j'ears of age, he has spent fifl}- 
one years of his life within its borders. He re- 
mained under the parental roof until Nov. 2(1, 
1856, when he led to the marriage altar Miss Helen 
J. Humphrey, a native of Montgomery Countv, 
N. Y., born .lune 2, 1838. Her parents were 
Frederick A. and Eliza (Yates) Humphrey, the 
former a native of Troy, N. Y., and the latter of 
Saratoga County, N. Y. On the 1st d.ay of Ma}', 
1847, they left their native State and came to this 
county, where the father has since followed the 
trade of carpenter and juiner. which he carries on 
in Shopiere. 

Mr. and Sirs. ClKiinbcrlain bcg:ui their domestic 
life upon the old home farm, where they have con- 
tinued to reside. He has added to his original 
possessions until he now owns 2 15 acres of land, 
160 situated in La Prairie Township, and eighty- 
five in the town of Bradford. One child came to 
grace the union of our subject and his wife, a 
daughter, Emma, who w.as born Jan. 2, 1860. She 
received a liberal education, having been gradu- 
ualed from Milton College in 1878. On the 12th 
day of May. 1886, she became the wife of Dr. 
James Mills, of Janesville. From the time when 
Mr. Chamberlain cast his first Presidential vote 
for Fremont, he has been asupi)orter of the Repub- 
lican party and a strong adherent to its priucii)les. 
He has served in various local offices of trust, for 
several j-ears w:is Township Superintendent of 
Schools, and for a long period served as Township 
Supervisor. The honorable, upright life of Mr. 



^ 



^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



85 !> 







C'li.aiiiberlaiii lias sr.ained liim the confldence and 
esteem of liis fellow-citizens, and his name is fam- 
iliar throughout the county as belonging to a man 
of unswerving integrity. Wiienever in his power, 
he lias aided in the advancement of the community, 
and not only has he witnessed the remarkable 
growth and progress, Init has participated in tlio 
great development which has been made. 

^ ANDALL WILLIAMS, a resident of. lanes- 
'( ville. was born in Chenango County, N. Y., 
on the 13tli day of March, 1812, and is 
descended from good old Revolutionary 
stock. His paternal grandfather, McKane Will- 
iams, was a native of Lancastershire, England, and 
in his native land married Miss Anna Cranson, who 
was born in Holland. In 1765, accompanied by 
his family, he crossetl the Atlantic to America, set- 
ling in Ixhode Island. When the Revolutionaiy 
War broke out, lie espoused the cause of the Colo- 
nies and enlisted in the service, taking part in the 
battles of Lexington and IJunker Hill. He 
received a wound in the last named battle, and his 
son Ileniy, an uncle of our subject, volunteered 
and took his father's place, continuing in the arni\- 
during the remainder of the war. Robert Williams, 
a lirothcr of McKane. was killed at the battle of 
r.miker Hill. 

After tlie close of the war, McKane Williams 
accomiianied his son James from Rhode Island fo 
the Stale of New York, settliug in Chenango 
County. Others of the family emigrated at the 
sanic time, including Henry. l>efore mentioned, and 
aniither son nnmarried. The father died at his 
hdiiK' ill New ^'ork. in the one huiidi-ciith vt'ar uf 
his age. 

James Williams, the father of our subject, was 
of the nuniber who emigrated from Rhode Island 
to Chenango County, N. Y. While residing iu the 
former State, he was united in marriage with .Mi.ss 
Uetsy Hiirvey, who was born in Rhode Island, of 
English descent, and belonged to a seafaring fam- 
ily. Of their union the following children were 
born, all of whom grew to mature years, but 
of these only two now survive; Cranson, who 



is now living in Jackson County, Mich., and 
Randall, the youngest of the sons. The deceased 
members of the family are Uetsy, the eldest, who 
died Feb. 10, 1817, at the age of tw^enty-three 
years; Nancy married William Snider, and died 
in August, 1882; David died in Jackson County, 
Midi., several years ago; George also died several 
years ago, ne.ar Ctica, N. Y.; William died at his 
home in Broome County N. Y., March 22, 1880, at 
the age of seventy-seven years. 

Randall AVilliams, whose n.ame heads this sketch, 
resided at home on his father's farm until fifteen 
years of age. In 1813 the family removeil from 
Chenango County, N. Y., to Cortland County, 
where the death of the father occurred. His wife 
survived her husband, and died at the home of her 
daughter, in Wayne County, Pa, At the age of 
fifteen years, Rand.all left the parental roof, and, 
going to Ulster County, N. Y., engaged to work 
for the Delanare (fe Hudson Canal Company, [)er- 
forming such work as a boy of his .age was adapted 
to He was employed with the rei)Miriiig force of 
men, and was there eng.-iged for two years, when, 
in the interests of the same company, he went to 
Pennsylvania, working on the Pennsylvania section 
of the canal. For thirty years he coiilintied with 
that company, being all that time employed in the 
department of repairs, which fact is suflicicnt testi- 
monial to his faithfulness to duty, and the ability 
with which he performed his various labors. 

.Mr. Williams now had a family of children, and 
desiied to make a change which would be beiieli- 
cial to them. In 1855 he came to Rock County 
with a \iew of making a location, but returned to 
the Ivist without having fully decided where to 
make his future home. In 1857, however, .accom- 
panied by his family, he again came to Rock 
County, and here leaving his family, went to Kan- 
sas, where the 15ordi"r Warfare of that state was 
being carried on. He was absent but a few weeks, 
when he returned, and leaving two of his children 
at school in Milton, again went back to Pennsyl- 
vania with his wife and three children. On the 
13th day of November following, the death of Mrs. 
Williams occurred. She was a native of Pike 
County, Pa., and her maiden name was Mary Ann 
Kimball. Her death proved a sad loss to her 




t 



-4•— 

8(50 



■■» I I ■» 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■T 



famil}', consisting of five children, tlie eldest of 
wliom was but eighteen \-ears of age. while the 
youngest was only three years. In the month of 
March, 1858, Mr. Williams returned to Janesville, 
locating permanently in this city. P'or some time 
after his arrival he was engaged in the hakerj- busi- 
ness when, disposing of that, he bought a planing 
mill, which he operated for several years. He next, 
in company with Milo Curtis, engaged in the wood 
business, and subsequently emliarked in the grocery 
trade, in which line he continued for a number of 
j'ears. In connection with the last named l)usi- 
uess, he also owned and operated, in company with 
W. W. Walker, a tloiiring-mill at .Sloughton, Dane 
Co., Wis. Mr. AVilliains has also owned sev- 
eral farms wliich have engrossed a considerable 
portion of his lime, and proved quite .•enumerative. 
Ill the line of building, he has also done consider- 
able for the growth of Janesville, aud now owns 
several good business houses in the cit}-. 

In the nuinth of November. 18G0, in .lanesville, 
Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Mrs. 
Dudley, who, in her maidenhood was Miss haura 
Ann Miison. Two eliildreu have been born to 
them — Lewis 15. and .lessiu.l.; while of his first 
marriage Mr. Williams has four surviving chil- 
dren, namely : Franklin, Ann Maria, Alonzo and 
Mary. Among the progressive and leading citi- 
zens of Janesville, our subject has ever been found 
in the front ranks, and has borne his share in the 
upbuilding and advancement of town and county. 
In politics he is a supporter of 'the Republican 
party, and for many years he has been a consistent 
member of the Methotlist Church. 



0~ Al'T. WILLIAM U. NEWTON, a pruiiiin- 
ent citizen of Beloit, is a native of the 
Empire State, having been born in Chen.-ui- 
go County, N. Y.. on the l.'Uh day of Fel)ru:iry, 
182(i. His parents were ('apt. .lolin Miid .Vliiaii 
(.Miller) Newton. In the coininon scliools of his 
native county he received his e<lu('alion. and at the 
early .age of lliiiteen years started out to light 
life's battle for himself. He began liis career as a 
clerk, but by his intense honesty of purpose and 



energetic spirit has made life a success, and now 
has a comfortable competence. On the 27th d.a\- 
of October, 1852, in Friendship. Allegany Co.. 
N. Y., his marri.age with Miss Augusta Hanford 
was celebrated. The lady is a daughter of Samuel 
Hanford of New York, and was born in Delaware 
Count}' in September, 1828. They are now the 
parents of two children: Charles H., who is en- 
gaged in farming in Adams County, Wis., and 
Edward !{,. sliip[)ing clerk for the FjClipse Windmill 
Company'. In 185(5, with his little family, Mr. 
Newton emigrated to the West, locating in Adams 
Count3\ Wis., where for many years he was a prom- 
inent citizen. 

In September, 18G2, prompted by his patriotic 
impulses, he enlisted in his country's service and 
started for the scene of conflict. He was assigned 
to Company K. of the 25th ^\'isconsin Infantry, 
and after a short stay at La Cro.sse, went with the 
command which was sent on an expediiion to ([uell 
the Sioux Indi.aus who were m.aking trouble in the 
northwest. Returning in December of that ye.i.r, 
the regiment was soon after ordered South to 
Vieksburg and i)articipated in its siege and capture. 
The command was then sent up the Yazoo river 
and took i)art in the engagement at Paris IJluff. 
While at N'icksburg, Mr. Newton was commissioned 
Second Lieutenant. He was also engaged in the 
Meridian raid, lieing under fire in several severe 
skirmishes. On the 14tli daj' of May, 1864, he 
w,as transferred fi'oni the 25th to tlie .'5Gth Wiscon- 
sin regiment, being promoted to the rank of First 
Lieutenant, .iiid with the company went to Wash- 
ington. About the middle of Ma}- the command 
was sent down the Potomac, and soon Ijecame par- 
ticipators in the stirring scenes then taking pl.ace 
in the vicinity of Fredericksburg. On the 1st day 
of .lune a severe engagement was brought on, in 
which Companies B, E, G and h\ under conjuiMud 
of Capt. Warnei', were engageil as skiiiuishers. The 
rebels lay behind the heavy line of works, their 
niounlid guns one hundred rods in front firing 
obliquely to the right and left upon the riiion 
troops, making it almost impossible for a ni:ui 
to escape with his life. I'.ut the little band of 
2-10 men advanced, driving before them the 
rebel skirmisheis, while a portion of the line 



^ 



fc 



ROCK COUNTY. 






went over tlie onciny's works. More tlian half 
of the C'onipiiiiy was killed or taken prisoners. 
While sealing the works, Lieut. NewUm IVll. and it 
was supposed had lieen instantly killed. 'I'iie events 
of the d;iy, known as Trinier's Kami in the ollieial 
reports, mid the geiu'ral engagement of (uld Har- 
bor on the 2d of June, were sidiinitted to tlie 
exeentive ofliee at Madison, and upon the strength 
of the information whieh he hail received, Col. 
Lewis telegrajihed lion. A. .1. 'I'urner, at Port.age, 
as follows: '-Oeneral engagement at Cold Harbor, 
in which Col. K. \. Haskell and 3our ln'olhei-in- 
law. Lient. \\. U. Xewton, were killed." Mr. 
Turner immediately took the dispatch home and 
handcil it to liis wife in silence. Jlrs. Turner, as 
she read it, burst into tears. Their little hoy, 
searcely three years old, was playing around the 
house and apparently did not seem at all eoncerned 
about the melancholy intelligence over whieh his 
mother was grieving so bitterly, when, (piiek as a 
tlasli, he seized a portion of a broom h.andle. and 
striking his father over the head as vigorously as 
the little arm could wield the stick, he exelaimed: 
"Yon naughty papa, to make my mamma cry so." 
The sad intelligence was immediatel}' transmilled 
to Mrs. Xewton at Friendship. iVs that good laily 
was there leading a lonely life, with no iclatives 
about her save her little boy, ^H'. 'I'urner talked 
the matter over with his wife and it was decided to 
invite her to makt' her home in their family. The 
invitation was accepted and in due time she became 
domiciled in their home, clad in the habiliments of 
mourning. Several mouths had pa.ssed. when what 
w;ls the good lady's surprise to see her husbaml 
enter the iloor of her new home, greatly emaciated 
by disease, while :il his siilc hung an empty sleeve. 
The explanation was soon told. Lient. Newton 
hail receiveil a severe wound in his arm and had 
fallen into a rille pit, where he remaineil during 
the balance of the engagement, uinler the ver^" 
niuz/.les of the belching artillery and the rolling 
of musketry. Kseape from his position was ini- 
possil>le. and eoiisetpienlly when the engagement 
was over he was ea|ptnred b}' the rebels. In a short 
time he found h inself enjoying the hospitalities of 
JJbb\ i)iison. wIkmc his lacerated arm was ampu- 
lateil. During his eonlinement noop|>ortnnit\ was 



•-P 



offered for communicating with his friends at home, 
who even then were mourning him as lost to them 
forever. In due <-ourse of lime he was exchanged, 
and obtaining a leave of absence at Annapolis, im- 
mediately i-eturned to Wisconsin, finding his wife 
as al)Ove stated at Portage. The surprise and joy 
of the meeting need not be recounted here. It 
w.as one of those strange and joyous events that 
marked the progress of the great American conllict 
at every stage. .Vt the close of the war he was 
honorably discharged, and again became a resident 
of Fiicndship. While in Libby ])ri.son he was 
commissioned ca|)tain. but was never mustered in 
as such. 

Returning ti> his okl home, Ca|)t. Newton there 
continued to reside for many years. He received 
the appointment of Postmaster at Friendship, and 
for twenty-one years servi'il in that ca|iaeity, prov- 
ing an effieieut and competent ollicer. Socially he 
is an honored nu'udier of the (4. A. R. Post. In 
1887 he became a resident of Beloit, and during 
his short stay in that city has won many friends. 

W. CHEEVER, editorand proprietor <jf the 
Clinton Ilcrn/rlj is a son of the Hon. I). 0. 
^% and Christiana ((Jrow) Cheever, and was 
\^ borTi in Clinton, Uock Co., \Vis., duly 
n, 1811. His father, a native of X'ermont, is one 
of the old residents of Clinton, and once repre- 
sented his district in the Assembly of the State of 
Wisconsin [sec sketch]. His mother died some 
years since. 

Mr. Cheever was educaleil in the public scliools 
of Clinton and afterwards familiarized himself with 
all the intricacies of the drug business, becoming a 
practical pharmacist, in the store of Covert tt 
Cheever, of whieh his father was one of the owners. 
He spent about ten years of his life in the dru<r 
trade, and is a member of the State Pharmaceutical 
Association of Wisconsin. 

May 11, l«8;i, .Mr. Cheever bought the Clinton 
Herald of W. C. IJrown, and has since jjublished 
that paper. The Hei-ald is a six-column, eight- 
page journ.'d. Republican in politics (like its edi- 
tor), and devoted to the u|)building of the best in- 

•»- 



i 



-^•- 



•«► 



862 



ROCK COUNTY. 



tei-ests of Clinton and vieinitj-. Mr. Cheever makes 
a specialt}' of local news, and his paper is welcome 
not alone in ever}' family living at and near Clin- 
ton, l)ut to every Clintonian who has found a home 
at a distance. It has a good circulation and is 
recognized as a valuable advertising medium. 

Mr. Clieever was Senate Comparing Clerk during 
the Legislative Session of 1889 and won much 
praise for the faithful and careful performance of 
the duties devolving upon him. He is a member 
of Washington Lodge, No. 32'J. Knights of Honor, 
of Clinton, and has been its secretary for ten years. 
In everything conducive to the growth and i)ros- 
perity of Clinton and of Rock County at large he 
takes a helpful and abiding interest, and his per- 
sonal inlluenceund tliat of his paper are ever freely 
given in aid of all worthy objects. He is a member 
of the I'.aptist Church; his wife of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

October, 1876, Mr. Cheever married Miss V. L. 
Irish, daugliter of .Tames Irish, an old merciiant 
and once Postmaster of Clinton. 

At the age of about eighteen years Mr. Cheever 
met with an accident by which his right arm was 
paralyzed, rendering it useless since, necessitating 
the use of the left band in writing and in the per- 
formance of most of the functions usual to the 
right hand. 



i- 



\l|T^E\'. \i. .1. ROCHE has been the pastor of 
IhfHf St. Mary's Church (Catholic) at .lanesville. 
<Lw, since .lune 1. 1882. He succeeded Father 
\^;,T. S. Munich, who became pastor in 1878, 
and was the first resident pastor of this society. 
Father Munich is now pastor of the Church of the 
Holy Name at Racine. Wis. 

Fatlier Roche is a native of Wisconsin, having 
been liorn in the town of Otsego, Columbia Co., in 
18')5. His father, John Roche, was an early set- 
tler of Columbia County, and is still numbered 
among its residents. At the common schools of 
his native town, our subject received his primary 
education an<l ]ireparcd himself for the priesthood 
in the seminary of St. Francis of Sales, located 
near Milwaukee. He entered that institute in 1872. 



completing tlie course on the 27th day of June, 
1880, at which time he was ordained. His first 
charge was the Church of St. Isadorc. at Meeme, 
Wis., where he remained until he came to Janes- 
ville. The beautiful church edifice and residence 
of Father Roche were erected in 1878. His con- 
gregation numbers about 240 families, and the 
church is in a flourishing condition. He is an able 
pastor and is highly esU'cmed by all as a Christian 
gentleman and worth}' citizen. 



\RMEN A. CHRISTMAN is a practical 
I) farmer and representative citizen of Rock 




County, residing on section 8, Turtle 
^) Township. He w.as born in the town of 
Floyd, Oneida Co., N. Y., April 24, 1830, and his 
parents, Abram and Betsy (Carpenter) Christman, 
were also natives of the same State. The family 
located near the city of Utica when it contained 
but a few small cabins, and there resided for sev- 
eral years. Mr. Christman in his earlier j'ears en- 
gaged as a lumber dealer and also operated a mill, 
but subsequently purchased a large farm in Oneida 
County, and he engaged in agricultural pursuits 
until his death. He continued the operation of 
his land in his native State until 1860, when with 
his family he became a resident of this county, 
purchasing a farm in Clinton Township. His 
death occurred Aug. 27, 1879. and w.as caused by 
being gored by a vicious animal. His wife still 
survives her husband and makes her iionie with 
her children. She is the owner of eighty acres of 
fine land in Clinton Townsliip left by her husband. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Christman were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Churcli, and were liighly re- 
spected people. Tiieir family comprised the fol- 
lowing children: William Henry, who is a resident 
of Calift)rnia: Harmen A., of this sketch; Abram 
J., deceased; Ann, wife of Harvey Miller, a resident 
farmer of Bradford Township. Rock County; and 
David, who is engaged in farming in Turtle Town- 
ship. 

The early life of our subject was spent in his 
native county, and he received a libeial ediiealion 
in the schools of Oriskany, N. V. When :i lad lie 

— \ ■» 4 



i 



h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



863 



i 



aided his fatlior in the cultivation of ids farm and 
subsequently worked at the carpenter's trade. In 
1H49. acconipMuii'd by Mr. Chrisliiiaii he made a 
trip to Calift)rnia, and ciigasjed in mining in wldch 
he was quite successful. He folh)vvc(l thatoccupa- 
tion until 1S.")(). rcceivinj; >*.'!.')0 per month, but was 
forced to idiandon that .-jituatiun on account of his 
father's health whi<h had failed liim in the western 
climate. 'I'hey returned to their home, reachinn; 
New York in the month of December, 1850. Our 
.subject then wished to roUirn to tlie Pacific slope, 
but as his fatiicr oppo.sed this jilan he engaged in 
farming in connection witii his brother for a year. 
At the exjiir-ation of tli;it lime he rented the old 
home farm, which he cultivated for a period of two 
years. On the 7th (Lay of April, 1857, he formed 
a matrimonial alliance with Miss Ann ISIilner, a 
native of Oneida Count\'. and a daughter of Uen- 
jamin and Hannah (Holland) Milner. Her parents 
were natives of lirancli Burtton, England, and emi- 
grated to America in 1X33, locating in the county 
where Mrs. Christman was JKu-n. Thej- remained 
residents of that community until 18G0. when they 
accompanied Mr. Christman to Hock County and 
purchased a farm in Bradford Township, where 
they resided about ten years. Mrs. Milner's health 
failing they then went to live with their daughter, 
Mrs. Christman. where they remained one year, 
after which tliey moved to Turtleville. In that vil- 
lage they lived until summoned to their final rest. 
Mrs. Milner died Jan. 3, 1880, and Mr. Milner 
Sept. 7. 1883. Both were lifelong members of the 
^[etliodist Episcopal Church, and died in the hope 
of a resurrection. On the Otli day of M.a}', 1889, 
the family residence and barn on the old .Milner 
homestead were burned, and four weeks later the 
residence of David Christman was burned. 

With a view to choosing a location, Mr. Christ- 
man in the month of Sei)1('mber, 1858, made a visit 
to Wisconsin and purchased 135 acres of land on 
section 8, Turtle Township, Hock County. The 
following February, with his young bride, he again 
came to this county, and in a short time they were 
snugly established in their new home, which w.as a 
little frame building 16x24 feet, and under the 
most auspicious circumstances their life on the 
frontier began. A little family of three children. 



of whom the parents m.ay justly feel proud, was 
born to them, l-'armer W.. the eldest, who was 
born Feb. 17, I860, and wedded Miss Emily Crall, 
(jf this county, is a leading merchant of Janesvillc; 
while Alta B. and Harrison E. are at home. 

After their arrival Mr. Christman immediately 
began the improvement of his land, and is now the 
owner of a fine farm of 170 .acres, which i.^* under 
the highest cultivation and improvement and is 
stocked with the best grades of cattle, horses and 
hogs. He is a man of good business ability, pro- 
sessing practical, yet progressive ideas, while en- 
ergy and perseverance are numbered among his 
chief characteristics and will insure his success in 
life, rolitically. he is one of the faithful sup- 
porters of the Democratic party, and his wife, who 
is a most estimable lady, is a member of the l!ap- 
tist Church. They rank .among the highly re- 
spected people of Rock County, and during their 
residence in this community have gained a laro'e 
circle of friends. 



OSCAR D. HOWE. Among the well known 
and leading busine.ss men of Janesvillc, 
AVis., is the gentleman whose name lic.ads 
this sketch. He is one of the several l>u\ers of 
leaf tobacco, for which business Janesvillc has be- 
come quite celebrated. Since 1881 he h.a.s been 
continuously engaged in this line, and now has a 
flourishing trade. His office and warehouse, which 
is known astheE.agle warehouse, is situated at the 
corner of Wall and Madison streets. 

Mr. Howe is a native of the Keystone State, hav- 
ing been born in Clara. Potter Co.. Pa., on the Uh 
day of July, 1847. His father, John S. Ruwe. 
emigrated to AViseonsin with his family in 1 S5 I . 
and settled at Palmyra, JelTer.son C'junty. Oscar 
was one of a family of tiiree children. His only 
brother, Henry S., who was borh in 1850, is now 
engaged in the real estate business in Portland, 
Ore. He formerly followed railroading, having 
received his pre[«iration for that business under the 
instruction of his brother. 

In the public schools of Palmyra onr subject re- 
ceived his education, and when eighteen years of 



i 



864 



••► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



age went to Edgerton. Rock Countj', where he se- 
eurt'd the position of telegraph operator in the em- 
ploy of the Chicago. Milwaukee A- St. Paul Rail- 
road Company. After continuing in that position 
for one year, he was appointed clerk in the com- 
pany's freight office at Janesville, but after three 
years returned to Edgerton as station agent, con- 
tinuing to discharge the duties of that position 
until embarking in his present business in 1881. 
Mr. Rowe was in the emplo\' of the railroad com- 
pan3' for the long period of seventeen consecutive 
years, which fact is evidence of the faithfulness 
and ability with which lie performed his various 
tluties, and the appreciation of his services on the 
part of his employers. As further evidence of his 
attention and fidelity to the trust imposed in liim, 
it may be said, that during that long period, he did 
not lose a d.iy's coini)ensatioii for his services. 

Mr. Rowe was joined in wedlock with Miss Ger- 
trude C. McDougall. a native of Brooklj-n, N. Y.. 
born ill 1S.")0, and a daughter of Alfred McDou- 
gall. a [lioncer settler of .lanesville. The famil}^ 
circle of Mr. and Mrs. Rowe was completed bj' tlie 
birth of four children, a sun and three daughters — 
Jennie L., Clarence AV'., Kmnia W. and Leahretta. 

The success to which Mr. Rowe h.as attained in 
life is due entirely* to his own efforts. At an earl\- 
age he started out for himself, and without cajiital 
or assistance, save his own industry and energy, he 
has secured a comfortable competence, and is re- 
garded as one of the prominent business men of 
Rock County-. In his political views he supiiorts 
the principles advocated liy the Republican party. 
I'ublic spirited and progressive, he is highly es- 
teemed .a-s a citizen. In disposition he is cordial 
and genial; in his dealings fair and honorable, 
while his life has been such as to win the confidence 
and respect of his fellow citizens. 



D. SOWLES. residing on section 27, Mil- 
ton Township, is numbered among the 
honored pioneers of the count}', dating his 
residence in this community from 1842. 
lie was l)orn on the .'id d.iy of November. 18(i7, 
* ' ill Chenango Count}'. N. V.. and is a son of James 




and Abigail (Dillingham) Sowles. His father was 
born in Dutchess County. N. Y.. and his grand- 
father was also a native of that .State. The mother 
died when our subject was a lad of fifteen, her 
death occurring in 1822, from starvation, caused 
by ulcers in the throat, which prevented her from 
taking food. The children of the family were 
James, who died in Michigan, in March, 1887; 
David D. of this sketch; W. W.. who is living in 
the old homestead, in Michigan; Rebecca wedded 
Smith Blaisdell, and they now reside in Ilardscrab- 
ble. After the death of his first wife, !Mr. Sowles 
was again married, and l)y the second union were 
born three children. Jlary. wife of George lUirris, 
who is living at St. Louis; Eaiinie. who married 
Newton lU'iiedict. and resides in Oakland. Cal.. and 
Clara, who is now the wife of Lcaiidcr Hallock. a 
Methodist minister. 

In 1832. when twenty-five years of age. our sub- 
ject left his native State on a Friilay in the moiilli 
of March, and in a sleigh containing seventeen 
people, came to the West, reaching ^Michigan after 
several d.ays. Locating in Washtenaw Count} . lie 
built a mill, and engaged in its opei'ation for some 
time. The best winter wheat could then be bought 
for three shillings u bushel. He also engaged in 
farming in Michigan, and followed milling until 
1842, when he came to Wisconsin, locating in this 
county. Driving <ix and horse teams, he reached 
his (lestiiiation after three weeks travel, arriving in 
Milton when that town contained but one store, 
which was owned by .Joseph Goodrich. lie re- 
moved a little log c.ibin to the site of the jiresent 
city, but not long afterwards the house was again 
removed totlu' farm on which he yet resides. The 
dimensions of that pioneer home were 14 x 16J 
feet, and one night, during the early d.ays of his 
settlement in this county it sheltered thirty-two 
people. 

Before leaving Michigan, Mr. Sowles was united 
in marriage, July 9, 1840, with Miss Adeline J. 
Atherton, their union being celebrated in Sowles- 
ville, a town which was named in honor of his fa- 
ther. Mrs. Sowles is a daughter of Simon and 
Roxie Atherton, who were natives of Connecticut, 
and had a family of seven children. Four children 
were born to Mr. i id Mrs. Sowles, three of whom 



-f 



^^ 



■•►r*-* 



^ 



-4^ 



Rock county. 



8C.') 



are living. Coniolia, born April 24. 1841, diod in 
1887. 8he was the wife of Uev. James Kichard- 
son, who died in Janunrv, 1885: Isaac, born Nov. 
1, 1844, who is engaged in operating the liome 
farm, is tiie lmsl)and of INIaty Molton; William 
M, wjio was horn June 26, 1849, and resides in 
iMilton, njarried Miss Lillie Parnieter in 1874, her 
death occurring in 187(J, after which he was .again 
married on the 2nd da>- of August, 18711, to 
Ida M. Tracy, who died April 22, 1888, leaving 
one child, Ethel, who w.as born on the 3d day of 
July, 1882; Josie II.. born Aug. St, 1853, was uni- 
ted in marriage Sept. 30, 1882, with Rev, Perry 
Miller, a Methodist minister of Waupaca, W^is., and 
fo them has been born one child, Junia M., born 
Jidy 11, 1884. 

.Since becoming a resident of this county, ^^Ir. 
.Sowles has been engaged in farming, and is one of 
the leading citizens of the community. Finan- 
cially he is a self-made man, beginning life without 
capital, he has steadil}' worked on until becoming 
well-to-do. P'or nine jears he continued to make 
his home in the little log cabin, wdien he erected 
his present residence. His farm now corai)rises 
200 acres of valuable land, and is one of the best in 
the county, with all the latest improved machinery, 
good gr.ades of stock, and all that is necessary to a 
well regulated farm. In political sentiment Mr. 
Sowles is a staunch sup|)orter of the Republican 
party, a warm advocate of the principles of that 
great organization. and has voted for both William 
Henry Harrison and the present executive. His 
wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and has been an active worker in that so- 
ciety. This worthy couple are numbered among 
the highly esteemed residents of Milton Town- 
ship, and have many warm friends throughout the 
county, where they have made their home for llie 
long period of forty-seven years. 

Is.aac .Sowles, who is now man.-iging the farm, 
was joined in wedlock, at I'nion, Minn., June 20, 
1876, with Miss Mat}' Molton, a daughter of 
I'owers Molton. a native of New York. Two chil- 
dren have been born to their union. Earl, who 
was born .Ian. 15. 1880, and Joseph Leslie, Nov. 5, 
1883; In 1865 Mr. Sowles enlisted for the late 
war, as a memlier of Com|)any C. 49lh Wisconsin 

^»— 



Infantry, and from INladison was ordered to Benton 
Barracks. St. Louis, the journey from Chicago being 
made in cattle cars. On the 1 3th day of March, they 
arrived at Rollo, Mo., where they were engaged in 
guarding trains until Aug. 17, when they returned 
to St. Louis, remaining in th.at city until Nov. 1, 
when they were ordered to Madison, Wis., and 
discharged Nov. 8, 1865. Mr. Sowles then re- 
mained on the farm until 1869, when he began 
working for the American Express Company at 
^^'inona, where he remained until 1880, at which 
time he entered the employ of the Northwestern 
Railroad Com|)any as fireman. After two years 
spent in that line, he was placed in charge of an 
engine, and continued to run on the road .as engi- 
neer until 1885, when he returned home and took 
charge of his father's farm, which he has operated 
continuously since. Socially he is a member of 
the G. A. R. Post, and in December, 1885, joined 
Du Lac Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Milton, his wife 
becoming a member of the Order of Rebecca, on 
the 12th d.ay of M.ay, 1887. 

LA' IN ■]. .SAWIN, a retired farmer and one 
of the honored pioneers of Rock County, 
now residing in Evansville, is a native of 
15^ New York, having been born in Chenango 

County on the 19th d.aj' of February. 1819, .and is 
a son of John and Orrel ( Lennanl) Sawin, the for- 
mer a native of Tolland County, Conn., and the 
latter of Otsego County, N. Y., born of English 
.ancestrj-. Our subject is of the fifth generation in 
direct descent from John Sawin, the founder of the 
family in America, who settled in the Massachu- 
setts colony in 1650, only thirty years after the 
landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. He 
was a son of Robert Sawin, of Boxford, Suffolk 
Co., England, and married Abigail Munning. 

The family of John and Orrel Sawin numbered 
thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to man- 
hood and womanhood, and all became residents of 
Wisconsin: Aurilla, the first born, whose birth oc- 
curred in July, 1814, is now keeping house for our 
subject; Ann Eliza, who became the wife of Wil- 
liam Gdtt. is residing in Walworth Countv, Wis.. 




:^Mf-* 



•t^f^ 



866 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



and to tlicm have been born two children; Emma, 
who married Henry Krdley; and Watson, of Wal- 
worth Connty, Wis., who wedded Emma Hicks; 
Alvin. of this sketch, is the third in order of birth; 
Clarissa, wido\v of Albert Tillin<ihasl, is livin"- in 
Ripley, N. \.; .she has one daughter, Ella F., who 
is the wife of Frank Ridanbrode, a farmer of Rip- 
ley, N. Y.; Daviil M. died in infancy; Ethan 1'., 
born in 1824, maj-ried Luciiia Tiijiper. anil they 
have two chililreu, Albert INI., a teacher of Laramie 
City, Wyo.. and Charles, who is a resident of 
Evansville; Lucinda M.. born in 1827. wedded 
Edward (iott, of Burlington. Racine Co.. Wis.; 
Lorenzo 1)., lK)rn Aug. (i, 1829, became the hus- 
band of Helen Webster, a native of Ripley, Chau- 
tauqua Co.. N. Y.. and a daughter of Piatt and Ol- 
ive (Sawin) Webster, who were also natives of New 
York, in which State the mother's de.atb occurred, 
while the father died in Wisconsin while on a visit 
to his daughter. To Lorenzo Sawin and his wife 
have been born two children. Ida, wife of Frank 
Hines, of Evansville. and (iracie, wife of .lohn 
Ellis, of Eau Claire, Wis.; .Mary .!., born in 1831, 
became the wife of John Montgomery, a resident 
of Evansville; Mirand:i. born in 1834, is deceased ; 
Eleanf)r RL. Ixnn in IM.'U;, is the wife of Anson 
Baldwin, a farmer of rnion Townsliiii. and has five 
children — Willie A., Zola S.. .Icnnie E., Burdette 
•L, and Myrtie M.; .liiliette, the youngest of the 
family, is the wife of Dr. Charles Smith, of Evans- 
ville. and their union has l>een blessed with two 
children. Flora and Charles. 

The subject of our sketch first came to AViscon- 
sin on a prosi)ecting tour in 1811, and deciding to 
locate in this Slate eng,aged to work as a farm 
hand. The following year his father visited the 
State, and being also pleased with the country re- 
turned to his eastern home for the jnirpose of pre- 
l)aring to become a permanent resident. In 1846, 
.accompanied by bis family, he located in Green 
Countv, entering land on the soullnvcst (puirtcr of 
section 12. in the town of Brooklyn. He built a 
shantw into which the family. nunil)cring wile and 
ten children moved, and began life in true pioneer 
style. The stars could be seen through the roof of 
the little cabin and in the winter the snow drifted 
over the beds, but notwitlislanding the many hard- 



shi|)s to be endured, prosperity attended the little 
band of emigrants and success crowned their 
eflforts. In the winter of 1846-7 a comfortable 
frame residence was built, the lumber being hauled 
from Racine. In the course of time the young pio- 
neers left the parental roof and started out to make 
homes for themselves. The sons have all now be- 
come well-to-do farmers, and are leading and rep- 
resentative citizens of the State. Alvin. the sub- 
ject of this sketch, is now the owner of the old 
home farm, wdiich comprises 2(10 acres of aralile 
land under a higli state of cultivation. Lorenzo 
D. is also the owner of a fine farm of l.'>() acres in 
Green Count3\ and his home jilat comprises sixty 
acres, the total aggregate being 21(1 acres. He has 
a handsome residence surrounded by all the com- 
forts of life, and is now a wealthy farmer. 

Time passeil merrily in the i)ioneer home of the 
Sawin family, each one perfoitning the task allotted 
him and assisting in the accumulation of a compe- 
tency for the beloved parents, but after twent3- 
years had come and gone the little home was over- 
spread by the deepest urief, caused b^- the death of 
the father, who passed from this earth Alarch li). 
1866. in the cighlielh year of his age. His con- 
sistent Christian life, his loving kindness to all and 
his heartfelt sympathy won him the friendship, re- 
spect and confidence of all with whom he came in 
cont.act. In 182,t he was ordained a minister of 
the liaptisl Church, aiul his life was speiit for the 
good of mankind. The loving wife and mother 
survived liei- husband until Aug. ;'). 1 1S7.3, -when she 
too was calle(l to her final home at the age of eighty 
years. She was a most estimable lady, and was 
also a devoted member of the Baptist Church. 



— ♦ S ■ ! g -=^^:-|H-H- 

fjLFRED C. FISH, one of Rock County's 
honored pioneers, now residing on section 
22. I'nicin Township, is a native of Con- 
necticut. .Hid was horn in New London 
County, on the lOth day of M.ay, 1816. The Fish 
faniily was founded in America during the early 
colonial days, the original ancestors settling in 
Connecticut, where their descendants are still num- 
erous. They have also scattered through various 




I 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 






States of tlie I'nion, and especially in Ohio are 
many representatives of the family still residing. 
The family have been chictlj' engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits for many generations. 

Daniel Fish, the father of our subject, was reared 
to manhood in Connecticut, and there married 
Matilda Chester, also a native of that State. With 
his brother Moses, accompanied by their families, 
he emigrated to Ohio in the year 1818, locating on 
what was then called New Connecticut, or the 
Western Reserve, his brother Ebenczer having pre- 
viously settled there. The three brothers all lo- 
cated and continued to reside on the land they first 
purchased, until death. Daniel Fish departed this 
life in 1880, at the age of eighty -three years, his 
wife dj-ing three years previous. They were the 
p.aivnts of nine children, eight of whom grew to 
mature years, though but three are now living. 
The subject of this sketch was the oldest of the 
family, and the other members who yet survive are 
J>eonard and Ebenezer, who own and occupy the 
old homestead in Ohio. 

Alfred C. Fish was reared to manhood upon the 
Ohio frontier, his parents having removed to that 
State w.hen he was but two years of age. The 
present great .and important city of Cleveland was 
then but a trading post, containing no buildings 
save a few log houses. After attaining to mature 
years. Jlr. Fish eniragcd in farming and lumbering 
in the lUickeye State, continuing there to make his 
home until the fall of 1812, when he came to Rock 
County anil selected a claim, remaining in this eom- 
nmnity during the winter. In tlie sjiring of 1843 
he went to Milw.'iukee Mild entered the land which 
he had selected, and later returned to Ohio. 

In May, 1«4.'), while visiting at his old home, he 
led to the marriage altar Miss Phiebe Rrainard. 
who w.as born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, on the 
liith day of Apiil, 1821, and is a daughter of 
Dem.-is and Nancy Hrainard, both of whom were 
natives of Connecticut. In the s]>ring of 1848, ac- 
compiuiied by his wife, he returned to Rock County, 
settling on the land which he h;ul entered five 
years previous, and where he has made his home 
continuously since, his farm lying on sections 22 
and 27. I'nion Township. Mr. and Mrs. Fish have 
been the parents of three children, two sons and a 

m* 



daughter, but only the daughter is now living. 
Their eldest son, Marcus II., who was born March 
11, 1846, enlisted in his country's service, and be- 
came a member of a battery of Illinois light artil- 
lery. The last year of the war he served under the 
command of A. .). Smith. The long marches, the 
forced exposure and the trials incident to army 
life led to the development of pulmonary trouble, 
which resulted in his death. He died at the home 
of his parents on the 30th day of August, 1884. 
having lingered for years after the war. Although 
his health was poor, he was .for some time manager 
of a store in Evansville. and was also employed as 
clerk in the post-office for a period of four years. 
He was but eighteen years of age when he entered 
his country's service, and was a most exemplary 
young man. He was a gallant soldier, ever faith- 
ful to his duty, and sacrificed his life upon the altar 
of freedom. The death of their only son w.is an 
irreparable loss to the parents. He died at the age 
of thirty-seven years. As before stated, he be- 
longed to the command of A. .1. Smith, and with 
his regiment served in many important expeditions. 
On the failure of his health he was sent to the hos- 
l)ital at Vicksburg, where he partially recovered, 
and was then employed as nurse. At the close of 
the war he was sent to St. Louis, where he w.as to 
be discharged, but the vessel on which he had cm- 
barked collided with another steamer and was sunk. 
He had a narrow escape, a)id had it not been that 
he was an expert swimmer he would have lost his 
life, as did many others on that ill-fated vessel. 
The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Fish was (iil- 
bert M., who was born in IS 17 and die<l at the age 
of seventeen years. Their only surviving child, 
Delia, is at home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fish are numbeied among the 
early settlers of the town of Tnion, and are still 
residing on the old homestead, which the husband 
entered more than forty-six years ago. In politics, 
Mr. Fish w.as reared in the old Whig doctrines of 
the free-soil or anti-slavery type, and cast his first 
presidential vote for Gen. Willi.am Henr}' Harrison, 
in 1840. When the Republican partj' w.as formed, 
to [irevent the further extension of slavery, he 
joined its ranks, and has since fought under its 
banner, voting for Renjaniin Harrison in 1888. He 



•^^fMi- 



868 



ROCK COUNTY. 



and his -wife have been faithful and oonsistent 
mombers <if tiie Methoiiist Episcopal Church for 
fifty 3-ears, aud have always taken an active inter- 
est in the welfare of the conimnnity in which they 
have so long resided. 'Sir. and Mrs. Fish have 
shared in the blessings of life, and their cup of sor- 
row has also been full, luit tiicy iiave borne all in 
the manner of Christians, and in their declining 
years can look back over a life well spent. 



'i^l- 



^ ' wu 



J^ BEN.IAMIX MINOR, dealer in boots and 
shoes, at No. 15 West Milwaukee street, 
Janesville. was born in Monroe County, 
' N. Y.. Sci)l. 21). 1844. and is the son of 
Theron and Elizabeth (Richmond) Minor. In 
1852 he canae with his parents to Wisconsin, and 
the family settled in \A'atertown. Jefferson County. 
Mr. Minor's father was born in Leuox, Mass., in 
1812; was a physician bj' profession, and also car- 
ried on a drug store. On moving to Watertown 
lie engaged in the newspaper business as editor of 
the Watertown Chronicle, the first Republican jia- 
per ever ))ublishcd in .lefferson County. His death 
occurred on the 1st day of November. 1851». aud 
was caused by a railroad accident which happened 
at Johnson's Creek, in Jefferson County, to the ex- 
cursion train which was run in honor of the com- 
Ijlction of the road to Oshkosh, by which a large 
number of i)eoi)le lost their lives or were seriously 
injured. 

The subject of this sketch was educated at the 
public schools, and at .Milton College. Rock County. 
In 181!;! he went to Neva<la and located in \'irgiiiia 
City, where he spent two years in the mines, and 
returned to Wisconsin in 1865. lie came-direct to 
Janesville, where he had made Ids home at inter- 
vals from 1860 to 1862. On his return from the 
mountains he engaged in farming in Rock Town- 
ship, but in 1872 he renioved to Heloit Townshii), 
where he continued to till the soil until 1M7C, when 
he sold out and n^moved to Janesville. During 
the succeeding two years he was not engaged in 
an}' steady business, but in 1878 he embarked in 
the grocery trade, which he carried on until 1885. 
while also doing a commission business. On the 



25th day of December. 1887, he engaged in his 
present line. 

JMr. Minor was married in June. 1880. to Mrs. 
Emogene Williams, daughter of (ierman H. Davis, 
an earl}' settler of Rock County, of whom see 
sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Minor have one child, a son, 
J. Benjamin. Jr. Mr. Minor has two childien born 
of his former marriage — Leon R. and Luella. Mr. 
Minor is a Republican in polities, and while a resi- 
dent of the town of Beloit was .Supervisor for two 
years and Justice of the Peace for the same length 
of time. He is a memlier of the Ma.sonic Order, 
belonging to Western Star Lodge, No. 11. of Janes- 
ville. and is one of the active business men. and 
secures a fair share of the trade in his line. Mrs. 
Minor is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, in 
which she was confirmed when a girl. 



.v^EORCECRAVAN.aleadingcitizenofHeloit. 
'II (=g-^ Wis., was born April 18. 1825, in Stanhury. 
^^5 Yorkshire, EDgl.and,and was one of a family 
of lifteen chililrcn,sixof whomare now living: John. 
ofStaubury; ( ieorge, of this sketch; Seth, who is 
living in Yorkshire; Sarah, wife of James Rush- 
worth, also of Yorkshire. England; Maria, wife of 
William I'ickles, of Lancashire, and Emma R.. wife 
of Joseph Fortune, of Yorkshire, England. 

The parents of this family were Rev. Joseph and 
.Sally (Ratcliffe) Cravan. The father svas a shoe- 
maker by trade, but became prominently identified 
with the church, lie was born in Oakwortli, Eng- 
land, March lo. 17811. In his youthful ilays he 
was distinguished foi' gical Ihoughtfulness and 
serious deportment. The parental iufiuence to 
which he was subjected in childhood and youth 
was truly of a godly ciiiss. His mother, to whom 
he felt himself greatly indebted, was a most exem- 
plary Christian woman. She had a distinguished 
position, even among Christian people, whereby 
her influence was extensively felt for good. Many 
persons thought that Josei)li bore more distinc- 
tively the impress of her character than an\- of the 
other chihlren. She was a member of the Baptist 
Church, and the funeral sermon jircached on the 

1^ 



I 



■^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



869 



ir 



ofCMsiciii of her ck-alli wiis founderl on the striking 
anil ii|)|ii()|iiiate text: " Go nn<l do tliou likewise." 

CoiuTrMiii!;' his first conceptions of deatii, Joseph 
wisely said: •' Tii^ most fearful thought it involved 
was that of losing my mother, for it seemed to me 
more than I eoidd bear, and I used to wish I might 
die before her." The exact date of Mr. Cravan's 
convei'sion to (ioil we are not :ible to ascertain. 
lie removed, however, to Slanliury, England, in 
1811, and [irior to that time met in the class of 
.lohn Sugden, of Oakworlh; so that we m.iy safely 
say he was a member of the Methodist connection 
for fifty-nine years. The man to whom Joseph wa.s 
apprenticed ;is a shoemaker was a Methodist, and 
this circumstance led hiai to identify himself with 
the same church. The doctrines of the IJaptist and 
lAfethodist denominations were often the subject of 
conversation while working at the bench. After 
due deliberation he made an intelligent choice of 
the denomination in which he thought he was likely' 
to obtain and do the most good. He probably met 
in class about two years before obtaining a clear 
sense of pardon. This satisfaction he at length 
obtained by wrestling, agonizing prayer in secret. 
lint when able to rest on the great statement by faith 
alone, his joy was such that on meeting with some 
friends returiung from the public services at Ila- 
worth, he at once comnuinicated to them the fact. 
Krom the c()mniencement totheentl of his religious 
career it might be said that he lived in all good con- 
science before God. It was his constant t'lidcavor 
to keep a clear conscience, void of offense toward 
God :uid man. This he did iiy rendering obedi- 
ence to all its dictates, for a good conscience is an 
invaluable treasure. 

The ollice of Class-Leader was sustained by Mr. 
Craven many years, and the lidclilv, judgment 
and ability which he brought to the discharge of 
the duties of the oHice led the mendjers of his 
class to value him highly. The circumstances 
which led to his appointmi'ut indicated his read- 
iness at that time to work for Christ. In his visit- 
ation of the sick he met with .an :iged person at 
Southbank, :ind not being satisfied with licr state, 
he thought if she could hear the experience of a 
fe V Christian people it might be made a blessing to 
her. At the close of a prayer meeting on Sunday 



evening at her house, an invitation was given to 
all seriously disposed persons to remain at a fel- 
lowship meeting. In a short time there were a few 
who desired to flee from the wr:ith to come. They 
were met by Mr. Craven a few times, and when 
advised to make choice of their class, expressed a 
strong desire that he should be appointed their 
leader. The matter being brought before the 
minister in the leaders' meeting, a class was ap- 
proved and Mr. Craven appointed. The natural 
capacity which he possessed, combined with high 
religious experience, fitted him in no ordinary 
degree for that oflice. The (juickness of his per- 
ception, his characteristic caution the soundness of 
his judgment, his extensive knowledge of men and 
things, the tenderness of his sympathy with the suf- 
fering poor, and his com|)reliensive but minute 
accjuaintance with the Word of (Jod. gave him 
great power for good o\er the nnnds of those 
intrusted to his care. His views of the kingship 
of Christ, his determined loyalty to the truth and 
his high conscientiousness led him sometimes to 
address words of warning not palatable to those 
who had no apprehension of their danger; still 
those words were like ajiples of gold in pictures of 
silver. lie has now passed to his final rest and to 
the reward of a righteous life. 

George Cravan, the subject of this sketch was 
reared to manhood iu his native country. When 
twelve years of age he was apprenticed to the 
tailoring trade, serving seven years and receiving 
his board and clothes, though his fare was very 
meagre, and during the entire time tie got but three 
suits of clothes. Ill isbs. he left England ;uid 
emigrated to America, and the following year after 
his arrival startcil with a party for the gold fields 
of Califoriii:i, going by w.'iy of Mexico. He was 
taken sick while traveling through that country, 
and being out of money had to work his way as 
best he could back to l.ockporl. N. V. After a 
short time he again cro.ssed the ocean t(» Liverpool 
in a sailing vessel, working for his passage, and 
made a visit to his old home. In the fall of 1852, 
he again returned to this country, and in 18;').^ 
came to Heloit. where he has since resiiled. 

The same year Mr. Cravan wjxs ur.ited in mar- 
riage with Miss .Sarah A. Curtis, a daughter of 

9^ 



V 



•►Hl^^ 



■•^Hh-^ 



870 



ROCK COUNTY. 



John Curtis, one of the pioneers of Hock County, 
Wis. Her father was born in Lincolnsliire, Kng- 
land, in 181'j, and was there reared to manlioori. 
He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wells, 
also a native of Lincolnshire, and in 1840 they 
emigrated to America, taking up their residence 
on Coon Creek, near llockton, HI. Mr. Curtis 
tiiere purchased a small farm, and engaged in its 
cultivation for a few years, when he removed to 
r.eloit and engaged in the manufacture of shoes, 
which trade he had learned in his native land. By 
his union with Miss Wells seven children were born, 
but Mrs. Cravan is the only one now living. The 
death of INIr. Curtis occurred in 1874. He was not 
a member of any churcii, but regularly attended 
the services of tlie Methodists, and w^as an honor- 
able, upright man, who received the respect of all. 
Mrs. Curtis, who was a most estimable lady, be- 
loved b3- tliose who knew her for her raanj' excel- 
lencies of character, departed this life in Julj% 
1884. 

B}' tlie union of Mr. and Mrs. Cravan seven 
cliildren iiave been born, only tliree of whom are 
now living: John E. is an engineer on the Ciii<^ago 
6i ^Northwestern Bailroad, living at Watseco, 
Minn., and is the husband of Letta Hollister, 
daughter of A. F. Hollister, a prominent farmer 
of Rock County; Fred W., who is married and 
resides in Del Rio, Texas, is a yardmaster on the 
South Pacific Railroad ; and Daisy M. is at home. 
Mr. and Jlrs. Cravan are members of the Meth- 
odist Kjiiscopal Church, and have manj' warm 
friends in Beloit. Mr. Cr.avan has been a member 
of tlie Church for twenty seven-years and served 
as local elder fur fifteen j-ears. 




-f 



THOMAS H. AU.STIX,-who resides on section 
20, Johnstown Township, has witnessed the 
growth and develoimient of Kock Count}' 
from its earliest settlement. He was born on the 
22nd day of June, 18;K). in the Empire State, and 
is a son of John and Rebecca (Williams) Austin, 
wiu> were the parents of ten children. Rebecca, the 
oldest, is the widow of Peter Young and resides in 
New York; John is a resident of the town of Har- 



mony ; Abagail, widow of Eber Sawyer, is living 
in Waterford, Wis.; David makes his home at 
Brodhead, Wis.; Mary Jane wedded Morris Pratt, 
a resident of Whitewater, Wis.: Thomas II. was 
the next in order of birth; Catherine, wife of Vol- 
ney Wood, is living in Johnstown Center; Eber 
died leaving a wife, who now resides in De Kalb 
County, III.; Sarah married George .Sharp, whose 
home is in I'axton, 111.; and Eliza became the wife 
of Gregory D. Hall, a resident of Johnstown. 

In 1842, our subject, in company with his father, 
made a trip to the West for the purpose of viewing 
the country prior to making a location and while 
on that trip visited this county. This was his first 
intruduction to Wisconsin, which was to be his 
future home. The father purch.ased 1100 acres of 
land in Rock County, and after returning for his 
family settled permanently in this community, 
where he engaged quite extensively in farming un- 
til his death, which occurred July 31, 1872. He 
was born in 1789. Mrs. Austin departed this life 
in 1847, when forty-five j'ears of .age. Thomas 
was unmarried, when, with his father, he made his 
first trip to Wisconsin, nor did he make a home for 
himself until several years later. Ueturning to the 
Empire .St.atc, he remained with the family until 
their preparations for removing to Wisconsin were 
completed, when, with the others he started for the 
new home, reaching Milwaukee on the 1st d.ay of 
June, 1845. 

Continuing under the parental roof until three 
years had passed aw.ay. Mr. .Vustin then united his 
destiny with Miss Caroline R. Williams, a daughter 
of Alpheus and Laura (Powell) Williams. She 
was born in Vermont on the 4th day of December, 
1834, and was one of a family' of twelve children. 
Her father was born March 1, 1798, and died Jan. 
11, 1873, while iier mother, who was born Feb. 9, 
1799, died Aug. 24, 18G8. At one time eleven 
children gathered around tiie fire-side of Mr. and 
Jlrs. Austui. but several are now in homes of their 
own, while one has been called to the eternal world. 
William Henry, the oldest, is a farmer and is now 
living in Lima Center; Edward is a resident of 
Johnstown Center; Lester is at home; Laura is the 
wife of George Charleton, whose home is in Janes- 
ville; Rebecca May is now dece;ised; Frank is at 



■*P^l^ 



-^^ 



;OCK COliXTY. 







homo; Grant isnttomliiiy: the State ITniversity; Al- 
plieiis ;iiiil .Minnie l,illian art; students of IMillon 
Collej^e ;GeoiKe and ISeit are still with their parents 

At the time of his marriajre our subject was tlie 
owner of .'52(1 aeres of land. Ilis life has been one 
of iuduslrj' and in his business |)ursnits he has been 
very successful, Ijeinii' one of the most extensive 
land owni'rs in the county. His various farms ag- 
jiregatc "2,400 acres of land, which is l(X'ate<l in 
Johnstown, Harmony, Milton and Lima townshi|)s. 
lie carries on ueneral faruiini;', operatiiio; .about 500 
aci'es anil in couuection makes a specialty of stock 
raising. 

He is e.'ctenjively einfaged in buying, selling, 
feeding and shipping stock, and is ]>robabiy mon; 
largely interested in this important industi'y than 
any luaii in l{ock County. He has exported cattle 
to the Knglish market, and in the early part of 
,Inne, 1M.S9, he slii[>ped from .lanesville for export 
1 r.l head of cattle, which were ;idniitlod by .all to 
be the linest shipment of cattle ever scmt from this 
county. In connection with his agricultural 
pursuits, he cultivates an average of about twenty 
acres of tobacco annually. 

Mr. Austin ha.s always taken a lively interest in 
educjlional matters and has given his family all the 
available advantages for .accpiiring education to fit 
them for any position in life that they nia}' be 
called upon to till. 

Mr. Austin is not a politician in the ordinar\- 
sense of the word, and has not sought public dis- 
tinction in that direction, preferring to devote his 
time and energies to the more agreeable pursuits of 
farm life. He is an enterprising citizen in whom 
every worthy public enterprise finds a warm sup- 
porter. In reccnding the life work of this worthy 
pioneer, we cheerfully give place to one who has 
not only witnessed the entire growth and develope- 
meiit of the county, but has borne no inconsiderable 
part in its advancement. 

On his farm may generally be found L'tO head 
of cattle, 200 head of hogs anil about thirty horses. 
In his political sentiments, Mr, Austin is a sup- 
porter of the Republican parly and has served as a 
member of the township board of supervisors. He 
and his wife attend the Methodist Kpiscopal 
Church and are held in high respect by their many 



friends. An energetic, enterprising business man, 
honest and upright in all his dealings, he wins the 
conlideni'e of all with whom he comes in cont.act and 
is every where acknowdetlged to be one of Rock 
County's best citizens. 



^^ ^fw^- >^ 

i^^'IlOMA.S H. FARMER, a pioneer of 1814. 
and an energetic, intelligent citizen of Heloit, 
was born in Oneida Ctjunty, N. Y., on the 
2:5(1 day of March, 1821. His parents, Henjaniin 
and .Sarah (Davis) P'armer, were natives <jf Mew 
Kngland, the father born in Andover, N. H.. in 
1789, the mother born in Rutland County, At., in 
I7!)(!. Their inarriaLje was celebiated in 181 G, 
and their unicni was graced by the liirlh of four 
children, three sons and one daughter. Laura M., 
who died in Oswego County, N. Y., was the wife 
of Wheatou .Spink, who enlisted in a New Y'ork 
regiment iluriug the late war and died at the hos- 
pital in Alexandria from disease contracted while 
in the service; Thomas II. is the second in order 
of birth; Henry M. is living in Oneida County, 
N. Y.;, and Horace T.. who left home in 1851, was 
last heard of at Rome, X. Y'., and is supposed to be 
dead. IJenjamin Farmer, the father of these chil- 
dren, departed this life in 1825. after which his 
wife returned to Vermont and later married Henry 
Cuiran, by whom four children were born, two 
now living — Charles, of ( >swego County, Js. Y'., and 
Amos D.,of Bristol, 111. The death of Mrs. Curran 
occurred in Oswego County in 18(;f;. She was a 
member of the JNIethodist Kpiscopal Church, and 
was a devoted Christian lady. 

His father dying when our subject w:is a 3'oung 
lad, he made his home vvith Moses Davis, a great 
uncle, remaining in his family until he attained his 
majority. His education was sadl^- neglected, but 
being of a studious nature and possessing an ob- 
serving eye and retentive memory', he li.as largely 
overcome the disadvantages of earlier years, and 
possesses a fund of knowledge which many a per- 
son who has had excellent opiwrtunities might well 
cnv}'. In 1844 he turned his face toward the set- 
ting sun, with the determination of carving out his 
fortune in what was then considered the far West. 



r 



•►-11^^ 



872 



ROCK COUNTY. 




•f 



After sailing round the lakes lie reached Kenosha, 
whence he proceeded to Beloit, making the jour- 
ney on foot. Knowing that he had to gain his 
own liveliliood, he at once began making inquiries 
for a position, and at last secured employment in 
the lumber-yard of .John Ilackett. 

In 1848 Mr. Farmer further completed his 
preparations for a home in this county by his mar- 
riage with Miss Anna S. Button, a daughter of 
Charles and Cynthia Button, of Green County, 
Wis. The lady was a native of Onondago County, 
N. Y., where she was born April 15, 1824. In 
1850. leaving his young wife in Beloit, Mr. Farmer 
crossed the plains to California, and for a j'ear en- 
g.'iged in mining on the Pacific slope, returning b3' 
the \v;.y of the Isthmus of Panama and New York 
City. While en route the vessel caught fire and 
one of the engines was disabled, but it at length 
reached port in safety. After returning to his 
home Mr. Farmer went to Indiana, where he em- 
barked in the mercantile business, which proved a 
dis.astrous enterprise, he losing nearly all the money 
he had accpiired in California, amounting to $1,800. 
About this time the Galena Branch of the North- 
western Railroad wiis in course of construction, 
and he went to the river of Pickatomca, where he 
established a small supply store, and subsequentlj^ 
removed to Warren, where he engaged in mercan- 
tile pursuits for ten j-ears, gaining some §6.000 or 
$7,000. While in that place he was elected to the 
ollice of Justice of the Peace, and also held other 
po'^itions of public trust. After selling his stock 
and trade he came to Beloit. and purchasing a 
f.arni near the city, turned his attention to agricul- 
tural pursuits. lie has made niany improvements 
since that time, and has become one of the promi- 
nent citizens of the comraunit}', In 1876 he built 
a good residence, and in 1879 erected a line brick 
dwelling, wiiich com))ares favorably witli the best 
iiomes in the city, and also owns a neat cottage. 
He does not take an active part in political affairs, 
never seeking public preferment, but is well in- 
formed on all the leading issues of tiie da\', and 
has cast his ballot with the Republican party in 
times past, but is now a Prohibitionist. 

On the 24th d.iy of IMay, 1888, his wife passed 
to the silent land, to which her parents had been 



previously called. Her friends were manj-. and 
deep grief was felt not only by the loving husband 
whom she left behind, but by all who had the pleas- 
ure of her acquaintance. She was an earnest, con- 
sistent Christian woman, whose life was an ever 
present lesson and often proved more effective than 
the most logical or eloquent sermon. She was 
regular in her attendance at the house of worship, 
her place never vacant unless made so by sickness. 
Modest and unassuming, kind .ind forgiving, her 
amiability and sweetness of disposition were her 
chief characteristics, while she possessed a benevo- 
lent spirit in a marked degree that manifested 
itself by kind actions at the sick bed, a cheering 
and sympatlietic word to the distressed, or a 
needed gift to the destitute. She will long be held 
in loving remembrance as one who has made the 
world better by her having lived. 

Mr. Farmer is numbered among the self-made 
men of Rock County, for his success in life is due 
entirely to his own efforts of industrj', perseverance 
and good management. He has ever taken an 
active interest in the enterprises which are for the 
advancement of the community, has borne a promi- 
nent part in the work of developing the county 
from its primitive state to one of the highest culti- 
vation, and his strict honesty and integrity have 
made him honored and respected by all. 

\f7 EANDER D. GREGORY was Ix.rn at 
I (^ Ilubbardston, Conn., July 20, 1808, and 
/I'— ^VN previous to coming West, was a successful 
farmer for many years in Wey bridge, \'t. In his 
young manhood the hope was cherished by liiui of 
a collegiate training, that he might be a minister 
of the Gospel, but the vulnerableness of a delicate 
nervous organism prevented — a disap|)ointment 
which aflfectcd all his subsequent life. At that 
time he was frequentlj' engaged in teaching in the 
winter. Later, before leaving the East, he was 
Financial Agent of the Middlebury College — a 
friend of the distinguished President Thomas A. 
Merrill. 

Mr. Gregory, coming to Beloit especially for the 
opportunity of educating his children, soon became 



:??r¥-^ 



■U. 



A^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



873 



Treasurer of the Beloit Collejie, a ixisition that he 
hi'ld vvitli irrcat etlicieiK'y for nearly twenty years. 
Hetirinj^ and reserved by nature, he vv.as a safe 
counsellor and .sagacious and prudent in action. 
As a oiti/.en. lie was cautious, but iutelliijent and 
insistent, regarding the principles of which i)ublie 
and |)rivate affairs should be conducted. lie was 
especially of great service in determining by his own 
enterprise in an early day. the methods of suc- 
cessful farming. He wa.s one of the first to intro- 
duce into New Knuland the raising of Merino 
sheep, and after coming West, he was a pioneer in 
giving attention to the breeding of stock. 

Our subject was a man of very marked individ- 
uality and the circle of his intimacy was small; 
but he was a warm friend to those whose principles 
he resijceted and the |ioor found in him a true and 
kind helper, lie could be trusted by an honest 
man in trouble, as much as any one. I have been 
Idld that before he left \'crmont. when some neigh- 
bor had f.'iUen out with him for years, and cherished 
;igainst him a deep animosity, upon that neighbor's 
coming to die, he made l)eac-on (iregory executor 
of his will and guardian of his children. lie was 
chosen Deacon in the First Congregational Church 
immediately on coming to r>ek)it. an oflice he had 
held frum early manhoiid iu \'ermi)nt, and he re- 
raaiiie<I iu this relation until he became too feeble 
to discharge its duties, when with characteristic 
conscientiousness, he declined re-election. After 
several years of growing infirmity, borne with 
great patience, mellowed in chiiracler .as years 
passed, he died at the home of his now surviving 
son, near I!eloit,in 1S7(;. With marked peculiarities 
which precluded him from the most open and easy 
fellowship with men, in integrity anil that insight 
into wh;it is enduring and genuine, there has been 
no superior man in the goodly roll of the citizens 
of Uock County. 






J^ A.MKS .MKNDKNllALl,, a leading citi/.en of 
I Janesville, and one of the honored pioneers 
I of Uock County, was born in Cohnnbia 
I County. Pa.. Dec. II. IHl 1. Two brothers, 
named Memlenhall, emigrated from England to 
<• 



America during the early d.ays of the history of the 
Colony of Pennsylvania, and settled in that State. 
They belonged to the Society of Friends, and from 
these brothers the Mendenhall family in Anu^rica 
have sprung. They and their descendants were 
prominently identified with the history of the early 
settlement of Pennsylvania, and several members 
of the family took |iart in the Revolutionary War. 

The parents of our subject, Abner and Lydia 
(Carlton) Mendenhall, adhered t<» the religious 
views of their ancestry and were strong in »upiiort 
of that faith. The father was a native of Philadtjl- 
phia, born in I7G9, and his wife w.as also born in 
that city, in 1772. Mr. Mendenhall was a faiincr 
by occu|)ation and during the pioneer days of Co- 
lumbia County, |)urchased a heavily limbered tract 
of land and there developed a farm upon which he 
resided until his death, which occurred in 1.SJ2. 
His wife survived her husband for about four years, 
when she, too. passed to her final rest. They were 
the parents of ten children, seven sons .'nid three 
daughters, all of whom grew to years of maturity, 
while five lived lieyond the age of four score 
years. At the present time. 18<S'J, there are four 
of the family living — Martha, who is now eighty- 
three years of age; Lydia, aged eighty ye.ars; James, 
aged seventy-eight years; and Samuel, who is sev- 
enty-four years of .age. With the exception of our 
subject all are residents of I'ennsylvania. 

.lames Mendenhall was reared to manhood in his 
native county, .assisting his father in the labors of 
the farm. His advantages for education were lim- 
ited to such c)pportunities as were afforded in those 
early days. The school house in which he ob- 
tained the rudiments of an education was extreme!^' 
primitive in its character, and for only three 
months during the winter season was he permitted to 
attend. At the age of eighteen years, he w.as appren- 
ticed to the trade of a millwright, his comjjeusation 
being his board and eighteen cents per day, from 
which small salary' he was compelled to purchase 
his own clothes and jwy for his washing. He served 
a term of three years, working from daylight until 
!t o'clock at night, but at the end of that time, he 
had obtained a good trade, by which a living 
might be made. Notwithstanding his wages were 
so small, he clotheil himself in a comfortable and 




-4^ 

874 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-U 






respectable manner, and by economical living also 
saved some money. His term of apprenticeship 
liaving expired, lie continued to work for his old 
employer for several years, or until his removal to 
the West in 183.J. 

A new era in tiie llle of Mr. Meudenhall then 
l)egau. The new.s of the infant town of Chicago on 
the shores of Lake Michigan, and the vast prairies 
(if the adjacent territory, had reached his home in 
Pennsylvania, and he resolved to see for himself 
the country about which such flattering reports 
were made. On the 8th day of April. 18:55, he 
.shouldered his knapsack, and alone and on foot, 
sl.arted for Chicago, a distance of many hundred 
miles. He met with many interesting experiences 
oil the way. The country was new and beautiful, 
ami the triji. which lasted several weeks, was alto- 
aether delightful. Traveling on foot to Erie, Pa., 
he there took a steamer for Cleveland, when on 
reaching that city, he again, with knapsack on his 
back, continued his journey on foot to Toledo, 
thence traveling on what was called the National 
Road across the State of Michigan to Chicago, lie 
found a small town on the site of Hie present city, 
which to him appeared an undesirable place. He 
remained in Chicago until the following October, 
working a short time at his trade and also engag- 
ing for a time in hewing timber for the harbi^r 
of Chicago, on the present site of the city of 
Ev.-inston, which was then government land. As 
before stated, in October, he left Chicago for 
Itacine, and made a claim near that city. He 
also visited Milwaukee, this journey lieing ac- 
com|)lished on foot, though he was accom[)anied 
by a young man named Otis, whose acquain- 
tance he had formed in Chicago. After his return 
Mr. .Mendenhall engaged in the lumlier regions on 
the Calumet River until the following sjiring. when 
he returned to Uacine, and worked at the carpenter 
and millwright business for a year. During this 
time he erected the frame of a large mill at the 
rapids of the Root River, and in 1837, went to Dela- 
van. Wis., there assisting in building a saw and grist 
mill for the Phenix Bros. Those were the first 
mills erected at that place he then engaged to build a 
uiill at Waterloo, now .Slmpiere. Riick County, for 
K. Ulodgett, and in 1841, made his lirst purchase 

-4* 



of land, 100 acres, in the town of Clinton, on .Jef- 
ferson Prairie. 

In the month of February, of the following year, 
Mr. Mendenhall was united in marriage with .Miss 
Margaret C. Rice, a native of Ontario County, N. 
Y. He then settled on his land, which he im- 
proved, making it his home for twenty 3'ears. 
About this time Mr. Mendenhall assisted in organ- 
izing the town of Clinton, was chosen its first 
Treasurer, and was prominently connected with 
the building of the first church and school-house in 
that town, being a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees in both cases. In 1849, he joined a California 
expedition and crossed the plains to the "land of 
gold." Five months were consumed in the jour- 
ney, which is now accomplished by the iron Injrse 
in a week. For about a 3'ear he remained on the 
Pacific coast, engaged in mining, when he returned 
home b}- way of the Isthmus of Panama. 

Mr. Mendenhall sold his farm in 1861, and re- 
moved to Janesville, that lie might have lietter op- 
portunities for educating his children, and also to 
lighten the burdens of his wife, who w.as in poor 
health. Mrs. Mendenhall's health was improveti 
by the change, but on the 12th day of October, 
1887, the final summons came ami the faithful wife 
w.as laid in her last resting place. This worthy 
couple had traveled life's journey together for the 
long period of forty-five years, and the death of 
Mrs. Mendenhall left a void in the home which can 
never be tilled. They were the parents of three 
children, two of whom are living — Willonghby C, 
the eldest, died suddenly of heart disease at Am- 
herst Junction, in November, 1883; Ida is the wife 
of S. F. Hammond, a resident of Ashton, Dak.; 
James D., is a General Freight and Passenger 
Agent on the Wisconsin Central Railroad, with 
headquarters at D\iluth. Minn. 

Mr. Mendenhall is one of the honored pioneers 
of Rock County. For nearly half a centnr}-, he 
has been identified with its growth and progress, 
and has ever born a itrominent part in the promo- 
tion of its moral and religious interests. He has 
the welfare of the entire communit3' at heart, and 
his labors in its behalf have not been in vain. In 
earlier life, he was a member of the Baptist Church, 
but later united with the Methodist denomination. 



^T* 



UOCK COUNTY. 



875 



of wliicli for many years, ho and his wife were 
faithful and coi.sisU'nt niemliers. In politics, he is 
an ardent siiiiporter of the Kepiihlican party. Ilis 
father w:us stronuly an anti-slavery man. and in- 
stilled liie (loetrino of freedom to all, into the 
minds of his children. From these teaciiings his 
son did not depart, hut has ever been found on the 
side of truth and justice. .Mr. Mendenhall has a 
pleasant home in .lanesville. where he is enjoj'ing 
the eveninii: of a life well spent. 



^|/_^ ON. WILLIAM C. WIIITFORD, President 
li of IMilton College, of Milton. Wis., and a 
leader in the cause of education in this 
ij State, was born in the town of West Ed- 
meston. Otsego Co., N. Y., May 5, 1828, and is a 
son of Capt. Samuel and Sophia (Clarke) Whit- 
ford. His father and mother were descended 
from Knglish ancestors who settled in Rhode Is- 
land early in the seventeenth century. The father 
was horn in the town of IJrookfield, Madison Co., 
N. Y. Ang. 28, 1797. was a farmer by occupation 
and also raised and dealt in cattle and sheep for 
market. David Whitford, the grandfather of oursub- 
ject. died when his sou Samuel was but sixteen years 
of age, leaving a family of eleven children, all of 
whom except one sister were younger than him- 
self. Two of that number were cripples from their 
birtli and all he a-ssisted until of mature years. He 
carried on the small farm left by the father and 
added to the income of the family by the manu- 
facture of potash. For fourteen years he devoted his 
earnings to the support of his mother, brothers and 
sisters. Oct. 26, 1826, he married Miss Sophia 
Clarke, who was born in I'l.ainfield, Otsego Co.. N. 
Y., Feb. 6, 1802. Mrs. Whitford was related to 
the several families of Clarkes that originated in 
Uhode Island, members of which have occui)ied 
important j)ositions in that State. She was the 
eldest of eight children, and lost her father at an 
early .age, when after reaching her majority, she 
aided her mother several years in supporting the 
younger children of the family. Mr. and Mrs. 
Whitford, the parents of our subject, first made 
their home in West Edmeston, and later at Plain- 



lield. Otsego Co., N. Y. The husband possessed 
great physical slrengtli and endurance, sound judg- 
and superior mural and religious character, and in 
later years heeanie a man of considerable iidluence, 
holding various positions of honorand trust in both 
civil and military life. His death occurred Sept. 
21. 1818. his good wife surviving him until July 
14, 1888. her death occurring at the old homestead 
in Plainfield in the eighty -seventh year of her age. 
William C. Whitford, our subject, was the eld- 
est of four children, all sons; Hamilton .loseph, the 
second, who for many years owned the homestead 
and cared for his mother after the death of his 
father in 1818, until her death, is now residing in 
I'lainfield, N. Y., and is engaged in farming; AI- 
liert. the third son, since his graduation at I'nion 
College, Schenectaday, New York, h.as been en- 
gaged in teaching, having served as princi|)al of 
DcRuyter Institute, and as i)rofessor in Alfred 
I'niversity, both in the State of New York. He 
was also a professor of Milton College, Wis., and 
during the service of his brother William .as Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction of thisState, served 
.as President of the College. He is now the profes- 
sor of mathemathics in that institution. The 
youngest son, Herbert David, was a soldier during 
most of the Civil War. having enlisted in a Wis- 
consin Regiment. He was in several of the prin- 
cipal engagements of the Southwest. He has 
served four years in the regular service, and now 
resides at Leavenworth, Kansas. 

The subject of this sketch passed his early life 
on his father's farm, where he developed a strong 
constitution .and laid the foundation for that men- 
tal and physical strength and vigor, and cai)acitv 
for endurance, that has since characterized his life. 
He attended the district or select schools in winter 
and worked on the farm during the other seasons 
of the 3'ear. At the age of twelve years he devel- 
oped .an extraordinary fondness for reading, and 
for the ensuing five years applied himself :issitlu- 
ously to the perusal of all works of travel, history, 
biography and works of a didactic nature, that came 
within his reach. Finding farm work ill suited to 
his t:iste, he resolved to make preparations for some 
literary or professional c»lling, and accordingly at 
the age of sixteen years he entered Crooktield 



t 



870 



■» II ^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Academ}', near his home, where he was a student 
for nearly three years. When nearly of age, he 
entered l)e Kuyter Institute in New York, where 
he prepared himself to enter the .Senior Class of 
Union CoHege, from which he graduated in 1853. 
lie hc^ran tcaeliing at the .ige of sixteen years anil 
taught his waj- through both Hrookfield Academy 
and De Ruyter Institute. While a student at the 
Institute he had charge during nearly every term, 
of classes in penmanship, elocution, Latin and rhe- 
toric. After graduating at Union College, he en- 
tered I'nion Theological Seminary of New York 
City, where he took a three years course of study, 
graduating in 1H.')6, .and was ordained a minister 
of the Seventh Day l'>aptist Church at New Market, 
N. J., in April of that year, lie immediately ac- 
cepted the position of pastor of the ciiurch of his 
faith at Milton, AVis., and held that charge for two 
years, when he assumed the charge of Milton 
Academy, in the summer of 1858, and has continued 
to serve as president of that institution and of 
Milton College, which is an outgrowth of tl;(e acad- 
emy, .until the present time, covering a period of 
thirty-one years. During five ye.ars of this time 
his connection witli the college was onlj^ nominal, 
as he was granted a leave of absence to serve as 
Sui)erintcndent of Public Instruction for AYiscon- 
sin. to which oflice he was elected in the fall of 
1877. Under his administration, Milton Academy 
enjoyed healtliy development and rajiidly accpiired 
great vigor and popularity. During the late Civil 
War, the spirit of patriotism led to the enlistment 
in the military service of the country of 311 of its 
students, many of whom were aided by Mr. Whit- 
ford in securing good positions in various regiments 
in the Stat<'. 

For nine years, the school as an academy was 
under his charge, and in 1867, largely through his 
efforts, was converted into a college. .Mr. Whit- 
ford has not only served as president of the college 
all these 3-ears, hut has .also been the he.ad of its 
Board of Trustees. Under his administration old 
debts have been canceled, additional rooms aud 
other accommodations furnished aud quite a large 
endowment fund secured. 

In the denomination to whicli Presitleut \\'liit- 
ford belongs, he has filled inllueutial positions, 



among which is the presidency of its Conferences 
in this county, which he has Iwii-e lield. He also 
served more than four jears after 1f:l'2 in an im- 
[wrtant agenc}' for raising a Memorial Fund of 
fliat people, visiting in that lime most of the 
churches of the Seventh Day i;a|)tists in the United 
States. From 18G5 until 1882. with tiie exception 
of intervals amounting to three years, he serveil as 
a member of the State Board of Normal Regents, 
and for a while was an ex-ofBcio Regent of the 
University of Wisconsin. In 1867, he was elected 
a member of the Wisconsin Legislature. an<l sei'ved 
one term; in 1X77. was elected Superintendent of 
Public Instruction of Wisconsin, was re-elected to 
that position in 187'.(, and served in all four years, 
proving a very competent and popular odicer. 
He was during that time editor of the Wisconsin 
Journal <>/ Eilwation — a monthly. He is now 
corresponding secretary of the .'seventh D.ay Baptist 
Education Society, and one of the correspoiuiing 
editors of the Sn/tfjath Reorder of Alfred Center, 
N. Y., also has been editor of the (Quarterly, pub- 
lished b^' that denomination. Since residing in 
Milton he has been Superintendent of the Sabbath 
School of his church for fifteen years. 

Mr. Whitford has been twice married. His first 
wife was Miss Klmina K. Coon, a gradn.ate of De 
Ruyter Institute. N. Y., to whom he w.as married 
at that place Oct. Ill, 1.S50. She was a most ami- 
able and accomplished women, who had fitteil her- 
self for teaching and a missionary life. Her death 
occurred within six months after her marriage, from 
quick consumption. Mrs. Whitford was a <laughter 
of Clarke and Betsey Coon and was born in Linck- 
l.aen, Chenango Co., N. Y. Mr. Whitford's second 
marriage was celebrated atShiloh, N. Y., .March 23, 
1852, when Miss Ruth Hemphill became his wife. 
She was born in Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y.. June 
15. 182',). and is a gr.aduate of .Vlfred Universit}-, 
of the class of 1848. At the time of her marriage, 
she was engaged as a teacher in the academy at 
Shiloh, where Mr. Whitford was also employed 
some two ye.ars as principal during his early life. 
Mrs. Whitford began teaching in Allegany Coun- 
ty. N. Y.. when but fourteen ye.'irs of age. She also 
taught a select school at Adams Center, Jeffer- 
son Co:, N. Y., was preceptress of an academy at 



-4*- 



i 



=T* 



4^ 



-•» 



~u 



ROCK COUNT V, 



S/ / 



Sliiloli, N. .T. for two years, and had charge of the 
Seminary al New Market in the same State for three 
years. Sincr coming to Milton she has taniiiit at 
inti'rvais in the Collcji'e for Iwenty-tive j'ears or 
nu)re. Mrs. Wliitford i.s a woman of superior cult- 
ure anil possesses a moral :uid ri'liiiious nature 
most hij^lily trained. Fotu' children have been 
horn of their union, only one of whom is j'et liv- 
ing. Minnie, the eldest, die<l .at tlie age of five 
years; William died when sixteen months old; 
Freddie, tlie third child, lived to the age of twelve 
years; Milton, the youngest, who was born at Mil- 
ton, Wis., .Sci)t. 17, 1H()G, is now employed in the 
mercantile business in his native village. The 
parents have an adopted daughter, Elizabeth A. 
Steer, now residing with them, who was born -luly 
2i', 1851), in the township of Cavan, Ontario. 

Mr. Whitfor(] has been prominently identified 
with the educational interests of the State. While 
serving as a member of the liipard of Normal 
Regents, which position he filled for nine years, he 
usually acted on the committees for examination 
of graduating classes and for ('onducting Teachers' 
Institutes in the St.ate. lie was twice elected as 
visitor to the State I'liiversily and has frecpiently 
been called upon to lecture before teachers associa- 
tions aiul lyceums. During Ihc Centennial \-ear of 
our country, he (irepared at the reijnest of the 
State Superintendent of Public Instrju'tion. a work 
containing a succinct history of education in Wis- 
consin, a most thorough .and exhausted one, the 
result of much research on his part. This, with 
other contributions from the State, was on exhibi- 
tion at I'hiladelpliia. During his service .as .Super- 
intendent of I'ublic Instruction, he devoted much 
attention to such measures as would inipnjveand 
elevate the slaniling of the country or ungraded 
schools, and delivered many addresses in v.arious 
parts of the .State on educational subjects. 

In his religious opinions and practices, Mr. Whit- 
ford is devoid of all cant or bigotry, while his con- 
victions in respect to the doctrines ami prece])ts of 
Christianity are tirm and ardent. Among the thou- 
sands of young men and women who have been 
under his instructions, there is probably no one 
who does not cherish si-nliments of respect and es- 
teem for him, or who has not been benefitc<l and 



? 



influenced in moral and religious character by his 
teachings. He is endowed with a powerful phys- 
ical and mental organization, which b.as been trained 
to habits of ceaseless activity; and while he doesan 
immense amount of work, he nevei' tires or shows 
signs of fatigue. He is excei'dingly foiul of public 
speaking; anil with a full voice, earnest manner, a 
practical view of the subjects discussed and ready 
action of mind, lie attracts and holds liis audiences. 
From his early boyhood to the present, the subject 
of education has lieen the all-absorbing idea of his 
life, and he lias tlii' pleasure of knowing that thou- 
sands of youiiii- nieii and women have risen to a 
higher plain of intelligence and culture through 
his well-directed efforts. 

-v-v ■.o*o.(5JX®-«>*<" •V— 

^ OSIAll M. K\ERI':TT, a leading and iiromi- 
nent farmer residing on section 2G, Turtle 
Township, is numbered among the pioneer 
settlers of this county, dating his residence 
back to 1844. He is a native of New York, his 
birth occurring in Onondaga County on tlu' 11th 
day of December, 1818. His parents were .losiah 
and Lydia (Hale) Everett, the former a native of 
Massachusetts ami the latter born in New York. 
His father and the father of Edward Everett, the 
eminent statesman, were cousins, and his mother 
was descended from Puritan ancestiy. .b)siah 
Everett, Sr., removed to the Empire State in an 
early d.ay, and there became acquainted with the 
lady whom he subsequently married. During the 
earlier years of his life he engaged in merchandis- 
ing, Ijut iu after years was engaged as a stock- 
dealer. His home for many \ears was in ( )nond:iga 
County, N. V., where he passed away Jan. 14, 
1805, at the .age of eighty-two years. His wife 
departed this life five days previously, her death 
occurring in her seventy-eighth year. In the work 
of the Presbyterian Church, of which they wei'e 
both members, they took an active part, and .Mr. 
lOverett built the first house of worship for that de- 
nomination inOtisco, Onondago County. Their 
family numbered five children, three sons and two 
daughters: Emily, born in 1808. became the wife 
of N. 15. Hostwick, a resident of Onondaga Count}', 



i 



A 



•«»> 



878 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ 



N. Y., and her death occurred April 25, 1885, at 
the age of seventy -seven years; Dwight, the second 
in order of lurth, died in Nevada; .Tames, born in 
Onondaga County, N. Y., in 181(!. is a resident of 
Blossburg, I'a.; Lydia, who wedded Abraliam 
Will<ins, died in Viueland. N. J., in 1878. 

Tlie education of our subject w.as received in 
Onondaga County, N. Y., and his early life was 
spent as a stock-drover, as there were no railroads 
on which the cattle could l)e shippe<l. This occu- 
pation he followed until his marriiige, which oc- 
curred in Otsego. N. Y.. in 1810. Miss Mary Ross, 
becoming his wife. The lady was horn April 22. 
1820, in Onondaga County, and her parents. Icha- 
bod and Sybil (Murry) Ross, who were also natives 
of the Empire Slate. They hx-ated in the county 
in wliich Mrs. Everett was l)orn at a very early 
(lav, when wolves and bears were often seen, and 
the land was almost entirely uncultivated. The 
last days of lluir life were spent at the home of 
our subject, the father departing this life in 1875. 
while the mother was called to her last rest April 
17,1884. 

For four years after their marriage|Mr. and Mrs. 
Everett resided in New York, but at that time 
became residents of Rock County, Wis., where for 
the long period of forty-live ye:us they have con- 
tinued to reside. Purchasing a claim of fifty-five 
acres on section 2(), Turtle Township, upon wliich 
was a small house, he began the imiirovenient of 
his farm. Into the little cabin the family moved, 
and there passed many happy days of pioneer life, 
which, though fraught with toilsaud privations, yet 
had its pleasures. 'I'hrce children were born to the 
worthy couple. ;ind made merry the little home 
with their laugiiter and fun. With an ox-team the 
furrows on tlic claim were turned, and in a primi- 
tive manner the land cultivated. Only four houses 
were situated on the road between this little home 
and the city of Reloit, but notwithstanding, the 
days passed happily, crops were good, and the 
boundaries of the farm were extended until it now 
comprises 204:^ acres in one body. Many line im- 
provements have been made, and the farm is con- 
sidered one of the best in Turtle Township. 

The children of Mr. anil Mrs. Everett were: 
Ch.arles II., who was born iMay 22, 1855, and 



^?=!«1E0R(;E W. IIAYL()( K. who resides 

ff[ ^— -, sectiiMi 1 1 , I'orter Township, and is an 
^$=^ tlueutial farmer of that couiuuuiilv, is a 



EORCE W. IIAYL()( K. who resides on 

n in- 
a na- 
tive of England, having been liorn in Suffolk, .Ian. 
IC, 18;i1. His parents, William .'uid Kosetta 
(Wing) llaylock were also of English birth and in 
that country the father followed f;irmlug for man^- 
long years. Me also engaged in picatliing the gos- 
pel for about forty years and was instrumental in 
bringing many to Ilim, who is the .Saviour of all. 
He was a man i>f much nu)re than ordinar}' .ability, 
was a tireless student, a great reader, and possessed 
.an excellent education. lie was an expert steno- 
grapher and w:is ipialified to fill irn|MirtauL posi- 



wedded Miss Angerona Barningham, who was born 
in Durant, 111.. .June J, 1856, and is a daughter of 
.Toseph and Villette (Brewer) Barningham. the for- 
mer a native of Yorkshire. England, and is yet 
living, the latter a native of Otsego County, N. Y., 
and died Oct. 5. 18H2. and one child graced their 
union. Milton Wayne, born June 22. 1881. Albert 
K., born Dec. 2!», 185f). is a resident of Chicago; 
Eddie A., born March 23, 1861, is also a resident 
of Chicago, and on the 10th day of November. 
1884, wedded Nellie Tascott. On April lltli, 
1876, the mother of these children was called to 
her final rest. She was a member of the I'resby- 
terian Church of l^eloil. a lady noted fnr her kind- 
ness of hand and heart, and her death was mourned ^ 
by many friends. § 

The life of Mr. Everett is a fair example of what !' 
can be accomplished by energy, enterprise, perse- 3 
verance, and honesty. Notwithstanding his cash 
capital on his arrival in this county consisted of 
but *50, he has now become one of the well-to-do 
farmers of the community, his success being due 
to his own efforts, lie has now retired from the 
active management of his farm, it being under the 
control of his sou Charles, who is an able manager 
and system.atic farmer. In his political sentiments 
Mr. Everett is a stalwart supporter of the Demo- 
cratic parly, and though not an aspirant f(U' politi- 
cal distinction, he takes a lively interest in all 
matters ])ertaining lu the public good. 



r 



-h 



'm 



ROCK COUNTY. 



879 4 



tions in that busiiioss. Cliaritalile and pbilantliropic 
he had a licart to foci for all. anil his sympathies 
were always enlisteil hy a tale of suffering or sor- 
row. The childien of Mr. and Mrs. Ilayloek were 
(ieorgi' W., the sultjeet of this sketch; and .Vniclia. 
who is the wife of C Coo[)cr. who resides in Lon- 
don, Kngland. The death of the father occurred 
on the ."Jth da\ of October, 1 H80. at the age of sev- 
enty-five years, and his body wjis laid to rest in the 
cemetery in Suffolk, Englan<l. .Several years pre- 
vious, in liSd.S, his wife <leparted this life .and they 
now lie sleeping side by side waiting the time when 
the trumpet sound shall call all fnrtli from the 
silent tomb. 

The early life of our subject was spent in his na- 
tive land. lie received his education in the coin- 
nion schools and remained under the parental roof 
until the age of sixteen years when he began life's 
battle for himself. Bidding adieu to home and 
friends, he went to the great city of London, where 
he began learning the joiner's trade, which he fol- 
lowed for fouryears. At the age of twent3' he left 
London and tui-ned his attention to farming, f(j|- 
Idwing that vocation for two j'ears, when he came 
to .Vmeric.i. Thinking that the New World furn- 
ished better opportunities for advancement in the 
various lilies nf liu.-iucss. in the spring of 1S,")7. he 
sailed for New ^'oik .'iiid du reaching that great 
metropolis began working at his trade. lie ful- 
lowed that occu]iati(in fur two }'ears, when, in l,s.')i), 
he came West, locating in Chicago, where ho ob- 
tained the position of foreman of the waterworks, 
and maclc the lirst fire-plug ever constructr<l in 
that city. After spending four years in Chicago, 
engaged in that position during the entire time, he 
continued his journey westward until reaching 
.Meiiekaunee, Wis., where he engaged as a hand in 
a sawmill for twelve years, .acting as foreman for 
the last threi' years. In 18G4, Mr. Hay lock estab- 
lislu'd business for himself, erecting a shinglemill, 
and for a year spent his time in making shingles. 
.Vt length selling out. in ISii.s, he removed to Por- 
ter Township anil once more turned his attention 
to agricultur.'il pursuits. 

A m.irriage ceremony performed on the KJth day 
of March, 1H.')7, united the destinies of George 
llaylock and Mary Ann Kowlcr, b(»th of .Suffolk, 



Kngland. and to this worthy cou|)le have been born 
four children, namely: Frank U.. the eldest, who 
is now deceased; (;eoige W. .Jr.. who was born 
.Ian. 9, IHOfi, is engaged in farming in Porter 
Township; William K., horn Jan. 19, 18GI, is a 
resident of Kvansville, Wis., where he is working 
in a machine shop; Ernest A., Iiorii M:iy 22, 1869, 
is still with his parents. 

Helieving education necessary to success in life, 
Mr. Haddock has provided his children with good 
advantages and ever takes an active interest in that 
cause. He is fine of the self-made men of Rock 
County, and, though his capital consisted oiilv of 
enter|)risc and ability he has by his determined 
energy and untiring efforts gained .-i c(jmfortabl(> 
competency. His fine and well cultivated farm 
comprises 120 .acres of fertile land on section 11, 
Porter Township upon which may lie found all (he 
necessary buildings for the care of grain ami stock, 
together with many valuable improvements. His 
home is a nice two story frame residence and is the 
alHjde of hospitality, where all receive a he;irlv 
welcome. In politics. INIr. H.aylock is a L'cinibli- 
caii and a faithful a'.lieieut to that party. All 
[lublic enterprises receive his hearty support and 
s\mi>athy; and like all true .Vmerlcan citizens he 
makes the welfjue of the comiMuiiity his own. His 
honorable :ind upright course of life, his kindly 
and genial inniiner has won him many friends b^' 
whom he is held in high regard, while lie is re- 
siiected by all who know him. We arc pleased to 
record this biii'f sketch of (leorge llaylock. know- 
ing that it will be received with pleasure by his 
large circle of ac((uaiiitances. 




^^^ARON LUCIUS CIIAIMN. first President 
^^/ 1 1 ^'^ Beloit College, was born in IIailfor<l. 
1* Conn.. Feb. 1,1817. Ills ancestors on the 
" side of both fallicrand mother were citi- 

zens of Connecticut, and were persons of robust 
intelligence and character. He received his aca- 
demic education in the H.utford (irammar .School 
and at Yale College, graduating at the latter insti- 
tution in 18;!7. Aiming the members of his class 



■^r 



-•► 



i 



■<*• 



••► 



880 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i' 



were several gentlemen of national reputation: 
Hev. A. L. Stone, 1). D., Hon. Jeremiah Evarts. 
Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite and Prof. Henja- 
niiu Sillinian are of the number. During the j-ear 
subsequent to liis leaving college he was engaged in 
teaching in a family sciiool in Baltimore, Md.. and 
from 1838 to 1843 was a professor in the New Yori^ 
Institution for llie Deaf and Dumb. He studied 
theology while there engaged, and received his 
diploma at Union Theological Seminary of New 
York, in 1842. 

Tlie Western States were at this time opening new 
fields for enteri)rise, not oidy in the pursuits of ordi- 
nary industry, but to the Christian ministry and 
ac.idcniical instruction. "Sir. Chapin. under the ap- 
pointment of tiie American Home .Missionary- So- 
ciety, removed in 1844 to .^^h^•aukee,Wis.,wllere he 
became Pastor of the First Presbyterian Churcii. 
Here he remained six years. His pastorate in Mil- 
waukee is spoken of as one of great thoroughness 
and erticiency. and his friendsliip in that city is af- 
fectionalely cherished l)y not a few who were cogni- 
zant of Ills early ministry. 

In February of 1850.Dr. Chapin was called from 
Milwaukee to Pioloil College as its first l^resident, 
and was inaugurated into the duties of that oHice 
July 24 of the same year. Rev. Jackson J. Bush- 
nell and Rev. Joseph Emerson, D. D., had just be- 
come professors of the new institution, and to Dr. 
Chapin, in conjunction with these two first profes- 
sors, are in a large measure due the wise principles 
aud methods by which its administration has been 
rendered so eminently successful^ in the training of 
men. 

Dr. Cha|)in was married to Miss Martha Colton, 
of Lenox. Mass , Aug. 23, 1843. After her death 
he married as liis second wife Miss Fannie L. Coit, 
of New London, Conn., August 26, 1861. He is 
father of six children; one of them, IClizabeth C, 
now the wife of Rev. Hemy 1). Porter, M. D., is 
at present a missionary of the American Board in 
Paung-Cliuaug. China. The other remaining chil- 
dren arc contribuling to their father's later years 
the graces of a happy and honorable home. 

The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred 
on Mr. Chapin by Williams College in 1853, and 
that of Doctor of Laws by the University of New 

■4» 



York in 1882. In 1865, during a brief period of 
physical exhaustion, he passed several months in 
Europe. Again, in 1883, he visited the olil world 
as member of a committee sent by the American 
Board to the Turkish mission for the purpose of 
adjusting certain differences between the American 
churches and the missionaries of the Board. He has 
served the Board of Missions as one of its corpor- 
ate members for raanj- j-ears. In 1884 he was ap- 
pointed to preach the annual sermon. F'or many 
yeai-s he has also been Director of the American 
Home Missionary Society, one of the Vice-Presi- 
dents of the American Missionary Association, 
President of the Board of Trustees of the State 
Institution for Deaf Mutes, and (ineof the Directors 
of the Ciiicago Theological Scminar3'. He was one 
of the Board of Examiners at the U. S. Naval 
School at Annap(^lis in 1872. and occupied the 
same position at West Point in 1873. 

In the midst of a busy life Dr. Chapiu h.as found 
little leisure for the protracted labor of literary 
authorshi]). He has given to the press a few occa- 
sional sermons, addresses and reviews. In 1878 
an edition of "■Wayland's Political Economy" was 
issued under his supervision, in which the original 
work was recast and partly re-written 1)3' him. This 
revisiim has been .adopted as a text-book in several 
schools and colleges, and is spoken of with honor. 

Dr. Chapin resigned the presidency of the col- 
lege at the annual commencement in 188(i.liis long 
labors causing him to feel the pressure of advancing 
years. He retains, however, for instruction the de- 
partmentof civil polity, wliich. with that of history', 
from the beginning has been attached to that of the 
President. For the past few months our venerable 
teacher has been obliged to iulcrmit the duties of 
the recitation room, by reason of physical infirmity. 
We trust that rest in the quiet of his home will bring 
back for not a few remaining years something of 
earlier vigor. We may confidently expect it. if the 
unswerving love in wliich he is cherished can avail. 
A mind of remarkable poise and a heart growing 
through all these years in consecration to the good 
of men, with a physical frame eiuinentl}* qualified 
for exacting labor, have all been given freely. It 
is our hope that the results of his life in the life 
of the college and of its sons, and in the direc^t 



J. 



T 





/^ 



/^ 



<i^l<&;^^ 




/fO^^rzJU 




Cyy''^ 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



885 . ' 



contrihution he lias made to the life of the com- 
monwealth and the American thurcli, may be to 
him a crown of joy, as it is manifestly a crown of 
honor, in all the days that remain to him. 



VfAMES MORTON, a farmer of Johnstown 
Township, residing on section 36, and one 
of the early settlers of the county, was 
liorn in Fifeshire, Scotland, on the 1st day 
of .lanuary, 1833, and w.as the second in a family 
of six children, four of whom are living, born to 
John and Jane (Barcla3-) Morton: John, the eldest 
of the family, a farmer of Rock County, died in 
September. 1877; Jane, wife of David Carter, who 
is engaged in farming, is living in Johnstown Cen- 
ter; Robert, a resident farmer of Johnstown Town- 
ship, married Isabella Jentle, a daughter of James 
Jentle, and to them have lieen born five children ; 
Alexander, who became the husband of Ann Scott, 
a daughter of Walter Seott, of La Prairie Town- 
ship, by whom he had four children, three yet liv- 
ing, was a farmer in the town of La Prairie, and 
died in jMarch, 1880; Margaret makes her home 
with her sister Jane. 

Resolving to try his fort\ine in the New World, 
on attaining his m.ajority, our subject emigrated 
from Scotland to America. I'.idding good-bye to 
home and friends he embarked on board the vessel 
'•Middlesex," which left port on May 11, 1854, and 
after sailing five weeks dropped anchor at New 
York on the 16th day of Jul}'. Landing in the 
gre.at Eastern metropolis, a stranger in a strange 
land. Mr. Morton at once began to look about him 
to find some means of earning a livelihood. Going 
to Buffalo, N. Y., he engaged to work for a far- 
mer by the name of Gould, continuing in his em- 
l)loy for one month, when he came to Rock County, 
arriving in Janesville on the 1st d.ay of September, 
1854. He now found himself on the Western front- 
ier where all was new and strange. The first year 
after his arrival was spent as a farm hand in the 
employ of Robert Lamb, an early settler of Rock 
Prairie, and for his services he received $130. The 
following year he worked for John Bennett, one of 
Rock Countj-'s pioneers, and in the fall of 1856 



bought a span of horses, and in connection witli 
William l)uff3' purchased a threshing-m.achine, and 
continued to thresh for various farmers in the 
neighborhood until the spring work opened. The 
young men then rented a farm for the summer, 
operated the same on shares and in the following 
winter again engaged in threshing, continuing to 
follow the two occupations alternately for several 
years. He also gave some attention to the raising 
of stock, and in 1860 formed a partnership with 
his brother, they cultivating a farm of 160 .acres 
during that summer. They bought the Belle farm 
of eight}- acres that year, and rented an 80-acre 
tract just north, owned by William Galbraith, 
which they worked on the shares. Thej' continued 
the cultivation of that land for about three years, 
when in 1863 purchased another eight3'-acre farm 
on section 36, adjoining the Belle farm. The call 
of his adopted country for men to put down the 
Rebellion no longer could go unheeded, there- 
fore, earl}- in the struggle, he became a mem- 
ber of Company L 44th Wisconsin Infantry, and 
with his regiment marched to the front. The 
war soon ending, he was mustered out of service 
Aug. 28, 1865, and at once returned home, resum- 
ing partnership with liis brother in general farm- 
ing. In 1868 the brothers dissolved partnership, 
James taking eighty acres, being a portion of his 
present farm. In 1869 he bought 160 acres ad- 
joining his original purchase, of William Galbraith, 
paying $45 per acre, and has since become the 
owner of a 38-acre tract of timber land. His 
farm is one of the best in the township, com- 
prising good arable Land under a high state of cul- 
tivation. Many fine improvements have been 
made, a large barn and granery have been built, 
and the farm is stocked with the best grades of 
cattle, horses and hogs. 

On the 9th day of April, 1869, the marriage 
ceremony which united the destinies of James Mor- 
ton and Miss Janet Ann McFarland, was performed. 
The lad}' is a native of Perthsliire, Scotland, and a 
daughter of John and Lilli.as (McQueen) McFar- 
land. They had a family of nine children, of whom 
Mrs. Morion is the youngest: Duncan is now en- 
gaged in farming in Hamilton County, Neb.; 
George, who is engaged in farming in the town of 



"^f 



■*^ 



■•► 



886 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1i 



Richmond, Walworth County, raanied Christina 
.Jane .Jenkins, daughter of John and .loanna .Jen- 
kins, and to lliera were born eijiht children, seven 
of whom are living — John, James, .Joanna. (!corge, 
Peter and Duncan; William and George, the latter, 
who was tiie first Ijorn, being decea.sed ; Isabella, 
who is single, resides in Nebraska witli her lirother; 
Margaret, widow of Ivennett Klair, is living in the 
city of (ilasgow, Scotland; James diedin Scotland; 
three died in infancy; Janet, who became the wife 
of our subject. 

The union of Mr. anil Mrs. Morton has been 
blessed with four children: John B., born March 1, 
1874; Lillie B., Aug. 18, 1875; James D., Feb. 18: 
1877; and George E., born June 17,1879. The 
parents are both members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Richmond, Walworth Count3'. and 
are active workers for its interests. For about 
three 3'ears Mr. Morton has been a member of the 
judicial church board, and is a teacher in the Sun- 
day-School. In political sentiment he is a supporter 
of the Prohibition party, and a strong adherent to 
its principles. He is also a member of the Johns- 
town Insurance Company, and is ranked among 
Rock County's best citizens. 

.^^S^^m^r : , 

(^^ AMUEL 11. SLAYMAKER, dece.-ised, was 
^^^ one of Rock County's honored and res- 
]>ected citizens, who, when called from this 
busy life to his final home, was mourned by 
all who knew him. He was born in York County. Pa., 
in the month of August. 1830. and is descended from 
German ancestry, who came to this country in 
1720. His parents. Stephen C. .and Susan (Rcigart) 
Slaymaker. were also natives of the Keystone Stale, 
and the father wasji prominent iron manufacturer 
of Pennsylvania. 

.Samuel received his primary ed\icatlon in tlie 
common schools, and being an apt student was soon 
so far advanced that at an unusually early age he 
entered the university at Pittsburgh. Subsequently 
he took a course at Franklin Academy at Lancaster, 
now called Marsh.ill College, where he completed 
his school-room studies. "But though having left 
school he contiiuiod to read and improve his mind. 



which habit formed in early life continued with 
him until the end. After completing his literary 
edvication. he entered a printing ottiee to learn the 
trade, and during his term of apprenticeship gained 
a useful and valuable knowledge of the ways of the 
worlil. 

On the otii d-Ay uf March, 18.j(!, the union of 
Mr. Slaymaker and Miss Annie C. Reigart was 
celebrated in the city of Lancaster. The lady was 
born in that town .and is a daughter of E. C Rei- 
gart, whose history is given in connection with the 
sketch of A. E. Reigart. Immediately after their 
their marriage, the young couple, following the 
course of human emigration which was steadily 
Howing to the West, came to Rock County, and on 
section 28, Turtle Township, Mr. Slaymaker pur- 
chased 260 acres of laud, the foundation of the pres- 
ent beautiful farm on wiiich his widow now resides. 
When he took possession of the land, it was but 
partially improved, but he immediatel3' began its 
cultivation and soon transformed it into one of the 
finest farms in the county. He planted the magni- 
ficent shade trees which now |)rotect the home from 
the burning r.iys of the summer sun. and under his 
direction the barns for the shelter of his cattle, 
horses and large herds of sheep, were built. The 
boundaries of the farm were extended until it com- 
prised 400 .acres, which have been improved and 
cultivated to a high degree. Though his business 
interest were extensive, he yet found time to devote 
to public matters. He was first in all that per- 
tained to the public welfare, encouraging others 
both by precept and example and doing ail in his 
power to advance public enterprises and objects. 
Religiouslj', lie w.as a member of the Episcopal 
Church, .and politically w.as an ardent supporter of 
the principles advocated by the Rei)ublican party. 
For many years he served in official positions. w:is 
chairm.an of the Township Board of Supervisors, 
and was also a memberof the County Board. He w.as 
also Vice-President of the Second National Bank of 
Beloit. But at length death visited his home and 
his life was ended. He died Dee. 12, 1882, and 
tiie loss sustained by his loving wife w.as shared by 
the entire community. One of the most valued 
citizens of Rock County had been called to his final 
rest but his memory will long be cnsiirined in the 



■» ■ , <■■ 



i 



•MFSji 



ROCK COUNTY. 



8«7 



lieartsof llu' niiin\' friends left beliiiul. Mrs. Slay- 
maker still survives her liushand ami resides on the 
beautiful farm in Turtle 'rownsliip. Siie also is a 
member of the Episcopal Church. 

JrJACKSON J. BUSHNELL was born in Old 
1 S.aybrook. Conn., Feb. 19, 1H1.5. His name 
|l (Jackson) is explained by the victory- which. 
^_^ / a month before his birth, secured to the 
country the great valley to which his manhood was 
devoted. Serving a.s a clerk in a country store in 
his youth, he was early miniled to obtain a colle- 
giate education and be a minister of the Gospel. 
Securing such preparation as he was able he entered 
Yale College in 1837. and though he had the ad- 
vantage of but a single 3-ear of preparation he 
maintained throughout his course a place in the 
front rank of his class, at the same lime supporting 
himself by his own exertions. Such an education 
laid the foundations for peculiar efficiency in life. 
After leaving college in 1841 Mr. Bushuell spent 
a few years in the Theological Seminary at Ando- 
ver, Ma£s., and several years as instructor in West- 
ern Reserve College, and as its financial agent. He 
came to Beloit April 27, 1848, and there found the 
main work of his life. That work was to build a 
Christian College, which had been ahead}- i)lanned, 
as a center of good for this region, and for all time. 
Here he applied himself not only to instruction but 
to agency for the college. As other men devote 
themselves to build up private enterprises, he had 
an ambition to acquire resources to use for the 
pul)li(' good. As lie identified himself with the 
college, so he identitied the college with the com- 
tnunity. Whatever would build up Beloit as a 
thriving place concerned the college, and concerned 
him whether it were a Sabbath-school or a church or 
a bank, a railroad or a hotel; and so the city is full 
of the monuments of his energy and self-sacrilicing 
public-spirit. His public enthusiasm repeatedly led 
him into enterprises commended rather as needed 
for the public goo<l than as promising individual 
gain, and the crisis whieh swe))t over the business 
of this country fell upon him as upon others, and 
his sense of justice sonu'limes compelled liiiu Id .is- 
^ 



sume burdens au<l hardships which less sensitive 
men would have declined. There are other knights 
without reproach than those that ride on fields of 
battle. 

Prof. Bushnell was elected to the Chair of 
Mathematics in the college May 23, 1848. His 
business affairs compelled him to resign in 1858. 
He was re-elected in 18C4 and continued in the dis- 
charge of his duties, beloved and honored, until 
March 8, 1873, when an attack of pneumonia re- 
moved him beyond our mortal sight. His wife and 
four children, three sons and a daughter, survive 
him. 

Prof. Bushncll's mind was one of rare versatil- 
ity and vigor. One could hardly approach him 
upon any subject, however unfamiliar, without 
finding help in his luminous intelligence. His 
heart, too, was ever open and generous. With the 
simplicity of a child, living amid ideals which he 
w!is sure would some day be realized, he w.as a man 
for those in need and for great enterprises .as well, to 
lean upon. He was a true and self-forgetful friend; 
his jnipils loved and honored him. The marble mon- 
ument over his grave w.as erected by them to his 
memory; but his chiefest monument is in the hearts 
of those whom he befriended and the city whose 
prosperity he did so much to promote. Beloit Col- 
lege is apart of that more than princely memorial. 
His noble and child-like worth is perpetuated in 
many who came under his influence. 

-^ #-^ ^ 



Vl? AMES E. OLE AVE, Jr., of section 28, Por- 
ter Township, was born .Tulj-lO, 1841, in 
Chestershire, England, and is a son of James 
/ and Alice (Houghton) Gleave, both of 
whom were natives of England. In 1840, James 
Gleave, Sr., came to Wisconsin. Sometime previ- 
ous he formed one of a company who sent an 
agent to this country for the purpose of securing 
some land. On his arrival he located upon the 
land which was said to have been purchased by 
the agent for himself, and at once commenced its 
improvement. In a short time he found that he 
had l)een swindled out of his money and that the 
laud was nnl deeded ti> liini. He then made ar- 



-H- 



•»^r^4^ 



888 



ROCK COUNTY. 



' ' tea 



rangements to return to Englanri, and hired a 
tc.-inislcr to take liimself and family to Milwaukee, 
intending to go bj' lake to Buffalo. N. Y.. and from 
New York City to take |iassa<jp f'>r his native land. 
On arriving at wliat was known as Ball's Tavern, 
in Porter Township, the teamster was taken sick, 
and as they could not go farther they rented one 
room and resided there one 3'ear. A few days af- 
ter moving into this house. Mr. Gleave wa.s taken 
sick and remained in ill health for a year. After 
he had regained his health, he worked by the day 
for about two j'ears and then purchased forty acres 
of land which he at once commenced to improve, 
and to which he added 120 acres more. Erecting 
a house on the hist tract, which w.os located near 
Little Lake he moved into it and there resided un- 
til his death, which occurrcil April 5, 1882. His 
body was buried in I'ortcr cemetery. Religiously, 
lie was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which body his wife was also a member. 
In the old country he was a member of the Odd 
Fellows Society. He was a man thsit enjoyed the 
respect of his fellow men to an unlimited degree. 
His good wife, who shared with him all the hard- 
ships of pioneer life, is still living, and resides with 
her son on the old homestead. Five children were 
born to this wortliv' cou|)le, namely: Piiilip, resid- 
ing in Jackson County, Ore,; Thomas, who re- 
sides in the town of Lnion; Martha, who died in 
infancy; .lames E., the subject of this sketch; Lois, 
now the wife of James H. Bliss, who resides in the 
town of Rock, where he is engaged in farming. 

The subject of this sketch came to this country 
with his parents and received his education in the 
common schools of this country. He remained with 
his i)arenls until 18G1, when he enlisted in Com- 
|)any F, IJUh Wisconsin Infantry, and was sent to 
the front. After a few weeks service he w;is t.aken 
sick and w.as discharged in 1862 for disability. 
Returning home he remained until the summer of 
ISC)', when lie again enlisted, becoming a memlier 
of Battery L, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. He 
served until about three mouths after the close of 
the war when he was discharged and returned to 
his home. 

On the l()th day of February, 18()C, he was uni- 
ted in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Stewart, a na- 



tive of New York, born April 25, 1845. Four 
children have been'born unto them — Frances, born 
Dec. 30, 1866; Lewis, Feb. 13, 1869; Marg.aret. 
Nov. 24. 1871; Iv.an, Dec. 7. 1877. All the chil- 
dren yet remain at home. 

After his marriage. Mr. Gleave took charge of 
his father's farm, which he operated until his f.a- 
Iher's death. He then bought the homestead of 
the heirs and has since operated the farm for him- 
self. He has 160 acres of land under a high slate 
of cultivation, together with a valuable residence 
in Evansville. where he resided two years for 
for the special purpose of educating his children. 
Politically, Mr. Gleave is a Republican, and an 
earnest worker and believer in the principles of 
that party. He has serve<l several terms as Town- 
ship Assessor, and has filled other local otiiccs. 
On his farm may be found a good grade of stock 
and all the latest improved machinery. He is a 
member of T. Jj. Sutphen Post. No. 41, G. A. R. 



WILLIAM A. STONE, of Beloit, is a native 
of Springfield. Mass., where he w.as born 
July 22. 1841. His parents. Anson B. and 
Harriet E. (Phillips) Stone, were also natives of 
that State, the former born at Chester, and the 
latter at Greenfield, Franklin County. Anson B. 
Stone in early life learned the trade of a inat'hinist at 
Williinansi'tt, Mass.. and there worked at his trade 
for several years, nianufacturing tools of various 
kinds, after which he worked for some years as a 
locksmith. Owing to failing health, he was obliged 
to seek some out-door einployinent. and in 1854 he 
emigrated with his family to the West, and bought 
land in Winnebago County, 111., and there engaged 
in farming. In ISGO he removed to the town of 
Newark, Rock Co., Wis., where he bought a farm, 
and continued its cultivation until the time of his 
death, which occurred in February, IHI!.'). He w.as 
quiet and iinassuniing, honest and industrious, and 
a man of strict morals, though not a member of 
any church. About ten years after his death Mrs. 
Stone left the farm, and moved to Beloit, where 
she is living a retired life in a jjleasant home. Mr. 
and Mrs. .Stone were the parents of two sons and 



#-1^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



••^ 



88!l 



■h 



•♦^ 



twu (Iniighters; William A., of this sketch, is the 
oiliest; Klla dioil wliilo young; Etldic C. resides in 
IJeluit, and is in partnership with his brother ; and 
Carrie, who resides with her mother. Compara- 
tively little is known of the origin or early history 
of the Stone family in .\meriea beyond tlie fact 
that they are descendants of an old English family 
by that name, who settled in New Kngland in colo- 
nial days. 

The Phillips' are a very old family, and can 
trace their ancestry hack a few centuries. The 
founders of thai name in America were from Wales. 
We find that families and individuals of that name 
liegan to emigrate from the Old World as 
early as 16;?((. That Inanch of the family from 
which Mrs. Stone descended was known as the An- 
dover liranch, which was founded by the Rev. 
Samuel Phillips, who located at Andover, Mass.. in 
ITIJ. Philli[)s' Academy at that place was founded 
by members of this family, and still liears their 
honored name. Israel Phillips, the father of Mrs. 
Sttiiie. an<l grandfather of our subject, was born at 
(ireenlield. Mass., where his father wasa very early 
settler. He spent iifiwards of forty years of his 
life as a travelling salesman, and died near his birth- 
place in May. IHH.S. at the age of ninety- years and 
nine months. 

William ,V. Stone was educated in the common 
schools, with the exception of a short time spent 
in an .academy at Brancford. Conn. After tlie fam- 
ily came West, he worked on his father's farm unlil 
he attained his majority. On the breaking out of 
the ( ivil War. lie enlisted in Company !•", 1st Wis- 
consin Inffuitry. for three months, and after serving 
that term, returned to his home, and spent a year 
fanning. On the :jlst of .Vugnst. l!S02. he w:is 
united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Stil>vell. a 
native of Chautauqua County, \. Y., and a dangh- 
of Barney Slilwell. Bui a few days after his mar- 
riage he enlisted in the 74th regiment. Illinois 
Infantry, for three years, or during the war, and 
was assigned to Company I). lie participated in 
ilie liattle of ^Inrfreesboro, after which he was 
taken sick willi typhoid fever, and after his recov- 
ery was put into the invalid corjjs, and remained 
wit'.i it until he receiveil his discharge after the 
close of hostilities. -Vfter the war was over he 



bought fifty-six acres of partly improved land in 
Rockton TowiLship. Wiimebago Co., III., and cn- 
gage<i in farming and breaking prairie until 1871, 
when he removed to Chicago, where he engaged in 
various occupations for about nine years. In 1880 
he bought 160 at'res of wild land in Clay County, 
Iowa, which lie still owns. an<l removed to that 
State, and engaged in the development of his new 
farm. After a residence of three years in Iowa, 
owing to the continued ill health of his wife, he re- 
turned to Beloit, where Mrs. Stone's death occurred 
.Ian. 21. 1881. By his union with .Miss Slilwell, 
Mr. Stone has one son. Lewis. l)orn in November, 
IHCO, who is now engaged in the Rockford Watch 
Factory. On the 22d of December, 1881. Mr. Stone 
weilded Kittie Doyle, of Beloit, a daughter of John 
Ooyle, a native of Ireland, who served as a soldier 
in the late war. in the 4lh Wisconsin Battery. 

After his return from Iowa in li-iK4, Mr. Stone 
engaged in the livery liusiness, taking his brother, 
K. C, into partnership, under the firm name of 
Stone Bros. They keep a large livery, boarding 
and sale stable. They keep from fifteen to twenty 
good driving horses, and a lot of first-class turn- 
outs. By courteous treatment of their jjatrons 
and promi)t attention to their orders they have 
worked up a profitable and constantly increasing 
business. Mr. Stone is a Republican. He is a mem- 
ber of the Modern Woodmen, ami of the (i. A. R. 



EF. V.VXDERLY'N. a prosperous and exten- 
sive farmer and stock grower of Rock 
^ ' County, residing on section 7, Clinton Town- 
ship, is a native of the Empire State, having been 
born in .SpatTord, Cortland County, on the 7lh day 
of January, 184.'i. lie is a son of Ja-ies A'ander- 
lyn, one of the early settlers of this county, whose 
sketch ap|)ears on another |)age of this volume. 
He resided in his native State until three years of 
age, when his parents removed to the West, making 
their home in the town of Clinton. He received 
excellent educational advantages, his early cnluca- 
tion being received in the common schools, and 
later purs\ung a partial course in the Wayland I'ni- 
versity at Beaver Dam, which was supplcmentc<l 



r 



. . 890 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-♦HH* 



b}' a commercial course at Eastman's Business Col- 
lege, a celebrated institution at Poiighkeepsie, N. 
Y. For a short time after leavinjj school he was 
connected with the American Express Company at 
Clinton, but his father meeting with an accident, 
be was called to the farm, of which he has since 
had charge. It is the same one on which his parents 
lived after their arrival in this county.. It is well 
stocked with a fine grade of horses, cattle and hogs, 
and the entire surroundings indicate the owner to 
be a man of thrift. He is energetic and enterpris- 
ing and of a practical turn of mind, whicli qualities, 
combined with his natural business ability, insure 
his success in every undertaking. 

In 18G8. :Mr. Vanderlyn was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Miner, a daughter of Joel Miner, 
and by their union one child was born, Bercia. :Mr. 
and Mrs. Vanderlyn are well known throughout 
the county, in which for so many years they have 
made their home, and are held in the highest regard 
by their many friends. 



<S^THAN 
J_'-^' repres 



jTHAN L. BUKDICK, residing on section 
Lima Township, is one of the leading and 
jpresentative farmers of this county, and 
is numbered among its honored pioneers of 1841. 
He was bom in Allegany County, N. Y., on the 
18th day of March, 1822, and is a son of Ethan 
and Amy (Allen) Burdick, the former a native of 
Connecticut and the latter of Rhode Island. Our 
subject was the third of the family to bear ttie 
name of Ethan. His grandfather, was the first to 
be so called, was a fisherman and followed a sea- 
faring life during the greater part of his daj's. The 
father of our sutiject was a farmer by occupation. 
His marriage with Amy Allen was celebrated in 
the State of New York, and unto them were born 
six children, all of whoni are yet living — Amy Ann, 
wife of Daniel P. Freeborn, a resident farmer of 
the town of Lima; Isaphenia, who became the wife 
of William West, of Dane County, Wis.; Esther, 
who resides upon the old homestead; Susan, who 
was one of the first graduates of Milton College 
and is now a teacher of recognized al)ility; and 
Silas G., who is in Lima, and married Miss Han- 



nah Hull, and lliey have three children — Nelly E., 
Harrold M., :iih1 Laura M. 

Resolving to make a home for himself and 
family in the West, Ethan Burdick, Sr.. emigrated 
to Wisconsin in 1841 and .•*eltled in this county. 
He first located on section 7. in the town of Lima, 
where he entered a claim of 1 60 .acres, and in the fall 
erected a log-cabin into which the family moved. 
He at once began tlie development of the wild 
land, placing it all under cultivation, and making 
many improvements and there resided until his 
deatli. in 1878. He had by subsequent purchases 
extended the boundaries of his farm until it com- 
prised 227 acres and the rise in land, consequent 
upon the settling up of the country, had made hira 
a well-to-do farmer, and his faraih' were left in 
comfortable circumstances. In earlj' life, politi- 
call}-, Mr. Burdick was a Whig, but on the organiza- 
tion of the Reiiublican parly, he joined its ranks 
and remained a warm defender of its principles 
and i)olic3' until his death. He w.is a great reader, 
always well informed on all the leading issues of 
the da}', and his children never wanted for good 
reading matter, for in his home might always be 
found the best current literature. His excellent 
wife survived him until 1888, when she was called 
to the better land. They were devoted and con- 
sistent members of the Seventh D.ay Baptist 
Church, were numbered among its most prominent 
workers, and were honored for their many good 
deeds of heart and hand. Their works of kind- 
ness and charity will long be remembered and 
their example is well worth}- of emulation. Mr. Bur- 
dick took .an active interest in tne advancement of 
social and religious enterprises and the cause of 
education found in him a true friend. 

The subject of this sketch was liberally educated, 
his primary course in tlie schools being supple- 
mented by a course in Alfred Seminary at Alfred 
Centre, N. Y. His boyhood days were spent in 
his native State and at the age of nineteen he came 
with the family to the Territory of Wisconsin. 
Well does he remember the pioneer life in the 
early day of this then new country, when wild game 
of all kinds was plentiful, when the deer in droves of 
twenty-five or more wouUi pass the cabin, and the 
Indians were still frequent visitors in the settlement. 



-4•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



891 




Tliough many were the trials and hardships to be 
t'ndinuii, those were days of happiness spent in 
the ininiitive homes on the frontier, hospitality 
alioundod and the lateii string was always out. Mr. 
Hurdiek remained at home with iiis parents until 
1855, when he w;is united in niarria<je with Miss 
I'hilena Babcock. a native of New York, and a 
daugiiterof Al)ol and 1-ucy (Huntington) Habcock, 
who became residents of Hock County in 1842. 
They were liotli members of the Seventh Day Bap- 
tist Church, iiighly respected by all who knew 
them, and have now passed to their linal rest. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Hurdick have been born two children 
— (Jaudentia. wiio wedded Miss Harriet Killam, by 
whom he had a son — Leon, who lives with hiS 
grandfatiier, and later married Duleinca Crandall, 
who liore liim two cliildren named Ethan Lee and 
Charles C, wdio live with their mother, who was 
widowed No^. 6, 1888; and May died at tlie age of 
thirteen years. They have an adoi>te<l daughter 
named Maggie. 

The home farm of Mr. Burdick comprises 147 
acres of fine arable land, and in addition to that, 
he also owns ninety acres of land, situated on sec- 
tion 19 in the town of Lima. His entire possesions 
he lias acijuired since conung to Hock County. 
The splendid imiirovcnienls on liis farm arc all the 
work of ids h;ui<l, and he converted the wild land 
into a l)eautiful home. The little log-cabin has 
long since given place to a fine two-story frame 
dwelling, which is surrounded by many shade and 
oniaiiieiital trees and is one of the pleasantest 
homes to be found in the community. An honored 
pioneer and valued citizen, Mr. Ihirdick is held in 
llie highest respect by all who kn(>w him. He has 
not t)nly been a witness i>f the great ch.-uiges that 
have taken place during the forty-eight years of 
his residence in Rock County, but luus been an ac- 
tive participant in the work of development and 
progress. He has ever been liberal in the support 
of all enterprises calculated to advance the inter- 
(•■its of the cuminunity and has served his fellow- 
citizens in various otlicial positions, discharging his 
duties with honor and to the satisfaction of all con- 
cerned. For many years he was President of the 
.Mutual Fire Con)i)any of the town of Lima and 
[iruved to be an able and etlieient ottieer. His 



wife is a member of the Seventh Day Baptist 
Church, and though he is not a communicant of any 
religious body, he contributes freely to the sup- 
port of the church, as he does to social and educa- 
tional interests. 

- o'r>o - 



^^1 resilient 



lEORGE \V. CROS.SMA.N, a pioneer settler 
Rock County, of wliich he h:is been a 
it for forty-two years, resides <jn sec- 
tion 31, Rock Township. He was born on the 29lh 
da}' of November, 1831, in Oneida County, N. Y., 
and is a son of Warren and Susan 1). (Cla])p) Cross- 
man, both of whom are natives of Massachusetts. 
On his father's side, he traces his ancestry back to 
John Grossman, who came over from England in 
lG;!l,and built the first log house in Taunton, 
ISIass. The records of the town show that in 1(>37 
a certain tract of land, embracing the present town 
of Taunton and some other territory, was bought 
of the Indians by forty-six persons, one of whom 
was John Crossman. His paternal grandfather 
was Nath.in Crossman. who married Miss Nanc}' 
Pratt, a descendant of William White, who came 
over in the "Mayflower." His maternal grand- 
father, Elisha Clapp, w;is born in Rochester, Plym- 
outh Co., Mass. 

Warren Crossman learned the trade of a carpen- 
ter in early life, which he followed for many years. 
About 1800 lie removed to Oneida County, X. Y., 
in company with his fallier's family, who were 
numbered among the earl}' settlers of that com- 
munity. He was there reared to manhood, assist- 
ing in the develo|)ment of the farm, and in that 
vicinity was united in marriage with Susan Clapp. 
In 1811 the family came West, settling first in 
Lake County. III., where they lived four years, 
during which time Warren Crossman worked at the 
carpenter's trade. In 1848 he emigr.ated to Rock 
County, settling on section 34, where he bought 
150 acres of land in a wild, uncultivated state. 
From the virgin soil he developed a fine farm, 
making it his home until his death, which occurreil 
Oct. 1, 1880, at the age of eighty-two years. His 
wife is still living, and makes her home with her 
son, B. P. Crossman, of Janesville. He w.as a 
member of the A. F. & A. JI., and, politically, was 



r 



-4^ 



•«► 



892 



ROCK COUNTY. 



a supporter of the Republican party, of which he 
became a member at its organization. He was 
quiet and conservative, yet was well informed on 
all the leading issues of the day, and was a promi- 
ment citizen in the communitj*. 

Warren and Susan Grossman were the parents of 
seven children. Helen M. became the wife of John 
H. Chandler, of Camden, N. J., who for many 
years was a missionary in foreign lands, being sent 
by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. He was 
first sent to Burmah, and from there to Siam. 
While in the latter country, he was tutor to the 
present King of Siam. Jane A. became the wife 
of the Rev. W. H. H. Eddy, and both are now de- 
ceased: .lennctte A. wedded Robert J. Evans, but 
both are now deceased; Lucy M. became the wife 
of J. M. Trezsdale, and l)Oth have since passed 
away; Elisha C. is residing in Chicago; George 
W. if the uext in order of birth; Benjamin V. is a 
resi<lonl of Janesville. The mother of this fauiil\- 
was a sincere and devoted member of the Baptist 
Church, and reared her children in that faith. 

The subject of this sketch was a lad of thirteen 
3'ears when Ids parents emigrated to the Territory 
of Wisconsin, and has witnessed the growtii of 
that State from its infancy. On att.aiiiing his rasi- 
jority, he assumed the management of his father's 
farm, which lie controlled for about tliree years. 
On the 21st d.ay of .January. 18.54, he led to the 
marriage altar Miss Philena Baldwin, a native of 
Benson County, Vt., and a daughter of E. N. 
Baldwin. By their union two children have been 
born — George A., who is residing on the home 
farm: and Charley, who is employed as a brakes- 
man on the Chicago i: Northwestern Railroad. 

Mr. Grossman is one of the self-made men of 
this county. From the raw land he h.as developed 
a line farm, which is higldy cultivated and im- 
proved, and comprises 138 acres. By his own efforts 
of industry and economy he has secured a lil)eral 
competence.and is numbered among the leading citi- 
zens of tlie community. He is now serving as Town- 
sliip Supervisor, which office he previous!}' held 
in 1875 and 1876. C^uiet and unassuming, loving 
peace and order, he has never h.ad a lawsuit in his 
entire life. On the 9th daj' of October. 1 879, lie 
had llie misfortune to meet with a serious accident. 



In some way lie got caught in the tumbling rod of 
a threshing machine, whicii resulted in fracturing 
his bones in fourteen different places and dislocat- 
ing three joints. Henry Palmer, M. D., the most 
noted surgeon in Wisconsin, was called to his bed- 
side, .and to that gentleman's wonderful skill in 
surgerj-, together with Mrs. Grossman's good nurs- 
ing. Mr. Grossman .attributes his recovery. For 
nine long months he was confined to his bed, dur- 
ing whicli time he was entirely helpless, his food 
having to be administered to him as a little child. 
In his political sentiments Mr. Grossman is a Re- 
publican, and has always taken a deep interest in 
political and public affairs generally. He and his 
wife are both members of the Baptist Church, in 
which he served .ts Trustee for many j'oars. In 
1876 they visited the Centennial at Philadelphia, 
Washington, D. C, and other points of interest in 
the East. They are numbered among Rock County's 
most highly' res()ected citizens, who have resided 
in Wisconsin since its Territorial d.'iys. 



-^♦; 



^^^^ 



AMES G. WICKHEM. attorney at law, of 
Beloit, was born in Dodge County, Wis., on 



the 31st day of October, 1857. His parents 



J 

(^^ John and Catherine (Jo^-ce) Wickhem, were 
natives of Ireland, but in early life emigrated to the 
United States and located in Dodge County, where 
they reared a family of seven children, as follows — 
Mich.ael, a prosperous farmer in Dodge County; 
P. F., one of the prominent merchants and business 
men of Alexandria. Hanson Co., Dak., who has been 
Mayor of the city and is now County Treasurer for 
the second term : James G. of this sketch; Maria, 
who resides with her parents; Ella, a bookkeeper for 
lier brother P. F. ; Maggie, a very successful 
teacher in the Beloit cit}' schools, and Katie, who 
died in infancy. 

Our subject gradu.ated in the Waterloo High 
School in Jefferson County. Wis. He then attended 
the State University at Madison for five j-ears and 
completed a course in the law department in tliat 
institution. He obtained his education largel\- by 
teaching school, having been at one time Principal 



■*► 



I- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



893 



of the Sun Piaiiie Higli Scliodl, in Dane County. 
Wis. 

He commenced prat'tlciufj law In Ik'loit. ()ct. 1, 
1883. Mr. Wipkhcni is a close student, a young 
man of good judgment, and by dose application to 
business and honest dealing, he lias worked up a 
])racticcof which many an older lawyer might well 
be proud. He is an earnest Democrat and seems to 
have been born with a natural instinct for politics. 
In 1888 he was chosen president of the Democratic 
Club of IJeloit, and while in that position did good 
service for his [larty. He has also been a member 
of the City Council. Mr. Wickhem is an inde- 
fatigable WDi'kcr in whatever he undertakes, pos- 
sessing studious habits and intellectual faculties 
of a high order; his ability, both natural and ac- 
rpiircd, are such as to attract attention and com- 
mand respect. Jsature h.as happily emlowed him 
with a fine |)livsique. a good voice, and a gift of 
oratory, which specially tits him for his chosen life 
work, (^uickin perception, and correct in analysis, 
his conclusions are logical and convincing. 

In 1887 Mr. Wickhem was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary \'. Dunn, daughter of William Dunn, 
who for many years was general freight agent of 
the Chicago. Milwaukee A .St. Paul railroad, resid- 
ing at M.-ulison. Wis. Their union has l)ecn lilcssed 
with one child, a son. .lohn I). 



ILLl.VM A. MAYllKW, a leading and 
enterprising citizen of Clinton, Wis., who 
served as door-kcei)er of the House of 
Hei)resentatives during the session of 1885, is a 
native of tlie Empire State, having been born in 
Jefferson County Sept. 23, 184 I. His t>arents were 
St. ^'aleire and Calista (Whcelo(^k) Mayhew, the 
former a native of Vermont, and the latter of Jef- 
ferson County, N. Y., where they were married, 
and where si.\ children were born unto them: Al- 
fred I)., who was the first in order of birth, died 
in California in 18.')1; Edward Bruce is now a resi- 
dent of Brownville. Jefferson Co., N. Y.; Albert 
V. makes his home in Watertown, Jefferson Co., 
N. Y.; Lucy H., who became the wife of William 
Lonsdale, died in Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1882; 




Adelaide wedded Charles Loomis, a resident of 
Clinton; William \,. of this sketch, completes the 
family. Mr. Mayhew was a highly respected citi- 
zen, and was a i)romiuent and influential citizen of 
both Jefferson County, X. Y., and Rock County, 
Wis. In early life he was a supporter of the Whig 
party, and a believer in the policy .advocated bj- 
Wendell Phillips. While residing in New York, 
he purchased some of the first Covernment bonds 
ever sold in Jefferson County, which were then 
sup|)osed to be worthless. In the spring of 1869 he 
came to Rock County, where he made his home 
until his death, which occurred in 1882. He w.-is 
an honorable Christian gentleman, a great Hible 
student, and w.as a charitable and benevolent man. 
His wife is still living, and makes her home with 
her children. 

Our subject received a liberal education in his 
youth, i)ursuing his rudimentary studies in the 
common school, after which he pursued a course 
at the rnioii Academy', at Belleville, graduating 
from that institution in the class of '8(). When the 
late Civil War broke out and the President issued 
his call for troops to put down the rebellion, he 
cnlist(Ml, on the 2d of June. I8(!2, !is a member of 
the 10th Xew York Heavy Artillery, and was mus- 
tered in at Madison Barracks, Jefferson Count}', on 
the 11th day of Se|)tember following. Willi the 
regiment he was then sent to Washington, where 
he served until 18(11. when he joined the Army of 
the Potomac during the last daj' of the battle of 
the Wilderness. He then participated in the en- 
gagements at Cold Harbor and White House Land- 
ing, and on the 1st of July, 18G4, was stationed 
with the arm}' in defense of Petersburg, where he 
remained until September, when Early made his 
attack on Washington, and the company joined 
Sheridan's army, under whose command they en- 
gaged in the battle at Cedar Creek. Mr. Mayhew 
was a witness of Gen. Sheridan's famous ride. On 
the 1st day of January, I8G5, he was transferred 
to the Army of the Potomac, and after a time was 
stationed at Petersburg. He then served on de- 
tached duty, acting as a detective until receiving 
his discharge on the 7th d.ay of Jul}', 1865, after 
three years of continuous service. After being 
mustered out. he returned to his home, and took a 



•<*• 



•> M < • 



t 



894 



•••^H^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



course in Mead's Commercial Business College, and 
then engaged in teaching scbool for four winters in 
the Kast. and four in the West. Deciding to make 
Ills future home in the West, in ISOH. he eniigr.ated 
to Wisconsin and puichased a farm on sections 2 
and U. Clinton 'rownship. Hock ('mintv, which 
lie still owns. 

On the litth day of October, 1870, Mr. Mayhew 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Rissa Mayhew, 
who was born in Jeflferson County, N. Y., Jan. 15, 
1851. They became tlie parents of three children, 
onlv one of whom is now living, William A., Jr., 
who was born Jan. IG. ISM. Politically. Mr. May- 
hew is a Republican, having affiliated with that 
p.-uty since attaining his majority. In 1886 he 
was a delegate to the convention which nominated 
Gov. Rusk, .^nd in 1885 was made Doorkeeper of 
the Lower House of the AVisconsin (ieneral Assem- 
bly, lie is a niemlier of several civic societies, is 
a Master Mason, and was Secretary of the local 
lodge; holds membership in the I. O. O. F.. and 
has hllccl every position in the subordinate lodge; 
and is a member of the tJ. A. R. I'ost. having held 
the ollice of Adjutant and delegate in the Grand 
Encampment at .Milwaukee in 1889. Although 
many have longer been residents of Rock County 
than Mr. Mayhew. none are held in higher esteem 
by their acquaintances or are more deserving of 
the respect and confidence of their fellow-citizens. 



►» 1 < S ' I ' " 



'iWil'DClE WILLIAM HOLMES, deceased, was 
one of the early settlers of Rock County, 
Wis., having become a resident of the county 
when there were but two families within its 
borders, those of Samuel St. John and Dr. James 
Heath. Judge Holmes was born in Washington 
County, Pa. .on the 1st day of July, 1780, and was 
a son of James and Ann (Whitaker) Holmes. His 
father was born Feb. 13, 1748, and the family was 
founded in this country by three brothers who emi- 
grated from England to America. One lirother 
died of lockjaw, and Thonuis settled near I'liila- 
deli)hia. Pa., where he reared a family, numbering 
among his sons J.ames Holmes, the father of our 
nibject. James and Ann Holmes were the parents 



of fifteen children, thirteen sons and two daughters, 
and with the exception of one all grew to manhood 
and womanhood. 

Judge Holmes was the third son and was reared 
to manhood in Washington Countj', Pa., where he 
was united in marriage with Miss Rachel D.iy. He 
engaged in farming in his native State for some 
time, but later removed to Newark, Ohio, where he 
followed fanning and milling until 1820, when he 
became a resident of Maiion. Ohio, then in its in- 
fancy. While residing in that embryo city he was 
elected Associate Judge, and served in that posi- 
tion for several years. At length leaving Marion, 
he located in La Porte. Ind.. in 1833, where he 
again engaged in agricultural pursuits until March, 
183G, when he emigrated to the wild and unsettled 
Northwest, and on the Slth d:iy of March located 
permanently in Rock County. A son of Judge 
Holmes, in company with Miio Jones, a Surveyor, 
had visited this region the previous year, and had 
made a claim east of the river. They built several 
shanties, one of which was situated on what is now 
the site of the Miltimore pioperty. In the follow- 
ing winter, 1835-3(> the boys returned to Indiana, 
and loading two or three teams with goods again 
came to Rock County. 

As before stated Judge Holmes with his family 
settled at what was then called Rock|)oi-t, now a 
part of Janesville, March 9, 1836. From Chicago 
to Beloit but two houses were passed, and from the 
latter city to the present site of Janesville the trav- 
elrs followed an Indian trail. On reaching the 
bluffs south of the town, the night was so dark that 
they lost the trail, l)ul finding a Imgle horn, with 
that thej' called assistance and were piloted on their 
way. Mr. Holmes owned a section of land on what 
is now West .Milwaukee street, north to the AN'ood- 
ruff place, where he made bis home for man\- years. 
During those pictneer d.ays tlie nearest market place 
was Chicago, where all goods, provisions and ever3'- 
thing needed had to be obtained. The city of Be- 
loit consisted of a few Indian homes. The first 
frame house built in Janesville was made from 
lumber which was cut by a whi|)-saw by Judge 
Holmes' men on the west side of the river in the 
fall of 183(). With his family he spent the first six 
months in this county in a log cabin on a bluff on 



^ 



I 



•4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



805 






tlie south side of the river until tiie erection of a 
more suitable home. He alwa^'s took ji^reat interest 
ill the welfare of tlie county, was prominent in the 
promotion of its enterprises, and was an honored 
pioneer, who was held in the highest respect liy all. 

liy the union of .Judge Holmes and his wife (Mght 
ehildreii were born, five sons and three daughters, 
but tlie former have all passed away. Thomas A., 
who was born March IS), 1804, and was three times 
married, died July 2, 1888; Ly.dia, born Nov. 9, 
180r), is the widow of J. V. Sears, and is residing 
in Denver, Colo.; (Jeorge, born Dec. 10, 1807, was 
the first white male who died in Janesville, his 
death occiaring Aug. 20, 1836; John D., born Feb. 
20, 1810, wedded Miss Hannah Richards, and died 
in Leavenworth, Kan., in 1878; William, whose 
birlh occurred July 22, 1812, became the husband 
of Susan Shook, and departed this life in 1873; 
Joshua, born on the 7th day of October, 1814, mar- 
rriod Rosetta Lemon, and died March 30, 1861; 
Lucinda, born Oct. 22, 1816, is the widow of Sam- 
uel O. Wells, and now resides in the town of Texas, 
Mich.; Catherine A., who was born in Newark, 
Ohio, Aug. 9, 1819, became the wife of Volney 
Atvvood, in Janesville, June 30, 1847, and they 
are still residents of Rock County. 

Tlie death of .ludge Holmes occurred April 7, 
1861. He was a valued citizen, an honored pio- 
neer and was mourned by man}' friends. In his 
early life he supijorted the Whig party, but after 
the organization of the Rei)ublican ])art\' cast his 
ballot with that body. He was of the P^piscopal 
faith, and w;is one of the volunteers from Licking 
Coiintv, Ohio, in the M'ar of 1812. 



JOHN HKNRV NICHOLS, who is numbered 
among the settlers of Rock County of 1854, 
and is engaged in'general fanning and stock- 
raising, is of Knglish birth. He was born in 
Buckinghamshire, Kngland, Aug. 19, 1825, and is the 
only child of Matthjas and Mary (Clark) Nichols, 
who were also natives of the same country. The 
f.ather passed his entire life in his native land, his 
death there occurring in the mdiitli of August. 1826. 
After the death of her husband Mrs. Nichols was 



again married, bccomingthe wife of William Nibbs, 
and in 1832 the family crossed the bio.ad Atlantic 
and located in Herkimer (nunty, X. V., where they 
resided until 1865. At that lime they came to 
Wisconsin, locating in Dane County, where she c(ni- 
tiniied to m.ake her home until her .leatli. which 
occurred on the 20tli d.-iy of S,.pU'.Mh,.r, l,S72.at a 
ripe old age. 

The life of our subject has been tiujv an indus- 
trious one. At the early age of eight years lie be- 
gan earning his own livelihood, working on a farm 
in the State of New York, and receiving for his 
services only $4 per month. His e.lucational ad- 
vantages were indeed limited, he working two days 
.11 a week for his school privileges. He continued 
to labor as a farm hand until he was twenty-five 
years old. 0„ the 1st day of January, 1850, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Dalton, 
and of their union two children were born— sons- 
Frank, who resides at Ft. Atkinson, Wis., and 
Henry, who is now deceased. The death of the 
mother occurred April 6. 1851, and she w.as buried 
at Utica, N. Y. After his marriage he worked a 
<lany farm in Herkimer County, on shares for two 
years and then went to work by the month ..n a 
farm for one year, which proved to be more profit- 
able than farming „n his own account, and then he 
worked by the day for one year. After the death 
of his wife he came West to Wisconsin, in 1854. and 
worked by the day for Daniel Lovejoy for *1 per 
d.ay for sixty-live d.ays. and then worked at such 
employment as he could get until the spring of 
1855, when he bought forty acres of land in Porter 
Township, together with a team and some imple- 
ments, and after imtling in a crop sold out at an 
advance of *300. in the fall of that year, in con- 
nection with his brother-in-law, he i>urchased 160 
acres of land in Dane County, ctdtivating the same 
for a period of three years. 

On the 19th day of October. 1856. Mr. Nichols 
was again married, his second union being with 
Bridget Kealey. Tlie\ became the parents of thir- 
teen children, as follows: George, who was born 
Dec. 4, 1857; Mary, March 26, 1859; K.atv. April 
10. 1861; William, April 6. 1863; Lizzie. Jan, 26. 
1865; Mark, Feb. 13, 1S{;7: Joseph, born May 22, 
1868, is now deceased; Winfred F.. born July 22, 



•^t^f^ 



t 



■^*- 



890 




ROCK COUNTY. 



1870; Gertrude A., Sept. 4, 1872; Joseph, de- 
ceased; Teresa, bora Dec. 22, 1875, is deceased; 
Andrew born Nov. 28, 1877, and Josephine, May 
17, 1880. 

In the fall of 18.^9 Mr. Nichols purchased forty 
acres of land, and subsequently, in 1862. bought 
another fort\' acres, which was still in an unim- 
proved condition, and with characteristic energy 
began transforming the wild land, clearing it of 
the brush, building fences and otherwise improving 
it until he had a tine farm. 

Mr. Nichols has followed the occupation of farm- 
ing throughout the greater part of his life, and is a 
man of energetic disposition and practical ideas. 
He resided on his farm of eighty acres before men- 
li(jned until 1881, when he removed to Dunkirk, 
Dane County, where he purchased 120 acres of land 
tin Wheeler Prairie, whore he continued to reside 
until March 17, 1881. At that time he returned to 
this county, and has since made his home within its 
borders. He then purchased 1(!0 acres of land on 
section 22, Porter Townshii), his present fine farm. 
He is regarded as one of the leading and represent- 
ative farmers of the community, and his home with 
its entire surroundings stands as a monument to 
his laljor and ability. He is truly a self-made man. 
There are but few who have made their way unaided 
through life from the early age of eight years .as 
Mr. Nichols has done, and tothe3'outh of the pres- 
ent generation it would seem an unbearable bard- 
ship. Mr. Nichols and his wife arc members of the 
Catholic Church, are held in high esteem by their 
many friends, and in politics he is a supporter of 
the Republican (larty. 

OKACE HOBAKT. called familiarly Deacon 
Hob.art, was one of the earlier settlers 
of Beloit, having come there in 1838. two 
'1^ yeai-s after its earliest American inhabitant. 
His native place was Colebrook. N. H., where he 
was born in 1802. 

He was a carpenter by trade, luit Mils hardly ex- 
presses the part he served in the histor3^ of this 
now prosperous and beautiful city. When, in 1847, 
the main building of Beloit College w.as erected he 

-4* 



was occupied in its construction ; but the industries 
of Beloit and its ample lines of railroad connec- 
tion wliich furnish to it such ample facilities for in- 
tercourse and tratlic are due in no small measure 
to him. His broad and judicial mind made him 
an excellent counsellor, and he was equall}' able in 
active affairs. It is not too much to say that no 
one of the citizens of Beloit has contributed more 
to laj'ing wisely the foundation of its prosperity. 
He was one of the endowed builders of .States. 
The college at Beloit owes nuich to his encourage- 
ment and support. 

Deacon Ilobart was a member of the First Congi-c- 
galional Clanch in Beloit. an<l it was espcciallj' in 
this relation that his intluence was valuable. He 
was its wide heart and brain. He was chosen 
deacon in 1840, and continued in this otHcc until 
his death, in I860. He married. soon after coming 
to Beloit, Miss Charlotte P. Field, who died in 
1880. Three sons survived him — Edward T.. 
Horace R. and Henry F., who worthily perpetuate 
his raemorj'. Henr^- was for many years editor of 
the Beloit Journal and Fi-ee Press, and died in San 
Diego, Cal., in 188;"). Horace R. is the no« veteran 
editor of the RaiUray Age of Chicago. Edward 
F. is a distinguished civil engineer, a resident of 
Las X'egas. N. M. The two latter are graduates of 
Beloit College. 

— « #-# 5— 



.^^CDEN H. FETHERS, senior member of the 
(if ))' '""' '^'"'" ^^ Fethers. .leffris & Fifleld. of 
^^f^ Janesville, Wis., was born in the town of 
Sharon, Schoharie Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 184.5. His 
parents. Daniel and Laura (Adams) l-'ethers, reside 
at Sharon .Springs. N. Y., and are numbered among 
the highly respected people of that place. Daniel 
Fethers was born at Schenectady. N. Y.. in 1807, 
and is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Wadsworth) 
Fathers, who were descended from English Puritan 
ancestors. The first of the Fethers family to settle 
in America came from F^ngland in the year 1700. 
and located in Massachusetts, while the Waiisworths 
■ were an old and prominent family of Hartford. 
Conn. Mrs. Daniel F'ethers. mother of our sub. 
ject, was born in the town of Sharon, N. Y., in 



^ 



1= 



ROCK COUNTY. 



897 



(t 



1812, and is a (l.aii<i;ht('r of Hozokiali Adnins, a 
iK'|)lu'\v of Pres-idiMit John Adams. Her niotliei- 
was Mar^aiol Stall, who was lioni at, I'oughkeepsie, 
N. Y .and whose iKircnts caino from Holland. 

The subject of tills sketch wa.s educated at the 
Fort Ivlward Collegiate Institute, from which he 
trradualed in the class of 18(5;$. He then entered 
upon the study of law in the office of James K. 
Dewey, Esq., of Cherry Vallej', Otsego Co., N. Y., 
and was admitted to practice in the courts of that 
State in ISfiT. During the winter following he 
went to St. l.ouis for his heallh.aiid rem.'iined there 
engaged in other i)\irsuits until 187-1, when he re- 
t\irned to New York and entered upon the practice 
of his profession at Canton. St. Jjawrence County. 
He continued successfully at Canton until Decem- 
ber, 1877, when he removed to Jauesville and 
formed a law paitiuMship with B. B. Eldredge, un- 
der the tirin name of l'',ldre<lge it Fethers. In 
1881 he formed a partnership with John Winans, 
and ill August, 188:5. Malcolm G. Jeffris was ad- 
mitted to membership in tin- firm. That connection 
was continued until July. 18K.'), when Mr. Fethers 
and Mr. Jeffris formed a law partnership in con- 
nection with Henry C. Smith, under the lirni name 
of Fethers. Jeffris A- Smith, but Mr. Smith subse- 
quently withdrew and Charles L. Fitield became 
the junior member of the firm in .Vugii-st, 1888. 

Mr. Fi'tliers wa.s married at Canton, N. Y.. July 
15, 18(58, to Miss Franc Conkey, who was born in 
Antwerp. JelTer«oii Co.. X. Y.. and is a daughter 
of the late Dr. J. S. Conkey. He is :i Republican, 
and was Chairman of the Republican .St.ate Con- 
vention of 1884. 



^^^ 




•^r 



^fs^ANlF.l, M. Ki:i.Lll'S is the oldest man 
now living in Johnstown Township, anil 
lesides on section 20. He is numbered 
among the honored pioneers of Rock 
Coiintj', to which he niadi' his first trip in in:i7, 
over half a century ago, and since that time has 
been prominently identified with the historj' and 
leatling enterprises of the c(inimunily. Ho was born 
in the (Jreen .Mountain State, on the 17lh day of 
.March. 1X117. and is a son of David and Resign 

4« 



fDavis) MeKellips. His fftther was analive of New 
Hampshire, born in 1782. and died in Johnstown 
Township in 1 .s(; 1 . In \x'M our subject made 
a trip to Rock County, the father remaining with 
another son in Indiana, and here entered twoelaiins. 
one of 500 acres for his father, and the other com- 
prising 1(50 acres for himself. Returning to Indi- 
ana he then accom|ianied his parents to their new 
home, where the remainder of tlieir davs were 
pa.ssed. After about ten years had sped by the 
mother wa.s called to her final rest, her death oc- 
curring in lf<18. They were parents of five chil- 
dren — D.-Miiel, David, Samuel,. Susanna and Lucinda. 
all of whom are now deceased with the exeeplion 
of our subject. 

About SIX years previous to his emigration to 
Wisconsin, Daniel MeKellips was united in marriage 
with Miss Elmj'ra Woodard. their union being 
celebrated on the 1st da.y of .lanuary, 1831. After 
traveling life's joiirnej' together for almost forty- 
eight years, Mrs. MeKellips, on the l.'5th day of 
October, 1878, was called to join her parents in the 
silent land, leaving a husband, two children and 
many friends to mourn the lo.ss of a most estima- 
ble lady, whose vacant place in the home can never 
be filled. By their union five children were born, 
but three of that number are now with their 
mother in the eternal world. Susanna departed 
this life Jan. 22, 1«1 1; Rhilena died Nov. 2, 1870, 
and Elizabeth [i.assed away M.ay 22, 1879. Those 
living are Mary Ann. wife of Almond Chesmore, a 
resident of Harmony, and Lorenzo, who is now the 
manager of his father's farm. He w:us married Oct. 
14, 1855, to F.annie Teed, and to them have been 
born three children. The lady is a daughter of 
M. W. and Betsy (Rice) Teed. Her father died in 
1 8(');i. when sixty-three years of .age, but her mother, 
who is now seventy-six years old. makes her home 
with Mrs. MeKellips. 

Our subject is still the owner of the quarter-.seo- 
tion of lan<l, which he entered on his arrival in 
Rock County, and which has l)een his home for 
fifty-one ye.ars. He is now an old man. in his 
eighty-second year, and has retired from the active 
duties of life, but under the able nmn.ogeinent of 
his son the farm is in a prosperous condition, while 
everthing about the place denotes thrift ami enter- 



■<*• 



898 



•t^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 




-t 



prise. Tbroughout Lis entire life he has voted with 
the Democratic party, and is one of the stalwart 
supporters of the fundamental principles of that 
organization. Although he cannot enter aetivclj- 
into the enterprises of the community, Mr. McKel- 
lips still feels a deep interest in its welfare and will 
ever be regarded as one of its leading citizens. 
Respected and esteemed by all he can now look 
back over his past life of industry and toil, know- 
ing that the years have been well spent and in due 
time will bring their reward. 

LVIN S. CLIFFORD, a leading and pro- 
gressive young farmer residing on section 
17, Magnolia Township, is a native of tiiis 
county, having been born on the 17th da}' 
of June, 1857. His parents are' J. W. and PZllen 
(Floiiiing) Clifford, whose sketch is given on an- 
otlicr page of this work. Alvin received his pri- 
mary education in the common schools of the 
county, completing his literary studies in the High 
Scliool of Kvansville. His early life was spent upon 
his father's farm, .and in the ye.ar 1878 he began his 
business career as a clerk in a mercantile store of 
PWansvillc, continuing in that position for a period 
of three years. 

On the 4th day of July, 1878, Mr. Clifford led 
to the mnrri.age altar Miss Lilli.an Kyes, a native of 
Orcen County, AVis., and a daughter of J. B. Kyes, 
a soldier of the late war, who died on a Southern 
battle-tield, giving his life for the cause of freedom. 
Mrs. Clifford knew but little of a father's love and 
care, as she was but a small cliild when he entered 
the service. After their marriage the young couple 
began their donieslic life on their present farm on 
section 17, Magnolia Township, where they have a 
fine home. Four children have been born of their 
union, but tlic eldest died in infancy. The other 
members, Olive M. C, (Irant and Helen are yet at 
home. 

Mr. ClitTord is now cultivating 120 acres of laud 
which he has placeil undi'r a high state cultivation. 
True to tiie teachings received from his father in 
early boyliood, he has never used malt or spiritu- 
ous liquors or tobacco in any form. Socially, he 
4» 



is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and politically, is a 
stalwart supporter of the iirinciples advocated by 
the Republican paity. Mr. and ^Nlrs. Clifford are 
held in the highest esteem by all who know them, 
and hold an enviable position in the social world. 



eLARA L. NORMINGTON. M. D., h.as been 
eng.aged in the practice of medicine in 
Janesville since the spring of 1878. Dr. 
Norminglon is a native of Durand, Winnebago 
Co., III., where her birth occurred in 1854. Her 
father, Willi.am Normington, is one of the e.arly 
settlers of that count}', where he is still residing. 

Our subject attended the public schools of her 
native town, and was graduated from the high 
school of Durand in the class of 1874. About a 
year later she began the study of medicine at the 
Women's Medical College of Chicago, from which 
institution she was gr.aduated in 1878, locating at 
Janesville soon afterward. Her school of medi- 
cine is the allopathic, and she has secured a good 
and lucrative pr.actice. She makes a specialty of 
diseases of women and children, and wins the con- 
fidence of all her patients. She is well educated in 
the science of medicine, which, with her natural 
adaptation to its pr.actice, renders her well qual- 
ified for the profession she has chosen. 

Dr. Normington, on Christmas Day of 1883, 
became the wife of Charles E. Jenkins, of Janesville, 
but professionally, she rebiins her maiden name .as 
a matter of convenience. 



T^OBERT L. IIORNE, a prominent tobacco 
'[l^ raiser residing on section 27, Janesville 
tliwi Township, was born on I'rince Edward 
^) Island in 1837, and is a son of Robert W. 
and Violet (Young) Home, who were the parents 
of fourteen children, of wliirli our subject w.as the 
third. The father was a native of England and was 
a Jeweler I)}' trade, but also followed the occupa- 
tion of f.'irming. Tlie mother was a native of 
Prince Edward Island, where they were marri<>il. 
In 1857 they emigrated to the Fuiled States, lo- 



M^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i4»> 



899 



-i 



eating in Rock County. Wis., purchasing- land in 
Jancsville Township. The sons engaged in its 
cultiviition. Mr. Ilorne iiflerward bought lan<l in 
Magnolia Township, where he developed a farm, 
making it ids home for several years. His death 
occurred in (Irecn County, on the 1st day of April, 
188(), at the age of seventy-six yeais. His wife is 
still living and resides at Brodhead. Green Count}'. 
Their children are: Ellen Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
Prowse, who resides on Prince Edward Island; 
Emily, now Mrs. Rossiter, of Spring Valley, Rock 
Count}'; Robert T>.; Frederick, who died at the age 
of eighteen months; William who is married and 
lives in Dakota; Henrietta, who died on Prince 
Edward Island, when only one year old ; Eliza, 
now Mrs. Richmau, of Magnolia, Wis. ; I'li.scilla, 
now Mrs. Patridge, of Green County, Wis.; .Sam- 
uel, who is married ami resides in Denver, Colo. ; 
James, who is living in Rrodhead, Wis., is also 
married; Joseph is married and makes his home at 
Edgerton, Rock County; Margaret is the deceased 
wife of James Nighhart.of (ireen Count}'; Hannah, 
now Mrs. Smith, residing in Dakota; .Sto|)hen is 
married and resides in Brodhead, Wis. 

Our subject pjissed tlie days of his boyhood and 
youth on Prince Edward Island, where he also 
received his education. When twenty years of age 
he came with his parents to Rock County, and in 
1859 was united in marriage with Elizabeth C. 
Newitt, their union being celebrated in Jancsville. 
The lady was born in New York, and is a daughter 
of Robert and Elizabeth (Hargroves) Xewitt, the 
former a native of Ireland, and the latter of the 
F^Qipire State. Her father followed the occupation 
of farming throughout his life, and his <leath oc- 
curred in New York many years .ago. In 1858 
.Mrs. Newitt came to Rock County, where she 
passed the remainder of her life, dying in 1861. 
Tiiey were the parents of six children: William, 
who died in Ishpeming. Mich.; Thomas, who is a 
resident of New York City; Mary, who became tlie 
wife of Mr. Peiipers, both dece.ased; Mrs. Home; 
Robert, who is residing in Center Township, and 
Henry, a carpenter in .lancsville Township. By the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Home four cliildren have 
l)een born. thre<' of whom are living: Anna A^iolet, 
the second chibi. who became the wife of Beaumont 



De Forrest, died Dec. 25, 1882; Roliert Edgar, 
Laura C. and Charles Henry are yet with their par- 
ents. 

After his marriage .Mr. Home turned his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits and |5urchased a farm 
of 200 acres in Magnolia Township, continuing its 
cultivation for a period of five years. Selling out 
he then purchased a farm near the city, but later 
also sold that land and sul)sequcntly purchased the 
farm which he now owns. It is situated on section 27, 
Jancsville Township, and the land is very valuable. 
For two years, from 187(5 until 1878, he engjiged 
in the grocery business at Jancsville. He is now 
one of the most extensive growers of tobacco in 
the county, annually employing an average of fif- 
teen men in the cultivation of this product. Politi- 
cally, he is a supporter of the Republican party and 
takes a prominent part in jiolitical affairs. He has 
held the oftice of Justice of the Peace in Jancs- 
ville Township, and is a man well informed on all 
the leading issues of the day. In the promotion 
of any enterprise for the public welfare he takes a 
prominent part, and both lie and his wife aie incm- 

1 bers of the Baptist Church. Mr. llornc is one of the 
self-made men of Rock County, having by his own 

: unaided efforts become one of the well-to-do farm- 
ers of the county. He is now oper.ating 1 1.') acres 
of land, ;ind as a fainier ranks among the best. 



^fS. EACON MILTON S. WAKNER,decea.sed. 
J) was for many years a leading and repre- 
sentative citizen of this county. He was 
born in Connecticut in the year 1811. and 
when a young lad removed with his parents. G.add 
and Charlotte (Spencer) Warner, to Jeflfer.sou 
County, N. Y. In that community Milton grew to 
manhood, receiving such educational advantages as 
were afforded by the<listricl schools of early days. 
Thinking to better his financial condition by a re- 
moviil to the West, he came to Wisconsin and en- 
tered a claim in the western i)art of Clinton Town- 
ship, Rock County. Renting his land in the fol- 
lowing fall, he returned to his home in the E.ast. 
where he wiis united in marri.age with Miss Julia 
Tuttle. a daughter of I'homas Tuttle. The bridal 

■» 




A. 



^^^h^ 



900 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i= 



tour of the young couple consisted of a trip to their 
new home, where they began their domestic life in 
true pioneer style. The country was then but 
sparsely settled, not a bridge had been built be- 
tween Beloit and Chicago and the road consisted 
of an Indian trail, vvliioh in many places was nearly 
obliterated. At the time of tlieir journey, the now 
populous city of Chicago, whose growth is regarded 
as one of the miracles of the age, contained only 
about 2,000 white settlers and the old fort, known 
as Fort Dearl)orn, wa.s still standing. AVild game 
of all kinds was then to be found in abundance, 
wolves made the night hideous with their howling 
and the settlements were often visited by bands 
of rod men. 

A family of four children was born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Warner in their pioneer home, three of whom 
lived to mature j'ears — Charlotte S., became the 
wife of William B. (iuiiil, and died in May 1879, 
leaving two children, Lottie and Julia; Morris T. 
died in 1872, at the age of twenty-six years; and 
Alice is a resident of Clinton. The death of Mr. 
Warner occurred in March 1877. lie was a man 
who held an enviable place in the regard of his fel- 
low-citizens. He was a member of the Congreg.a- 
tional Church, a sincere Christian man, and it was 
his daily endeavor to live in hai'mony with his pro- 
fessions. He served as deacon of the society to 
winch he belonged ff)r many years. After the 
death of her husband. Mrs. Warner continued to, 
reside in Clinton, where she still makes her home. 
She possesses that inborn culture and refinenu'nt 
wiiich is an integral jiart of ladyhood, and has won 
many friends. 

-S^fefei- 

'=^EORGK (IILLKV, deceased, who was a pio- 
neer settler of Rock County, was a native 
of Northumlierland County, England, and 
came to America with his brother Edward in the 
j'ear 1843, locating in this countj' in the month of 
May. He purchased eighty acres of lantl, which he 
continued to cultivate for ten years, when deciding 
to remove to Minnesota, in 1853, he sold his farm 
to his brother and removed to that State. He was 
a single man on his arrival in America, but in Rock 
County formed the acquaintance of Miss Lydia An- 




drus, a native of Michigan, who became his wife in 
1844. By their union a family of seven children 
were born, six sons and a daughter, all of whom are 
living — Joseph, the eldest, is engaged in farming in 
Blue Earth County, Minn. ; Mar^' is residing in 
Porter Township; Edwin is also a resident of Min- 
nesota; Frank makes his home in the same State; 
William is a resident of Rock County; and Albert 
and Chester, the two youngest sons, are residing 
with their uncle. Edward (iiiley.on a farm in Por- 
ter Township. As before stated George Gilley 
continued to reside in Rock County for a period of 
ten years, when he removed to Minnesota, where 
he passed the succeeding twenty-five years of his 
life. He was an iionored citizen in the commu- 
nity wliere he had made his home, and during tiial 
quarter of a century gained many warm friends. 
In 1880 he returned with his wife and four children 
to Rock County, and became an inmate of his 
brother's home, residing there until his death, 
which occurreil on the 4th day of February, 1888. 
He was an uiiright and honorable man, a worthy 
and valued citizen; and his death was mourned by 
a large circle of acquaintances, who held him in the 
highest regard. His excellent wife and two sons, 
Albert and Chester, still reside with Edward (Wlle^'. 



•€-*^- 




OGER H. MILES, .ludge Mills is a native 



loit in 18,54, in the i)rime of his life. Pre- 
;y; vious to coming West he had resided in 
in his native town, except a short i)eriod occu- 
pied in business in New liritain. Conn. He was 
engaged in the practice of law. first with his f.ather 
and, after his father's death, in the same otlice for 
twenty-two years. While a resident of Connecti- 
cut he was honored by being elected to represent 
his native town in the General Assend)ly, first in 
1839, and one term subsequently, and in 1848 was 
elected a member of the Senate from the District, 
and the next year was elected Secretary of State; 
was .ludge of Probate in his District for twelve 
years; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 
Connecticut Slate Prison, and held other appoint- 
ments, showing the estinuitiun in which he was 









"^ 



^ 

^ 
^ 

^ 





■► I I <• 



ROCK COUNTY. 



!I05 



held liy liis fellow cilizen.s. All Ihis was willioul 
hi.s solicitnlioii or |)revious kiinwlom'. 

Al the lieginniiiii- of liis residence in licioit, .Tndgc 
Mills nt once took a leading positional the Hock 
County bar and in the social and business relations 
of the city. Honest, coui-teous, kind, he was .1 
great, intelligent and warm heart among us. Ac- 
ecssil)le, though witli much of the gentleman of the 
old school, his ca|)acious pei'sonality was a kind of 
hospitable embrace in which his neighbors and fel- 
low citizens were held and made conscious of a 
common warmth. To live near him w.as some- 
thing like living in the tropics. 

As a law^-er. Judge ]\Iills was of great integrity, 
pains-taking and learned in the law; as a citizen, 
he was always iipou the sule of the best things and 
ready to bear his part of the civic burden; in social 
life lie was gentle and admiralily genial ; as a friend, 
he was true. Of a simple and open nature, he was 
delightful in his home. He was !i member of the 
First Congregational Church in JJeloit, and one of 
its most active and honored members. He died in 
Beloil Nov. 1. l.SHO. Mrs. Mills and three child- 
ren — two sons and a daughter — survive him. 



#^ 



-^— 



IM| A.IOR CHARLES AV. .STARK, one of the 
III IV ''''"''"o fai'mers of La Prairie Township. 
I L* residing on section .'?.'). is a re|)resentative 
* of one of the [lioueer families of Rock 

County. He was born in Windsor Count}-, \t., 
Aug. 5, 1840, and is a son of William H. and Cla- 
rissa (Plumb) Stark, who came to this counly dur- 
ing the early days of its history. He received his 
primary education in the common district schools 
and then entered the High School at Milton. Wis., 
where he piu'posed to comidete his studies, but be- 
fore m.any months had elapsed the Civil War broke 
out and finding it impossible to confine his sittcn- 
lion to his lessons, he left the school room and en- 
listed in the service of his country in September, 
18G1, as a private in Company F, 13th Wis- 
consin Infantry. The regiment was mustered 
into service on the ITtli day of October following, 
and left Wisconsin for Port Leavenworth, Kan., 
where it remained for a short time, then marched 



to Fort Scott, Kan., continuing at that place until 
March 22. and was transferred to Lawrence, March 
;il, 18G2. From there the regiment proceeded to 
Fort Riley, where it was fitted out in an expedition 
into Mexico, but on the eve of departure for that 
land the order w.as countermanded and the Mexi- 
can expedition retr.<iced its steps to Fort Leaven- 
worth, going thence to Columlius, Ky., where 
he remained on duty until the ;jth day of August, 
1 862. when he w.as promoted to a Second Lieutenancy 
on the recommendation of field otlicers of his regi- 
ment and transferred to the 22iid Wisconsin In- 
fantry, and ordered home to join that regiment, 
then organizing. He organized and drilled a com- 
pany with which he went into camp at Camp Utley, 
at Racine, Wis. This was assigned to the 33d 
AVisconsin, and was organized and mustered into 
service Oct. 18, 18(;2, the company which Lieut. 
Stark h.id recruited, becoming Company F. The 
regiment remained in the camp of instruction until 
Nov. 12, when it departed for the scene of war, 
arriving at Memphis, where it w.as assigned to 
(i rant's command as a part of the Armj' of the Ten- 
nessee, and served in the campaign against A'icks- 
burg and in the battle and cajiture of Jackson. In 
J.anuaiy, 1863. the 33d Wisconsin w.as transferred 
to the 16th Arm}- Corps under M.ajor Gen. Ihirl- 
bert. While at Memphis, Mr. Stark had been pro- 
moted to the rank of First Lieutenant. He remained 
with the regiment until November, 1863, when he 
was detailed on recruiting service, and returning to 
AVisconsin, opened a recruiting olllce in .Lanesville, 
where he remained until March 1, 1861. Return- 
ing to Vicksburg, he was ordered to Nashville, 
later joine<l the Tennessee expedition organized at 
Nashville, and subsequently joined Gen. IJlair's 
column, en route to join Sherman's array. After 
participating in the Atlanta campaign, the det.ach- 
ment returned to N.a.shville. rejoining the regiment 
Dec. 1, 1864. On the 13th day of that month, 
Lieut. Stark was detailed as aid dc camp on the 
staff of Col. L. M. AVarcL who commanded the 1st 
Brigade, 3d Division of Detachment, Army of the 
Tennessee, afterw-ards known as the I6II1 Army 
Corps, and did duty in that capacity until March 1. 
1865, when he became aid de camp to Col. J. IJ. 
Moore, of the Isl Brigade. 3d Division. 16th Army 




906 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Corp, and served in that capacity until the close of 
the war. lie participated in many other import.mt 
battles, nnd at the capture of Spanish Fort, where 
he was distinguished for his faithful service and 
great bravery, was breveted Major of volunteer 
forces of the United States. 

For four long years Major Stark served his 
country on the Southern battle fields. His courage, 
his fearless discharge of duty, his faithfulness to 
any task imposed upon him won recognition from 
his superiors in rank and his promotion was well 
merited. Although but twenty-one years of age 
when he entered the service, he stood the test with 
a Hrni undaunted spirit. He was instrumental in 
the recruiting office, placing one organized com- 
pany in the field and also inttucncing many others 
to enlist. To such men does the country owe her 
present prosperity, her happiness and her perfect 
union. 

On his return from the war, IM.ajor Stark turned 
his attention to farming, which occupation he has 
followed continuously since. On the l.')th day of 
January, 1868, he led to the marriage altar ]Miss 
Harriet E. Nash, a native of Michigan, and a 
daughter of .lefferson and Matilda (Owens) IS'ash. 
Her father was one of the leading manufacturers of 
this county, where he settled in the pioneer days, 
and both he and his wife died in the city of .Tanes- 
ville. To Mr. and Mrs. Stark was born one child, 
a daughter. Nellie. 

On the 8th day of October, 1879, Mrs. Stark was 
called to her final home. Mr. Stark was again 
married Sept. 22, 1882. his second union being with 
Mrs. Cora Ilemmingway, whose maiden name was 
Chapin. Her father, Hugh Chapin, w.as one of the 
first settlers of this county. By this union three 
children were born — Charles W.. Hubbard W. and 
Cora M. On the 8tli d.ay of October, 1887. our 
subject was again called upon to mourn the loss of 
his wife. She was a most kind and affectionate 
wife and mother, and her death wa,s mourned not 
only by her immediate family but by many friends 
throughout the coniniiunty. 

In 1869 Mr. Stark w.as elected by the Repulilican 
party, of which he has ever been a firm supporter, 
to the office of Recorder of Deeds, in which he 
served for two terms of two years each. In 1874 



and 1875. he operated a fanning mill factory, after 
which he returned to the old home farm, where he 
has passed the greater part of his life since 1846. 
It is the farm on which the family first located on 
their arrival in Rock County. He owns the st)utli- 
west quarter of section 26. making, with his home. 
178 acres of arable land, highly cultivated and 
stocked with a good grade of horses, cattle and 
hogs. In his social relations. Major Stark is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs 
to W. H. Sargent Post. No. 20. G. A. R.. of Janes- 
ville. In the community no man stands higher in 
the respect of the people as a man of strict inte- 
grity and sterling worth. (See portrait.) 



— V- 



-#^ 



^ERAH HARDY, a general farmer an<l stock- 
^ raiser, residing on section 2.5. in the town of 
£=^ Lima, is numbered among the prominent 
pioneers of this county, where for the long period 
of half a century he hfis made his home. In the 
tri.als and privations incident to frontier life he has 
shared, and h:is been an active participant, in the 
work of development and progress which has made 
Rock the lianner county of Wisconsin. .Surely he 
is worthy a representation in the permanent record 
of her leading citizens, and it is with pleasure that 
we [ireseut his sketch to the readers of the Portr.\it 
AND BiofiRAVHiCAL Album. He was born in Cort- 
land County, N. Y., on the 26th d.ay of August. 
1831. and is a son of Ara and Electa M. (Hull) 
Hard}', who were also natives of the Empire State. 
He was educated in the common schools of his na- 
tive county and Rock County, to which he re- 
moved with the famil3' in 1840, at the age of eight 
years. On the 19th day of September, 1875, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Kinney, 
a native of \Vahvorth County. Wis., and a daughter 
of Ira and Maiy .1. (Gleason) Kinney, who were 
born in New York. Her mother is yet living, but 
her father has departed this life. An interesting 
family of three children have been born of their 
union — Mabel L.. Gertrude E. and I-^rnest L. 

Throughout his life Mr. Hardy has shared the 
home of his father — shared with him the toils and 
trials of frontier life, and was his able assistant in 



f 



•<^ 



■•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



907 



tlie work of transfoiiniiig the broad piniiic into 
fields of tlie riclicst fertility. He lias now one of 
tiic most splendid homes in the comnuinit_y, com- 
prising 538 acres of arable land nnder a high state 
cultivation. For the past few years he has given 
his attention to the dairy business, and keeps fiftj' 
head of fine cows for that purpose. His well-spent 
life is worthy of emulation, and should cncour.age 
the youth of the piesent day to greater efforts. 
He has been identilied witli the best interests of 
the county <luring tlie tifty years of his residence 
in this community', and has borne no inconsiderable 
part in placing the county in its present exalted 
position. Since the oiganization of tlie Republican 
jiarty he has been one of its warm supporters, and, 
as every true American citizen should do, feels a 
deep interest in |)olitical affairs, but has never 
sought or desired public preferment. At one time, 
however, he held the office of Justice of the Peace, 
which necessitated the expenditure of §l.oO, while 
the fees received during his entire term amounted 
to but twenty-flve cents. Mr. Hardy is every- 
where spoken of in terms of the greatest respect, 
and he is universally esteemed. Like his noble 
father, all delight to do him honor, and we feel as- 
sured that this brief sketch of his life will be re- 
ceived with the greatest plea-sure by his many 
warm friends. [See sketch of Ara Hardy.] 



^»'^-^- 



"S^^ELSON COLE, one of the honored citizens 
I jj! and leading farmers of Rock County, resid- 
l^J^ ing on section 2.'5 Johnstown Township, was 
born in Jefiferson County, N. Y., on the 'iSd day 
of November. 1818. His parents, Sylvanus and 
IJetsj' (Tillapaugli) Cole, were natives of the 
Empire State. The former died before the birtii 
of his son. being drowned in the .St. Lawrence 
River. His mother subsequently became the wife 
of Isaac Abbott, who was also born in New York. 
Our subject was the only child of her first marriage, 
but by her second union thirteen children were 
born: Maria, the eldest, is now deceased; Daniel is 
living in Elliridge. N. Y.; William died in Onon- 
dago County. N. Y.; Harriet departed this life in 
lialdwinsvillc, Onondago Co.. X. Y.: Charlotte 

^ 



died in Oaklin, Mich.; James, a farmer by occupa- 
tion, is living near Raiigor, Mich.; Julia is a resi- 
dent of Oswego County, N. Y.; Ruth A. makes her 
home in Michigan; Martha is the wife of Mr. Finch, 
who is living in Ohio; John is located .at Grand 
Rapids, Mich.; Eliza is the wife of Nathan Dumas, 
a resident of Fulton. Oswego Co., N. Y. ; Isaac died 
in Cold water. Mich.; and Rebecca is living near 
Fulton, N. Y. 

Our subject was reared tomanho'"! in his native 
State, and, in 1844, w.as united in marriage with 
Miss Caroline, daughter of Jonathan ami Sylvia 
(Davis) Bailey, who were natives of New York. 
They were the parents of five children, of whom 
Mrs. Cole was the youngest; Sylvanus is now liv- 
ing in Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y.; Sylvia and Di- 
antha are now deceased. By the union of our sub- 
ject and his wife the following children were born: 
S^dvia, who was born July 9, 1845, married Will- 
iam Fetherl}-, a resident of Oswego, N. Y., and to 
them has been born one ciiild. Nelson ; Ella, born 
Maj' 1, 1847, became the wife of Milton Cole, who 
is living in Oswego County. N. Y., and they have 
six children — Frank, George, Ira, Ernest, Florence, 
and Nelson; Harrison S., born June 24, 1849. is en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising in Wright 
County. Iowa, and is the husband of ^Miss F^lla 
Groner, of La Prairie Township, Rock County, by 
whom he has three children — Frank, Eva and 
George; Alice B., born April 19, 1851, wedded 
Homer Sitaulding, County Judge of Phillips County. 
Kan., and they have one child. Melvin; Joseph, 
born Sept. 30, 1853, died in infancy; Sidney, 
born May 14, 1855, wedded Caroline Heald. by 
whom he had three children, two of whom are liv- 
ing, Webster and F'rancis. They now reside in 
San Diego, Cal. 

In 1855 the death of his first wife occurred, and 
Mr. Cole was again married, on the 25th day of 
November. 1855, Miss Harriet Post becoming his 
wife. She is a daughter of Martin and Esther 
(Miller") Post, who were natives of New York City, 
but are now deceased. The members of the fam- 
ily to which he belonged were : Abraham, who died 
in 1876; Samuel, who died in 1872; Lucinda, who 
departed this life the same j'ear; Maria, a resident 
of Trace3". Minn.; Elizabeth. wifi> of Julius Ward, 



_ ■ » ■ ^ 






"^»~"M -^^ 



908 



ROCK COUNTY. 



*^1 



a resirlent of Montello. Wis.; and Mrs. Cole, the 
younirest, w.as horn Nov. 10. 1832. .Seven eliildren 
li;ive firracc'l llie union of our sul)ject and liis sec- 
ond wife: Kstber, who w'as born Sept. 2. I8.')(). is 
is the wife of Mr. Wolf, a resident of Nebraska, 
and to them have been born two daughters — Clara 
B. and Alice; Cora, liorn Jan. 14. 18.58. m.nrried 
Charles Palmer, and they have one child. Grace; 
Samuel is a farmer by occupation, and resides in 
Potter County, Dak.; Addie. born March 30. 1804. 
is the wife of Louis Story, of Minnesota, and h."is 
one daughter; Hattie Belle, who was born .Sept. 1. 
1872, but died in infanc}'; Lois, born Seijt. 21. 
1875. and Orville. .Ian. 5. 1878, arc still with their 
parents. 

Mr. Cole has been .an ardent supporter of the 
Republican part\' since its organization, and in 
early life was a stanch advocate of the Whig party. 
In the days when William Henry Harrison was 
running for President, he wsis a member of a Tip- 
pecanoe Glee Club, and took part in manj^ of the 
stirring political meetings held in those d.iys. He 
was one of the band of thirty-two boys and girls 
who attended a grand Tippecanoe rally at Syra- 
cuse, N. Y. They rode on a wagon decorated with 
flowers, flags and trees, and dr.awn by eight gray 
horses. There were three large trees on the wagon, 
one of which was thirty -two feet high, and among 
its br.anches were chained three live coons. A bar- 
rel of cider was placed in the rear end, and as thej- 
drove from .Skaneatelcs to Syracuse, N. Y., the 
woods rang with such songs as "With Tippecanoe 
and Tyler too. We will beat Little Van." Arrived 
at the meeting, they were entertained by the sing 
ins- of Mr. Iloxie, of New York City, the gre.at 
musician who made the campaign of 1840 one long 
to be remembered, and also by William II. Seward, 
who there made his famous speech on the tariff 
question and the national bank system. 

In 1804 Mr. Cole left his home in New York and 
emigrated to the West, settling in Rock County, 
where he purchased the farm on wliich he now re- 
sides. It then comprised 200 acres of fine land, 
but he has since dis|)Osed of 100 acres, ow^ning now 
liut forty acres. He has engaged largely in buying 
and selling horses all his life, and now his attention 
is chiefly devoted to the raising of fine stock. He 
^ >. 



has done much toward advancing the grade of 
slock in this county, and giving it the reputation 
of bcins: one of the best stock markets in the State. 
In former j'ears, Mr. Cole also dealt quite exten- 
sively in real estate. He possesses superior ability 
as a business man. and liy liis fair and honest deal- 
ings has won the confidence of all with whom lousi- 
ness or pleasure have brought him in contact. .\1- 
though he has reached his three score years and 
ten, he is enjoying the best of health, and in his 
old age seems as readj^ for business .as when a young 
man. His life record is such as any man might 
well be proud of. and he is hehl in the highest 
esteem throughout the community. While residing 
in New York, he was a member of tlu' I. (). O. F.. 
and also held membership in the Temple of Honor. 
We are pleased to record this brief sketch cjf one 
of Rock County's honored citizens, knowing that 
it will be received with |)leasure by all the readers 
of this AuuTM. 



^-i-^^^=€-«-H 




(, IIARLES M. FAIRBANKS, a substanliai 
and progressive farmer living on section ;{, 
Inion Township, is a native of Vermont, 
born in Rutland County, Sept. 1.1840. His parents 
were Elisha W. and Clarissa D. (Gibson) Fair- 
banks, the father a native of M.assaeliHsetts, and 
the mother of New Hampshire. He was a third 
cousin of Mr. Fairbanks, who has attained notoriety 
as the proprietor of the Fairbanks .Scale. The 
family w.as founded in ^lass.achusetts .at an early 
daj', and the (iibson family were among the early 
settlers of New ILampshire, residing in that .State 
at the time when the ro.ad between there and Bos- 
Jon w.as only a path made by blazing trees. The 
paternal grandfather of our subject was an officer 
in the Revolutionary War, and participated in the 
biittle of Bunker Hill. 

Elisha Fairbanks worked upon a farm in early 
life, iiut at the age of eighteen. I)uying his time, 
iiegan selling wooden ware and Yankee notions. 
This was in 1830, and for twenty years, he contin- 
ucil in that line, but at length selling out bought 
a farm in Rutland County. \t.. which became the 
birth iilace of all his children, numbering two sons 



f 



ROCK COUNTY. 



afc M ^11 

909 , , ! 



I 



Mild three (hiughters. One son died in infancy; 
Ella C. became the wife of Isaac Morgan, of Rock- 
ford, III.; Addie M. is tlie wife of .John James, fore- 
man in the car siiops at .Savannali, III.; and Emma 
L. is the wife of Harris Hosley, a resident of Rock- 
ford, 111. 

In 185G, Eli-slia Fairbanks sold the old home in 
\'ermont and removed to Wheaton, HI., where he 
howLihl a farm and turned his attention to agricult- 
ural pursuits. His wife died in the fall of 18;')G, 
and about the year 18G0, while in .Miissachusetts on 
a visit, he married Maria Wheeler, returning with 
his wife to his farm in Illinois. He there contin- 
ued til reside until 18()1, when he came to Evans- 
villc. Wis., and engaged in the mercantile business, 
in connection with his brother, Stephen AV. Fair- 
banks. In 18G8, the brother died antl he liought 
the entire stock, carrying on the business until the 
following year, when he traded his goods for prop- 
erty in Evansville, which he again traded for nine- 
ty-eight acres of land on section i). Union 'I'own- 
ship. He removed to the farm in March, 1868, and 
added to his original possessions, until at the time 
of his death, which occurred Dec. 12, 1888, he 
owned 257 acres of land, which was in a fine con- 
dition, being highly improved and cultivated. He 
was the third time married in I87G, Miss Elizabeth 
.Smith, of Union, becoming his wife. He was a man 
highly respected by many friends, and at his death 
the county lost one of its best citizens. 

The early education of our subject was received 
in his native county, and he again attended school 
after his removal with the family to Illinois. 
Throughout his entire life he has followed agricult- 
ural pursuits, and for many years had charge of 
his father's farm. On the 18tli of December. 1876, 
he wedded Miss Missa Smith, a native of Green 
Ciiunty, Wis., born Oct. .5, 18.')7, and a daughter of 
William R. and D. (Foster) Smith. Her father 
was one of tlie lirsl settlers of (;reen Cuuntv. 
and is nuw an honored citizen of that com- 
munity. The iniion of Mr. and .Mrs. Fairbanks 
has been blessed with three children — Millnii \\ .. 
born Doc. 8, 1«77; Frank E.. April. 2G, 187'.t; 
.Mild Flora E., Oct. 11. 1884. 

Ill 1867. our subject made his lirst purchase of 
land in Nodaway County. Mo., consisting of eighty 



•Ht:^ 



acres, but had only resided there a sh<»rt time when 
his father persuaded him U> come to Rock County, 
and take charge of the home farm. In 1872, he 
sold his land in Missouri, and bought 102 acres on 
.section 3, Union Township. A log cabin had lieen 
built and into this the family moved making it their 
home until 1880, when Mr. Fairbanks erected a 
comfortable two-story frame residence, the main 
l)uildiiig being 18x2G feet, with ,aii L, 14x20 feet. 
The little cabin was about the only improvement 
at the time of his piireh.t.se, but he built the barns 
and outbuildings, cultivated his land, stockeil his 
farm with a good grade of all kinds of farm ani- 
mals, and now h.as one of the best homes in the 
county. In politics, he is a Republican, and is one 
of the leading citizens of the community. His wife 
is a most estimable lady, intelligent and entertain- 
ing, and is a fit mistress for their ple.a-sant home. 
This worthy couple are well known throughout the 
country, and are held in high regard l)v all. 



ON. 8ETH FISHER, who resides on sec- 
tion IG, Center Township, is practically 
'^ one of the self-made men of this county. 
'^) He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, 
in the year 1821, and is of lOnglish descent. His 
great-grandfather on the paternal side was born in 
the north of England, but emigrated to this coun- 
try in the early days of its history. He was a 
weaver by trade. The jiaternal grandparents, 
Joseph and Margaret (Pigeon) Fisher, were l)oth 
born in \iiginia. but in <'arly life emigrated to 
Pennsylvania. Later they returned to their native 
Stale, but afterward removed to Ohio, where they 
passed the remainder of their lives. I'jiey were 
strict members of the Society of F'riends. and the 
husband was a wheelwright by trade. The ma- 
ternal grandparents were Samuel and Nancy 
(Rogers) Wallahaii. The former a native of Ire- 
l.iiiil. the latter of England. During their younger 
years they became residents of America, locating in 
Pennsylvania, but later removed to the Buckeye 
State, where the death of both occurred. 

The parents of our subject were Sylvanus and 
Ann (Wallaiian) Fisher. The father was born in 

•► 



-r- 



••► 



910 



ROCK COUNTY, 



t 



Lynchbur":, Va., and when a mere lad emigrated 
with his parents to Ohio. He was reared to man- 
hood upon liis father's farm and received his 
literary education in the graded schools of the 
Buckeye .State. Desiring to make the practice of 
medicine his profession for life, he entered a med- 
ical institution at Lexington, Ky., from which he 
later graduated. In 1822, he was united in mar- 
riage with Ann Wallahan, who w.as born in Ohio, 
and in 1854, accompanied by his family, came to 
Rock County, first settling in Janesville Township, 
Later lie became a resident of Monroe, Green 
County, AVis., and in 1857, removed to Center 
Township, where he pa,ssed the remainder of his 
life, dying in 18G0, at the age of sixty-two years. 
He was reared in the faitli of the Society of Friends, 
and consequently never took an active part in 
political affairs. His wife, wlio was a lady beloved 
by all, departed this life in 1843, while residing in 
Ohio. Th«y were the parents of seven children, 
of whom Seth was the eldest: Abel wlio was a 
])racticing physician of Galena, 111., died in that 
city in 1845 from the effects of over-( xertion; 
(Samuel, who came to Rock County single in 1849, 
but was afterward married, followed the occupation 
of farming until 1882. when he was elected sheriff, 
but his ("'path occurred the following year in the 
fifty -seventi, year of liis age; Charles, who located 
in this county in 1849, and afterward married, is 
now engaged in farming in Center Township; La- 
ban, who was a twin brother of Urban, who is 
now deceased, emigrated to Kock County in 1852, 
settling in Center Township, and is now married 
and resides in Western Nebra.ska; Hannah Jane is 
the wife of Dr. Braden, of Footville. Wis. 

The subject of this sketch spent the days of iiis 
bovliuod and youth ujion the farm of his uncle, 
William Fisher, and in the graded schools of Ohio, 
received a liberal education. In 1842, when eigh- 
teen years of age, he emigrated to the West, lf)cat- 
in"' ill Galena, 111., where he worked in the mines 
for four years. At the expiration of that time he 
first came to Rock County, locating in Center 
Township, where lie entered eighty acres of land. 
Thai larm now constitutes his present home, and 
has been in his possession forty-three ye.ars. It 
was in a wild, uncultivated state, and during the 



first year, while he was breaking the land, Mr. 
Fisher boarded at the home of a neighbor. In the 
fall of 1846 he erected a little log cabin, in which 
for several years he lived in true pioneer style. In 
1848. he was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Ann Crow, and in that i)riniitive home they began 
their domestic life. The lady was born in Ohio, 
and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Hartzell) 
Crow, who were also natives of the same State. 
Her grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, 
but at an early day emigrated to Ohio, and were 
numbered among its pioneers. Her father has 
followed the occupation of farming throughout 
his entire life. In 1846 he came to Rock County, 
Wis., settling in Center Township, where he 
entered and improved land, and now resides on 
section 23. His wife departed this life in 1887, at 
the age of seventy years. 

Since his arrival in the count}', Mr. Fisher has 
continuously engaged in the occupation of farm- 
ing. With his own luand he broke the land of his 
first claim, and the work of cultivation and im- 
provement then begun has l)een steadily carried 
forward. The farming implements used in the 
pioneer days were often of rude construction, but 
as time passed the latest improved machinery was 
introduced. He owned the first threshing m.acliine 
in the township, and his first McCormick reaper he 
hauled all the distance from Chicago. In 1857 
the little log cabin was replaced bj' his present 
substantial residence, and in 1862 good barns were 
built, thus providing shelter for his stock and 
grain. He extended the boundaries of his farm 
until at one time it comprised 600 acres of fine 
laud, but portions of this he has since given to his 
sous, yet now owns 300 .acres, which is highly 
improved and cultivated. Mr. Fisher is known 
throughout the State as a successful and prominent 
breeder of short-horn cattle, and his stock li.as 
taken many prizes at the various fairs held through- 
out Wisconsin. He also makes a speciality of 
raising Southdown sheep and Xorman horses, and 
is the owner of a fine imported stallion, which he 
keeps upon his farm. 

In political affairs he takes a prominent part, 
and is an ardent supporter of the Republican partj-. 
He is now chairman of the Board of Supervisors, 



\r 



r 



-♦- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



911 



"liifli position he lias held for severnl years, anrl 
in 1869 was elected to the Wisconsin Lcirislature, 
serving a term of one year. He has .also held 
other offices of pulilic trust, and in the various 
official positions lias ever discharged his duties 
with promptness .and fidelity. For several years 
he was president of the Rock County Agricultural 
Society, .and is now vice-president of the State 
Agricultural Society. lie has also formerly been 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, .and although not a member of an^^ church, 
feels a deep interest in the advancement of the 
cause, and aided materially in the erection of a 
house of worship built by the Disciple Church, 
of which his wife is a member, lie h.as .also been 
prominent in the promotion of educational inter- 
ests, and aided in the organization of the township 
in which he resides. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fisher arc the parents of eight 
ciiildrcn, five of whom are living: Abel, who is 
married and resides in this count)'; Harvey, who 
is married and lives near the old homestead; 
(irant, a farmer of Center Townsliip, is also mar- 
i-ied; Anna and Jennie are at home; William died 
ill 1 <S74, when about twenty-one years of age; John 
died in IHO."), at the age of three years; Sarah Ann 
died ill 1 8.5H. when but eighteen months old. Thus 
we li.Mve given a brief sketch of Mr. Fisher and 
his family, who are numbered among Kock County's 
liest citizens. For the long period of forty-three 
years he has been a resident ol Center Township, 
and has witnessed almost the entire growth and 
development of the southern part of this State. 
On his arrival .lanosville was but a small \illage, 
many of the smaller towns had not yet been founded, 
alid the broad pi-airics. wliich now comprise beauti- 
ful homes and farms, wi're then ('(jvered only with 
a thick growth of wild grass. 



■■".zac^fiQ ■^^^♦S^a^OTw- 



I 

r 



W;ILLIAM (Un,\IN. who is eng.aged in 
farming and stock-raising on section 17, 
^ ^ Johnstown Township, is numbered among 
ilie early settlers of the county. He is a native of 
F.iiuiaiid. born Sept. o, 1828, and a son of Richard 
aii(l Hstlier Gulvin, who were also natives of that 



cpuntry. Of their family f>f nine children, five are 
yet living — Richard, who came to America in 
1853, died in Indiana in 18G7; Thomas is a resi- 
dent of Sussexshire, England; George died in 
Kent County, England in the year 1886; William, 
of this sketch is the fourth in order of birth; 
Mary A., died in December, 1867; Henry, is now 
residing in Jetferson County, Ore.; John died 
in early childhood; Esther makes her home in Ju- 
neau County. Wis.; and Crace is living in the same 
county. 

Our subject was reared to manhood and received 
his education in his native land. On the 10th day 
of March, 185.5, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Mercy Baker, a daughter of Thomas and 
Mary Baker, and on the :i()th day of April, follow- 
ing, the young couple embarked on a vessel for 
America. Crossing the broad Atlantic, they land- 
ed in New York, where Mr. (iulvin spent the three 
succeeding years engaged in farming. At the ex- 
piration of that time, accompanied by his family, 
he st.arted for the West, and on the 13th day of 
December, 1857, reached Rock County. Wis. 
Building a house on a farm of eighty acres in Har- 
mony Township, owned by James Holmes, the 
family were soon installed in their new home and 
]Mr. Gulvin turned his attention to the cultivation 
of the land, upon which he resided for ten years. 
He then spent one year in Milton, and in 1868. 
purchased the farm on section 17. Johnstown 
Township, where he has since continued to reside. 
He has alw.ays on hand a good grade of stock, and 
the inprovements are all that are necessary to a 
well-regul.ated farm. 

On the 20th day of February, 1 880. he w.as called 
upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who for almost 
thirty-four years had shared with him the joys and 
sorrows of this life, and had bffen to him a true 
helpniiite in his laliors. She died at her home in 
Johnstown Township, and her remains were laid to 
rest in Johnstown Cenieter)-. A faithful member 
of the p]piscopal t'hurch, she had many warm 
friends Ihrouijhout the community, and w.as be- 
loved liy all knew her. She was born in England 
on the 17th day of October. 1 f<28. and was the 
j'oungest in a family of twelve children. Mary, 
her eldest sister, is iiowllvingin .Australia; .*^aniuel, 



t- 



i. . 912 



ROCK COUNTl. 



^i^K-4« 



pjlizaheth and Maria liave all passed away; Moses 
is also a resident of Australia; Ann yet makes her 
home in England; Aaron is living in Australia. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gulvin were the parents of two 
children — Henry B., who was born in the town of 
Marion, Wayne Co., N. Y., op the 1st day of July, 
185G, and married Miss Clavie Putnam, March 20, 
188'J. He received his ])rimarj' education in the 
common schools, supplemented by a course at Blil- 
ton College. He is a carpenter by trade and is an 
expert in that line of work. Alice A., born May 
17, 1861, still makes her home with her father. 
Politically, Mr. Gulvin is a Demooral. Ijut in I860, 
voted for Abraham Lincoln. He also favored the 
President's policy (hiring the war and paid $75, 
for recruits during that struggle. He has never 
sought public preferment, his attention being given 
entirely to his farming interests, but he is regarded 
as one of the representative and progressive cit- 
izens 'if the township, and is held in high respect 
by all. 



(S^N, ATHAN BARTLETT. deceased, one of t 
I jl' early and respected citizens of Rock Count 
lk\./^j Wis., was born in Connecticut, in 178 



•T 



(i>^ixATIIAN BARTLETT. deceased, one of the 

ity, 

(86. 

Wiieii he was a little lad of five years, he removed 
with his parents to Ro3alston, M.-iss., where he was 
reared to manhood, and after attaining his majority 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Miller, a 
native of Royalston, born in 1789. While residing 
in that town, thi-ee children were l)orn to them, 
Chauncej', Ira and Esther. In the spring of 1814, 
he removed with his family to \'erniont, settling in 
Caledonia County, where eight children were born, 
namely: Elizabeth, widow of George W. Brazer, 
now a resident of Beloit; Iloratiiis N., who settled 
in Michigan, whp is now supposed to be dead; 
Luke C, who is living in Brodhead, Green Co., 
Wis. ; Lucy C, who makes her home in Beloit; 
JIaria M., widow of Dr. M. 1). Jaynes; llerrick; 
Mary, wife of Hamilton Pratt, who is living in El- 
dorado County, Cal.; and Martha, widow of Jacob 
liiiikin. now residing in Hennepin County, Minn. 
In 1845, Mr. Bartlelt eniigr.atod to the Far West, 
locating in the town of Newark, Rock Co., Wis., 
where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, devel- 

4« 



oping a farm from the wild and uncultivated land. 
At that time the wliole county was almost a 
wilderness, no railroads had been built in the North- 
west, and the settlements were few, but he lived to 
see the great growth and progress which were 
made, placing Rock on a ])ar with any county iu this 
great commonwealth. In early life, he was a sup- 
porter of the Whig part3'. He possessed more than 
ordinal'}' ability, was progressive and public spir- 
ited, and took great interest in the affairs of both 
State and Nation. He was never a member of anj'' 
church, but attended the Congregational Church to 
which his wife belonged, and contributed to the 
sup|)ort of the gospel. He was an upright, honest 
business man, in whom all placed the highest con- 
fidence, and nauyht could be said asjainsthis intea:- 
rity. His deatli occurred in 1872, and his wife 
departed this life in 1852. 

Mrs. Maria M. Jaynes, daughter of Nathan Bart- 
lett, was born in Caledonia Count}-, Xt., Nov. 14, 
1825, there residing until her removal to Beloit in 
1846. Aftei- becoming a resident of that cit}', she 
formed the acquaintance of Dr. M. D. Jaynes, and 
thej' were united in marriage. One child was born 
unto them, a son, William C. who is now a |)rac- 
ticing physician of Durand, 111. His literary educa- 
tion was received in the Beloit schools, and choos- 
ing meiJicine as his profession, he began studying 
under the direction of Dr. Alerriman of Beloit. In 
1883, he graduated from the Chicago Medical 
College, and has since been activeh- engaged in 
practice. He was married in Beloit in 1888, to 
Miss Emma Johnson. Sociallj-. he is a member 
of the State Medical Societ}-, and also belongs to 
the Masonic fraternitj\ Mrs. Jaynes is a lady who 
stands high in the social world of Bi'loit. where she 
has many warm friends. Her husband died in the 
South during the late war. 

George W. Br.azer, deceased, was born in New 
York City, on the 4th day of June, 1802, and when 
sixteen j'ears of age went to Saratoga Count}-, N. 
Y., whore he was united in marriage with Miss 
Elizalieth B. Bartlett. a native of the Green 
Mountain State, born Sept. 28, 1814. They were 
the parents of six children — Nathan B., who en- 
listed in the 18th Wisconsin Infantry, when 
seventeen years of age, and served with honor 



»► ■ ■» 



I- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1)13 ^ ^ 



until llie close of the war, paflici|i.iliiiii' in many 
hard fought hattU's. Thouuli many hullets pafso'l 
through bis clotlu's, he remained uninjured and af- 
terwards enlisted in the Regidar Army, dying in 
New Orleans, at the age of twent^^-three years. 
William II. died wiien two j'ears of age; Augustus 
1'. Is now a resident of Troj", N. Y.; Maria E. died 
in infancy; Kva makes her home in Lansinburg. N. 
Y.; and Josephine died in Saratoga County, N. Y., 
at the age of twenty-five years. 

Mr. llra/.er, for twenty years, was in the govern- 
ment employ of tlie State, and discharged his 
duties in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. 
In pt)litics. he was a Jackson Democrat, and social- 
ly', he was an active mendier of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. His death occurred Dec. 
31, 1878. The following year, in 1879. Mrs. 
Rrazer came to Ueloit and is n(iw livinu' with her 
sister, Mrs. Jayues. In 18IG, she became a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has 
since been a cousisti'iil .and active worker of that 
dcnoniinalioM. 



■*^»^M-J»t^- 



<i?«t~.«tfitff~ 



Vl 



JOHN KODl), who resides on section 9, Mag- 
nolia Township, is numbered among the rej)- 
resentative citizens of that community. 
fj He was born on Prince Ethvard Island, 
April 1;'), 1833, and his father was also a native of 
the same [jlace. The paternal grandfather, how- 
ever, was a native of Devonshire, England, but 
emigrated to I'rince Edward Island at an early 
day. where he was engaged in the Government ser- 
vice. 

Our subject remained under the parental roof 
until about twenty years of age, when he went tt) 
Calais, Me., where he engaged in lumbering for a 
period of two years. The exposure incident to 
that life and the severity of the climate compelled 
him to abandon that occupation. He hail already 
contracted rheumatism in a severe form and by the 
advice of his physicians he decided to seek a 
wanner climate, and in the fall of 1855, left the 
por^ of New York for Siiu Francisco, Cal. He 
went by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and 
at length reached his destination with oulj' ^'2 in 



mone}'. He soon found his way to the mijiing 
district of Xev.nda City, where for three years he 
w;u5 engaged in digging for the precious metal, be- 
ing reasonably successful. At the expiration of 
that time, he went to the Erazer River in the 
British Columbia, where he encountered some in- 
teresting and exciting experiences, but the trip w,as 
a failure financially. The climate was severe and 
provisions scarce, Mr. lv()d<l having paid the high 
price of 150 in gold for a sack of flour. After six 
months he returned to Nevada with about $1,000 
less money than when he started. For the next two 
years he again engaged in mining in the Nevada dis- 
trict, when he returned to Prince Edward Island, 
visiting his old home and friends. He also pur- 
ch,ased a farm, but his old enemy, the rheumatism, 
returning, he sold out and in 1800 came t() Rock 
County, where he has since continued to reside. 
Two years later .Mr. Rodd returneil to Prince 
Jvlward Island, and on the loth da3' of June, of 
that year, was joined in wedlock with Mary A. 
Essary, who w.as born at that place. Two children 
were born of their union— Elvina L. and John L., 
the latter is now deceased, and the formei- is the 
wife of L. G. Holmes, a farmer of Albany, Green 
Co., Wis. The death of thi' mother occurred 
Feb. 22. 18G4, and Mr. liodd was again married on 
the 31st day of May. 18(;7, when Miss Katie M. 
Moore, of Ottawa County, Mich, became his wife. 
She was born in Ontario County, N. Y., March 
17, 18 15, and is the daughter of Thomas . I. and 
L3ilia (Cary) Moore, the former a native of New 
Jersej', and the latter vvas born in the Empire State. 
They have a family of six children, only four of 
whom are now living — Frances E., died when about 
seven years of age; Mrs. Rodd is the second in 
order of birth; Edwin, who lost his life while 
in the West; Marshall is a merchant residing in 
Lamonte, Mich.; Wait is a resident of Las Vegas, 
N. M.; and Lydia M.. who is residing in .Michigan. 
The family came West in 1852 and settled near 
Rockford, 111., where thej- resided for three years 
and then removed to Hock County, locating in 
Plymouth Township, and subsequently removed to 
Albanj-, Green Count}-, where the death of Mrs. 
Moore occurred in November, 1865. Soon after 
the death of his wife Mr. Moore returned to 



f- 



f 



-•» 



914 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 



Ottawa County, Mich., when lie inairied again and 
still reside.s there. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rodd have an interesting family 
of four children— May F., Certie L.. Fred W., and 
John Warren, all of whom are at home. 

On his arrival in Rock County, Mr. Kodd pur- 
chased 150 acres of land, the foundation of his 
present fine farm, which now comprises 280 acres, 
highly cultivated and improved. He engages in 
general farming and stock-raising, and is one of the 
leading farmers in the township. Beginning life 
without capital, he has made his way unaided in the 
world, and by his own industry, thrift and good 
management has secured a comfortable compe- 
tence. Possessed of an observing eye and reten- 
tive memory, he has gained a large fund of infor- 
Tuation in his extensive travels, and is well in- 
formed on all the leading questions of the day. 
In the spring of 1888 he was elected by his fellow- 
citizens to the office of Township Supervisor, and 
in 1889 was re-elected without opposition, and is 
Chairman of that Board, by virtue of which fact 
he is also a member of the County Board of Sup- 
ervisors. In politics, he is a Republican, and a 
•strong advocate of the principles of that party. 
By his honest and upright life, Mr. Rodd has won 
the conlidence of all with whom business or pleas- 
ure has brought him in contact, and is held in the 
highest regard by his manj- friends. Mr. Rodd 
was reared under the religious influences of the 
Methodist Church, and though not a member, he and 
his family contrilnite to that church and are always 
willing to aid in the advancement of any move- 
ment having for its object the moral or temporal 
ijood of the community. 



^ AMKS S. CAMPBELL, an enterprising citi. 
Ill zen of Clinton and the present Commander 
|{ of Alexis Tallman Post.ti. A. R., is a native 
^^J of the (ireen Mountain .State, his birth bav- 
in"' occurred in Burlington, Oct. 26, 1847. His 
parents. Robert B. and Helen (McLansboro) Camp- 
bell, were natives of Scotland, and in an early day 
iiiiigrated to the new world, settling in Canada, 
\.;.,re they resided until their removal to Burliug- 



t<:)n, Vt. They were the parents of eleven chil- 
dren, six of whom are living at this writing. 
Jeanette became the wife of Burr Maxwell, of 
Austin. Minn., who served as a soldier in the 4th 
Wisconsin Artillerj' and was promoted to the rank 
of First Lieutenant for meritorious conduct on the 
field of battle; Jane weilded Charles W. Col)b, a 
resident of Cambridge. III.: Robert, who married 
jNIiss Ellen Peck and is living in Pipestone City, 
Minn., also served with honor as a member of the 
4th Wisconsin Light Artillery; Helen J. wedded 
Alonson Shepherd, of Clinton; J.ames S.. of whom 
we write, is the next in order of birth, and Mj'ra is 
the wife of L. B. Snyder, of this county. Robert 
Campbell was a stonemason by trade, and was su- 
perintendent of the stone work on the first railroad 
built out of Vermont. He was a thorough me- 
chanic, an expert and finished workman, and his 
services were much in demand by those who de- 
sired the best class of work. His death probabl3- 
occurred from drowning while a resident of Ver- 
mont. Accompanied by her children, his wife 
came to Rock County, where her death occurred 
in 1875. 

Our subject remained in his native State until 
seven years of age, when he went with his motliei 
to Pennsylvania, and in 1858 came to Rock 
County, where the greater part of his life has since 
been spent. He received a liberal education and 
began earning his livelihood as a farm hand. He 
felt a deep interest in the cause of freedom when 
the Civil War broke out, and as soon as he had at- 
tained sufficient age enlisted in the service of his 
countrj-. This was in 1864, and he was assigned 
to Company F, 39lh Wisconsin Infantr}-. He 
joined his regiment at Memphis, Tenn.. where he 
was stationed at the time of the raid of Gen. 
Forrest. On the close of hostilities, when peace 
was declared and slavery abolished, he returned to 
the North and was mustered out at Milwaukee. 
On arriving at his home in Clinton he engaged in 
the painting business, and is now following his 
chosen trade. 

In the year 1879 Mr. Campbell was joined in 
wedlock with Miss Florence N. Winchest^-, a 
daughU-r of .Vlpheus and Maria Winchester. Her 
father, who was a native of Sullivan, N. H., came 



i~ 




-U 



ROCK COUNTY. 



915 



to Wisconsin with iiis family in 1854, and thiring 
the late war served his country as a member of the 
1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. His death oc- 
curred in 1875. Of his family of five ciiildreii 
tliree arc now living — C. A., Leon and F'lorcnee. 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Campliell has been 
blessed with three chililren. daughters, Annie L., 
Nellie E. and Vera. 

In his social relations our subject is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Good 
Samaritan Lodge. No. 35, A. F. & A. M., in which 
he has held the office of Secretary'. He is a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. Post, in which he takes an 
active interest, and of which as before stated, he is 
Commander. Politically he is a stalwart and in- 
flexible adherent to the principles of the Republi- 
can parly, and has been honored with several local 
offices. He is numbered among the early settlers 
of the county, having been a resident for more 
than thirty years. He has witnessed the greater 
part of its growth and development, has been iden- 
tified with its progress, and has ever taken an in- 
terest in the advancement of any enterprise for the 
public welfare. 



4 



jKjj^ENRY M. REIGART. one of the prominent 
Irjj) and progressive farmers of Clinton Town- 
jl^^ ship, residing one mile north of the villaije, 
C^) was born in Lancaster County. IVnn.. on 
thv l!Hh d.ay of August. 1821. His parents, the 
Hon. Emanuel C. and Barbara (Swarr) Reigart, 
were also natives of the same county. They were 
there reared and married, and unto them was born 
a famil}^ of seven children, namely: Amos E., who 
married l.etitia Montgomery, is now residing in 
the town of Turtle, Rock County; Henry M.. of 
this sketch, is the second in order of birth; James 
H. wedded Maty Brooks, of Beloit, and is now liv- 
ing in Union Mills, Va.; Susan, widow of W. 1'. 
Brenton. makes her home in Laneraster, l^enn.; 
.\unie, who was the wife of Samuel II. Slaymaker, 
is now deceased; .lohn is now living in Cliicairo. 
III.; Sarah is the wife of H. H. McLenagan, a resi- 
dent farmer of Turtle Township. Emanuel Reigart, 
the father of this family, w;is an attorney -at-law b^' 
^» 



IJrofession, and possessed more than ordinary abil- 
ity. For many years he held a prominent i)lace at 
the Lancaster bar, and was honored by his district 
with the office of Representative in the (reneral 
Assembly of Pennsylvania. He was a thorough 
scholar, a deep thinker, a clear reasoner. and was 
quick to catch a point, which made him very suc- 
cessful in his chosen profession. In early life Mr. 
Reigart was a Whig and a great admirer of Henry 
Clay and Daniel Webster, two of America's great- 
est statesmen. He and his wife were earnest Chris- 
tian people, believers in the Moravian faith, and 
when death called them were ready to respond to 
the Master's summons. The}- died in Lancaster. 
Penn., where their entire lives were jiassed. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
county and received a liberal education, pursuing 
a course in the academy. He remained under the 
parental roof until nineteen years of age, when he 
liegan learning the machinist's trade, ,an(l for a year 
and a half was employed in the Baldwin Engine 
Works in Philadelphia, but at the end of that time, 
his health failing him. he was forced to aliandon 
that occupatii^n. Attracted by the gold discover- 
ies in California he formed one of a party of fortj'- 
nine who sailed for the Pacific .Slope to enffan-e in 
mining in that land. The journey was made bj' 
way of Cape Horn, and 208 days were consumed 
in making the voyage on account of the stormy 
weather and rough sea. For about six weeks they 
were delayed at Cape Horn, but at length reached 
their destination, and Mr. Reigart at once engasjeii 
in mining on the Tuolumne River. After six months 
he engaged in ste.aming and shipping, which he 
continued for five years, and then returned to his 
home by way of the Nicaraugua Route, the voy- 
age being accomplished in twenty-six days. 

In 1855 Jlr. Reigart wa.-; united in marriage with 
Miss Catherine (t. Chambers, a native of i>ancaster 
County. Pa., and a daughter of .John and Ann 
(Henry) Chambers. The young couple began 
their domestic life in Westmoreland County, Pa., 
where they resided until the .-uitumn of 1856, at 
which time they cast their lot with the settlers 
of Rock County. Mr. Reigart at once purchased 
land in Clinton Township, one mile north of the 
village and now has a fine farm of 212 acres under 




t 



916 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



a high state of cultivation. Many beautiful and 
useful iiiii)i'Ovements have lieen ni;i(le, and his 
pleasant home with its entire suiTOunciings, indicates 
thrift and refinenient. His fields nre nil richly cul- 
tivated; the latest improved macliineiy can there 
be found, and his farm is an ideal one. In polilii^s 
he is a stalwart sni)porter of the Democratic parlw 
but has never souii'ht public ollice. preferring 
rather to give his exclusive attention to his business 
interests. 

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Reigart there have 
been born six children, four of whom arc now liv- 
ing: .lames, who married Miss Caroline 1}. liruce, 
is now living in Freeport, 111.; Emanuel C, who 
wedded Miss Carrie Dean, makes his home in this 
county; Annie <lied at the liome of her parents and 
was buried in thi' Clinton Cemetery; Nettie has 
also passed to her final rest; Susan is the wife of 
Paul Benson, a prominent farmer residing in Clin- 
ton Township, and Kittle, the youngest, was joined 
in wedlock with K. A. Loomis, .Ir., a leading cloth- 
ier of licloit. 

Mr. Reigart is numbered among the early settlers 
of this count}', having made his home within its 
borders for almost a third of a century. He has 
not only been a witness of. but has participated in 
the rapid growth and progress which has tnken 
jilace since that time, and has been prominently 
identified with its development. In the work of 
public inipioveraent he has always borne his part, 
and to such men is due the present prosperity of 
.Soutiiern AVisconsin. His honorable, upright life 
through all the.se years has won him man}' friends, 
and his sketch lieserves an honored place in the 
history of his adopted county. 



^1 UCIU.S .STKWART, who is numbered among 
I (^ the pioneer settlers and lionorcd citizens of 
jl'— ^ this county, is now engaged in farming on 
section 22, Plymouth Township. He wiis born in 
Vermont on the 10th day of May, 1824, and is a 
son of Charles C. and Mary ("Barnes) Stewart. His 
father was descencicd from ancestry of English, 
Scotch, Irish and Welsh origin, while his mother was 
of English descent, and both were natives of the 



Green Mountain State. When our subject was a babe 
of but one year, his [jarents removed from their 
home in Vermont, locating about forty miles from 
Buffalo, X. v.. where thej- continuc<l to reside for 
some time. After there making his home for a 
period of twelve years, Mr. Stewart, thinking 
the advantages afforded young men in the West 
superior to those in the Ivist, came to Rock County, 
Wis. where he has made his home continuously since. 
Tlic first year after his arrival he worked on the 
mill race at Uockton, after which he was enii)lo")'ed 
on a farm near Rockford. working for a man by the 
name of Montague. He was afterwards engaged 
for a short time in the city, when he located in the 
town of Rock, i)urchasing ItiU acres of land. The 
first year he raised a croi) of 200 bushels of corn 
and further developed his farm. At that time 
there was not a single housi' within forty miles of 
the river and the entire county was almost in its 
lirimilivc condition. At the end of tiiree vears 
]Mr. Stewart sold his first farm to Mr. Newell and 
purchased 380 acres nortii of the river, but now 
owns only lo.j acres of that amount, which, how- 
ever, comprises one of tlie most fertile and highly 
improved farms of Rock County. 

In the year IHIuS, Mr. Stewart was united in 
marriage with Miss Hannah (iibcrt, a native of 
New York. By their union one ciiild was born, 
which died in infancy. 

In political sentiment, our subject has always 
been one of the strongest adherents of the Demo- 
cratic party, unswerving in his support to its prin- 
ciples and was the first i)atlimaster in Plymouth 
Towushi]). But few men of Uock Count}- have as 
long been residents of this community as Mr. Stew- 
art, who for more than half a century has made bis 
home within its borders. He has shared the trials 
and hardshii)s of pioneer life, has witnessed the 
rapid iteveloiiement of town and country and h;is 
been an active participant in the great work of 
transformation. He was at the landing in 1S3(!, 
when the first steamboat sailed up Kock River and 
anchored at the mouth of the Peccatonica. Tiie 
boat which w.as built t)y the subscription c>f the 
farmers plied between Beloit and .lanesville and as 
it was long before the day of railroads in the West, 
was a source of great convenieuce to the people in 



■♦- 



^T* 



4 



^^- 



-•^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



that vicinity. As late as 1845, Mr. Stewart says 
that deer were almost as .•ilmiiclaiit as are the shoej) 
at the present time; all Uiiids of wild jiame was 
fmind ill alniiidaiu'e and wolves were quite numer- 
ous. At one lime lie shot one (if those animals 
when forty-fiiur rods distant, and after running 
about a half a mile the wolf (Iropped dead. The 
cabins of those days were of the most primitive 
style, in yreal contrast to the homes of the East, 
yet hospitality and good will abounded between 
the settlers, and notwithstanding their arduous 
labors, the ditlioulties to be endured, ami the 
obstacles to be surmounted, the days passed mer- 
rily. The change .which has been effected In the 
past half century, is due almost entirely to the 
■noble band of man and women, who settled on the 
frontier ami to tiiem is due a delit of grntitinU' 
which words can liut feebly express. Such an one 
is Mr. Stewart, who is respected and esteemed by 
all who know him. 

-'^^m- 



t 



^^EORCK FKl.LOWS, an early settler of this 
ill ^—, county, who dates his residence back to 
^^^ IS.') I. and Is now engaged in farming on 
.section 4, (enter Townshii). was born in Kipley 
County, Iiid., l)eceiiiber 5, 18"2G. He was the 
oldest ill a family of seven children Imjiii tn Fred- 
erick and Emily (Hubbard) Fellows, the former a 
native of Berkshire County, Mass., and the latter 
of Connecticut. The parents emigrated to Indiana 
at an early day, settling in Ripley County. After 
remaining there two years they returned to Monroe 
C'ounty, N. V.. where they remained until DS'il, 
and then moved to Loraine County, Ohio. In 
ix.")4, Mr. I'"eliows continued his journey westward 
until reacliiiiL;' Center Township, Rock County, 
wliere he bought a partly improved farm. He 
e(jnlinued the cultivation of that laud during the 
remainder of his life, and died in 1^71. He was 
nuniliered among the prominent farmers of the 
community and was a man highly respected for his 
many excellencies of character. His wife survived 
liim several years, dying on the "id daj'of .lanuarv. 
l.s.siK, at the ripe old age of seventy-eight. Their 

hildren were as follows: Edward, who is married 
4« 



and resides in Union Township; Maria, now Mrs. 
Lee, of Magnolia Township; Mary, wife of .Mr. 
Case, a resident of Belmont, Iowa; Sarah A., now 
Mrs. (iillam, of Evansville. Wis.; Henry, who is 
married imd iiKikcs his lioiiii' in Evansville; Fran- 
ces, who is living in I'lilon Township, is also 
marrieil. 

Our subject vv.is reared to farm life and received 
a common school education. When a lad his 
parents removed to Monroe Coniitv, N. \.. and 
while residing in that countj^lie led to the maiiiage 
altar Miss Delilah Timmerman. the wedding being 
celebrated in Il.amlin in 18.">l. The lady was born 
in Montgomery County. N. Y., and her parents. 
.Solomon and Maria (Ale) Tiraniermau, were 
natives of the same county. Her father followed 
the occup.'ition of f;iriiiing throughout his entire 
life, his death occurring in the month of June. 
1882. His wife, who was a most estimable lad^- 
was called to her final rest in 18.5,'). 

The young couple began their domestic life in 
New York and thence removed to Ohi(j, but 
after spending some lime in the I)ncke3c .State, 
followed the course of emigration which was steail- 
ily drifting Westward and became residents of 
Rock County, Wis. Three cliildren have been 
born unto them, Edgar, the eldest, died at the age 
of two years; Fred S., who is married and is en- 
gaged in fanning; Louis B.. who is also married, 
arid still makes his home with his parents. 

After arriving in this county, Mr. Fellows pur- 
chased seventy-three acres of land, the only im- 
provements thereon consisting of a log stable ami a 
little log house, while onl3' ten acres had been 
broken. He immediately began the work of im- 
provement and cultivation and as time p.assed h.as 
added to the original iiiircliase until now;3I2 broad 
acres pa}' a golden tribute to his care and labor. 
Two good farm residences have been erected, a good 
barn has been built and other iniprovements neces- 
sary to a well regulated farm have been made. Since 
he becam(!tlie owner of thelaml. a small station has 
been built upon it and is called Fellows Station. 
It furnishes good shipping facilities to the farmers 
of the surrounding country, h.as one general mer- 
chandise store and receives two mails per day. In 
connection with general farming. Mr. Fellows 



I 



L 



i 




' > 018 



ROCK COUNTY. 






makes a s|)ecialtv of raising Norman horses, a good 
grade of cattle and other stoelv, and is the owner of 
a fine, thoroughbred, imported Norman stallion. In 
his earlier years he supported the AVhig party with 
his hallot. but since the organization of the Repub- 
lican party, has been a member of that body. For a 
nunilicr of years, lie served his fellow citizens as 
Township Supervisor and ha.s also held other official 
positions of trust, in which he ever discharged his 
duties witli fidelity and promptness. The cause of 
education finds in liiiu a loyal friend and to every 
enterprise for the public welfare he gives his earn- 
est support. Ills honest, upright course of life 
during the long years of his residence in this county 
has won him many friends an<l he is held in high 
esteem by all wdio know liim. 



Tfl OIIN C. FREDENDALL. grocer, of .Tanes- 
ville, was born in the town of Schohaiie, 
Sclioharie Co., N. Y., on the 23d of Sep- 
tember, 1825, and is a son of Jacob and 
Margaret (Crounse) Fredendall. his ancestors on 
both sides being natives of Germany. He received 
a common school education, and passed his early 
life on his father's farm. When twenty-one years 
of age. he was engaged as a drover, taking live-stock 
to Nevv York City to market, and in KH,')1 he began 
merchandising at Cobleskill, Schoharie County, 
which he continued for six jears. 

Mr. Fredendall was united in marriage in his 
native county, in 1846, with Miss Laura W. Bailey, 
by wiiom he had three children. Ira. tiie eldest, 
married Miss Eveline McKussick, and resides in 
Cheyenne, Wyo. Ter., where he holds the office of 
Registrar and Treasurer of that county. Charles 
died at Laramie City, Wyo. Ter., aged aliout thirty- 
three years; he had married Miss Eggleston; Eu- 
gene, the next younger, married Miss Eva Mart, 
and resides in .lanesville. 

In 1857 Mr. Fredend.all came to AVisconsin, and 
settled atJanesvillc.liuilding a residence in the city, 
where he dwell, although he l)onght a farm in La 
Prairie Township, which he cultivated until 1861. 
For tlic succeeding three years he was cm[)loyed as 
Assessor for the city, and was engaged in various 



other kinds of business. In 1864 he engaged in 
the grocery business with .lames Eldred, under 
the firm name of Fredendall & Eldred, but two 
years later he sold out, and engaged in the same 
line of business with his .son Ira and Mr. Vankirk. 
In 1868 Mr. Fredendall Ituilt the substantial brick 
block in which he has his present grocery store. 
This block is 44 feet front on South Main street, 
and 70 feet front on Court street, while in height 
it is three stories. There is also an addition 40x50 
feet, two stories high. He is now building a flat 
building 44x48 on Court street, and also has two 
dwellings on Academ3- street. On the completion 
of his business block. Mr. Fredendall occupied the 
north half of it for a grocery store, where he has 
carried on business continuously since. He is an 
earnest Republican, and has been a member of the 
City Council several terms. 

In January, 1874, onr subject lost his first wife, 
and was again married on the 30th day of June, 
1876 to Mrs. Ora Allen, only daughter of E. C. 
Smith, a prominent business man .and early settler 
of Janesville. She had one child by her former 
marriage. Alice, now the wife of George Scarcliff, 
Jr., of Janesville. Mrs. Fredendall and daughter 
are members of the First Baptist Church of this 
city. Mr. Fredendall began life poor, but by indus- 
try, frugality and good business ability has accu- 
mulated a large and valuable jn-operty. lie is 
strictly temper.ate in his habits, upright and prompt 
in his business affairs, and is one of the successful 
business men of Janesville. 



^- 



?-*-P ^ 




'^f LVIN NORRIS. an early settler of Rock 
((3w/lll County, Wis., was born in the town of 
Perry, Wyoming Co.. N. Y.. April 15, 1823, 
and is a son of Edward and Merc)' A. 
( Ward ) Norris. who were natives of East Ilardwick, 
Caledonia Co., \'l.. and were of English descent. 
Our subject left home at the early age of seven 
years and went to Chautauqua. N. Y. He attended 
the common schools and remained in that co\inty 
until seventeen years of age. when he went to Cat- 
taraugus Count}- of the same State, and from 
there came to Wisconsin in 1845. locating at 



~t 



f 



■» p ^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



919 



f 



Oeneva Lake, where lie worked one year at wool 
cardiiiii; and doth dressing. The .succeeding nine 
years he spent in selling goods and was a sliort time 
in Inisinoss. He removed to .lanesville in 1848. 
In ISoS ho began hotel ki'C|)ing, and continued in 
that line on North Main street until 1877, since 
which time he h.is not been in active business, 

On tlie l.ith day of August, 1850. at .lanesville, 
Mr. Norris was united in marriage with Jliss Anna 
Bates, who was born in Jefferson Count}-, N. Y.. and 
is a daughter of ( )rren Bates. Three children 
graced their union — Mark Allen, born Oct. 19, 
1851, at , lanesville; Ida Adel. born in 1859, died 
at the age of three years; and Anna May, born Oct. 
II, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Norris are members of the 
First Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Repub- 
lican in political sentiment and is a consistent 
member of Crystal Temple of Honor, having al- 
ways been an earnest supporter of temperance 
principles. He is a worthy citizen and is highly 
respected by his many friends. 

, EV. CYRIS IIAMI.IN is pastor of the Urst 
^(' Congregational Church of the city of Be- 
loit. He was born in Boston, Mass.. on the 
;y, 24tli day of December. 1843. He fitted 
himself for a eoilcgi.ate course .at the Farming- 
ton Academy, Farmington, Me., and entered AVa- 
b.ash college with the class of 18G6. Before the 
time of his graduation — after the junior year — he 
engaged in teaching in Clinton, N. Y. His immedi- 
ate preparation for tiie Christian ministry was made 
in Union Theological .Seminary, N. Y., from which 
institution he graduated in 1868. After leaving 
the seminary he became pastor of the (Congrega- 
tional Church in 15ellows Falls, Vt.. continuing in 
this relation from 1868 to the spring of 1874. His 
subsequent p.a.storates have been in Brooklyn. N. Y., 
from 1874 to 1H77; in Council Bluffs, Iowa, from 
1877 to 1884. until he came to his i)resent home in 
Beloit in January-. 1885. 

Mr. Hamlin is a scholar of excellent mental 
qualities and an able minister of the gospel. He 
has a large and growing place in the affectionate 
conlifh'uce of his peojjle. He believes in the fullest 




application of Christian truth to all the various in- 
terests of individual and social life, and his gener- 
ous fidelity in his sacred office entitles him to. as it 
commands, univer.sal resjiect. He is a wise and 
beloved pastor. 

IMr. Hamlin was niariied Oct. I. 1884, to Miss 
Lydia S. Harris, daughter of Rev. .1. H. Harris. 






ORACE WHITE. The city of Beloit was 

i settled by a colony composed mainly of 

]Jcople from New Hampshire, strenuous and 

P enterprising. It w.as called the New P^n- 
gland Emigration Company. The agent of this 
company, sent forward for the purpose of locating 
the new abode and initiating arrangements for the 
future home, w.as Horace White, a man whose 
memory is worthy of being perpetuated. He was 
a native of Bethlehem. N. H., born March 17, 
1810; and, accordingly, when he reached Beloit, 
was about twenty -six years of age — alert, saga- 
cious, fruitful in resources, going forward to 
achieve where others hesitated. Plain and simi)lc 
in his address, tall, slender, with pale countenance 
and dark hair and eye, he seems to have moved in 
the front in carrying forward the infant enterprise. 
His journey through the region in seeking the 
proper location for the colon}' was extensive; but 
his quick sagacity discerned the advantages of the 
spot chosen, in the angle between the Rock, the 
Turtle and the bluff — a choice which the event 
has justified. 

Jlr. White was a physician by profe.ssion, but, 
like many others, the exigencies of the new life 
compelled him to .add lo his wide and useful |)iii- 
fessional labors the performance of man}- public 
services. He seems to have been, by his o|)en .-ind 
accessible nature, a favorite with his fellow-citi- 
zens, and because of his executive qualities indis- 
pensable to their pressing demands. Besides filling 
several offices in the City (Jovcrnment. he was 
fretjuently em[)loyed in negotiating in behalf of its 
interests elsewhere. 

It is said that in his earlier life Dr. White w.as not 
especially friendly to the re((uirements of the Chris- 
tian religion; bntin 1840, mainly under the intlu- 






^h^ 



920 



ROCK COUNTY. 



■^ iini)r(. 



eiice of the Rev. Dexter Clarj-. Dr. White became an 
active member of the First Congregational Church 
of Beloit. and was the chief instrument in provid- 
ing tiie means for erecting the first house of wor- 
ship in the city. T5eing a physician, and finding it 
dirticult to collect his accounts in money, he was 
able to obtain in settlement of them, the mate- 
rials for the desired meeting house. It is one case 
in which the lack of money has been tlie means of 
much good. A church was built l)ecause there was 
no money in the infant city, and the church was a- 
substantial edifice of stone, the most respectable 
one to be found in the State for j-ears afterwards. 
Dr. White died after the completion of the church, 
seven davs before it was dedicated, Dec. 23, 1844. 
lie left several children, one of whom, a graduate 
of Beloit College, has been distinguished in the dis- 
cussion of economical questions, and is at present 
proprietor of the Nation and editor of the New Yoi'k 
Eeuninij Post — Horace White. Esq., of New York. 



AYNE L. KELLOCiG, one of the settlers 
of Rock County of 18.54. and a leading 
farmer of Plymouth Township, residing on 
section 10, is a native of the Empire State, having 
been born in 1824. He is the second in a familj' 
of seven children, whose i)arents were Ralph and 
Clarissa ((Tridley) Kellogg, and but three of that 
number are yet living : Lucinda, the eldest, is now 
deceased; AVayne is the next in order of l)irth; Ad- 
elina makes her home with our subject; Sarali and 
Semore have also passed away; George died in the 
year 1840, and Chance}-, wlio for some time was 
Judge of the Surrogate Court, twelve miles from 
Junction City, is now engaged in farming in con- 
nection with our subject. 

Wayne Kellogg was reared to manhood in his 
native .State, and there continued to reside until 
thirty years of age, when he resolved to try his for- 
tune in the AVest. In 1854 he left his Eastern 
home and came to Rock County. AVis.. and the fol- 
lowing spring purchased a farm in Pl3mouth 
Township, which continues to be his home. Tt 
comprises 152^ acres of land. The man\- fine 
raprovements are all due to his efforts, and 




in connection with his other labors he has 
engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, mak- 
ing a specialty of the breeding of fine horses, 
in wiiicii he has been quite successful. He is 
one of the self-made men of the county, having 
started out in life with no capital, yet combining 
good business ability with in<lustr3' and enterprise, 
has become one of the well-to-do men of the com- 
munity. He has shared in the trials and privations 
of frontier life, when conveniences were few, mar- 
kets far distant, and the implements of farming 
were verj' rude in comparison with the highly im- 
proved raacliinerj' of to-daj-. He has mowed his 
whole farm with a scytiie. mowing twentj- acres 
per week. 

Adeline, now Mrs. Pentecost, the sister of our 
subject, is keeping house for lier brother. She was 
born on the 6th da}- of January. 1823, in the State 
of New York, and was married April 17, 1860, 
becoming the w-ife of Philip Pentecost, who was a 
native of England. Five cliildren were born of 
their union, four of whom are now living: Lucian, 
who resides in Oto. AN'oodbury Co.. Iowa, married 
Olive Smith, by whom he has five children; Ida B. 
is special agent of the Pennsylvania Mutual Life 
Insurance Com|ian\-. wilii headquarters at 143 
La.Salle Street, Chicago. III. Clara A. married 
Almon Newton, a resident of Beloit Township; 
Hattie M. is still with her mother; Harriet Byron 
died in Beloit in 1863. 

In his political views Mr. Kellogg is in sym- 
path}^ with the Repulilican party. He is a public- 
spirited man. but has never sought office, choosing 
rather to attend strictly to his jirivate affairs. He 
is of a genial and pleasant disposition, and is held 
in high regard by his friends and acquaintances. 



T^RED AV. COON, an enterprising and lead- 
ing business man of Edgerton. Wis., is the 
editor of the AVisconsin Tobacco Reporter. 
That journal was established as the Edgerton Inde- 
pendent in December, 1874, by W. V. and F. E. 
Tousley, who continued their connection for about 
one j-ear, when the latter retired and W. F. Toiislcy 
continued its publication alone until his death 




r 




Q>.J.(^Ji 



i-jz.-^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



923 



wliicli Occurred in 1881. The paper .assumed its 
present title in 1878. After the dealli of Mr. Tous- 
ley, it was conducted under the managenuMit of the 
administrator of the estate, until it was purchased 
by Mr. Coon ou the 1st day of July. 1882. The 
paper is independent in |)olitics, and as its name 
implies, is devoted largely to the tobacco interests 
of Wisconsin. The success to which the paper has 
attained since it came into the possession of Mr. 
Coon, is indicated by the fact that during this 
time its circulation has increased from 800 to 2500 
copies. The Reporter is a handsome sheet, ably 
conducted, and is of great value to the tobacco 
growers and dealers of the State. The editor is a 
practical newspaper man, having had many j-ears' 
experience in the business, and is well deserving of 
a liberal patronage. 

Mr. Coon is a native of Dane County', Wis., his 
birth occurring on the 14th day of June, 18o0. He 
was reared to manhood, gaining his education .at 
Albion Academy, and at the .State University, from 
which he graduated in 1873. In August, 1874, he 
removed to Ocononiowoc, Waukesha County, and 
began the puhlicallon of the Oeonomowoe Local. 
of that city, in company with A. C. Macorie for 
one year, and continued his connection with that 
paper until 1883. about a year after purchasing his 
present paper, when the property was sold. Mr. 
Coon is a public spirited and i)rogressivc man, who 
takes an active interest in the welfare of the com- 
munity, and is held in high respect by all who 
know him. 

^•(B) : — <! » 

ON. DUSTIN GROW CHKEVER, one of 
Rock County's most prominent citizens, and 
a residi'ut of Clinton, was born in llard- 
W) wick. Caledonia County, \i., on the 30lli 
daj' of .lanunrv. 1«.'!0. His paternal ancestors for 
several guuerations back, were residents of the 
Green Mountain State, and were leading citizens 
of the community in which they resided. The 
patern.al great-grandfather, William Checver, was 
born in Chatham, M.ass., in tlie year 1745, and 
died in Hardwick, \X.. at the age of eighty-three. 
He marrie<l Zeviali Rider, and of their union were 
born live chililren, who lived to be adults, namely: 
-4v 



Nathaniel, Nathan, Polly, who became the wife of 
Ephraim Perrin. and resided in Caledonia County, 
\i.: Catura Zeviah, who wedded Saniucl True and 
lived in Perry, N. V., .and Sally, who married 
Isr.ael Sanborn. 

N.ath.aniel Cheever, the eldest child of William 
and Zevi.ah Cheever, and the grandfather of our 
subject, was born in the city of Plymouth. N. H., 
in 1774, and after attaining to j-ears of maturity, 
w.as united in marriage with Miss Sarah Walton, 
whose birth occurred in the s.ame State in 1778. 
Unto them were born a familj' of twelve children. 
Simeon W., who was born Sept. 23, 1799, and died 
in W.alden, Vt., Jan. 3, 1880; William born May 
25, 1801, died in H.ardwick, Oct. 15, 1878; Josiah 
R., born Jan. 13, 1803, is a resident of Rock 
County; Eunice, born Oct. 3, 1804, still in.akes her 
home in Hardwick, Vt. ; Ammon, now deceased, 
was born Dec. 30, 1806, and married Miss Adeline 
Gilbert; Nathan, who was born Nov. 20, 1808, and 
is now living in Hardwick, married Lydia Giflfin, 
an<l after her death wedded Julia Dewey ; Nathaniel, 
who was born July 10, 1810, and became the hus- 
band of Miss Ann Ramsdell, departed this life in 
Hardwick in 1847; Emily 1)., born Aug. 19, 1812, 
was the wife of D.aniel McDaniels, and died in 
Hardwick, Sept. 17, 1878; Josei)h and Samuel, 
twins, died in infancy; Moses R., born Aug. 27, 
1815, married Miss Mary Pope, who died Dec. 21, 
1872, and he died in Harvard. III.. April 4, 1876; 
Sanniel R., the youngest of the family', w.as born 
.Sept. 3, 1817, wedded So|)hia Dow, and died in 
1875. 

Josiah R. Cheever, the father of our subject, w.as 
married in Ins native town of Hardwick, Vt., on 
the 1st day of January, 1829, by Rev. Marvin 
Grow, when Miss Candace ti. IJronsou became his 
wife. She was born in the same place, .lune 18, 
1806. and was a daughter of Elihu and Dalinda 
(Grow) Rronson. The union of this worthy cou- 
ple was blessed with five children, who lived to 
mature years, of whom Dustin G., of this sketch, is 
the first in order of birth; Adeline L., the second 
child, was born Dec. 23, 1831, and married Elka- 
nah P. Mason, now of Delphos, Ottawa Co., Kan., 
l)y whom she has two children. Silas C., a i)rofes- 
sor in the Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kan., 



1 ' 



ROCK COUNTY. 



and Ualiiula, who is n professor in the State Agri- 
cnllural College nt Brooking, Dak., and married 
Prof, diaries .1. C'olcy, who is employed in the 
same institution; Silas G.. who was born on the 
23d day of .Tannary. 1836, and is now on the edi- 
torial staff of the Morning Call of San Francisco 
Cal., who wedded Miss Polly A. Wells, J nly H. 
1858, by whom one child was born, Elwin F., but 
vvjio died aged two years. His wife died May !, 
1885, and he married Miss Phoebe H. Carr, April 28, 
1887; Josiah, who was born Oct. 27, 1841, was 
among the first to respond to his conntry's call for 
troops to put down the Rebellion, enlisting iu 1861 
Company B., loth Vermont Infantry, and serving 
witli that faitlifulness to duty wliieh insured success, 
until, when weakened by exposure and the rigor and 
hardships which alwaj^s form a part of war, he 
succumbed to disease, and died at Alexandria, Va., 
April 28, 1863, where he was laid to rest in the 
national cemetery; Elihu W. B., the youngest of 
this family, was born in Stannard, Vt., June 17, 
1844, now resides in Deiphos. Kan., and has been 
twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name 
was Kate Newman, was killed in a cyclone June 
29, 1873. leaving one child, Constance, and after 
her death he was joined in wedlock with Adelia 
Lamson, by whom he has two daughters, Christie 
and an infant. On the 27th day of May. 1885, 
Mrs. Cheever, the mother of this family was called 
to her final rest, her death occurring in Clinton. 
She was a sincere Christian lady, a member of the 
Baptist Church, and was highly esteemed by all 
who knew her. Mr. Cheever is still living and re- 
sides in Clinton. 

The early life of our subject was spent in his 
native State. His primary education was received 
in the common schools, and supplemented by a 
conrse in the Derbj' Academy, where ln^ was a 
schoolmate of ex-(;overnor Proctor, the present 
Secretar}' of War under President Harrison. In 
1851, with a view of bettering his finances, Mr. 
Cheever emigrated to the West, and purch.ased land 
on the site of the present town of Clinton, where 
he has made his home continuously since. He has 
ever been an earnest worker for the interests of the 
community in which he lives, aVd is a citizen of 
which any Slate might well be pidud. Deteiniin- 



-•^ 



ing to follow agricultural pursuits, he gave his 
whole attention and energy to the subject in hand, 
and to his own efforts can be attributed his success. 

(_)n the 4th <lay of January, 1853, Mr. Cheever 
led to the marriage altar. Miss Cluistiana Grow, 
and the uni(jn of hearts was consuniniated by the 
union of hands. She was born in Craftsbury. Vt. 
July 22, 1832, and they became the parents of two 
children. Ralph W., who was born in Clinton, 
Jul3' !>. 1854, and married Miss Vashti Luella Irish, 
a daughter of James Irish, of Clinton, and is now 
editor and proprietor of the Clinton Herald; Ar- 
thur, the younger, was born Jan. 8, 1864. The 
death of Mrs. Cheever occurred on the 1st day of 
January, 1873, and our subject was again married 
Oct. 17, 1878, to Mrs. Dell L. Bailey, widow of L. 
P. Bailey, a native of the Bay State, born in Stur- 
bridge, July 21, 1825. She had one child by her 
former marriage, PhcBbe L., who was born in Del- 
avan Wis., May 28, 1860. 

Since becoming a resident of Rock County, Mr. 
Cheever has served his fellow citizens in various 
local offices, the ihities of which he h.as alwaj's dis- 
charged in a prompt and able manner. He filled the 
the office of Supervisor of the Township, was Justice 
of the Peace for fifteen years, and in 1871. was hon- 
ored by an election to the State Legislature. The 
fidelity which he manifested to the interests of the 
people, and his ability in the performance of his la- 
bors, led to his re-election in 1872, while his course 
during the entire time of service won the respect and 
confidence, not only of his friends, but also of his 
political enemies. For seven years he filled the 
office of Trustee of the Wisconsin Institute for the 
education of the deaf and dumb. His labors in the 
interests of the Republican party, of which he is an 
ardent sujiporter, have been productive of much 
good for that organization. .-111(1 in the temperance 
cause, he is alw.ays found in the front ranks, fight- 
ing that enemy of human happiness, the liquor 
traffic, to the bitter end. In his social relations, 
Mr. Cheever is a member of the JMasonic frater- 
nity, belonging to Beloit Chapter, and religiouslj', 
is a member of the Baptist Church. His honorable, 
upright career in the various walks of life, has won 
for him the sincere esteem and confidence of all 
who know him. and we are pleased to record this 



i 



"-k^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



925 , . 




brief sketch in tiie history of ills adopted county, 
in whose upbuilding lie has been so prominent and 
important a factor. lu 1873 (lov. Washburn ap- 
pointed Mr. Clieever chairman of the committee to 
visit tlie cliaritable and jienal institutions. His 
colleagues were .1. E. Irish and J. L. Mitchell, of 
the Senate, and C. S. Kelse^' and Joseph Rankin, of 
the Assembly. 

See portrait of .Mr. and Mrs. Cheever on another 
page. 

"♦•• > ' ^^B^ ' < • ••• - 

ON. .SOLOMON C. CARR, residing on sec- 
tion l!l. in the town of Milton, is one of the 
honored pioneers of Rock County, and one 
of the leading citizens not only of the com- 
munity but of the State. By his work in the Patrons 
of Husbandry, he has gained a wide reputation, of 
which he may justly be proud. He was born on 
the I'Jth day of December, 1830, in New York, and 
is a son of Pelcg S. and Deborah (Goodrich) Carr, 
who were natives of Rensselaer County, N. Y. The 
father was descended from Scotch ancestry, and the 
mother was of English origin. Peleg Carr followed 
the occupation of farming throughout his entire 
life. He grew to manhood in his native county, 
and was there joined in wedlock with Miss Good- 
rich, who proved a true helpmate to him. In 1839, 
with the desire to better his financial condition, he 
resolved to emigr.ate to the West, where the ad- 
vantages were superior to those afforded by the 
older States of the East. Accompanied by his fam- 
ily he reached the Territory of Wisconsin on the 
2Gth day of May, 1839, and the next (Lay bought a 
claim of 480 acres in Milton Township, Rock 
County. The land was uncultivated, and excejit 
on one acre not a furrow had been turned, and not 
a fence had been built or an improvement made. 
He moved into a little log cabin, which became the 
first home of the family in this county. Underneath 
its roof they shared the trials and privations incident 
to frontier life, and witnessed the growth of town 
and county. Ten children were liorn to Mr. .and 
Mrs. Carr, six sons and four daughters : Poll^^ A. be- 
came the wife of Nathaniel Rose, and are both now 
deceased. She was born .Ian. 24. 1817; Ezra S.. born 
March 19, 1819, studied medicine and attained to a 



.^Ah^ 



place of jirominence in the ranks of his professional 
brethren; Nelson lives in California, aged sixty- 
seven; Enieline w.as born August 14, 1826. and mar- 
ried Robert Powell; she is now deceased. .John S., 
Iiorn .Tune 18, 1822, died in 18o0; Solomon Carpen- 
ter was the sixth in order of birth ; Eleanor M.. born 
Jan. 26, 1833, is the wife of Henry Powell, a conduc- 
tor on the Chicago. Burlington &, Quincy Railroad, 
residing in Chicago; Elijah M.,born March 11, 183."), 
is a prominent fruit-grower residing in .San Luis, 
Obispo Co., Cal.; Sarah C, born November, 1.5, 
1836, became the wife of H. W. Maxon, and is now- 
deceased; Joseph G.. born 'March 19, 1840, is rep- 
resented elsewhere in this work. As the children 
reached a sufficient age they were afforrled good 
opportunities for securing an education, and were 
thus fitted for useful and responsible positions in 
life. 

Mr. Carr. the father of this family, died at his 
home in the town of Milton, Sept. 28. 1846. at the 
age of fifty-three years. He was permitted to en- 
joy his new home only a short time, but had the 
satisfaction of knowing that his family was well 
provided for. His wife survived him many years, 
dying on the 24th day of Septembf^r. 1874. Thev 
were sincere and earnest Christian people, devoted 
members of the Free Will Baptist Church. Eor 
many years the members in the community assem- 
bled ill their cabin each Sunday morning for wor- 
ship and lifted their hearts and voices in i)raise 
antl gratitude to the Giver of all good. 

Solomon C. Carr has been a resident of Rock 
County since the age of nine years. His education 
was received in the schools of the town of Milton, 
where for more than half a centuiy he has had his 
home. He w.a.s reared to manhood on his father's 
farm, and throughout his life has followed agricult- 
ural pursuits. Enterprising and progressive, from 
the early history of the community he has liecn 
nnmbcred among its leading citizens, one whom 
an}- State might be glad to enumerate among her 
inhabitants. On the 31st d.ay of December. 1851, 
he led to the marriage altar Miss Isabella Mackey, 
a native of the Keystone State and a daughter of 
George T. Macke^, one of the pioneer settlers of 
Rock County. The same year he bought the old 
homestead farm, comprising 240 acres of fine ara 



1' 



>► ll ^ » 



926 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ble land, which is situated on sections 19 and 20, 
in liie town of Milton. The young couple tliere 
lii'<.'an tin ir domestic life, and the home was glad- 
dened liy the presence of four children tliere burn 
unto them. Under its sheltering roof (heir child- 
hood da3-s were passed, and they grew to manhood 
and womanhood. William 8.. the eldest, who was 
born Jan. 9, 18.i3. and is now in the railroad em- 
ploy, residing in \V;ir>aw. Wis., was married in 
May, 1883, and has two children — Cecil G. and 
Minnie G.; Mnemisyue I., born Oct. 28, 1855, is 
the wife of William C. King, a book |)ul)lisher, of 
Spiiiigfield Ma-s.. and tliey are the parents of two 
cliilkri 11 — Grice Bill and Ethel May ; Florence S.. 
liorii May 20, 18G1. is a practicing physician of 
Springfield, Mass.; Kittie Euphrosyne, theyoungest. 
born Oct. is, 186(). was married, Dec. 4, 1888, to 
Clinton E. Marquette, a resident farmer of the 
town of Milton. Mr. and Mrs. Carr have spared 
neither expense nor labor in providing their chil- 
dren with good educational advantages, and they 
have all become honorable and useful men and 
women who do credit to the name. 

Rock County has few citizens who have gained 
for themselves so prominent a position as has Mr. 
Carr. As a farmer he is practical and progressive 
and h.as done much for the agricultural interests 
of the State. His farm is one of the finest in the 
community, the land is highly cultivated, the barns 
and outbuildings are models of convenience, and 
his machinery is of the Latest improved kinds. His 
jjleasant home is the abode of goodwill, and the 
hospitable host and hostess extend to one and all a 
kindly greeting. In political affairs Mr. Carr has 
also taken a deep interest, and has been one of the 
leaders of the Republican partj' in this community. 
In 1865 he was nominated as a candidate for the 
General Assembly, and triumphantly elected, re- 
ceiving 651 votes against 233 cast for his oppon- 
ent. In 1874 he w-as again elected to the same 
office, .and was a member of the House at the time 
of the pass.age of the Potter Law. He acted upon 
the railroad and other committees, and while in the 
Legislature gave to every question which came up 
before the House his careful consideration. By his 
thouglitful investigation he wa.s prepared to cast an 
intelligent ballot for the interests of the people in 



general, which he did without fear or favor. A 
man of strong convictions, when once his mind is 
m.ade up and he h.as decided as he believes in the 
right, neither ridicule nor praise, censure nor flat- 
teiy could turn him. 

The labors of Mr. Carr in behalf of the Pat- 
rons of Husbandry have been of untold benefit to 
that organization, and he lia.s been sustained and 
aided in his work by his four brothers, who are 
also prominent leaders in the grange. For the past 
eight years he has fillled the position of Worthy 
Master of the Wisconsin State Grange, and spent 
much of his time delivering lectures on agriculture. 
Truly the Carr brothers have done much for the 
fanning interests of this country, and have devoted 
their time and talent also to the development of 
the mind, believing that knowledge is necessary to 
the successful agriculturist. In the winter of 1888-9 
Solomon C. Carr, Worthy Master (t{ Wisconsin 
Grange, made a visit to C.alifornia. where he de- 
livered a number of lectures in behalf of the Pat- 
rons of Husbandry. He was everywhere greeted 
with well-filled houses, and his laliors so endeared 
him to the hearts of California's hospitable people, 
that, to quote from one of their papers, "It brought 
him so closely to our hearts that we almost feel 
that he is one of us." On arriving at .Santa Rosa 
he entered a large gathering, and, surrounded by 
the public, was introduced to his brother whom he 
had not seen for thirty-five years. Three brothers 
were there present, Hon. S. C. Carr, J. G. Carr and 
Nelson Carr, all Masters of Granges. The other 
brother, E. 'M. Carr, is also a prominent worker in 
the order, but was not present at the reunion. 
Surely the sketch of these honored men is worthy 
a representiition in the permanent record of Hock 
of County, of which they have all been residents, 
while two are yet numbered among its le.iding and 
v.alued citizens. 



^(ONAS IT. BART LETT, who is engaged in 
farming and stock-raising on section 19. 
Newark Township, is a native of the Green 
Jlountain .St.ate, having been born in Cale- 



iloiiia Count V, Nov. 13, 1839. His paients, Chan- 



^ 



^^ 



H 




(f 



T':^ 



A 




><— -^-**^ 




i^-nri^^" 



■► m^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 




cey and .Iciiiima (Stoddard) I>aitk'tt, were also na- 
tives of \'erniout. The general history of the 
Bartlett family is given in the sketch of Hcrriek 
IJartlett. In 1814, the father came to Wisconsin, 
antl located a farm on section 22, Newark Town- 
ship, where the family resided until 1848. when he 
preenipteil fort}' acres on section I'.l, and huildinga 
little loi,^ cabin, took up his residence in his new 
home. That farm is the one now owned by our 
subject, and the little log cabin, in which the pa- 
rents passed the remainder of their days is still 
standing, being used by him as a barn. The fa- 
ther's death occurred March (>, 1877, and his wife 
departed this life in April, 1871). Mr. Bartlett was 
a man who took an active part in all pulilic mat- 
ters, and was an ardent supporter of the Republi- 
can party. He and his wife were the parents of 
three children. Eniilj', who is now the wife of 
Capl. Reed, a resident of California; Helen wedded 
Hoyt Uerrick and emigrated to California, where 
she died in August, 1886. 

Our subject w.as educated in the common schools 
of Newark Township, and upon the farm where he 
still makes his home was reared to manhood. He 
was united in marriage, on the 2d d.av of October, 
18G8, with Miss Helen M. Carpenter, who was born 
April 28, 1845. in Gloversville, Fulton Co., N. Y., 
and is a daughter of E. L. and Tryphosa (Mead) 
Carpenter. Her parents are both natives of New 
York, ami now reside in Janesville. Her father is 
one of the leading citizens of Rock County, and for 
many j'ears has held public offices, discharging his 
duties with credit tohim.self and to the satisfaction 
of his constituents. 

The young couple began theirdomestic life upon 
the farm where they still reside, and on the death 
of the father Mr. Bartlett became owner. He 
has steadily continued the work of improvement, 
and now has 145 acres under a high state of culti- 
vation. In 1883, he erected a two-story frame res- 
idence, the pleasant home of himself and family. 
The farm is stocked with a good grade of horses 
and Jersej' cattle, and is one of the best in Newark 
Township, the entire surroundings denoting thrift 
and enterprise. While devoting most of his atten- 
tion to his farm work, Mr. Bartlett yet finds time 
to devote to public matters, and is well informed 



on all the leading issues of the day. He is a sup- 
porter of the Republican party, but has never 
sought or desired public office. His wife is a mem- 
member of the Baptist Church. This worthy cou- 
ple have an interesting family of tive children. 
Harvey C, who was born April 1<(, 1871; Frank 
C, .luly 6, 1873; Charles K.. March 31, 1876; 
Harry Raymond, March 17, 1880, and Jones 
W., April 16,1883. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett are 
numbered among the leading citizens of Newark 
Township, and hold a high position in the social 
world. 

-5 .^^ 5- 

ilL---. ON. W. H. TRIPP, who is numbered amonf 
if jl the early settlers, is a native of Pennsylva- 
-^^ nia, having been born in Lackawana County, 
'^) in 1821. His parents were Stephen and 
Nancy (Benedict) Tripp, the former a native of 
East Greenwich, R. 1.. the latter "of Warwick, 
Orange Co., N. Y., and both were of English de- 
scent. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Tripp, 
served his country during the Revolutionary War. 
With his faniih. he removed from Rhode Island to 
Luzerne County, Pa., when Stephen Tripp w.ts ten 
years of age, and in that county the latter remained 
until his death, which occurred Sept. 10. 1X41. at 
the age of sixty-five years. He was united in m.ir- 
riage with Nancy Benedict, and to them were born 
eight children — Horace, who is now living in Gi-n- 
essee County. N. Y., at the .advanced age of eighty- 
five years; Harriet, deceased wife of Samuel Church, 
her death having occurred in Oregon. Warren Co., 
in 1884; Hannah, wife of H. B. Uailey, of Prophets- 
town, 111.; Samuel, who died in Pennsylvania, at 
the age of fifty-four years; Xiamya, W., a lead- 
ing farmer of Rock County, Wis.; Polly, widow 
of James Hartley, of Scranton, Pa.; Fannie, wife 
of Lewis Armstrong, of W^'oming County, Pa. 

Stephen Tripp, the father of these children, was 
a prominent citizen of the community in which he 
resided, and took an active part in political and 
public affairs generally. He was numbered among 
the pioneers of Luzerne County, Pa., to which he 
removed when ten 3-eai-s of age. The county w.as then 
very sparsely settled, trading pl.aces were distant and 
the mills were miles away. Often, when going to mill 



r^^r^f-^ 



..u 



928 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Hr 



to get tlie grain ground, he would have to travel 
over country through which no road had been 
made, following only an Indian trail, which at 
times would be obscured and at its best was never 
very distinct. The cause of education found in 
him a true friend. Not receiving opi)ortunities for 
instruction himself, he resolved that his children 
should tu)t know the difficulties which such a dis- 
advantage caused, and gave them opijortunities for 
obtaining such knowledge as would lit them for 
the practical duties of this life, and he lived to see 
them o -cnpying respectable and responsible po- 
sitions. 

The hardships ondurcd in that early Pennsylvania 
home cannot be imagined, save by those wiio have 
had a similar experience. On one occasion Isaac 
Tripp took his young son, .Stephen, with liiin to mill 
at Wilkesbiirre, a distance of eighteen miles from 
their home. They rode one horse and placed their 
grist upon another. As usual they were required to 
wait some time for their turn. ' On securing their 
meal they mounted their horse as before, with the 
meal strapped upon the back of the other. As they 
were slowly winding their way homeward, some 
wild animal came suddenly into view which fright- 
ened their horses, which, plunging around un- 
loosened the strings of the s.ack in which wa-s their 
meal, and all was spilled upon the ground. When 
they quieted the horses, they tried to scrape up the 
meal, but only secured enough for one baking, 
which was the first bread they had eaten for seven 
weeks. Either at this time, or upon another occa- 
sion, when the family was without bread, a Con- 
necticut family in passing through, offered to sup- 
ply their wants, but the old gentleman, with a great 
deal of dignity, thanked them for the offer, but 
said that he did not i)ropose any one should say 
that they ever kept the Tripp family from starving. 
The subject of this sketch w.as reared to agricul- 
tural pursuits and remained a resident of his na- 
tive State until 1849, when he emigrated to Hock 
County, Wis., locating on section 4, Kock Town- 
ship, on the farm which still continues to be bis 
home. He purchased 200 acres of land and imme- 
diately began its cultivation and improvement. On 
the 14th day of January, 1844, he was united in 
t marriage with Delilah Thomas, a native of Wyo- 



ming County, Pa., and to them were born three 
children — Theodore F.. who was a soldier in the 
3.5th Wisconsin Infantry, offered up his life on the 
altar of his countrj-. his death occurring when 
nineteen years of age; George B. is now married 
and resides on the home farm; and Hattie H. is the 
wife of Josei)h H. Porter of Cooksville. Wis. 

Socially, Mr. Tripp is a member of the ^I.asonic 
fraternity, and his wife is a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. In politics he is an ardent 
siipjiorter of the Republican party and has been 
honored by his fellow citizens with various official 
positions. For two years he served as Chairman of 
the iJoard of County .Supervisors; for four years 
held the office of County Commissioner, and in 
1857 was elected to the House of Representatives 
of the General Assembly of Wisconsin. He also 
held the office of Trustee of the Institute for the 
Blind for the long period of twenty consecutive 
jears. receiving the appointment from the various 
governors of the .State during that time. During 
his long residence in this county, he has been prora 
inently identified with its development and growth 
and to his individual efforts c.'in be attributed in 
no small degree the many public improvements of 
which its citizens arc justly proud. Public spirited 
and progressive, honest and ui)riglit, he enjoys the 
respect and confidence of the entire community. 

JOHN STOCKMAN, residing on section 6, 
Harmony Township, is one of the early set- 
tlers of the county, h.'uing since 184."i liecn 
numbered among tlie citizens of this t-um- 
munity. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, 
and is a son of James and Rebecca (White) Stock- 
man. The children of their family were John, the 
subject of this sketch, who w:is born ,'^cpt. 2, 1827; 
Robert born April 3, 1830, and is now farming' in 
Milton Township; Sophia, born Oct. 31, 1H31. and 
died in September, 1875; .lane, widow of Rev. An- 
drew Walker, was burn .Ma\ 10. I83C, and resides 
in Milton; H. H., l)orn Aug. 17. 1839. resides in 
the township of Milton, and is farming; James, who 
was born in 1841, died in 1856; Rebecca, born May 
26, 1845. is the wife of Thomas Lormer, of Stough- 



Y 



-^^zk^ 



A^ 



ROCK COUNTY 



920 



ton. Dane County. Wis. The parents of these 
childivii were l)oth natives of the Emerald Lslo. 
The father wa.s born in 1797, and in hi.s youth 
followed the trade of a stone mason. He emi- 
trrated to America in lis31.and lived in the city of 
I'iiiladelpliia two years, and then removed to Sara- 
toga County, N. Y., and in the spring of 1843, 
with liis family, came to Milton, Rock Co.. Wis., 
where he resided until his death, in Sei)tember, 
1S74. His wife was l)orn in 1802. and died March 
4, 1877. 

Our subject came with his parents to America. 
.•Hid remained under the parental roof until twenty- 
six years of age, when he wedded Miss Elizabeth 
Nicholson. Dec. 14, I8o3. She is a native of Lin- 
colnshire, England, born Aug. 17, 1834. and was 
the eldest of a family of live children, whose pa- 
rents were William and Mary (IJoolh) Nicholson. 
The eiiildren of that famil}' were as follows: Eliza- 
beth, Henry, Richard, Alice and Isabella, all of 
whom are now deceased with the exception of 
Mrs. Stockman. Mr. Stockman uml his jouiig 
bride began their domestic life upon a farm of 134 
acres in the town of Hrirniony. wlilcli he had pre- 
viously purchasefl. This Land was partly improved, 
fifteen acres having been put under the plow, while 
a little log cabin had been built. His present resi- 
dence was erected in 18o(). and is built of liriek 
wliich were manufactured on the farm by himself 
and his l)r()ther Robert, who burnt a kiln of 
150,000 brick for the erection of Ilieir homes. 
In connection with his land on sections a and t!. 
Harmony Township, iVIr. .Stockman is the owner of 
eighty acres on section .31. Milton Township, and 
operates in all 214 acres. He is regarded as one of 
the leading farmers and citizens of tiie community 
in which he resides, and since 1872, at which time 
the Farmers' .Mutual Fire Insurance Company of 
Harmony, Milton, Fulton and .lanesville townshi|)s 
was organized, has served as its Secretary. Socially 
he is a member of Milton Lodge, No. ().">, L O. O. I"\, 
of Milton .lunction. and of the P. of H. Order, he- 
longing to Du Lac Grange, No. 72. which is 
also in Milton .lunelion. He and his wife are 
members of the Preshyterian Church, and he is 
also a strong advocate of temperance principles. 
' '' In his political alliliations he is a Republican of 



the truest type, but is not an aspirant for public 
office. For forty-six years Mr. Stockman has re- 
sided in Rock County, and is numbered among its 
honored pioneers. He has witnessed almost its entire 
growth and development, has participated in the 
progress and transformation that have taken place, 
and has been prominent in llie promotion of public 
entei'prises wliich have for their object the good of 
the communit}'. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stockman have been the parents of 
eleven children, of whom eight are now living. 
R. H. is the eldest, and was born Nov. 25, 1855. 
He is now living in F'ullon Township, Rock County, 
and is farming. He married Lillian 15. Peek. Sept. 
1, 1880, and to them have lieen born two children, 
Hlaneiie P. and Robert K. W. J., born Feb. 8, 
1850. married Miss Alma V. Story, and is engaged 
in farming in Potter County, S. Dak.; John R., 
born Dec. 23, 18G0. unmarried, is a teacher in this 
county; Rebecca A., born Dec. 11, 1862, wedded 
Dr. L. V. Bennett, of Lyons, Wis., and to them has 
been born one child, (ieorge S.; Sophia, born April 
24. 1865; Martha .T...Iuly 18. 1867; Ellen K.. Aug. 
24. 1860; Matilda, May 10, 1873. 



\'^AM1CS HL'LL, a retired farmer and promi- 
nent citizen of the villatre of l^ima Center. 
Wis., is a native of the Fiiipire .State. Inv- 
in<r b. en boin in Cortland Ci'Unlyon the 
11th day of .lanuary. 1810. His parents, Zerah 
and Roxy (Looinis) Hull, were born in Connecti- 
cut, and i;i his early days the father was en- 
gaged in blacksmithing. but in later life followed 
the occupation of farming. Our sultject was the 
third in order of birth in the family of six chil- 
dien. all of whom were born in Cortland County, 
N. Y.: Looinis, who was born Nov. 20. 1816, and 
emigrated to Wisconsin in 1841. became one of 
the leading farmers of the town of [^ima. Rock 
County, where he died, his remains being interred 
in the Utter's Corners Cemetery; Michael, born 
Dec. 22, 1818, died in Cortland County. N. Y. ; 
James, of this sketch, is the next in order of birth; 
Samuel, born Feb. 18, 1821, is a resident farmer of 
the town of Johnstown, Rock County; Lois, born 



^^ 



:^Jf^^ 



930 




ROCK COUNTY. 



July 1. 1825, is the wife of James Stephens, a far- 
mer residing in Dane Count}-, Wis.; P^lijali and 
Elislia, twins, were born June 29. 1830, and the 
latter died in Eau Claire County, Wis., Maj' 10, 
1885, while the former is engaged in merchandising 
in Lima Center; Electa, born July 16, 1813, is the 
widow of Ara Hardj\ and resides on the old home- 
stead in the town of Lima. 

In 1839, accompanied by his wife and children, 
Mr. Hull, having disposed of his i)roperty in New 
York, emigrated to the West. The 30th day of 
May, 1840, witnessed his arrival in Rock County, 
where he passed the remainder of his daj's. He 
entered 320 acres of land in the town of Lima, 
which was then in a wild, uncultivated condition, 
and after moving into a little log cabin, began the 
development of a farm. In that home the family 
spent their pioneer days, and underneath its shelter- 
ing roof witnessed the rapid growth of the town 
and county. Mr. Hull was a life-long member of 
the Congregational Church, to which his wife also 
belonged, and for man\- years filled the office of 
Deacon. He was one of Rock County's most hon- 
ored citizens, and was beloved by all who knew 
him. He was ahv.ays ready to extend a helping 
hand to the down fallen, to render substantial aid 
to the needy, and to speak a word of encourage- 
ment to the despondent. He was welcome to the 
homes of the wealthiest, and the poor man was 
glad to take his hand. In early life be was a 
AVhig. but on the dissolution of that party, became 
a radical Republican, and remained one of the 
stalwart advocates of Republican principles ever 
afterward. He died at his home in the town of 
Lima, his wife surviving some time, and the\' were 
interred side by side in the cemetery- at Whitewater, 
and their memory is lovingly enshrined in the 
hearts of their many friends. 

The early boyhood of our subject was spent 
upon his father's farm and in attenilance at the 
common schools of his native county, where his 
education was received. At the age of eleven 3^ears 
he went to make his home with his uncle. James Hull, 
with whom he remained until 1838, when he began 
learning the shoemaker's trade in the town of 
Little York, serving the term of apprenticeship of 
two years. On the 31st day of December, 1839, 



he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet .Sher- 
man, who was also born in the town of Homer, 
Cortland County, a daughter of Erastus and Rhoda 
(Bostwick) Sherman. That was a day never to be 
forgottei> by Mr. and Mrs. Hull. It w.as in the 
middle of winter, and heav}- snows had fallen until 
the roads had become so blocked that, before Mr. 
Hull could reach his intended bride, a path had to 
be cut through the drifts. The father of the j'oung 
lady, holding the office of I'athm.-ister. he saw that 
the ro.ads were promptly cleared, and in due time 
the marriage ceremony was performed. In the 
spring of 1840 the young couple bade good-by to 
their home and friends in the East, and started for 
the Western front'er to carve out a fortune for 
themselves. Thus the county- secured two of its 
best citizens. Moving into a little log cabin, thej- 
began life in true pioneer style, and though the 
hardships and trials were many, and the inconven- 
iences and ditliculties were great, many hai)py days 
were passed beneath that humble roof, and the old 
logs rang with the merry laughter and shouts of 
four light-hearted children, but at length a dark 
shadow cast its gloom over the home. As the 
flowers were beginning to fade and die, and nature 
was clothing her children in sombre hues i)repara- 
torj' to the coming winter, the loving wife and 
mother was called to her final rest. She died on 
the 12th diiy of .September, 18.V2. at the age of 
thirty-two j'ears, seven months and fifteen davs, 
and was interred in the family burying ground at 
Whitewater. For many j-ears siie had been a 
member of the Congregational Church, and was a 
tried and true Christian, who taught her children 
more by example than by i)recept the righteous way 
of life. Kind and accommodating to her neighbors 
and friends, tender and loving to the home circle, 
her death proved a sad loss to the community. 
She left a husband and four children, two of whom 
have since followed her to that l)ettcr land — 
Erastus, who died I\'b. 11, 1853, and Henry W., 
who w.as killed b^' the cars at Northfield. Minn. 
The two remaining children are Jason W., a har- 
ness-maker residing at Decorah. Iowa, and Ellen .1.. 
wife of L. Stei)hens, a resident farmer of the town 
of Lima. 

On the second of March, 1853, Mr. Hull wjis 



■T 




I 



-4•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



9.31 



airaiii maiiii'(l, tlu' Indv of his clioice l>eing Miss 
Abigail S. Bacon, a native of Cape Cofl, Mass. 
After ttieir nianiaijeour siilijeet biiill a large two- 
story frame residence on liis farm, where they 
made their home until .luly, If^.'^l). when he erected 
his presen'. conifortalile dwellinL; in the village of 
Lima Center. Tliey there t'xpei't to pass their re- 
ni.aining days in retirement from tiie more active 
<liities of life. They can look l)ack over the j'ears 
that are [i.-issed wilii the sati faction of knowing 
that they have not been spent in vain, tliat many 
are the good deeds whicli tliey have viionglit, and 
the kind acts performed. Fur many years Mr. 
Hull has l)een a member of the Congregational 
Church, and has been prominently identified with 
the best interests of the conimnnity, where for 
.•ilmost half a century he has made his home. As 
an honored pioneer, he receives the resiiect and 
ct)nfidence of all with whom business or pleasure 
have lirouglit him in contact; but as a friend and 
worthy ( hristian gentleman, he is greatly beloved. 
In his social relations he is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge at White- 
water, and in his [(olilical sentiments is a stanch 
supporter of the l\e!)iiblican parly. For two years 
he lias served as Chairman of the County lioard of 
Supervisors, and has filled various other offices of 
trust. We arc i)leased to record this brief sketch 
among those of representative citizens of Rock 
County, feeling that none are more worthy than he 
of a place in this record. 



-S^^ 



^^^ROF. C. II. KKYK.S. Superintendent of the 
Janesville i)ublic schools, is one of the lead- 
ing educators of the State of Wisconsin. 
He is still a young man, however, having 
been born in (irant County. Wis.. Sept. 6, 185."^. 
His father, Henry Keyes, was a native of Niagara 
County, N. Y., and an early settler of Grant County, 
Wis. He W.1S a skillful machinist, in which capac- 
itv he was for many years connected with the Chi- 
eagt), Milwaukee & St. Vanl Railroad Company. 
He and his wife were the parents of four sons, of 
which number our subject is the eldest; Kennedy 
F. is engaged in the real-estate business in Ogden; 

4» 



William resides at l,a Crosse, where he is assistant 
train dispatihei- foi- tlie Chicago, Burlington it 
Northern Ivailroad ('(unpaiiy; and George E., who 
is a student in the law otiice of Wiiians A' Hyzer, 
e.\pects to form a [jartnership with his brother C. II. 
in the practice of his profession. 

When a child. Prof. Keyes removed with his 
parents U> I'rairic duCbein. when' hisyoutiifiil days 
were spent and his earl\ edncation received. For 
a period of six years he was a student in the pre- 
paratory department of the college in that city, 
which was under the charge of I'rof. J. T. Lovewell, 
now of W.ashliurn College, Kansas. In 1873 he 
entered ui)on the classical course of the college, 
graduating on the 21th day of .June. 1877. when he 
received the degree of B. A. Immediately after 
conii)lcting his studies he engaged in the profession 
of teaching, and after a brief experience as teacher 
of a district school was tendered and accepted the 
position as i)rinci[)al of the high school of Pepin. 
His next engagement was as superintendent and 
principal of the high school at River Falls, and at 
the end of one year he accepted the professorship 
of mathematics in the State Norm.al School of that 
eit}'. resigning his office as superintendent. This 
department of the Normal he conducted in an able 
and satisfactory manner, but the schools of the city 
had been highly prosperous under his administra- 
tion, and the public was unwilling to lose his serv- 
ices, believing that the best interests of the schools 
demanded his return. lie was therefore induced to 
resume charge of the public schools, and he contin- 
ued until called to Janesville in 1885. 

Prof. Keyes h.as been prominently connected with 
the educational interests of the .State of Wisconsin 
for the i)ast twelve years, and has long been .ac- 
knowledged as one of the most successful conduct- 
ors of institutes within her borders. In fact, it can 
he truthfully said that no high school principal in 
the State has done a greater amount of this class of 
work than he. When we stop to consider the 
great value of institute work, the intluenee it li.as 
exerted in bringing the public schools up to their 
present high stan<lard of excellence, the value of 
such instructors as Prof. Keyes to our educational 
interests can be better realized. The schools of 
Janesville have made rapid progress and assumed a 



932 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Hr 



« n^ALTER SllL'LTS, :i leadinij; cili/.eii :iiul 
\rJ/l and wealthy fanner of Turtle Township, 
^^ residing on section 10. was l)orn in Mont- 
gomery County, N. Y.. March 10, 1»:5.}, and is 
descended from goofl old Revolutionary stock. His 
grandfather, Henry Shults, was horn in the same 
county, on the farm which is still in the pos- 
session of our subject. He lived during the Colo- 
nial days of our history when the Indians were 
very numerous in that Western country and the 
hi u were obliged to carry their muskets with them 

M*- 



iiigher degree of proficiency under his able admin- 
istration. He has occupied many prominent posi- 
tions in tlie ed\icational field, the duties pertaining 
to which he has discharged witli marked skill and 
abilit}'. For three years, from 1883 until 1886, he 
was secretary of tlie Wisconsin Teachers' Associa- 
tion, and in 1888 served as director of tlie Wiscon- 
sin Kxiiibit of the Centenary Kxiiibition of the Na- 
tional Kdncational Association held in Cliicago. 
At present he is a member, for the First Congres- 
sional District, of the Board of Visitors of the Uni- 
versity of Wisconsin, and is secretary of that board 
for 1 88!). The past year. 1 888. he was chairman of 
ihc University .Summer School of Science, and was 
president of the c-ommittee which organized that 
system. For several ,\cars Prof. Keyes has been 
giving considerable attention to the study of law, 
with the view of retiring from life as a teaclier and 
adopting the legal profession, and in A|)ril, 1888, 
was admitted to the bar at Madison by the State 
Board of Examiners. In liis retirement from the 
teaclicr's profession the schools of the State lose 
(me of their most f:\itlifiil and effective workers, 
but llie activity, energy and aliility that have charac- 
terized iiis career b'»'ct,ofore will carry liim rapidly 
to the front in his new profession. 

In 1880. I'rof. Keyes was united in marriage witli 
Miss Nellie E. Brown, a native of (irant Counts 
Wis.. :ind a daughter of Lebbeus Brown, one of the 
early settlers of that county, of wliich he is still a 
resident. Four children, two sons and two daugh- 
ters, grace the union of this worthy couple, namely: 
Maud \ .. Charles Sumner. Harold Brown and Helen 
Brown. 



to meeting for fear of Indian treachery. He met 
with many adventures during his life. Atone time 
vvlien cutting grass in afield with his brother and a 
negro, he was surprised and captured by a band of 
the red men. They had taken their guns with 
them, but before they had time to reach their arras 
the Indians were upon them. They were first 
warned of the appro.acii b^- the barking of their 
dog. Springing b.ackward, Jlr. Sliults tried to es- 
cape but the Indians liad cut off iiis retreat, and 
with his companions he was taken prisoner. Their 
dog was killed and they were forced to eat its flesh, 
while during their confinement they were al.so 
given horse meat. The brother died in captivity, 
bnt Mr. Shults and tiie negro were at length ex- 
changed and piloted through the woods to their 
homes. The stump of the tree yet stands on wliich 
their guns were leaning at the time of their cap- 
ture. His death occiu-rcd at the advanced !ige of 
ninety -six years. 

The Shults family is of Holland descent .as is also 
the other Ijrancl; of tlie family. The parents of our 
subject were Daniel and Caty (Lipe) Shults. The 
father was liorn. reared, lived and died on the old 
hinnestead in Montgomery County, and followed 
the occupation of farming throughout his entire 
life. He was liberal, free-hearted, and with his 
family was the embodiment of generosity. In early 
life he was an ardent supporter of the Whig part}' 
until the organization of the Republican party, 
when he enlisted in its ranks, serving under its 
banner until Ids death, which occurred at the age 
of ninetj-one years aiul four luonths. His wife de- 
(larted this life in November. 1888, at the age of 
eighty-six years, and was laid to rest in the family 
burying ground of Mt>ntgomery Count}'. N. Y. 
liolh Mr. and Mrs. .Shults were members of the Lu- 
theran Church, and were ix'ople highly respected 
in the coinmunil}" where they resided. They had 
a family of twelve children, seven sons and five 
dauiihtcrs. and ten of thai iiuuiIht lived to mature 
years. John, the eldest, is a resident of New York 
City; Alonzo, a retired farmer, is living in Paw 
Paw, Mich.; Daniel I)., is a speculator of Little 
Falls. N. Y'.; Walter is the next in order of birth; 
Catherine, widow of Daniel D. Sliull, resides with 
her children in Sac City, Iowa; Elauor is the wife 



l^ 



-4- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



;i:i3 




of John IMoore, a farmer of Kulton County, N. Y.; 
Klizalieth, siniilc, is a resilient of Montgomery, 
County, N. Y.; Sarali. who makes iier home in Paw 
Paw, Midi., is the widow of Harry Harris; Mary is 
the wife of Charles Hunlmau. of Parkdale, Canada; 
Hein-y. .Jacob and Frazier are all deceased and were 
buried in Montgomery County, X. Y. 

Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon schools of his native county, and his early life 
was spent upon the farm. At the aye of fifteen 
years he left the parental roof and started out in 
life for himself, being first employed as a clerk in a 
general store at Canajoharie. For two years he was 
engaged in that capacity, when in 1852, he went 
to New York Citj' and entered a wholesale notion 
house as salesman. He was next employed for two 
years as a clerk in a country store, after which he 
returned to the old home where he remained until 
the spring of 1801. He came West at that lime 
and settled in Ivock County, locating in La Prairie 
Township, whcic he engaged in farming on 120 
acres of renti'd land. He made his lirst purchase 
of land 18G7, when he became the proprietor 
of a tract of 120 acres on section 21, La Prairie 
Township. He removed to that farm .-md began 
its improvement, and in the course of time placed 
it in a high state of cultivation, by subsequent 
purchase he has extended its boundaries until it now 
conqirises 200 acres. At one time lie owned ijoo 
acres of land in Rock County, but li.is since dis- 
posed of 240 acres. In 1880 he removed to his 
present home in Turtle Township where he owns 
si.xty acres of land on, section 10, located in the vil- 
lage of Shopiere. He also owns the homestead 
farm in Montgomery County, of 14.5 acres, which 
Inis been in posession of the family for three gen- 
erations. 

On the 7tli day of September, 1802. the marriage 
of Walter Shults and Miss Rachel A. Uockstader 
was celebrated. The lady is also a native of Mont- 
gomery County. N. Y., and her parents, .lolin F. 
and Catherine ('. (Wiley) Dockstader, were liorn 
in the same place. They came with their family to 
Wisconsin in 18;')2, but in 1802, removed to 
Mitchell County. Iowa, where they yet reside. 15y 
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Shults have been born 
four ciiildren — Katie May, Rosie (iay, Walter F., 

^ .: : 



and Elizabeth A., to whom they have given good 
educational .■ulvantages and of whom they may well 
feel |iroud. On his arrival in this county. .Mr. 
Shults was in limited circumstances, but he deter- 
mined to make life a success and with characteristic 
energy began his labors. It is entirely due to his 
own efforts of industry and jierseverance that he 
has become one of the wealthy men of Rock 
County. He gave his whole attention exclusively to 
his farming interests, w.as shrewd and careful in his 
business and so rea|)etl the just reward of his labors. 
He has never sought or desired iniblic office, in 
fiict has steadily refused to accept any such posi- 
tion. In politics, he is a Democrat, and his wife is 
a member of the Congregational Church. They 
hold high rank in the social world and are num- 
bered among the county's best citizens. 



-^ -^-#^ ^— 

N. PAl^MEK, one of the progressive and 
enterprising farmers of Sjiring Valley Town- 
ship, residing on sections 3 and 4. is a native 
of Vermont, his birth having occurred in that State 
Dec. 20, 18;?2. His parents. John N. and Ann 
(Snow) Palmer, were numbered among the pioneer 
settlers of this county, ha\iiig arrived in Janes- 
ville on the 4th day of July. 184;j. Locating in 
Johnstown Township, his father iire-erapted 100 
acres of land on section 18, where he made his 
home for about two and a half years, when, in the 
winter of 1848, he removed with his family to 
M.agnolia Township, settling on section 34. Foi 
many years he made his lujme on that farm, when, 
in 1870, he became a resident in the home where 
our subject now lives. His death occurred in ,Se])- 
teinber, 1873. He took an active interest in the 
affairs of the county, was a leading member of the 
Baptist Church, in wliieh he held the ollice of 
deacon for many years, and w:ls everywhere known 
as Deacon P.almer. His wife die<l on the 22d of 
September, 1886. The following obituary was 
written by Elder Cilib, who odiciated at the funeral 
services: 

■•At the residence of William Alcott, in Spring 
\'alley Township, on Wednesday morning. Sept. 
22, 1880, Mrs. J. N. Palmer died, at the age of 



t 



4 



-4•— 

934 



••► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



h 



sevent}' -eight j'ears. Deceased was a daughter of 
Moses and Anna Snow, of Lime, N. H.; born April 
10. 1808, and married to John X. Palmer at Orford. 
X. II., Feb. 22, 1832. Together they came to Wis- 
consin in 1845, first locating at Johnstown, and 
after a brief residence moved to Magnolia, 
tlience about fifteen 3ears ago to the new home 
they erected near the dwelling of their son, near 
Spring Valley Corners, where Deacon Palmer died 
Sept. 4, 1873. Since that time Mrs. Palmer has 
divided her time between the homes of lier son and 
daughter — N. N. Palmer and the late Mrs. William 
Alcott — where her visits have been anticipated with 
ileliglit and where her widowhood and declining 
years have been the subject of dutiful and loving 
attention. Her presence was nothing less than a 
benediction in gentle, orderly, reverent and pleas- 
ing influence alike over the young and the more 
matured in years. Her character was that of a 
(juiet, unassuming Christian, and while not demon- 
strative she shared deeply in the joys, sorrows and 
necessities of others, and never failed to manifest 
lier real interest and concern for kindred, friends 
or strangers by acts of self-denying helpfulness. 

••Since the decease, in April last, of her daugh- 
ter. !Mrs. William Alcott, and as soon as possible 
after rising from a l)ed of sickness herself, she re- 
turned to that bereaved home to assuage its grief 
and sliare its l)urdens as far as in her lay. Such a 
life can only be best appreciated by those who felt 
its daily influence — an influence that will abide 
and continue to speak in its gentleness, goodness 
and constancy .as the combined results of Christian 
faith and a calm and affectionate n.ature. Her loss 
is deei)ly felt by the bereaved families, .and more 
deeply since her decease has occurred so soon after 
that of her daughter, in whom the character of this 
excellent woman was so nearly reproduced. Her 
funeral services were held at the Baptist Cluircli in 
l.rodhead, and conducted by Elders Gibb and 
Dickinson, the writer preaching the sermon from 
.lob 19:25, •For I know that my Redeemer liveth.' 
A large .assembly gathered, expressive of regard 
for the life now closed. The grave, by kindly 
liands, was beautifully clothed with evergreens 
and floral tributes, and the choral services at the 
einirch and grave were excellent and impressive." 

-<• 



The subject of this sketch is the eldest of three 
children arid the only one yet living. Olive, who 
was liorn April 12. 1838, became the wife of Will- 
iam Alcott, a resident of Spring Valley Township, 
and to them were born two children — Minnie O. 
and Anna M. The death of Mrs. Alcott occurred 
in April. 1886. 1). Wel)Ster, who was boi'n Sept. 
27, 1840, died April 28, 1868. leaving a widow to 
mourn his loss, whose maiden name was Silvia M. 
Sprague. 

When our subject was a young lad he came with 
his parents to Rock County, where the greater part 
of his life has since been passed. At the .age of 
twenty years lie began business for himself. In 
the spring of 1853, having a desire to see the new 
country, he started with a party of twenty men for 
California. They hired John Hall to convey- them 
to their destination, which they reached after about 
six months travel. The journey was made with 
two-horse teams and several ox teams, and they 
drove from ten to twenty-five miles per day. On 
the 31st day of March they left Spring ^■alley, 
then a little hamlet containing a store, a hotel, four 
shops and a i)ostofflce, and crossed the Mississippi 
River at Dubuque. Arriving at Council Bluffs, 
they there halted for several da3's, during which 
time a man w;is killed. The following day the 
assassin was tried bv a vigilance committee and 
hanged. On the 17th day of May they left Coun- 
cil Bluffs, crossing the Missouri River at that place. 
On the 12th of July thei' encamped at night bj' 
the side of a snow drift. During the latter part of 
the month they arrived in Salt L.ake City, and 
spent about a week about three miles from the 
city. While there they .attended a Mormon dance, 
the ladies participating being principally the wives 
of the m.an at whose liouse the exercises took i)lace. 
A Mormon eldei' informed them that it was usually 
their custom to open the dance with prayer, but 
that they might jiroceed without. 

.\bout half of the party remained in S.alt Lake 
City until tlie following spring, Init Mr. I'alnicr. 
with the remainder of the company-, continued on 
his way until reaching Lawson's Aleadow, on the 
IIuml)oldt River, where he concluded to go in a 
different direction, and with throe others left the 
party and set ovit on foot. After two days they 



^ 



*^T'^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-■► 



935 



-r 



reached Habhit Ilnle Springs, where Iho}' founil 
water, the last Ihev had until thev liad crossed the 
desert. Mr. Palmer suffered very niueh during 
tins lime. While en route lliev eanie to a eanipof 
emigrants who had stopiied on the way to give 
their cattle rest. There were some ladies in tiie 
party who volunteered to cook for them their 
last provisions, consisting of a pint of rice. The 
ladies added venison, soft bread and coffee to their 
repast. This was the first square meal the party 
iiad had for days. After breakfast Mr. Palmer 
hired out at *50 per month. Arriving in Cali- 
fornia, he went to Shasta City, where he prospected 
for some time, purclnsed a shanty, and later hired 
out to a man for ^75 per month. In June, 1S54, 
he went to Deadwood, prospecting in the <leep 
diggings. For some time his labors proved use- 
less. He got in debt, had no money to pay. and 
was almost giving up in ilespair when he found a 
piece of gold weighing eight ounces. With re- 
newed hope and energy he resumed his task, and 
in the fall went to work foracompany on McAdams 
Creek, receiving 878 i)er month. lie subseqiientl}- 
purchased the cl.aim for^l.OOO, running in debt for 
the same, but success attended his efforts, and in 
the fall of 1857 he returned to his home with about 
$4,000 and much valuable experience. In return- 
ing, he went nine miles on foot to Kureka, then by 
stage forty miles to Callahan's ranch, at the foot of 
Scott's Mountain, where he took a mule train the 
same day. Proceeding to San Francisco, he left 
that city June 5, going by wjiy (if the Isthmus of 
I'anama, foi' home, and on the ;!d day of .lulv. 
1H57, In- arrived in Rock County. 

Soon after his return Mr. Palmer purchased the 
mortgage on a farm in Harmony Township at a 
re<luced rati', the owner desiring the money for 
speculative purposes, this being the time of the 
panic of 1857. When he left home wheat was sell- 
ing at twenty cents per bushel, but on his return it 
l)rought 12 per bushel. In 1857 he purchased a 
little store in Janesville. but not liking the business 
sold out the same year and engaged in speculating 
in real estate in a small w.ay for some time. In 
the spring of 1H58 he purchased the store of Dr. 
Abbott in Spring \alley, but the following October 
sold out to liurr S|)raguc ainl went on a visit to 



the East. In the fall of 1 S5I) he purchased a farm 
in Green County, which, after about a year, he 
traded for the home where he now resides 

On the 24tli day of September, IHtH, Mr. Palmer 
w.as united in marriage with Miss Nellie A.Sprague. 
a daughter of Almeron and Asenath (Noyes) 
Sprague, who were natives of New York, and who 
came to Rock County in 1846. They had a family 
of seven children, four of whom are living. Mel- 
vina died in childhood, while the family were yet 
residents of New York; Ivlwin R., who is a Justice 
of the Peace, of Brodhcad, has been thrice married; 
his first wife, whose maiden name was Laura Haker, 
lived but a year, after which he married Julia A. 
Rice, and to them were born four children, whose 
mother died in 1873, .•ind P'-d win became the hus- 
band of Ma3' Murphy: Clarinda became the wife 
of Edwin Harrington, by whom she had foni- chil- 
dren, three of whom died in childhood, and she 
afterwards became the wife of H. B. Stewart, and 
has one child b}' that marriage, Corald; Hon. Burr 
Sprague, who is living in Brodhead, married Miss 
Levina Abbott, an adopted daughter of S. W. 
Abbott of Monroe, and by their union three chil- 
dren have been born, a daughter and two sons, the 
elder of whom is the editor of the lirodliead 
Reijisier; Mrs. Palmer, next in order of birth, was 
born Feb. 17, 1840; Albert N., when twenty-one 
years of age, was thrown from .'i horse and sup- 
posed to be instantly killed; Sylva M., who bccanu' 
the wife of 1). Webster Palmer, now deceased, is 
now the wife of Lewis B. Bei'be of Evansville. 

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer foui- ciiil- 
dren have been born, three of whom are living: 
Maud E., born .luly 15, 1862, is a graduate of the 
Evansville Semin.'uy, was a student of the St;ite 
University, and is now pursuing a musical course 
under Mrs. Bintliff of Janesville; Albert W., born 
Feb. 7. 1864. married Annie M. Alcott. whose home 
was on the farm near his father's, and to them has 
been born one child, Glenn, born Dec. 19, 1888; 
Ralph Newton, who w.a.s born May 27. 1873, and 
died July 12, 1879, w.os an invalid from birth, and 
but one night during his entire life was the light 
extinguished, while for six j'cars a watch was kei)t 
hour after hour at his bedside, until at last the 
little sufferer was called home; Bernice Clare, the 



f 



^u 



•a^ 



936 



ROCK COUNTY. 



youngest, was born on the (5tli day of June. 1S79. 

Since 1861 Mr. Palmer lias resided upon the 
farm where he yet makes his home. In 1871 he 
embaiked in the nursery business, and at one time 
was the owner of the largest orchard in the town. 
Init of late years he has gradually diminished his 
nursery stock and devoted his attention to the 
raising of thoroughbred Jersey cattle. In the 
spring of 1874 he flrst purchased one of those 
animals, but now owns about fiftj' head of thorough- 
breds, including the best Jersey sire in the State of 
Wisconsin. He is a member of the American 
Jersey Cattle Club and President of the Wisconsin 
State Jersey Breeders' Association, in which he has 
held that ottice for three years. He is also engaged 
in raising Berkshire hogs and Plymouth Rock 
chickens. Mr. Palmer is the owner of one of the 
most beautiful homes in Rock County, known as 
the "Evergreen farm." The improvements have 
all been made since he took up his residence there- 
on, and the entire surroundings indicate thrift and 
refinement. 

In political sentiment .Mr. Palmer has ever been 
a supporter of the Republican party. He has served 
his fellow citizens as a member of the Town Board. 
h:is acted on the Si'hool Board, and has always 
taken great interest in the advancement of educa- 
tion. Public spirited and progressive, he is a 
valued citizen, and is held in the highest regard 
by all "itii whom business or pleasure has brought 
him in contact. 




LMON BALDWIN, who is engaged in gen- 
eral fanning and resides on section 13, 
li^ Bradford Township, is numbered among 
the pioneer settlers of the county, dating 
his residence from 1842. He has endured the trials 
and liardships of pioneer life, has seen its broad 
and uncultivated prairies tiaiisformed into fertile 
farms, hais witnessed the rapid growth of town and 
county, and has aided in the progress and transfor- 
mation which have made Rock the banner countj' 
in this great commonwealth. 

iSlr. Baldwin is a native of the Ihickeye State, 
born at Kingsville. Ashtaltula County. Oct. 20. 
1840. His parents, Charles jNIasou and Sarah 



-r 



(Purdy ) Baldwin, were natives of Litclitield, Conn., 
but after their marriage removed to Kingsville. 
where the birth of our subject occurred. He wa.s 
one of a family of eleven children, namely; Willis 
A., Artemus. Margaret W.. Lucy A., Raclicl W.. 
Charles W.. Henry. Ann E.. James, Almon and 
Fannie. Of this number three were enlisted sol- 
diers in the Union army, and fought gallantly in 
defense of the stars and stripes which now tlo.at so 
proudly over our united Nation. Charles W., who 
served in a Minnesota Regiment, returned un- 
injured at the close of the war, and is now living 
in Shertield. Ashtabula Co., Ohio; James enlisted in 
September, 1861, and served three years in the 4th 
Wisconsin Battery, re-enlisted in the same company, 
and was discharged after the close of hostilities. 

Our subject has passed nearly his entire life in 
Rock County. He received his education in the 
schools of Clinton, and was reared to farm life. 
His parents, who had removed from Ohio to Wis- 
consin in 1842. settled in Clinton, making that their 
home until 1866, when they removed to Spottysl- 
vania Court House, Va. Residing in the South 
until 1871, they then returned to Bradford Town- 
ship, where they passed the remainderof their lives. 
The death of the father occurred on the 2nd day of 
March, 1883, and the niolher was called tolierlinal 
home Jan. 28, 1H86. 

Almun remained under the parental roof until 
the breaking out of the Rebellion, when, stirred 
with i)atriotic impulses and a desire to preserve the 
Union, he enlisted, .Sept. 6, 1861, in the 4th Wis- 
consin Battery, in which he served for three years. 
His term of enlsitment having expired he re-enlisted 
becoming a member of Company K. 8th LIniteil 
Veteran, in whieli he eontinued until the close of 
the war. He participated in man}' of the most ini- 
[lortant and hard-fought battles, and was always 
found at his post of duty. Shortly after his dis- 
charge he formed the acquaintance of Miss Jennie 
Fenn. daughter of Jcel and Ann Fenn, and a native 
of Newark. Wayne Co., N. Y., who was visiting 
near his home in Wisconsin, and on the 12th day 
of July, 1865, led her to the marriage altar. Seven 
*children have been born of their union, four of 
whom are living — .Mary E.. Leltie M., Curtis M.. 
and l>ennie W. The deceased are Bertha L., who 

9^ 



i 



•^f^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



937 






died Oct. 21. ISMd; Anii.i H., who died July 20, 
1874; Kayiiiond E.. who was horn .Fi'li. 17, 1882, 
died ill infancy. Tliiis have we jiiveii a luief slietch 
of the life of one of l\oci< County's most worthy 
citizens, wiio from llie pioneer days has been iden- 
tified with its history, and frono his many friends 
receives tlie highest respect. 



"jiioHN W. CLIFFORD is a h-adinj. farmer of 
III Magnolia Townsliip. residing on section 17. 
^.^ ll The liistory of Hocli County would he incom- 
(^J/' plete without the sl<eteli of Mr. Clifford, for 
probably no man has done as much for the interests 
of his township and for the upbuilding of the com- 
munity, lie was born in Grantham, Sullivan (V>., 
N. H.. on the 27th da3' of Feliruary, 1 .S2.'). aii<l is 
a son of David and Sarah (Newell) Clifford. The 
Clifford farail}- is of Knglish descent and was 
founded in America in the early colonial days, 
many of the descendants yet residing in New 
Hampshire. It has been a family of literary tastes 
and at one time, within twelve miles, were sixteen 
of its members who were engaged in teaching. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. and the father 
was a defender of his country in the War of 1812, 
receiving in return ft)r his services a land warrant, 
which is still in possession of the family though it 
has never yet been locateil. 

In 185:5. David ClilTord lirsl came to Wisconsin, 
and being much pleased with the future [irospects 
of the new State, determined in the not far distant 
future, to make it his home. Returning to Freedom 
Me., where he hail removed his family in 18.'U. 
he there continued to reside for the two succeeding 
years, when in 185;), he carried out his determina- 
tion of becoming a resident of Wisconsin and with 
his family settled in Rock County. Renting a 
house in Magnolia Corners until the fall of that 
year, he then rented 240 acres of land on section 
22, in the town of Magnolia, and began his life as 
a farmer. In the spring of 1855, in connection with 
his brother-in-law, Alvah Marden, who is now on% 
of the substantial f.armers of .lanesville Township 
he bought land on section 2."?. Magnolia Townshij). 



which was the first jiroperty owned by the Clifforf! 
family in Rock County. It proved the foundation 
for their i)resent possessions, as many of the mem- 
bers of the family are now extensively eng.aged in 
agricultural pursuits. lUita short time had p.assed 
when Mr. ClitTord, the father, was called from his 
new home to his final rest, his de.ath occurring on 
the 26th day of March, 185G. While endeavoring 
to aid some friends who were emigrating to Wis- 
consin, he contracted a cold which terminated his 
life. He and his wife were highly respected citi- 
zens of this community and were leading members 
of the .Methodist Episcopal Church. Thev took 
great interest in all church work, were prominent 
in the promotion of its interests and labored long 
and faithfully in the Master's vineyard. For manv 
years .Mr. Clifford served as Class-le.ader. He was 
happiest when doing some work for the Father, and 
when the final summons came was ready to respond 
to the call. His wife survived him many years 
dying in September. 1 884. Their family numbered 
eleven children, ten of whom grew to manhood and 
womanhood — Samuel N., the eldest, who w.as en- 
gaged in general merchandising with our subject, 
was drowned while b.alhing in Charles River; John 
W. is the second in order of birth; Julia is the 
wife of Alvah Marden of Jane.sville Township; 
Sarah J., widow of Enos Richards, makes her home 
with ilrs. Marden; Amanda M.. widow of Sidney 
Partridge, is living in Albert Lea, ]\linn.; Charles 
M. resides in Ev.ansville, Wis.; Franklin J. is a 
resident of Magnolia; Mary wedded .(erome H. 
Bemis, of Evansville, Wis.; Isaac N. is engaged in 
blacksmithing in Evansville; Olive M. is the de- 
ceased wife of John AV. Smith, whose Iiome is in 
Albert Lea, Minn.; Marcella M. is the wife of 
William Kingsley, a lumber merchant of Forsyth, 
Marquette Co., Mich. 

The subject of this sketch received his education 
in his native county, and while a resident of Maine 
engaged in teaching school. Being an ex[)ert in 
the art of writing, he also gave lessons in that line. 
Lcarninsflhe cari)enter's trade, he followed that for 
a livelihood until about the year 184'J, when in 
company with his brother Samuel, he embarked in 
general merchandising in Dedhain, Jlass. They 
erecteil their own store building and were buihb'n"'- 



-t- 



' ' 938 



^^^H !"*•• 



ROCK COUNTY. 



'^-^^ 



up a good trade, when in the month of June of 
tliat j'ear, Samuel was accidentally drowned. John 
then carried on the business alone for one year. 
Not having the capital to .sup|)ly the needed stock, 
lie secured the goods of a wholesale house, giving 
as securit3- notliinir but his word, but liis honest. 
ui)right life previous to that time had won the con- 
fidence of the wholesale house and they felt that 
they could place reliance in the honestv of their 
patron. In 1850, Mr. Clifford sold his stock of 
merchandise and being offered a situation as re- 
ceiving and sliipping clerk for tiie Taunton & New 
Bedford Railroad Company, he accepted the office 
and for five years continued in that employ. Here 
also he had the fullest confidence of the company, 
and as a testimonial of the trust reposed in him 
lie was selected as the one to take charge of all 
uione3's of the company not placed in the bank. 
Among the numerous employes of that railroad 
none stood higher than Mr. Clifford, whose life 
would certainlj- estalilish tiie truth of the old adage 
•■ llonestj' is the best polic\-." When the time 
came for him to leave tlie companj'. he wiis offered 
some of the best positions in their power to bestow, 
and it was with much regret tUat he severed the 
pleasant connections, but he had determined to cast 
his lot with the good jieople of Rock County. 

In 1850 Mr. Cliffonl was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Ellen Clifford, tlie widow of his brother 
Samuel. The lady wiis born in Ncnfoundland, 
Dec. .'n, 18;il, and the following j'ear removed 
with her parents, Mitchell and Betsy Fleming, to 
Boston. Mass. Her father's death occurred in 
1810. She attended school in the city of Boston 
until 1845, when she removed to Dedham, Mass., 
with l>er mother, who died in that city on the 4th 
day of July, 1885. Mrs. Clifford is the only one 
of her father's family now living. In 1849, she 
became the wife of Samuel N. Clifford, who was 
drowned tlu'ee months after their marriage, while 
l)atliing in Charles River. As before stated, she 
wedded our subject in 1850, and to them have 
been born eleven children — Olivia, who was born 
in Norfolk County, M:iss., Dec. 22, 1850, is the 
wife ot Daniel Greatsinger. a resident of Evans- 
ville; Ella J., who was born in Norfolk County', 
M:\ss.. May 0, 1853, died in that count}- on the 



31st day of 'May. following; John M., born in 
Rock County, June 24, 1 855, graduated from the 
Madison University, is now a real estate and loan 
agent of ^Madison, and wedded Miss May Adams 
of Evansville. by whom he has three children. 
Orace C, Pearl G. and John; Alvin S.. born June 
17, 1857, is engaged in farming in the town f)f 
Magnolia; Herbert F. was born Sept. 11, 1860, 
wedded Rosa A. Robbins. a nniive of this county, 
bj- whom he has one child. Ethel, and is now en- 
gaged in farming near Hartley, Iowa; Will L., born 
May 22, 18GI, has for some time followed the pro- 
fession of teaching; Elinor D.. born Oct. 8, ISlJG, 
is a teacher in Bryant Ar Stratton's short hand school 
of Chicago, having been selected to that position 
out of a large chtss of pupils; Ellen O., born Nov. 
17, 1868, is also engaged in teaching; Dollie J., 
born Oct. 7, 1870; D.aisy E., born March 23. 1873; 
and Cecil L., born Nov. 2, 1876. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clifford have given their cliildicn 
good education.')! advantages, such as will Ht them 
for the practical duties of this life. The elder 
children are already respected citizens of various 
communities and do honor to the family name. 
In 1860 our subject made his first purchase of land 
in this county, consisting of eighty- acres adjoining 
the site on which his present home now stands. .\ 
block house had Ijeen built upon the land, and into 
this the family moved, Mr. Clifford .at once giving 
his entire .attention to his farming interests. He is 
now the owner of 240 acres, the last 80-acre 
tr.act having been purch.ased in 1881. In 1867. he 
purchased the eighty acres on which his home now 
stands. In 1885 he h.ad the misfortune to lose his 
dwelling house by fire, but the following year he 
erected the handsome two story residence, the 
present home of the family. Upon the farm will 
be found a good griide of all kinds of stock, 
and the various improvements which have been 
made, place the farm on a par with any in Magnolia 
Township. Mr. Clifford is truly one of the self- 
made men of the community, for since the early 
age of eight 3'ears he luas made his own wa}' in the 
world. During the da\-s of pioneer life in this 
count_v, his labors were indeed arduous. Often ling 
he cr.adled grain all through the day and spent the 
night in l)inding. The present generation cannot 



1 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



939 




realize the hardships and trials endured by the 
early settlers, but to those noble men and women 
tlie county owes much of her present prosperity. 
In his political sentiments. INIr. Clifford has alwaj's 
been an ardent supporter of the Rei)uhlic:in party, 
by which he has been eiected to various township 
and county otHces. His oflicial duties liave ever 
been discharged witli promptness and fidelity and 
in a manner entirely satisfactory to his constituents. 
Mrs. Clifford, who is a lady held in high esteem by 
all who know her. is a meml)er of the Methodist 
Kpi.scopal Chiircli. Public spirited and progressive, 
Mr. Clifford h.is ever been found in the front rank 
in matters pertaining to the welfare of the com- 
munity, and is regarded as one of the leading citi- 
zens of Rock County. Charital)le and benevolent, 
his deeds of kindness will be remembered long 
after he has passed away, and his memory will be 
enshrined in the hearts of many, while of him it 
will 1)0 said •• the world is better for his having 
lived." 

HOMAS TL'TTLE, ^vho is numbered among 
the i)ioneers of this county in 1840, was 
born in New England in 1789 and was des- 
cended from one of the old families of that region. 
lie was reared to manhood in his native .State and 
on tlie bre.aking out of the war of 1812 responded 
to the call for troops. lie participated in the bat- 
tle at Sackett Harbor, and for his services in that 
engagement received a land warrant, which he 
afterwards located in this State. Mr. Tuttle was 
married in Oneida County, N. Y., to Miss Rlioda 
Woodrulf, a native of Connecticut, born in 1790. 
Soon after their marri.age, the young couple re- 
moved to Rutland, Jefferson Co., N. Y.. where a 
family of five children w.as born unto Iheni, four of 
whom grew to manhood and womanhooil — Charles 
married Almira Gilbert, by whom he had six chil- 
dren. Eugene, his first born, was a soldier in the 
late war, and died at the age of twenl3--three, at 
Fort Riley, Kan. Egbert died at the age of eleven 
years. His living children are Volney. who mar- 
ried Carrie Chamberlain, and now lives in Jewell 
County, Kan.; Marietta, who wedded Dr. Jenks, 
resides in Kansas; George, who became the husband 




of Ellen Jones; William, who married Eva Ken- 
nedy, resides on the old homestead. Charles Tuttle 
came to Rock County in 18:37, locating land on 
which the village of Clinton now stands. He w.is 
a valued and respected citizen, a member and 
faithful worker in the Congregational Church, and 
his death occurred in June, 1873. Henry, the 
second child of the family is now a resident of 
Clinton. Julia, widow of Milton S. Warner, makes 
her home in Clinton. Rachel, the youngest, is the 
widow of Griswold \\eaver, and makes her home 
in Clinton 'lownship. She is the mother of five 
children, Mortimer G., Olney Weaver, Ellen and 
Jessie. One died in infancy. 

Throughout his entire life JNIr. Tuttle followed 
the occupation of farming. In 1840, he removed 
with his familj- to Rock County, which was then 
an almost unbroken wilderness, and carried on that 
vocation. In his political views, he was in early 
life a Whig and a warm friend of William Henry 
Il.arrison. Later, he joined forces with the Free 
Soil part}% and when the Republican party was 
formed to prevent the further e.vtension of slavery. 
he joined its ranks and continued to fight under its 
banner until called from this life. As a citizen, he 
was true and loyal; as a husband and father, kind 
and affectionate; as a Christian, firm and faithful. 
He died at a ripe old age in Clinton, in June, 
1873, and his wife was laid- to rest in February, 
1871. 



ENRV WELLS, one of the .self-made men 
i) of the county, and a leading farrncr. re- 
siding on section 7, I'l^-mouth Townslii|). 
was born on the 27th day of January. 1830. 
in Kent, England. His parents, John and .Susan 
Wells, had a family of eleven children, c: which he 
was fourth in order of birth, and eight of that 
number are 3'et living: John, who resides in Cen- 
ter Township; James, who is living in Kent, Eng- 
land; Susan, who is also a resident of Kent; Henry, 
of this sketch; George, who is living in I'lymoulh 
Township; Betsy, who makes her home in Kent; 
William now residing in Kent; and Charlie, whose 
home is in London. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 






^ 



940 



ROCK COUNTY. 



Iiood in his native land, was educated in the publit- 
sciiDols. and while yet a I'esident of England was 
jdiiied in wedhnk witli Miss Eliza Kittle, a daugh- 
ter of George and Mary (Little) Kittle. The fam- 
ily to which she belonged, and of which she was 
second in order of birtli. was composed of the fol- 
lowing members: Harriet, who is now residing in 
Pingland; Mrs. Wells, wife of our subject, born 
Nov. 7. 1833; George, a resident of Kent, Eng- 
land; David, who is located in Texas; Cornelius 
died in 1872; Edward died in the eighth ye.ar of 
his age; Henry is now living in California; Thomas 
died in the sixth year of his age; Mary Ann is 
residing in Kansas City, Mo ; Charlotte is living 
in Kootville. Wis.; and John, who is a mason and 
plasterer, is located at Plymouth. 

Not long after his marriage. Mr. Wells, accom- 
panied by his young wife, bade good-bye to the 
land of his birth, and sailed for America, thinking 
that he miglit better his condition by a remt>val to 
the new world. On the 'Jth of December. 1S.5.'), the 
vessel. '-Tap Scott." on which he embarked, sailed 
for America, and after a long voyage of nine 
weeks landed in New York Feb. 1, 1856. At once 
proceeding by land, lie reached Janesville after 
seven da\ s and three hours more of travel, arriving 
at his destinaiion on the Isl dav of March. He 
then had but ten cents in his pocket, but with 
characteristic promptness both Mr. and Mrs. Wells 
at once devoted every energy to the work which 
they secured in order to gain a home. For two 
weeks the husband was employed at the stone- 
mason's trade by John AVatson. when he and his 
wife began working for Oliver Elms, and later 
came to Footville, where Mr. Wells secured work 
on the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the fall 
he worked at harvesting and in tiie winter was en- 
•rageil on the construction of a saw-mill for Mr. 
Gilbert. That season, by the aid of his estimaiile 
wife, lie was enabled to save IslOO, with which he 
purch.ased a yoke of oxen in the following spring, 
and worked the Gilbert farm "on the shares. The 
following season he worked the farm of Robert 
Knott. In 1858 he sold his ox team and purchased 
a span of horses, and the next season also rented 
the Knott land. In the spring of 18(i0 he removed 
to the farm of Mr. Wilson, in Rock Township, 

<■ 



where he remained one year, and in 18(il cultivated 
the farm of Dan Lovejoy. near .lanesville. In the 
meanwhile the country had become cnvelopeil in a 
great war, and in the summer of 18(;-2 Mr. Wells 
was drafted for the service, but was unable to go. 
He again engaged in farming. I>ut the war brought 
on hard times, and it was found very difiicult by 
our settlers to make both ends meet. In the spring 
"of 1865 he was again drafted, liut before called 
into active service hostilities were at an end. He 
then removed to the farm of John Carroll, where 
he lived for one year, and in .March, 1M(JG, removed 
to his present home, on section 7. Plymouth Town- 
ship. His first purchase consisted of l.iO acres of 
land, but now 230 broad .acres pay tribute to his 
care and cultivation. The entire iniprovemeuts at 
the time of his purchase coidd hardly have been 
valued at ^.i(l. but the farm is now one of the most 
highly improved in the community. In the early 
days the little cabin was in such poor repair that dur- 
ing the hard rainy weather they were often obliged 
to hold an unjbiella over them. At that time corn 
sold for eigliteen cents per bushel and oats for 
thirteen cents. In one season Mr. Wells raised 
I.IOO bushels of oats, which he sold for that ()rice. 
Not only did his wife, who has indeed proved a 
helpmate to him, perform all the labors of the 
house, but she also assisted in the out-door work. 
At one time she husked $1,000 bushels of coru. re- 
ceiving for her labor the small compensation of 
but two and a half cents per bushel. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wells aie the parents of six ciiil- 
dren. four of whom arc living: .lane, the eldest, 
born June 25, 1856, married \\illiain Dobson. and 
died May 12, 1886, leaving four children— Will- 
iam, George, Fanny and Alice; Henry, born April 7, 
1858, died at the age of three years; (ieorge, born 
Dec. 5, 186(1, is living at home; William, born 
March 27, 1862, is residing on the home farm; 
Alice, born .Inly 27, 1871, is still with her parents; 
Charlie, born Aug. 12. 1874, is now attending 
school. Mr. Wells has given all his chiUlren good 
educational advantages,' theiebv fitting them for 
useful and responsible positions in life. He and 
ills wife are members of the Disciples Church at 
Footville. and in politics, since the organization of 
the Republican party, he has been a supporter of 



I 1 r 



ROCK COUNTY. 




941 




its interests ;infl an active worker in its helialf. He 
is held in liigh rejj:ar(l as a citizen and friend, and 
receives tbe respect of ail wrtli wiioin bnsiness or 
pleasure has broiiijlit idni in contact. His life is 
.an example of wiiat can be .acconiplislied by in- 
dustr}', perseverance .and integrity, and is well 
worthy of emulation. 



,KV. JA.MKS FRANCIS liOWE, the worthy ' 
pastor of St. .Joseph's Church at Edgerton, 
was born in 1850 in Ozaukee County, Wis., 
\^) and his education w.as received at St. 
Michael's College of Toronto, and at .St. Francis 
Seminary in Milwaukee. He w.is graduated from 
the latter institution in the class of 1876, and wiis 
ordained on the 25tli day of July of that year. 
The church at Edgerton is his first charge, he be- 
coming its pastor in 1878. Father Bowe also has 
charge of St. Michael's Ciiurcli in the town of 
Porter, Rock County. Services of the Catholic 
Church were hel<i in the town of Porter earlier in 
the historj' of the county than at Edgerton or its 
immediate vicinity. As the poi)ulation of the 
country increased and Edgerton became a place of 
some importance, a place of worship was there 
erected and the same pastor had charge of both 
congregations. The first services of the Catholic 
Church in the town of Porter were conducted by 
Rev. Michael McFaul (who is now pastor of a church 
in St. Louis) in March. 18.5(). His successors were 
Key. James Hagerty, who is now at Fox Lake; 
Rev. Arthur O'Conner, who was followed by Rev. 
James Murphy and Rev. William O'Connell, who 
is now curate of the Church of SS. Michael and 
John at I)\ililin. Ireland. He was succeeded by 
Rev. J. A. liutler. who in turn was followed bj- 
Rev. C. Dcvine. the immediate predecessor of 
Father Bowe. 'i"he e.x-pastors of the church are all 
now deceased with the exception of Fathers Mc- 
Faul, Hagerty and O'Connell. 

In 1862. during the administration of Father 
Hagert}'. St. Joseph's Church was erected at Edger- 
ton. Previous to the building of that house of * 
worship religious services were held at the Viirious 
residences of its members. The con'rre'Talion is 



now composed of about eighty families, and the 
church is in a most flourishing condition. Among 
the most prominent citizens of Edgerton who 
aided the church in the earlier days of its history, 
m.ay be mentioned Daniel Quigley, who donated 
the land on which the building was erected; 
Thomas and John Quigley. nephews of the above; 
Joseph Pollard, Malachi Conway, Simon Dorn, 
Thomas Burns, Richard and William Conners, J. 
C. Maloney, Patrick Joice, Brian Durnin and Ed- 
ward Rooney. In the town of Porter were Dennis 
McCarty, who gave the ground on which the 
church stands; Matthew Smith. Dennis Casey, John 
Tiernan, Miles Sweeney, Bernard Rilej-, Michael 
McCarroU, Owen Boyle, Lawrence Barrett and 
Michael Hays. Many additions and improvements 
have been made to the church and its surroundings 
since the Rev. Bowe became Its pastor. 

On the 4th da3^ of June, 1882, a society was or- 
ganized through the instrumentality of Father 
Bowe, called the " Father Mathew's Total Absti- 
nence and Benevolent Society," the object of which 
is to promote regular and industrious habits; to 
discourage the use of intoxicating drinks; to mu- 
tually assist in ease of sickness, and to provide, in 
ease of necessity, for the wants of the members. 
Father Bowe is President of the society, which 
numbers about eighty members. This association 
has been productive of much good .and is con- 
stantly increasing in strength and cap.acity for use- 
fulness. 

*-l§$3~^: 

Ji ARTIN V. PRATT, one of the enterprising 
and leading business men of Ev.ansville, 
Wis., wjis born in Easton, Mass.. on the 
10th day of November, 1828, and is a son 
of Jonathan Pratt. The Pratt family w.as founded 
in America by two brothers, who emigrated from 
England and settled in the Plymouth Colony during 
the early da^'s of the history of our country and 
from one of those brothers our subject is descemled. 
Jonath.an Pratt married Sopliia Haywood, who wjis 
also a native of Easton, Mass.. and was a daughter 
of Joseph Haywood. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, following that pursuit during the greater pfirt 
of his life. Both parents continued to reside in 




►Hir<- 



f 



•^^f^^ 



942 



ROCK COUNTY. 




Easton until dentil called tht^ra. Thoy liad a family 
of five soiiis. all of vvhom jrivw to manhood, but 
tivo are now decease'' — Jonathan A., the eldest, 
and Dniiiel II . the youngest of the family. The 
formei- died at the paternal homestead in Massa- 
chusetts, in.hinuriry, 1S86, and the latter in Denver. 
Col., a nunilier of years ago. Those living at this 
writing are Hiram A., who makes his home in 
Suramerville. Mass.; Jlartin V., of this sketch; and 
Shepheiil L., a resident of Newton. Mass. 

The subject of this sketch was liberally educated. 
After attending the public schools, he entered the 
Normal School at Bridgewater, Mass., graduating 
from that institution in the class of 1846, after 
which he engaged in teaching for a number of 
years. In 1858 he went to Dunkirk. N. Y., where 
he was engaged as a boot and shoe dealer, but after 
a year spent in the Empire State returned to Massa- 
chusetts, engaging in the manufacture of boots and 
shoes. In the fall of 1861, he first came West, lo- 
cating in Bureau County. 111., where he engaged in 
merchandising for a year, when he came to Wiscon- 
sin, settling in .Spring Prairie, Walworth Co., where 
he followed the same line fif business. Eor nine 
yeais he remained a resident of Spring Piairie, 
when he removed to Evansville, and again engaged 
in merchandising for a number of years, but at 
length disposing of his stock, he embarked in the 
produce Vuisiness. which he still conlinncs. lie is 
M man of good business aliiiity. practical and cn- 
terjirising, and has won a foremost place in the 
ranks of Hock Connty's prominent business men. 
lie has also been called upon to fill various official 
positions, the duties of which he has ever discharged 
with promptness and fiilelity, and in a manner 
highly satisfactory to all concerned. In matters of 
pul>lic interest ct)ncerning tiie welfare of the com- 
niunitj'.he h.as given his influence and support. and 
especially to the promotion of the cause of educa- 
tion, believing that to be a useful citizen, one 
must be educated. For several years he served as 
a member of the School Committee at Easton, 
Mass., was Treasurer of the town of Spring Prairie, 
in Walworth Co.. for three years, served as Chair- 
man of the Board of Supervisors of his township 
during the last year of his residence in Walworth 
County, has filled the office of President of the 



Village Board of Evansville for two j'ears, was a 
member of the Board of Supervisors of Rock 
County for three years, and is now, in 1889, serving 
his ninth year as a member of the Public School 
Board of Evansville. In addition to the foregoing 
offices, he has been called to legislative honors. In 
1880. he w.as elected to the Lower House of the 
Assembly, and in 1888, was again the people's 
choice for that position. Since the organiza- 
tion of the Republican party, Mr. Pratt has been 
one of its supporters, and is an earnest and able 
advocate of its ])rinciples. 

In the year 1869. while residing in Spring Prairie, 
Wis., Mr. Pratt was united in marriage with Miss 
Eveline E. Holmes, a native of Charlestown, Mass. 
By their union h.as been born one child, a daughter. 
Edith M. This worthy couple hold a high position 
in the social wc)rld of Evansville, and are greatly 
respected by their many warm friends. 



OVELL RADWAY. one of the early and 
III iiej) respected citizens of Rock County, now re- 
j'"--^\ siding in Beloit. was born in Windham 
County, Vt., .\ug. 26, 1809, and is a son of .lona- 
than and Martha ( Wescott) Radway. The wedding 
of his parents wsis celebrated in '\Vilnlham.^■t.. and 
unto them were born a family of ten children. 
Bertha, who married Calvin Fuller, first located in 
Vermont, but subsequently removed to .^ladison 
Count}', Ohio, where they both <lied, leaving three 
children, who are yet living; Elvira, of Mineral 
Point, AVis., Moses, of Medina County, Ohio, anil 
lyovell of Michigan; Experience married .\tnos 
Minot. and died in Medina, Ohio; Arad, who also 
died in Medina, was married and left three chil- 
dren, Laura, .lulia and Noah; Martha wedded 
Comfort Joy, and unto them six children were 
born, five yet living, Betsy, Solomon, Fletcher, Ce- 
lia and Napoleon; Daniel was married aud lia<l 
four children, Jane. Ivlwiu, Hieliard and Helen: 
Rachel became the wife of Simon Bingham, and 
died in Medina County .Ohio, leaving four children; 
Eliza married Orson Fisher, of Windham. \t., and 
had four children, Solon, Millicent,Jaiie and .\ustin : 
Laban, who settled in Ohio at an early day, died in 



n 



4: 



ROCK COUNTY. 



943 



California, leaving four children, LaFayettUi Kniily 
■I., Harrison, who died from disease contracted in 
the service, and Isabella, who is now dead; .lohn 
M. .lonathan Radway, the father of tliis family, 
departed this life in 1812, and his wife died inOiiio 
several j-ears later. 

The snliject of this sketch was the youngest mem- 
ber of his father's family-, and is the only one yet 
living, lie was but throe years of age when his 
father died, and being the youngest, was kept at 
li»me. The only educational advantages which lie 
received were those afforded by the common dis- 
trict school, and as soon as he was able, he took 
charge of the home farm. In 1882, selling the 
old iiomestead in ^'ermont, he went with his mother 
to Ohio, where for some time he followed the trade 
of a carpenter and joiner. In 1835 he was united 
in marriage with Miss Susan Nye, a most estimable 
lady, who was born in Vermont, Sept. 20, 1810. In 
the year 1840 he removed with his family to Ca- 
yuga County, Ohio, where he eng.aged in the manu- 
facture of wagons until 1855, when he left the 
l{ucke3-e State for Wisconsin. lie located in Roc^k 
County, and purchased a farm in Newark Township, 
which he still owns. 

Mr. and Mrs. Radway are the parents of five 
cliildien — Rosina, wife of Henry Abbott, a promi- 
nent merchant of Beloit; Kinily, wife of Augustus 
Metcalf, of Seneca Falls. N. Y. ; Mary A. is a sales- 
lady in the store of Mr Abbott; Roland married 
Lena Cabman, and is engaged in farming In tliis 
county; Kstella, a graduate of the High School of 
Beloit, is also in the employ of Mr. Aldjott. Mr. I 
Radway is a m.an of more than ordiiiarv ability, | 
and is a great friend to the cause of education. In 
his political belief he is a supporter of the Uepub- 
lioaii parly. In early life he was a Whig, and cast 
his lirst Presidential vote for .lohn (Juiiicy Adams. 
Ill 1810 he voted for (Jen. William Henry Harrison, 
of whom he was a great admirer, at one time trav- 
eling 120 miles in a bugg}' to see him, and in 1888 
lie voted for the new Kxe(uitive, lienjamin Harri- 
son. 

For more than half a eentu'-y Mr. and Mrs. Rad- 
w.iy have traveled life's journey together. Tlie^' 
have now retired from the active duties of life, 
anil become residents of Beloit, where tliev are en- 




joying the fruits of former toil. They are respected 
by all who know them, and are numbered among 
Rock County's best citizens. 

•lonathan Nye, the father of Mrs. Radway, mar- 
ried Susan Curtis, a native of New England. For 
a while they were residents of Vermont, but later 
emigrated to Cumberland County, N. Y., where 
they spent ten years, and in 1 820 they became resi- 
dents of Medina County. Ohio. They were the 
parents of ten children, but only two are now liv- 
ing — Levi, of Medina County. Ohio; and Mrs. 
Radway. Mrs. Nye died in 1810, after which her 
husbantl was married to Miss Sabrina Howard, .and 
to them were born five chidren. Mr. and Mrs. Nye 
were members of the Methodist Church and highly 
respected citizens. 

OICHOLAS PEPRKR, a farmer and stock- 
raiser, is engaged in operating his fine farm 
of 1 90 acres, situated on section 20, Center 
Township. He has been a resident of the county 
since its pioneer days, has endured the trials and 
hardships of pioneer life, and has witnessed the pro- 
gress and development of the entire community. 
He was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., on the 
7tli day of June, 182.'), and when seven years 
of age, in 1832. emigrated to Luzerne County. Pa.. 
with his father's family, where he was reared to 
manhood. The father. D.i.id Pepper. w:ls b.^rii in 
Dutchess County. N. \.,\i\ l^soi.of (icrmnn pa 
rentage, and in 1.^23 was united in the Imly bonds 
of matrimony with .Mi<s .Snrviva D.-iihy. They 
bi'came the parents of S' vi-n cliildien, four of whi^ni 
were burn in Duchess t'l.unty. N. \'., tin- remain- 
ing three being b'irn :.fter the rem'>v;il of the f:iin- 
ily to PeiinsylviniM. Nicli'ilns. of this skiieh was 
the first in order of birth; Flizi, the .-ecind. i» the 
wife of Dewey .McKinstry, win- is now livin- in tlie 
town of Wells. Faribault Co.. .Minn.; Dennis, who 
was born in 1828, wedded Miss Mary McDowell, 
a native of the Keystone .State, and died .May 29. 
18K7; Clark, who was united in marriage with a 
.MiffS Eskin, and h.as two children, is living in Ash- 
land Count}', Neb. ; Adeline is the wife of .lames 
Fer<:usoii. a native of Hock C<.>untv. now living in 




-4•- 

944 



ROCK COUNTY. 



^ 



1 ' 

1 



Michigan, and thej' have one child; Ezra, who 
raalves iiis lionie in Nebraslta, married Miss M. A. 
Carr. and their union has been blessed with six 
children; Darius W.. ii resident farmer of Center 
Township, is the husband of Miss Minnie Owens, 
by whom he has one child. 

The subject of our sketch, at the age of twenty 
years, came with his father's f.arailj' to Rock 
County. Wis., in 1845. and since that time has been 
numbered among its leading citizens. On the 23d 
day of November. 1859, he was united in marriage 
with jNIiss Ellen Carr, the ceremony being per- 
formed in F'ayette County, Wis. Iler parents were 
James and Diadema (Bowman) Carr, the former a 
native of West Virginia, of German and Irish ori- 
gin, the latter a native of Ohio, born of German 
parentage. Eleven children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Carr, namely: John married Miss Fannie 
Cochran, and l)oth are deceased, leaving four chil- 
dren; Elizabeth died many years ago; Mrs. Pepper 
is the next in order of birth; Christina, who be- 
came the wife of Charles Brower, died in 1 869; Rob- 
ert, who laid down his life on the altar of his coun- 
try, dying from a wound received at Spanish Fort; 
Abrain, who was also one of the boys in blue, and 
parliciitaled in the battle of Pea Ridge, wedded 
Miss Ellen McCarty, and three children have been 
born unto them; Millie Ann is the wife of Ezra 
Pepper, a resident of Nebraska; Hannah Jane 
wedded David Cheney, by whom she has six chil- 
dren, and also lives in Nebr.aska; Catherine is the 
deceased wife of John l)ickey,of Iowa, and Racliel. 
wlio wedded Joseph Fisher, of Storey County, 
Iowa, and died in 1883, leaving three children. 
One died in infancy, unnamed. 

The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Pepper was 
completed by the birth of six children, four of 
whom are }'et living. David L. died at the age of 
four years; Caroline Augusta died at the early age 
of twenty months; Lucy Ann became the wife of 
John (ioldsmith, a farmer of Center Township, on 
the 1st day of Januarj', 1888, and to them has been 
l)()rn one child; James F.. born July G. 1865. is at 
home; Henry, born May 11, 1868, is still under the 
parentiU roof, and George E., born April 14, 1872, 
is attending school. 

Mr. Pepper is numbered among the honored pio- 



neers of Rock County, where for the long period of 
forty-four years he has made his home. When he 
came to the Territory of Wisconsin, the country' 
was in a wild and uncultivated state, the prairies 
were covered with a thick growth of rank grass, 
wild game of all kinds abounded; the settlements 
were few and far between, and the smoke of the 
Indian wigwam had hardly cleared .away. In the 
great and rapid changes that have taken place, in 
the work of development and progress. Mr. Pepper 
has borne no inconsiderable jiart, and to him Rock 
County owes a debt of gratitude for liis labors in 
her behalf. Public spirited and progressive, he has 
been prominent in the promotion of the interests 
of the community, and is a valued citizen of Cen- 
ter Township. In politics he supports the Reinib- 
lican party. His l)usiness life has been spent in 
agricultural pursuits, and he now lias one of the 
finest farms in the county, consisting of 160 acres 
of arable land, and thirty acres of timber land. 
Possessing good business ability, and that enterpris- 
ing spirit that overcomes all obstacles, he has made 
his own way in the world, andean truly be called a 
self-made man. 

JI_^ ALVER NELSON, a pioneer of the town of 
jfjij Newark, of 1842, was born in the Parish of 
l^^ Nohre, Norway, on the 12th day of August, 
(^) 1781. In his native country he learned the 
clock-maker's trade and there married Miss Guri 
Fruegne. Mr. Nelson was an ingenious workman 
and possessed a talent for invention. He manu- 
factured needles and wire in a small way and spent 
much time in planning inventions that he never 
had the means to carry through successfully. In 
April, 1842, accompanied by his family, he emi- 
grated to the United States, settling in the town of 
Newark. Rock Co., Wis., where he found but few 
neighbors and they far apart. They were mostly 
his own countr3'men and consisted of the following 
named persons: Gullik O. Gravdale, Mrs. Gunil 
Odcgorden and her four daugiiters, Tollev Helge- 
son, Gullik Springen, Gunnul Stordock, Lars, 
Gjermund and Herbrand Skavlem. Knudt Cresi)en- 
sen, and two Scotch families. Mclvinsler and Briggs. 



^ "» 



■» ■ ♦ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



940 



'riie two last named di() not settle permanently in 
tlie cDunty. Mr. Nel.son contrixed to do a little 
woik at his tr;id(^ hiil nut haviiii; tlu' proper tools 
had to manufacture .some. He made his lirst clock 
in I.S44. and it is still in the jjossession of the 
family to which it was sold, the Crispensens. This 
is in all prohaliility the lirst clock made in Wis- 
consin. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Nelson hail hut one child, a daugh- 
ter, Ciroe, wdio became the wife of Lars Skavleni. 
and is the mother of ex-sherift II. L. .Skavleni of 
Janesville. She has heen a widow for many years, 
and, althouoh well advanced in years, is bright, 
intelliuent anil active. Her home is in Beloit. 

Mr. Nelsun bouirht ami im|)rovi(l a tract uf 
Government land on section I I, Newark Tnwnship, 
where his death occurred in August, 1850. IJis 
wife survived him. and died on the 11th day of 
April. 188(5, Had she lived until the following 
August, she would have been ninet}' years old. 
They were religious people and their log house, 
which was a favorite stopping place for the Nor- 
wegian nunisters, was often used in the early days 
ag a place in which to hold divine service. 




||J_^()N WILLIAM M. NYE, who resides on 
l[|j section 28, Beloit Township, is one of the 
/^^' representative citizens of Rock County, who 
(§Q) receives the respect of .all who know him. 
He was born in Herkimer ( ounty, N. Y., April 
28. 1829. and is a son of Clark and Abigail (Mor- 
gan) Nye. (his father's sketch appealing on another 
page of this work). His early life was passed in 
his native countw in the uneventful routine of 
farm life. He assisted his father in the labors of 
the farm, and attended the common schools for 
one term. Thus we see that his advantages for 
securing an education were indeed limited, but lie 
imi)roved his every op[)ortunity and used his 
lci^ure time fiu' securing a knowledge of those 
studies which are essential to every business. He 
eagerl}- devoured the books which he could obtain, 
and is still a great reader, being well informed on 
all the leading issues of the day. 

When seventeen years of age. ^Villiam left his 



native county and came with the family to Wiscon- 
sin, They resided in Beloit for a period of six 
years, during which time heattended a select school 
for two terms. He engaged in teaming for two 
years, and in 1848, in connection with his brother 
! Ira, he began the improvement of a farm. Pur- 
chasing an ox team, they turned the first furrow on 
many acres of wild prairie land, which previous to 
this time was still in its primitive condition. For 
four scM.sons our subject eiiiiaged in this occupa- 
tiim, when, in 1n52, the family removed to the old 
homestead in Beloit Township, and he aiibd in the 
cultivation of the farm. The years p.a.ssed tin rrilj' 
to l\n> family who there took up ll eir jib dc unlil 
the death angd vi-itnl their honir. taking from it 
the loved wife and mother. 

In 1^57, Mr. Nye left the paiciital roof and 
engaged in fanning for himself. The lirst land 
which he owned was a claim of 1(10 acres, located 
on Crow Uivcr. in Miniii sota. This he cultivated 
until the fall of 1^5«, when he returned to Rock 
County, and in 18.'iy purchased 120 acres of land- 
on section 28, Beloit Township, upon which he has 
now resided for thirty years. It was then raw land, 
but by care and ciiltiv.ation he has developed it 
into one of the finest farms in the township. With 
his own hand he planted and tended the now tower- 
ing trees which throw their welcome shade around 
the home, and, in 1809, he erected the large two- 
story frameresideneewhichwas presided over by one 
of Uock County's most noble women, whose hospi- 
tality and kindness was extended to all. On March 
10. 1860, he wedded Miss Fannie Miller, a native 
of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Thom.as and 
Salina (McGee) Miller, who came to Rock County 
about 1855, and are still residents of Beloit. Two 
children were born to them, Nellie and Lou. 
Twentj'-lwo years of happy wedded life had passed 
when Mrs. Nye was called to her final home, her 
death occurring Sept. 25. 1882. She was an untir- 
ing worker in the Baptist Church, an earnest, sin- 
cere Christian lady, who was beloved by all for her 
many excellencies of character. For several years 
prior to her death she was an invalid, but she bore 
her afHiction with patience and true Christian for- 
titude, 

Mr. Nye is still engaged in general f.irming, and 



:?^^f^ 



94G 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•T 



his farm, which now comprises 162 acres is unricr 
a high state of cultivation. Politicall}-, he is a 
faithful adherent of tlie Republican party, and has 
borne a prominent part in local political affairs. 
For thirteen terms he served his townshii) as as- 
sessor, and. in 1887. was nominated by his party as 
their Representative to the General Assembly and 
triumphantly elected. His course as a member of 
the Legislature has met with the approbation of all 
concerned. To each question that comes up before 
the House he gives his careful consideration, cast- 
ing his ballot for the best interests of flie people. 
He is a man of sound judgment, a logical thinker, 
careful in his business transactions, and is held in 
the highest regard by all. As a citizen he is loyal 
and true, and his sketch deserves an honored place 
in the history of Rock County. 

(|^^^ O. WAGLKY. a representative farmer and 
I )/' stock-raiser, who is numbered among the 
liy^ig) pioneers of this county of 1841, is a native 
of Norway, his birtli occurring in that country on 
the I'Jlli day of Septeml)er, 1819. He w.as reared 
to manhood in liis native land, and in 1841, wish- 
ing to try his fortune in the New AVorld. bade 
good-by to home and friends, and embarked on a 
steamship bound for America. After a long and 
tedious voy.age of ten weeks across tlie Atlantic, he 
landed in New York, and immediately continuoil 
on his wa^- until reaching Wisconsin. He com- 
pleted llie journoj' by steamer and canal to Mil- 
waukee, whence lie came with an ox-team to Rock 
County. The countr}' was in a wild and unculti- 
vated condition, the prairies were still covered with 
a wild growtii of grass, deer and all otlier kinds of 
wild game were to be found in abundance, Indians 
were freijuently to be seen in the neighborhood, 
and the settlements were few and far between. At 
that time no bridges had been built, and Mr. Wag- 
ley was forced to cross the Rock River in a cnnoc, 
swimming his oxen. He made a location on what 
is section 32, Plymouth Township. Building a 
little log cabin, he began life on the western frontier 
in true pioneer style, making that house his home 
for a number of -years. He used oxen in breaking 



the prairie, and for almost all other purposes for 
about ten j^ears. when, in 1851, he began using 
horses upon his farm. The tract of land upon 
which he first located comprised ICO acres, to which 
by subsequent purchase he has added, until he now 
has 260 acres of arable land in a high state of cultiva- 
tion, and upon his farm may be found the latest 
improved machinerj- and everything necessarj' to 
the model farm of the nineteenth century. His 
arduous labors at length brought their reward, and 
he is now one of the well-to-do farmers of the 
county. In 1881 he sold the farm to his son 
and retired from farming. In 1862 the little log 
cabin was replaced by an elegant residence, erected 
at a cost of ijsl.200, and an addition built in 1878 
increasing the value to about ?;2,000, and in 1879 
a fine l)arn was built. 

In the year 1845, in this county, Mr. \\agley 
was united in marriage with Carrie Skavlem, with 
whom he traveled life's journey for thirty-seven 
happy years. Five children were born of their 
union, but all have passed away willi the exception 
of two sons, (). N., who is a resident of Newtoli, 
Iowa, and II. N. Wagley, who is living on tiie old 
homestead. After the death of his lirst wife, in 
1882, he .again married in 1884, his second union 
being with Maren Riiigen. Mr. AVagley is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church, and he and his wife 
are numbered among the highly respected citizens 
of the community, where thev liave manv friends. 




F. PEMBER, M. D., of Janesville, is one 
I of the younger representatives of the medi- 
■al fraternity of Rock Count}-. He also 
(^^^ belongs to one of its early families, his 
father, Reuben T. Pember. who still resides in 
Johnston Township, where he settled at an early 
day, being numbered among the pioneers of Rock 
Count3\ (See sketch elsewhere in this work). The 
Doctor was born on the old homestead in Joiinston 
Township on the 12th day of December. 1857. and 
was reared to the occupation of farming. II is 
primary education was obtained at the district 
school, after which he completed his literary- stud- 
ies at Milton College, where he was a student for 



:??rf^ 



.1- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 

947 , , 



tlirec yejirs. Choosing the medical profession as 
one (lcsiral)le as a life occupation, lie began his 
studies under the direction of Dr. Henry Palmer, of 
•lanesville. Imt subsequently entered the Chicago 
Medical College, from which he was graduated in 
March, 1883. After his graduation, by virtue of 
a successful competitive examination, he became 
house physician and surgeon of Mercy Hospital, 
Chicago, where he remained the alli)tled lime, one 
year. He nest received the appointment as physi- 
cian at the Insane Hospital at Dshkosh, where he 
remained two years, when, I'eturning to Chicago, 
he opened an oflice in that city, but soon after 
accepted the appointment as physician and surgeon 
of the Minnesota Granite Companj-, and located at 
Hinsdale, iMinn. He continued with this company 
until it retired from business, and in September, 
18M8, locateil at Janesvilh', where lie has already 
established a good general (iractice. He has also 
received the appointment as county i)hysician of 
Rock County. 

Dr. I'ember has chosen as his helpmate for life 
!\Hss -Vda Humphry, a daughter of William Hum- 
phry, and their marriage was celebrated (Jet. (J, 
1 )S87. The knowledge Dr. Pember received through 
instruction in the science of medicine, and his 
natural adaptation to the profession, give assur- 
ance of a successf\d career, and he bids fair to take 
a front rank. 



■"*'"12/©"^*-^^^ -S^S/^"'*^'' 



\f/()llN (;. S.VXK, a le.ading and represent- 
ative citizen of .lanesville, has been engaged 
in the real-estate, loan and insurance busi- 
ness in this city since the 1st day of March, 
I87!t. He is a representative of one of the i)ioncer 
families of Rock County, and was born in the town 
of Lima, .luly lit. 1><47. His father, Christian F. 
Saxe, settled in Rock County in IHl 1. He was 
born in Greene County, N. Y., of (ierman ancestr3-, 
and while a resident of the Empire State married 
Rebecca Teachont, continuing to live in New York 
until his removal to Wisconsin as above stated. 
Mr. Saxe settled on unimproved land in the town 
of Lima, which he immediately began to cultivate 
and soon developed into a fini^ farm, upon which 



he made his home until his death, which occurred 
on the 2:tth day of .\pril. 187."). His wife, who was 
born April 27, l«l(t, is still living and retains her 
physical and mental powers to a remarkable degree 
for one of her advanced years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Saxe were the |)arents of nine chil- 
dren, five sons and four daughters, all of whom 
are living, namely : Kmiline, widow of Roswell 
Rice; Kzra, a resident of the town of Lima; Ste- 
phen S., who is engaged in dentistry, is living at 
Whitewater, Wis.; Charles Weeley. also of White- 
water; Nellie, wife of (). H. Cheney, of Aberdeen, 
Dak.; Wilbur F., a resident farmer of W'hite water. 
Walworth County; Margaret, wife of Frank Hall, 
of Dakota; John G,, who is the next in order of 
birth; and Emma, the \oungest. now tlie wife of 
Edwin F. Th.ayer, of Whitewater. 

The old homestead in the town of Lima, where 
Mr. and Mrs. Saxe settled forty-five \ears ago, is 
still in possession of the familj'. Christian F.Saxe 
was a highly esteemed and respected citizen. He 
was especially active in Christian work, was a lead- 
ing member of the Metho<list Episcopal Church, 
and served as CLass-Leadcr for forty years. He was 
quiet rather than demonstrative, in all things, was 
firm, decided and persevering in wh;itever he un- 
dertook to do, and li^- unswerving integrity- he 
commanded the confidence and esteem of all. He 
was, in all respects, a worth\ and honored repre- 
sentative of that grand old pi<jiieer element which 
is f.ast passing avvay. All of his numerous family 
of children seem to have inhcriteil their fa- 
ther's regard for religion, as all are members of 
some religious organization and are respected and 
useful members of society. 

John 'G. .Saxe, whose name heads this sketch, 
was reared to manhood on the home farm in the 
town of Lima, and his entire life has been passed 
in Rock County. His primary' education was re- 
ceived in the district school, and for several terms 
he was a student of Milton College. Oct. 30, 1870, 
he was united in marriage with Miss .Sarah A. Wa- 
terman, a daughter of Joseph >Vaterman, a resident 
of the town of Harmony. 

On the 1st day of March, 1879. Mr. Saxe estab- 
lished his present business in .lanesville .as real- 
estate, loan and insurance agent. He combines en- 



^ 



^^ m ^» 



-I 



«*^ 



948 



•«► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ergy and perspverance with natural ability, and in 
consequence has built up a good trade. He has 
served bis church in the offices of Clerk and Trus- 
tee, and in the Mutual Protective Association has 
filled the positions of Secretary and General Super- 
intendent. In his political sentiments Mr. Saxe is a 
supporter of the Republican party, and he and his 
wife are members of the Congregational Church, 
in which they are active workers. They are held 
in high regard by many friends, and receive the 
respect of all. 



#^ 



H ON. HAMILTON RICHARDSON, a prorai- 

\, ncnt liusiness man and early settler of 
^ .lauesville. Wis., was born in the town of 
J^ Le Roy, Genesee County, N. Y., on the 17th 
day of October. 1820. and is a son of William and 
Mary (I'ierson) Richardson. His father, who was 
of Scotch and English descent was born in Johns- 
town, N. Y., and the name of Hamilton, which our 
.sul)joct l)ears. was the maiden name of his mother, 
who "as of Scotch ancestry. :Mr. Richardson's 
mother w:\s .also born at Johnstown and on her 
father's side was of English descent, while her 
mother, who was a Van Valkenburg was of the old 
Muliawk Holland .ancestry. 

Our subject was reared on his fatiier's farm and 
received his cdiicaLion in the district schools which 
he attended until fifteen years of age. when he left the 
the farm and entered the service of a mercantile firm 
and became a member of the family of one of its part- 
ners, a personal friend of his father's, and a most ac- 
complishetl business man, with whom he emigrated to 
Michiijan when that State had just been admitted 
to the Union. Tlie entire State, except along the 
southern border, was almost an unbroken wilder- 
ness. The firm witii whicl\ young Richardson was 
eniplovcd. located in (lenesee County, at wliat is 
now the thriving city of Flint. They laid out a 
lartre part of that town and built the first dam 
across tiie Flint River at that point, erected the first 
saw-mill and established the first mercantile house 
in the city and county. Their business included 
l>-inking and for a time was i)r(>speri)us. but when 
Vlij great commercial and fiuaucial panic of 1837 

■^•— ^ : 



occurred, they, like thousands of other business 
men. were forced into bankruptcj'. Through his 
entire connection with the firm. Mr. Richardson 
participated in the management of their extensive 
business and iiad the varied experience of opening, 
conducting and closing an extensive enterprise. 
In the financial history of the country, the panic of 
1837, marks a disastrous epoch of which but few 
of tiie business men of the present day have anj' 
personal knowledge. Mr. Richardson is one of tlie 
few, and to the experience acquired at that early 
day ma^' be attributed the caution and forethought 
that has marked his course through life, and to 
which he is largely indebted for his uniform suc- 
cess in the various business enterprises in which he 
has been engaged. In 1840, he returned to New 
York and renewed his studies in the academy of 
his native town, but he was too much imbued with 
the Western spirit to long content himself in the 
East, consequently, in the spring of 1842, he again 
wended his way Westward and located at Mil- 
waukee, Wis., where he secured employment as 
bookkeeper in one of the large commercial houses 
of that city. In the year 1844, he engaged in the 
hardware business at Racine, but not realizing his 
expectations in that line, he sold out in the spring 
of 1846, and removed to Jauesville, where he again 
engaged in the hardware business. 

In 18.50, Mr. Richardson, in connection with Mr. 
Tuesdell. erected the Excelsior Mills, later known 
as the Hodson Mills. The venture proved an un- 
fortunate one as the property was at first nearly 
destroyed by fire and later by flood. A succession 
of poor crops had produced dull times which still 
farther enibarr:u5sed matters, and Mr. Richardson, to 
make a change of base, in the fall of 1851, removed 
to California, where the gold excitement of that 
day had caused a great rush of emigration. He 
selected Marysville, at the head of navagation on 
Feather River, as the site of future operations, and 
there established a mercantile house through 
which he furnished supplies to mountain traders 
and miners. At that time Marysville was an im- 
portant commercial center and for four years he 
carried on the business above mentioned with 
marked success. In the course of his operations, 
he was obliged to make long trips over the moun- 



f 



u 



■*¥ 



1 



ROCK COUNTY. 



949 



If 

r 



tains, visiting various miner's camps anil new 
hamlets. While on one of these expeditions he was 
attacked and rohlied hy a portion of .loacniin's 
noted band of highwaymen and ii.iirnwly escaped 
with his life. 

\\ hile a resident of Califmiiia, Mr. Richardson 
helped to organize a company which operated a line 
of steamers on the inland waters of the State in 
opposition to a giant monopoly that w;is robbing 
the public by their extortionate charges. He was 
one of the largest stockholders in the enterprise and 
served as Secretary and 'rreasiirer of the company. 
The new line proved a great success and broke up 
the monopoly as its projectors and managers in- 
tended. After live years spent on the Pacific Slope, 
he returned to Janesville and again entered into 
business at that place. Although just on the eve 
of the great commercial crisis of 1857, he made 
successful investments in real estate and has since 
.ac<|uired extensive property interests here. He is 
a stockholder in the various manufacturing estab- 
lishments, including the New Doty Manufacturing 
Company, and the .Janesville Cotton Mills, and is a 
stockholder and director in the First National 
Bank. lie ()wns two store buildings on South 
Main street anil three on West Milwaukee street. 

On the Itth d.ay of August, 18.58, Mr. Richarilson 
was married at Janesville, to Miss Caroline A. 
Peiise, the dau^diter of the late Judge Lorrain T. 
Pease, of Hartford, Conn. She w.as born at Enlicld, 
Conn., but w.as reared and educated at Hartford. 
Her father was in Government employ and in dis- 
cliarge of bis dutN' visited (ireen Bay, Wis. and 
Fort Snelling, Minn, during the early settlement of 
of the Northwest. His son, the Hon. .Fohn J. R. 
Pease, a pioneer settler of .lanesville, came to Green 
Bay, Wis. with his father in 1840. as did the 
daughter. Mrs. Richardson. 

On the consumation of their marriage. Mr. and 
Mrs. Richarilson went abroad, spending the remain- 
der of that and the following year in a tour of 
Europe. On returning to Janesville, the liusband 
erected the elegant mansion now their home. He 
■also bought into the Dotj' Manufacturing Company 
and is now the largest stockholder in the New Doty 
Manufacturing Company. I'liur ti> the late war. 
he was a Democrat in ])olitics, but on the com- 
'4» 



I 



mencenient of that great struggle lie joined the 
party of the administiation and gave the govern- 
ment a patriotic and hearty sii|)port. He contri- 
buted largely both in tinie and means to raising 
troops for the war. He was one of the committee 
of three which raised the L'Uh Reyiment, Wisconsin 
Infantry and was aii active member of nearly 
every committee that was organized for war pur- 
poses in the city of .lanesville. In 18G4, be was 
elected to the Legislature bj- the unitf'd Republican 
and war Democratic vote, and in 18(18. was elected 
County Commissioner and appointed a member of 
the committee on Public Buildings which had the 
charge of the erection of the Rock County Court 
House, an edifice, which for beauty, stability and 
convenience is unrivaled in the St.-itc. He was 
subsequently twice elected a member of the County 
Board of Supervisors, and in 187(i, was elected to 
the State Senate and served from January-, 1877 
until 1882. During the session of 1877, Mr. Rich- 
ardson introduced and managed the pass:ige of a 
l)ill which |)roviiled that all charitable and refor- 
matory State institutions should be under the 
management of one Board of Control; a law that 
has tended to produce a more unifoi'ni and satis- 
f.actory operation of these institutions. In the 
session of 1881, he introduceil a bill to provide for 
the humane care of the chronic insane, not t)ther- 
wise provided for. which established the present 
system of combined State and county control. He 
was chairman of the committee on Charitable and 
Penal Institutions of Wisconsin, and in March. 
1881, presented an exhaustive and comprehensive 
report on the subject of the investigation of the 
State Hospital for the Insane. On the 30th day of 
March of that year, he delivered a very elegant 
autl touching enlogj- on the character of the late 
Hon. Matthew Hale Carpenter. In all his relations 
with the Senate, Mr. Richardson was recognized .as 
a useful and influential legislatoi. His connection 
with import.ant committees was marked by ener- 
getic and prompt action and liis views and opinions 
were alwa3's respected and valued by his fellow 
senatore. In Jul}', 188;3, he w.as a|)pointcd by 
President Arthur to the [wsition of Postmaster of 
Janesville and served in that capacity until Feb- 
rvuuy, 1888. Mr. Richardson is a Mason, belong- 



f- 



4 



950 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ing to West Star Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M.; 
Janesville Chapter, No. 5. II. A. M.,aiiil .lanesville 
Cumnianderv. No. 2, K. T. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kieliard.-joii arc the p.-irents of six 
children, five sons and one daughter. Victor V., 
Itorn at Janesville in 1859. graiUialed from the 
.lanesville High School, was admitted to West 
Point, wliere he spent tliree years as a student, is 
the present President of the New Doty .Alanufact- 
uring C'omi)any, and wedded Miss Mary Diniock 
of this city; Sarah M. is the second child; Hamil- 
ton P., wlio was educated at Amherst College, is 
an attorney l)y profession ; John was educated at 
Janesville; Marshall is a student of the State 
I "ni versify; and Lorrain T. is attending school in 
this city. 

In 1873, Mr. Richardson again visite<l Europe 
and made an extensive tour of the old world. 
Among the most enterprising and successful business 
men of Janesville, he is, without question, accorded 
the foremost place. He possesses that ijuick per- 
ception and sound judgment, cool nerve and in- 
domital)le will which are so essential to the 
successful prosecution of all business enterprises. 

As a financier, he is conservative, yet progres- 
sive and his opinions are valued and respected by 
those with whom he is associated. In politics, he 
has been universally successful and has won his 
point in many a contest when opposed by the most 
powerful manipulators of the machine. Integrity 
of character, steadfastness of purpose, liberality 
and broad views on the great principles and affairs 
of the world have characterized his life and won 
for lum the unqualified respect and esteem of 
neighl)or, friend and fellow citizen. Mrs. Richard- 
son and her daughter are members of Christ Epis- 
copal Church of Janesville. 



J^ KNKV II. McLENEGAN, who is engaged 
in farming on section 19, Turtle Town- 
•j^ ship, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., 
■^) on Nov. 24, 1835, and is a son of Zephenia 
McLenegan, who was a prominent attorney in the 
Keystone State. The early life of our subject was 
spent in Pennsylvania, attending school until the age 



of sixteen years, when he entered a hardware store 
in Lancaster. Pa., and engaged in clerking. In the 
year 185G he was united in marriage with Miss Sarali 
F. Reigart. a daughter of Hon. K. C. Reigart, a lenii- 
ing and respected citizen of Lancaster, Fa. Much 
ciiuld be said of the history of the> families of botli 
Mr. and Mrs. McLenegan. for bothoecuiiied promin- 
ent positions in Pennsylvania, and were largely 
identified with the history of tliat .State. 

By the union of our subject and his wife four 
children have been born: Charles E, who was born 
in Rock County, Jan. 2.'L 1858, is now professor in 
the High .School of Milwaukee; Samuel li. was 
born Feb. 20. 18G1, in Rock County, is in the 
Revenue Department of the I'nited States (Jovern- 
ment, and resides at San Francisco, Cal.; Arclii- 
bald R., born' Aug 7, 1868, in Rock County, and 
Anna S.. liorn April 12, 1875, in Rock County, are 
both at home. 

Mr. McLenegan remained a resident of Pennsyl- 
vania until 1857. when he came to Rock Count}- 
and purchased 180 acres of land, which he imme- 
diately began to cultivate and improve, being now' 
the owner of one of the many fine farms in this 
part of the State. He has never sought or de- 
sired [luiilic office, but has given his undivided 
attention to his home, his farm and his family. 
His children are now tilling useful and responsible 
positions in life, having nobly followed the pre- 
cepts and example furnished them by their ances- 
ters. By their honorable, upright, yet quiet and 
unassuming lives, Mr. and Mrs. McLenegan have 
won the esteem of their many friends in Rock 
County. 

lh.A AX PFENNKt, a resident of Janesville. is 
one of the representative German citizens 
i^ of Rock County. He is a native of Prus- 
sia, having been born on the banks of the 
far-famed Rhine, in the year 1835. He is a finely 
educated gentleman, being a graduate of Berlin 
University, entering at sixteen years old and tak- 
ing his degree at that celebrated institution in 18.' I. 
He was educated for the medical profession, but 
other business being more suited to his taste, he his 




-4»- 



^ 



-h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•«»* 



951 



'i- 



never eiisafreil in its piiuticc. On ncfount of his 
Mipcridr attninineiils as a scholar, lie was cxfused 
fioni niiiitary service after spending a year in tlie 
army. <mi payment of 'i'SOO. accordinif to the mili- 
tary rules of his native land, lie was in the field 
.as an Inmorary otiicer during the war with Den- 
niMik ill IS(il. in the Austrian ('ainpaii;n of 180G, 
and in the Fianco-tiernian w;ir of 1870. In the 
month of .January', 1873. he decided to become a 
resident of the United States and crossed the broad 
ocean to America. After remainiuir for a few 
months in Alhanj-. N. Y., lie continued his journey 
until he reached .lanesville. arrivina' at his destin- 
ation in April, since which time he has resided 
continuously in this city. 

While residing in the Fatherland. Mr. Pfennig 
was united in marriage with Miss Minnie .VIbrecht. 
Two children have been born of their union, Willy 
and Irmgard. 

Mr. Pfennig is now engaged in tlie real estate 
and insurance business, and occupies the ])osition 
of notary public, lie represents the (iernian Life 
Insurance Company, of New York, is also agent 
for the (lerniania Company, of Freeport, and the 
Concordni. of Milwaukee, lie also represents the 
principal steam ship lines, inclu<ling the North 
(ierman Line, both of theHambuig Lines, the Red 
Star Line, the (ieneral Transatlantic French Line, 
and tlie Inman Line, and occupies the jiosition of 
ccMisular agent for Germany. Switzerland and Aus- 
tria. .Mr. Pfennig is a brilliant scluilar, possesses 
e.xcelient ImsiTiess ability, and transacts a large 
business, especially with the (icrman citizens of 
Hock County, of whom he has the entire confidence 
and esteem. In ISSC, he erected the fine brick 
hotel which he occupies, on North Ai'ademy street. 
In 1H81), lu' built the otllce at No. .'5. adjoining the 
hotel. 

»^:^.|-< ■ 

OMKHOY A- PELTON are among the most 
enterprising and extensive dealers in leaf 
^ tobacco at Edgerton, Wis. The partner- 
ship was formed in 1870. W'hen the firm 
began operation at Edgerton they received their 
merchandise at the depot, but business increasing, 
they later rented a warehouse, and in 187'.* erected 




'\r 



a building, which they occupieil until 1K8."), when, 
finding the capacity there insullicient. they erected 
their present vvarehouse. It is built of brick, con- 
structed upon the most modern phiii, and its di- 
mensions are Kl.xSHJ feel, and three stories in height, 
including the basement, with a capacity of 2.')00 
cases. In the packing-room, diiiing the busy poi- 
tion of the season, fifty iiands are employed, and 
the enterprise has become one of the leading in- 
dustries of Edgci'ton. 

W. T. Pomeroy, of this firm, is a representative 
of one of the early families of Rock County, and 
is a son of Ral[)h Pomeroy, who settled in the town 
of Fulton in 18;'):!, where our subject was liorn the 
following year. 'I"he family has been identified 
with the tobacco interests of Rock County from the 
earliest days of the cultivation of that plant in 
Wisconsin, W. T. Pomeroy, an uncle of the subject 
of this notice, and the gentleman for ivhom lio was 
named, having lieen one of the first to engage in 
the growing and shipping of what has become the 
staple production of a large part of Rock, and a 
portion of several adjoining counties. Mr. Pom- 
eroy was reared on his father's farm, in the town 
of Fulton, and in 1879 was united in marriage with 
Miss Emma E. Warner, a daughter of .Vlbert 
Warner, who lost his life in the service of his 
country during the War of the Rebellion, and a 
granddaughter of Horace Warner. Two children 
have been liorn of the union of this worthy cou- 
ple — Edna E. and Mary L. 

Milford Pellon. the other member of the firm, is 
a native of Fond du Lac County, Wis., where he 
was born in 1 8.")0. He is a son of Samuel Pelton. 
wiio settled in Fond du Lac County in 18)7, theic 
making his hfime until his death, which occurred 
ten years later. Our subject became a resident of 
the town of Fulton in I8('i!l, and was joined in wed- 
lock with Miss Mary Pomeroy, a sister of his part- 
ner. Two children grace their union — Jessie and 
AVillie. 

As stated, Pomeroy it Pellon are among the 
most extensive and successful dealers in leaf to- 
b.icco in Wisconsin. To them belongs the credit 
of introducing -'Comstock's Spaiush Tobacco," the 
leaf most largely cultivated at the present time. 
riifV possess a thorough knowledge of their busi- 




4 



952 



•t^ 



I 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ncss. are cordial and genial in disposition, which 
characteristics, combined with strict business in- 
tegrity and an earnest desire to please their cus- 
tomers, have secured for them the confidence of all. 



<^^ LBKRT SHEREH, a pioneer harness-maker 
of Janesville, was Ijorn iu Byre, Germany, 
in 1825, received his education in his na- 
tive town, and served a regular apprentice- 
ship to the saddlery and harness making trade. He 
emigrated to America in the year 1H42, and came 
dhect to Janesville, where he opened a shop in his 
line, and carried on l)usiness sviccessfully until his 
fatal illness, his death occurring on the :id day of 
November, 1862. 

Mr. Sherer was oiarried in .lanesville in 1849. to 
Miss Agnes Ott, a daughter of Uonaparke and 
Cecelia (Greulich) Ott. Mrs. Sherer was a native 
of Baden, Germany. Six children were born of 
ther union, live sons and one daughter: Albert, 
the eldest, died at the age of thirty-five years; Sa- 
rah is the wife of Charles Carman, of Janesville; 
Frank married Miss Helen C. Fifield, and is en- 
gaged in the drug business in this city; (Jcorgeand 
Julius, the next younger sons, were both drowned, 
the first named when twelve years of .age, and the 
latter when nineteen years olri ; William T. wedded 
Miss Clara Church, and is a resident of .lanesville. 

In his political afhliations, Mr. Sherer wjis a Dem- 
ocrat, and was a consistent member of the Catholic 
Church. He was an industrious, skillfid workman, 
a good citizen and an honorable and upright m.an. 
He died in the prime of life, leaving a wife and six 
young children to mourn his loss. He was ever 
courteous, kind-hearted, and true to his family and 
friends. His widow, an estimable lady, survives 
her luisl)and and resides at Janesville. 



^N 



-f 



^p&HAl'NCEY TUTTLK, win. is numbered 
(if ^^ among the earliest settlers of Hock County-, 
^^^' and for many years a prominent citizen, 
was born in Oneida County. N. Y., on the 19th 
day of May, 1790. and was a son of Solomon Tut- 

4» 



tie, who served during the entire War of the Rev- 
olution. In 18(10, when a young lad of four years, 
our subject removed with his parents to Rutland, 
Jefferson Co., X. Y.. and became n leading pioneer 
of that county. He there grew to manhood, receiv- 
ing a common-school education, and on arriv- 
ing at j'ears of maturity was joined in the holy 
bonds of matrimony with Miss Amy Weaver, 
who was a most estimable lady and a member of 
the Baptist Church. Six children were born of 
their union, four of whom arc living at this writ- 
ing, as follows: James F.. who now makes his home 
in Fulton Township; (ieorge M., who resides in 
Roscoe, 111.; Permelia. wife of 11. 1*. Hoskins, a 
resident of Chicago; and .Sarah J., wife of the Rev. 
Lindon Rigiey, of Los Angeles. Cal. 

In 1836, Mr. Tuttle cast his lot with the pioneer 
settlers of Rock County, where he continued to 
make his home until called from this life. At the 
lime of his arrival here no roads had been made, 
and the travellers were forced to follow the Indian 
trails, which were often very obscure or almost 
totally obliterated. Tiie land was still in its [irimi- 
tive condition, hardly a furrow had been turned, 
l)ut few claims hud been taken and on this unset- 
tlcil frontier, .Mr. Tuttle began the development 
of a home and farm. Settling in Turtle Township, 
he gave his whole time and attention to the work 
in hand, and in the course of time, his labors re- 
ceived their rew:u-d in bountiful harvests. Though 
the duties were many, the days sped merrily in the 
little cal)in until the winter of 1855-6, when a 
d.ark gloom overshadowed the home caused l)\ the 
death of the wife and mother. Kind and loving, 
always read}' to lend a licl|iiMg hand to those iu 
need, her death proved :i sad loss to the commun- 
ity. Mr. Tuttle was again married, his second 
union being with Miss . I ulia Benedict, who was 
liorn in Rutl'ind, N. Y., and a daughter of Stephen 
and Deborah (l)elevan) Henedict. who were de- 
scended from the old Huguenot ancestry. 

In his earlier years, our subject w.as a warm sup 
porter of the \Vliig party, but on its dissolution he 
joined the new Republican party, and continued to 
act with that great organization until his death. 
He died at his home in Bcloit. to which he li.id 
removed in 1858. He took a deep interest in re- 

— ■» 



t- 



•I 



i«*> 



ROCK COUNTY. 



953 



liijious matters, and for many lonii' years was a 
meinl)er of tlu' llaptisl Cluireli. during the giealer 
part of uiiich time he I'iIUmI the olliee (jf Deacon, 
lie (lied as he had lived, a faitliful servant of his 
Master. Charitable and lienevolenl. he won the 
love of all. and of him it can be truly s;ud the 
world is better for his having lived. Mrs. Tuttle 
still survives her husband and makes her home 
in Beloit. Like him she has been a follower in 



years. In 1880 he eame to .Tanesville. and estab- 
lished his present business in this city. lie is a 
young man of good business al)ility. f;ur an<l hon- 
orable in his dealings, and has secured a liberal 
share of the public |)atronage. His stable has all 
j the modern conveniences, and is stocked in a first- 
class manner. 

On the 22d day of December. IK.SG. Mr. Davis 
was joined in wedlock with .Miss .Vnna Goodrich, 



the teachings of the scripturi's and for sixty years { the ceremony being performed in .Milton, in which 



has held membership in the Congregaticjnal Church. 



*- 



(& I^ILL DAVIS, who is engaged in tlie livery, 
\rJ// feed and sale business in Jancsville. is a 
VtnP representative of (tne of the early families 
of Rock County. He tr.aces his ancestry l)aek to 
Wales. In 1<).S4 William Davis came from that 
countiy tt) America. His son James had three 
sons — Jacob, .Samuel, and /I'ba. The fust-named 
had a son, also named Jacob, who was the father 
of four sons and six daughters. Jasper, the third 
son, was born in Clark County. Ohio, and came 
with his i)arents to Milton, Rock County, in 1844, 
making his home for a few days with Joseph 1 
Goodrich. On the L'.sth day of Augu.st, 18.02. he 
married Luvina R. Brown, who was born in Seotl, 
N. Y., July 19, 182'.>. When five years of age she 
was taken by her parents to I,a I'orte County, Ind., j 
and ten years later to Rock County, Wis. Imme- 
diately after their marriage, the young couple re- 
moved to Waushara County, Wis., where they re- 
mained live years, and then returned to Milton, 
Rock County, where they resided until their death. 
The former <lied Feb. 2.'), 188.'), and the latter Ocl. 
7, 188G. Tney were the pari'Uts of two children: 
Rosa E.. born Sept. II. |8.').'). is the wife of (i. S. 
Afaltcr. .ami resides at the late parental home in 
Milton Junction. She was mairied .Vpril :M), 188U. 
William J. was the second-born, his birth occurring 
Jan. 2, 1857. | 

The siibjecl of this sketch w.as reared ujion a 
farm. receiving his education in the common schools, 
and followed agricultur.il pursuits until attaining 
his majority. He then embarked in the livery 
business at Milton, where he continued about two 




town the lady was born. She is a daughter of 
Ezra Goodrich, whose father was the founder of 
■Milton, and the first storekeeper in that place. The 
union of Mr. ami Mrs. Davis h.as been blessed with 
one child, a little daughter. I.ucile Goodrich, who 
was born Jan. I. 1 .S8;». .Mrs. Davis is a meml)er 
of the Milton Jum-tion Cliun-h of the Seventh Day 
Baptists, and Mi. Davis is a Republican in politics. 
Though they have resided in Janesville but a .short 
time, this worths- couple have gained many friends 
in their new ljon:e, and aie highly esteemed by :ill 
who know them. 



rXTOX XORRIS, of the lirm of Shopbell 
& Xorris. manufacturers, of ,bwie>ville, 
was born in Newark. N. J., on the 1st day 
of May. 18;>(), and is a son of Silas and 
Nancy (Gillispie) Norris. His parents were also 
natives (^f New Jersey, but the father was of Eng- 
lish descent and the mother of Irish. Both were 
descended from .'incestors who d.-ile their ri'sidfin'C 
in this countiy back to Die <-oloiiial da\s of our 
history. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
town, and there received an academic education. 
lie learned the caipenter's ti'ade while in Newark, 
and followed that occupation until 1857. when he 
decided to try his fortune in the West and came to 
Janesville. where he worked al his trade for four 
years. At the expiration of that time he went to 
Jlonroe, and engaged in the same line until Octo- 
ber, 18G4, when he enlisted in the service of his 
country at St. Louis in the quartermaster's depart- 
ment, serving imtil his discharge in April. iHfij. 
He then returned to Monroe, where he continued 



■*► 



f 



4 



•«► 



9o4 



ROCK COUNTY. 



to engage in contracting and building until 1875. 
He has erected many buildings of note, including 
jails, school-liouses and court-houses. As before 
mentioned, in 1875, he again came to Janesvilte, 
and in the month of October, formed a partnersliii) 
with Mr. Sliopbell. which connection has continued 
until the present writing, covering a period of near- 
ly fourteen years. Theirs is one of the leading 
enterprises of the city. They are engaged in the 
m.anufacture of the .Jackson refriger.ator and the 
improved common sense weather strii)S. They al- 
so make sash, doors, blinds, mouldings and brac- 
kets and employ- on an average eighteen hands. 

On the r2th day of .July, 1871, Mr. Norris 
formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Sallie A. 
Carrington, a daughter of Rowland Carrington, and 
a native of the P^mpire State. They have an 
adopted daughter, Grace. Mrs. Norris is a member 
of tlie Congregational Church of Janesville, and 
Mr. Norris lielongs to Wisconsin Lodge, No. 90, I. 
O. O. F. In politics, he is a faithful adherent of 
tlie Republican party, and is now serving his sec- 
ond term of two years as a member of the City 
Council. 



t 



ENRY MARSDEN, of the lumber firm of 

yl] Marsden, Whittet & Co.. one of the leading 
enterprises of Edgerton. was born March 
ijg^ 14, 1832. in Birchover, Derbyshire, Eng- 
land, and is a son of Samuel and Ann ^larsden, 
who are numbered among the early pioneers of 
this .state. The fatlier was born in Derbyshire 
Feb. 10, 1795. was reared to the occupation of 
farming, and in his native laud married Ann Ilem- 
slock, who was horn on the 17th day of .laniiar}-, 
1798. In the summer of 1844 Mr. Marsden emi- 
grated to the United States, Vieing accompanied by 
his wife and ten children, six sons and four daugh- 
ters. Two married daughters. Mrs. Priscilla Vick- 
ers and Mrs. Hannah Vickers, remained in Eng- 
land. On arriving in this country Mr. Marsden 
came with his family to Wisconsin, and settled in 
the town of Albion, Dane County, where he 
located Government land, and made his home 
until his death, which occurred Feb. 5, 1863. 
Ills wife died in 1881 at a ver}' advanced age. 
4' 



He and and his family were accompanied to this 
country by John Slater and family, together with 
others. Those two gentleman were warm personal 
friends, and became jjromincnt among the early 
pioneers. Mr. Slater, however, did not long sur- 
vive, his death occurring the second or third year 
after settling in this countrj-. He was a wor- 
thy citizen, and in connection with Mr. Marsden. 
erected the first church ever built in Albion. It 
was a primitive Methodist Church, and both gen- 
tlemen were local ministers of that religious or- 
ganization. Mr. Slater left quite a numerous ffim- 
ily, none of whom are now residents of Wisconsin. 

Samuel Marsden was a worthy and esteemed 
citizen, a sincere and earnest Chistian gentleman, 
and left to his children that priceless heritage, a 
good name. Although his earthly career is finished, 
he still lives in the memory of his family and 
friends, and of liim it can truly be said, the world 
is better for his having lived. In early life, after 
becoming an American citizen, he affiliated w ith 
the Democratic party, but when the riueslion of 
human slavery divided the great political world, 
he cast his lot with the opponents of that most in- 
human system, and was ever afterward an Aboli- 
tionist, Init w.as not permitted to live to witness 
the establishment of universal freedom in his adop- 
ted land. Though an Englishman l>v birth and 
education, and cherishing a deep love and respect 
for his native country, he was yet a true American 
in principle, appreciating and admiring our free 
institutions, and was ever loyal to our starry 
banner. 

Samuel Marsden and wife were the parents of 
fifteen children, nine sons and six daughters, but 
three of his sons died in j-outh, before the removal 
of the family from England. Of the remaining 
numlier four sons and four daughters are living at 
the time of this writing: I'riscilla, before men- 
tioned, is the eldest of these, and still resides in 
England, where she has a numerous family; Han- 
nah, now Mrs. Vickers. remained in lier native 
land when the family came to this countrj-. but 
several yea-s later she followed them across the 
Atlantic, and now makes her liome in Dane County; 
Mrs. Esther Wileraan. who with her parents and 
her husband, James Wileuian. came to \\'isconsin 

• •► 



1 



-4•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



955 1 



in 1844, is a resident of tlie town of Albion, Dane 
County; Job also lives in Albion near the old 
lioniuslcdd; Heiirj', of this sketch, is the next in 
order of birth; Joseph makes his home in tlie 
town of Sumner, Jefferson County; Mary is now 
tlie wife of Samuel Tall, of Albion; and Samuel, 
the youngest son, owns and occupies the old home- 
stead. Jonathan, the eldest of the sons, died soon 
after reachiu"' Dane County, at the age of twenty' 
years; Martha, the eldest, became the wife of Will- 
iam Wright, and died at the age of thirty years, 
leaving a daughter, now the widow of Samuel Hall; 
George, fatally shot himself while hunting with his 
brother Samuel, being in his seventeenth j-ear at 
the time of his death, which occurred in the 3ear 
1855; and Ruth, who became the wife of Samuel 
Clarke, died Aug. 9, 188-2, at the age of sixty-one 
y cars- 
Henry ^Nlarsden, whose name heads this sketch, 
resided in England until about twelve years of age, 
at which time he came with his parents to America, 
lie ili^tiuctly remembers the condition of the coun- 
try forty-five yeai'S ago, its wild and unbroken 
jjrairie, over which the deer roamed, its uncut 
tiuilicr. the liaunl of many kinds of wild game, its 
little pioneer cabins and its villages, which have 
now become thriving cities. He w:xs reared to 
niiuiliood on the homestead farm, and married Miss 
Margaret C. Whittet, a daughter of James and 
Margaret \Vhitlct. pioneers of Dane County. 
Their union has been blest with four children: 
James C, Margaret -Vnn, Arthur and John Marvin. 
Though reared to the occupation of farming and 
always owning a fine farm, nevertheless, when a 
M>ung man. Mr. Marsdcn learned the trade of car- 
|)cnter and builder, serving an apprcnticeshi)) with 
.1. J. Naset. lie followed that occupation for 
eighteen years, at the same time overseeing his 
farming operations. He now owns a line farm in 
Albion Township. Dane County, of nearly 200 
acres, 1 GO of which arc comprised in the old liome- 
ste.ad of his father. In May, 1883. he embarked 
in the lumber business as a member of the firm of 
Marsdcn, Whittet it Co., and removed with his 
wife and chililren to Edgertoii. No family is more 
worthy a place in the pioncir history of Wisconsin 
than that of Samuel and Ann .Mai's<lcn. The des- 



cendants of that worthy couple, who have long 
since passed to the better lan<I, are very numerous, 
but our subject is the onlj- one who resides in Rock 
County. He is numbered among the successful 
and substantial business men of Edgerton. Ever 
liberal in the support of church and educational 
interests, and prominent in the promotion of any 
enterprise for the public welfare, he is esteemed .as 
a worthy and progressive citizen. 

'Z;^ ENRY TUTTLE, who is also numbered 
II among the early settlers of Clinton, Wis., is 




a native of the Empire State, having been 
born in Jefferson Count}-, on the 10th day 
of July, 1813. He was there reared to manhood 
and received his education in the common schools. 
At the age of twenty-four years, he left his home 
and in the fall of 1837, joined his brother Ch.arles, 
who the previous spring had come to Rock County 
in company with Milton S. Warner, William Murrv. 
and Daniel and Dr. Dennis Mills, who was the first 
physician in the township. The party had built a 
log cabin into which the family moved, its inmates 
numbering nine men and three ladies. During the 
following years, they all took claims for themselves 
and made homes, thus bearing an important |)art in 
the upbuilding and development of the communi- 
ty. On his arrival in the county, our subject at 
tnce turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, 
and b}- his perseverance and industry has gained a 
comfortable competenc}- which enables him to pass 
his declining j'ears in rest and retirement from the 
more .active duties of life. 

On the 16th day of June, 1847, Mr. Tuttle 
further completed his arrangements for a home on 
the western frontier, by his marriage with Miss 
Surah Shores, a native of Hamilton, Madison Co., 
N. Y., where she was born in 1817. Two children 
lilesscd their union — Alfred H. who is now living 
in Lake County. Dak.; and Ered W., a resident of 
Meyer County, Dak. In 1869, Mr. Tuttle was 
called upfin to mourn the loss of his wife, who died 
in the month of March. She w:is a lady, |K)Ssessing 
many excellencies of character, was a member of 
the Congregational Church and her loss was felt not 



i 



0= 



956 



■♦■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



only b3- her immediate family but by many warm 
friends as well. Among the many honored citizens 
of Rock County none are held in higher regard 
than the gentleman whose name iieads this sketch. 
He is now an old man, but he can look liaek over 
the years that have come and gone with no regret 
for the past and look forward with no fears fortiie 
future. He is not a member of any ciiuich lint has 
ahva3's contriliuted to their supjiort and in |iolitical 
sentiment is a staunch supporter of the Repulili- 
can party. 



i- 



ACOB FISHER, deceased, long a resident 
of Plyniouth Township, was numbered 
among the pioneers of 1846. He w:is a 
I native of Pennsylvania, born in the town 
of Hanover, Luzerne County, Nov. 16, 181 !l, and 
was of Swiss descent. His grandfather Rulff 
Fisher, was born in Switzerland in 17'24, but prior 
to the Revolutionary War he emigrated to Ameri- 
ca and located in New Jersey, where .Jacob Fisher, 
the father of our subject, was born in 1771. Rulff 
Fisher died in Luzerne County, Pa., April 9. iJSOi). 
at the age of eighty-five. 

The subject of this sketch was tenth in order of 
birth of a family of fourteen children. He grew 
to manhood in his native State, and received his 
education in the common schools. He was reared 
to farm life, and followed that occupation through 
life. On the 7th day of November, 1814, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Harriet Inman, also 
a native of Luzerne County, and two years later 
he came with his young wife to Rock County, 
and commenced the life of a pioneer farmer. But 
few imi)rovements had been made at this time, 
almost the entire county being in its primitive 
state. Entering eighty acres of land and purchas- 
ing forty more, heat once commenced the develop- 
ment of a farm. Success seemed to crown Ids 
efforts, and fmm time to time he .added to his pos- 
se.ssions until lie finally owned 7.30 acres, on which 
he erected g'lud dwelling houses and barns, im- 
proving the estate until it became one of the most 
valuable in town or county. 

He was an energetic, enterprising man, whose suc- 
cess as an agriculturist w:is due to his own efforts 



and industry", as he began life on the frontier in 
very humble circumstances. As his wealth and 
jiossessions increased his business operations ex- 
tended. In the educational and moral interests of 
the community he was sjiecially active. Though 
not a member of any religions <lenomination. he 
contributed largely of his means in support of 
churches. The Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Plymouth and the one at Orfordville he assisted to 
a considerable extent. He was a genial, social gen- 
tleman, whose presence was always hailed with 
delight .at social gatherings. In the breeding of 
good stock he took especial pride, and was one of 
the first to introduce pure bred .Shoit-Horn Dur- 
ham cattle in the county. 

.Six children were born of their union, onlj' 
three of whom are now living. The first born, 
.John Inman, was born Aug. 15, 1845, and died 
June 20. 1846, while Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were on 
their journey to Wisconsin. Edward W., whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this work, was the sec- 
ond born. Then followed Hannah M.. born July 
12, 1851, now the wife of E. .1. Owen; Jacob H.. 
born Aug. 18, 1855. died April 27. 1856; liyron 
L., born June 18, 1860, died Feb. 27. 1862; E. 
Ellsworth, born Oct. 24, 1864, is now residing with 
his mother in .lanesville. 

-^s ^^.^ ^ 



LVIN B. CARPENTER, retired merchant 
i QyLll i and long one of the most prominent pro- 
moters of the leading interests of Beloit, 
was born in Strafford, Orange Co., Vt., 
July 17, 1812, a son of Willard and Polly (Bacon) 
Carpenter. His father was born April 3, 1767, 
and died at Strafford, Nov. 14. 1854. His mother 
was born March 15, 1769. and died at Strafford 
March 4, 1860. They were married at Woodstock, 
Conn., Feb. 2.'?. 1791. Their children were as fol- 
lows: Betsey, born 1791; Parker, 1794; Ephraim, 
1796; Harvey, 1798: John, 1800; Mary and Wil- 
lard, Jr. (twins), 1803; Joseph, 1805; Samantha, 
1807; Lucia and Lucius (twins), 1810; and Alvin 
Bacon, 1812, the youngest of a family of twelve. 
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter were among the earliest 
settlers of Strafford, having emigrated thither from 



^^ 




-4^ 



UOCK COUNTY. 



957 ,, 



Connectioiit at ii time wlicii that now liiiilily im- 
proved part of our country was a vast, almost un- 
broken wilderness. Tlic latter, who survived her 
husband between five and six years, lived to see 
118 of their lineal descendants — twelve children, 
fifty-two grandchildren, fifty-three great-grand- 
children, and one great-great-grandchild. All of 
these children were born and reared on the old Car- 
penter homestead, at Strafford. Some of them be- 
came farmers and farmers' wives, and among those 
who sought other w;ilks of life were Willard, Jr., 
and Alvin J5.. who made enviable and widely ac- 
knowledged reputations as merchants and business 
men of wide scope and great success. Ephraim 
and .Tohn were also merchants at one period of 
their lives, and Joseph witii .lohn E. Dutcher, Mrs. 
Alvin B. Carpenter's brother, once tradetl in New 
York State. 

Willard and John Car[)entor established them- 
selves in trade in a small way at Troy, N. Y., in 
the early part of the present century, and while but 
a mere boy, Alvin li. Carpenter came out from 
Vermont and entered their service. About 1831, 
Kphraim Carpenter bought his brother John's in- 
terest in the business, and Alvin began peddling 
goods for them upon a sharing basis, though he 
was not a partner in the firm of E. & W. Carpen- 
ter, as it was styled. He became well-known 
throughout the country, and, with the mercantile 
instinct developed to an extent unusual in one so 
young, made several favorable speculative pur- 
chases of stocks of goods which he disposed of to 
such good advantage that in about six years he 
had made and saved a profit of $10,500. 

In the fall of 183.0, Mr. Carpenter invested his 
capital in goods and went to Evansville, Ind., and 
opened a general store. About six months later 
the firm of A. IJ. Carpenter <k Co., w.as formed, 
thi! partners in which were Mr. Carpenter and his 
brothers, the latter adding about 140,000 to the 
capital invested in the business. In addition to 
carrying on their extensive and growing mercan- 
tile business, the firm invested largel}' in real estate 
in Evansville and .Southern Indiana, and though 
thej- found themselves hampered by the disadvant- 
ages accruing from the panic of 1836-37, thev 
weathered that memorable financial storm and 



paid to every man every cent that was his due. 
In the meantime Willard Carpenter had purchased 
Ephraim's interests in the West and .sold the latter 
his Troy and other Eastern business. In 1841, 
A. B. Carpenter <k Co., sold their mercantile inter- 
ests to Steward & Amoryand engaged quite largely 
in real estate and milling operations, taking as 
part pay for their goods the fine steam flouring, 
mill. Mr. Alvin B. Carpenter now went to New 
Orleans, La., and opened there a house for the sale 
of their flour and large quantities of produce which 
his fellow townsmen in Evansville shipped to him 
to be handled on commission, his brother man.ag- 
ing the mill and the Evansville end of the enter- 
prise generally. 

The ill health of Mr. Carpenter's son, James M., 
now a prominent merchant of Beloit, then n. ' yet 
two years old, necessitated the return of the family 
to a more favorable climate, and after about ten 
months residence there Mr. Carpenter closed out the 
flour and commission business, disposing of his 
stock in Boston, and again took up his residence in 
Evansville, when, in eomp.any with Oliver Ladd, 
he opened a dry goods jobbing house which was so 
successfully managed th.at in two years it yielded 
them a clear profit of more than |!20,000. 

About 184.5, Mr. Carpenter went to Galena, III., 
and for about six months was there engaged in the 
dry goods, boot and shoe and grocery trade. At 
the end of this time sickness in his family again 
rendered a change of climate .advisable, and he took 
up his residence in Beloit, but not at that time per- 
manently, as events proved. He kept a large gen- 
eral store in Beloit during the succeeding three 
years, and in 1849, removed to Cambridge. Dane 
Co., Wis., where he bought a town site and mill- 
site and erected a gristmill with which he connec- 
ted a sawmill. Selling out his interests there, in 
1851, he bought another town site, in Avon, Rock 
Co., Wis., where he opened a general store, built 
up a water-power .and purch.ised 3.000 acres of 
land. In 1852, he disiiosed of the water-power and 
store and returned to Beloit. this time to make it 
his permanent home, and soon afterward he traded 
his residence for the first frame building erected in 
the town, then known as the Dearborn residence 
and baker^'. in which he opened a general store. 



-•► 



nf 



958 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•►^H^ 



His subsequent Ijusiness operations may he thus 
ski-tclied: One year afterward lie sold out his stock 
of goods to Keyes i^- White, and aliout lSo4. start- 
ed an exchange and banking business, which he 
continued about three 3'ears, when he closed it out 
to again join his l)rother in his mercantile enterprise 
in Evansville. In 18.5'J, he bought a stock of mer- 
chandise in Heloit of \Varren Hogdon, known as 
the Great Western Store, and in connection with 
his son James M., and his sou-in-law A. A. Greene 
formed a partnership under the firm name of A. R. 
Carpenter & Son. Two j'ears afterward, the son, 
James M., bought out the business. Then, in 18G.") 
in partnership with his son and Mr. White, under 
the firm name of Carpenter, Wiiite ife Baker, Mr. 
Carpenter opened a wiiolesaie dry goods house in 
Evansville, Ind., of which he was at the head about 
a year and a half, until, 18(')G. he exchanged his in- 
terest in it for a stock of clothing, witli a Mr. Cle- 
ments of Tennessee, bringing the clothing to Be- 
loit and opening up a store for it.-* sale. He also 
opened dry goods, boot and shoe, and grocery stores, 
each in a separate place of business, but all side by 
side in Union Hall Block. This Inisiness was con- 
ductetl under the firm u'lme of Carpenter & Greene 
and continued until about February. 18(59. when a 
fire occurred, wilii a loss to tlie linn of about 
$15,000. and Mr. Carpenter relinquished it, Mr. 
Greene taking the boot and shoe stock and contin- 
uing lliat trade in .another location. In July, 
1870. Mr. Carpenter eng.aged in the manufacture 
of boots and shoes in connection with Cyrus Libby, 
E. H. Chapman and John Foster, under the firm 
name of Libl)y. Foster it Co.. this lieing tiie first 
manuf.actory of the kind in Beloit. Three years 
later he sohl liis intf rest in this enterprise to .Mr. 
Chapman and since that time has been engage<l in 
real estate and building operations on an extensive 
scale. 

As mercliaut. banker, real estate operator and 
man of affairs, Mr. C;n-|ienler has always been one 
of Beloit's most eMter|)ri>inL' and puMic s|)irit(Ml 
citizens. An idea of the scope and extent of his 
transactions may be gained from the fact that in 
the p.ast thirty-live years he has expended in 
improvements in Beloit over $200,000; for he is a 
conspicuous representative of that class of men who 



have done so much to develop the resources of 
the West, recognizing the fact that the surest way 
to advance their own interests is by the advance- 
ment of the general interest of the communities in 
which they live, thus reaping the legitimate reward 
of well doing. The best executive ability, practi- 
cal common sense and strict integrity of character 
have been the distinguishing characteristics of his 
business career. So unbounded was the confidence 
reposed in him. in the great financial rise of the 
coiuitry, that, at a time when the mone\- market 
was especially stringent. Mi-. Carpenter was enabled 
to use in Beloit ^70,0(10 entrusted to him by an 
Eastern banking institution on security that the 
loaners had never seen. The enterprise and liber- 
ality of Mr. Carpenter have ilone more toward the 
upbuilding of Beloit than the individual efforts of 
any other of its i)ublic spirited citizens, for he hus 
ever been a willing and liberal contributor to every 
measure calculated to in any manner advance the 
public interests or insure the general welfare. One 
of the most onspicucnis monuments lo Mr. Carpen- 
ter's enterprise is the Grand Hotel, whieli lie erect- 
ed in 1884, at a cost of ¥30.(100. It is the practi- 
cal outgrowth of an idea he conceived of building 
in such a manner that additions could be adiled 
from time to time, as the growth of the cit\- might 
demand, a hotel that should be the pride of the 
city. He is the owner also of several well known 
business properties and of quite a numlier of res- 
idences in different parts of the town. 

Mr. Carpenter married Almira L. Dutcher, at 
Troy, N. Y., July 5. 1839, .and they celebrated 
their golden wedding July 5, 1889. Nearly 1,000 
invitations were issued and man3- were accepted, 
and the affair was one of the most noteworthy so- 
cial events in the history of Beloit. Among the 
regrets received, all accompanied by kindest wishes, 
were those of President and Mrs. Harrison. .Senatf)r 
.Merrill, of Vermont, and President W. B. Strong, 
of the Santa Fe Railroad, and wife, of Boston, 
and others from nearly every Stale in the Union. 
All appropriate address was made by Mr. J. B. 
Dow. presenting to Mr. Carpenter a valuable gohl- 
headed cane fiH)m fifty ladies of Beloit. and to Mrs. 
Carpenter an elegant gold-mounted umbrella from 
fiftj' of her husband's old friends and business as 



-J^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



95y 



suciates, and Mrs. Xorman Dutclier read a fitting 
pocra. One of the pleasantest features, one so 
uiK'onnnon as to be worthy of comment, was the 
presence at their golden wedding of all the chil- 
dren who had been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carpen- 
l>cnler. These are — James M. C'arijentcr. Mrs. 
llattie M. Scaring, Mrs. Annie B. F^awrence and 
Mrs. C. 15. Salmon, of Heloit; Mrs Mary A. Greene 
of Minneaiiolis, Minn.; and Mrs. F. D. Caldwell, 
of Kvansville. Iiid. Mrs. Carpenter's brother, 
Xorman Duteher, who witnessed their wedding 
fifty years before, was present, .is was also John E. 
Dnteher, another one of her brothers. Mr. and 
Mrs. Carpenter are blessed witli eleven grand- 
children, all but one of whom were present. 

If Mr. Carpenter has had success, he has won it. 
If he has happiness and peace in his declining 
years, he deserves them. Ilis life has been the life 
of a good man who lovts his fellow men. and all 
wlio have come within its influence have been ben- 
efitteil by it. 

—:- : : D i o ; : ^^ 




ENHV M. HOWE, now residing on section 
* 1, Spring \'alley Township, where he is en- 
\^ gaged in general farming, first came to 
^j Wisconsin in 1840. He is a native of Ver- 
mont, his birth occurring on the 24th day of .May, 
1820,011(1 is a son (>f John and Pluebe (Dexter) 
Howe, the former a native of Connecticut, and the 
latter of New Hampshire, while both were of Eng- 
lish descent. The maternal grandfather. Stepiicn 
Dexter, served in the Kevobitionarv war. partici- 
pating in the rialtle of Hiiiikcr Hill, and many 
other engagements, but received no wounds. The 
grandfather Howe was engaged in business at New 
London, Conn., and in 1812. the martial law being 
declared, he went to the defense of the cit}' with 
his fellow townsmen antl was killed. The family 
of which our subject was a member numbered 
eight children, all of whom grew to years of matu- 
ritv. Edsen, the eldest, served in the Seminole 
War, weilded Miss Mary Moore, of New Hamp- 
shire, and died in California in ISUt. He was a 
great traveler, belonged to the I'nited States Navy, 
was three times ship-wrecked and twice cast away, 

<■ 



at one time landing on an island in the ocean. He 
visited many countries, including the Holy Land, 
where he saw many objects of interest, among 
which was the Mount of Olives, the city of Jerusa- 
lem, and the chair in which .IdIih the Haptist was 
bound at the time when he was beheacltd by the 
command of the king's daughter; Almira, the 
second child, married George Boyce, of Northfield, 
Vt., by whom she had six children, and her death 
occurred in 1888. her husband being also decease<l ; 
William, who followed a seafaring life and was a 
mate on a whale ship, later, in company with some 
English officers, went into the mining business in 
New Zealand, where he is supposed to have died. 
He was married in Sidney, Australia, but whether 
any children were born of this union is unknown; 
George, who served in a \'ermont regiment during 
the War of the Rebellion, married Miss Martha 
Bensor, of Northfield, ^■t., and three daughters 
were born to them ; the parents are now both de- 
ceased; Lucia, now deceased, was the wife of Ben- 
jamin Tilton, of Danville, Vt.. also deceased, and 
by their union w.as born three children; John, 
who was united in marriage with Caroline Reese, of 
Rock County, Wis., a native of Pennsylvania, had 
five children by that union, four of whom are still 
living. Hale, being now a resident of California, 
while the remaining three are residents of Wiscon- 
sin; Warren, who married ^liss Amanda Brooks, 
of Danville, A't.. by whom he has eight children, 
six sons and two daughters, is living with his fam- 
ily in Woodstock, 111. 

The subject of this sketch first came to Wiscon- 
sin in 1840, and for one year worked on the Rock 
River on a scow propelled by horse power and a 
main sail. It was owned by Decker it Nowlton. of 
Janesville, and was drawn by three horses. The 
water wheel was allixed to the stvrn of the boat, 
the horses going around on a sweep gear, similar 
to that of a threshing machine. Tliey boated stone 
and lumber, receiving the former from Chapin 
quarry, and landing near the Indian Ford. They 
went :xs far up the river as JelTerson. where there 
was a saw mill, the only one at that time within 
many miles of Janesville, in fact the only one 
known to be west of Milwaukee: After working 
on the boat for about six weeks. Mr. Howe was 



■r- 



960 



^i^l-* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



taken sick with bilious fever, which confined him to 
his home for about six weeks. After recovering 
his strength, in company with five others. Jolin 
Howe, Mr. Biddlecombe, John Conner, Allen C. 
Bates, a lawyer now in Janesville, and Warren 
Howe, he went up the Rock River, to the woods near 
Jefferson, where they secured basswood, oak and 
hickory trees, from which they hewed logs, m.ide 
rafts, andwith tamarack poles floated down the Rock 
River. They stopped .at Black Hawk Island, where 
there was an Indian camp, tlie Indians being engaged 
in trapping, and there they went ashore to cook and 
sleep. The Indians came to them asking for 
'•skoola wambo," or firewater, which they agreed 
to give them in exchange for cash and furs. In 
company with Eli Phelps, Mr. Howe went in a ca- 
noe a few miles up the river to Fort Atkinson, 
where they obtained two gallons of whiskey, and 
the exchange was made as agreed. After disposing 
of their lumber rafts to good advantage, in the 
spring of 1841, Mr. Howe was employed at any- 
thing ''at he could find to do until the following 
autumn, »'ipn he went to "hog back ridge," a 
a short distance west of Footville, where, in con- 
nection with Warren and John Howe and Mr. 
Coovers he began cutting wild hay, the}' putting 
up about sevent3'-five tons at that time, which 
brought S3 a t-on in Janesville. After disposing of 
the hay, Mr. Howe returned to Vermont, where he 
engaged in rafting on the Connecticut river. The 
logs were cut on the St. Johns River, a tributary of 
the Connecticut, and rafted to Dalton. where they 
sawed, and the lumber floated down to Hartford, 
Conn. He engaged in that business for about four 
years, when he spent the two succeeding years in 
boating on the Connecticut, freighting merchan- 
dise up and down the river, making two trips per 
week from Hartford to Soutli Iladlcj' Falls. One 
year he was engaged in boating on the Merrimac 
from Concord to Boston, and in the fall of 1851 a 
partj' of forty-four started for California. 

The companj- sailed from New York by way of 
the Nicaragua route, being dcl.ayed for a short 
time on the rapids of the San Juan river. They 
were forty days on board tiie steamer "Indepen- 
dence." which at one time w.as used on the North 
River, running from the Isthmus of Panama to 



San Francisco. With the party Mr. Howe arrived 
in California during the latter part of November, 
1851. and after remaining in .San Francisco for a 
few daj's, went to Wood Creek, near which he en- 
gaged in mining. Buying an interest in two claims, 
with experienced miners, he worked three months 
and then sold out, having thirteen ounces of gold 
as the result of his efforts. He then started out b}' 
himself, going to work on a deserted el.aim near 
Sullivan's Creek, in a gulch, and after working three 
months had cleared about $1700, after which, in 
compan}' witli five others, he was engaged in pros- 
pecting in Calaveras County, carrying dirt a half 
mile in sacks to wash. He then went to work in 
a saw mill at Angeles camp, where he remained for 
five months, receiving ^150 per month, and during 
that time retained his interest in the claim, to which 
he returned during the wet season. Provision? 
were scarce and prices very high. PoUitoes were 
sold for ten cents per pound, rice was worth 75 
cents, and flour was $1 per pound. For about four 
and a half years Mr. Howe was engaged in mining 
in Calaveras County, where the}- look out dirt by 
drifting, and in four months had secured ^9000. 
The largest amount of gold in a lump taken out of 
of deep diggings weighed fifteen ounces. After 
five 3'ears spent on the Pacific Slope he returned to 
his home in Vermont, sailing from San Francisco to 
Aspenwall on the •■Golden Age," then across the 
isthmns on a train, and on to New York, on the 
steamer '"Illinois." 

On the 22d day of December. 1856, Mr. Howe 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Margaret B. Laird, 
and on the same day started with his bride for 
AVisconsin. By their union one child was born, 
Edsen, who is now carrying on the farm. He was 
united in marriage with MissLydiaE. Noble, a na- 
tive of Delaware County, Iowa, and they are now 
the parents of two children. Elmer, who was born 
Oct. 11. 1883, and Flora. Oct. 1, 1885. 

Having arrived at liis home in Vermont, on his 
return from California, Mr. Howe remained in his 
native State from June until Dec. 22, 1856, his 
wedding day, wlien, as before slated, he started for 
Wisconsin. At length arriving at his destination, 
he located on a farm on section 12, in the town of 
Plymouth, where he made his home until the fol- 



•1 



*► m "^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



961 , i 



4 



lowiiii,'- May. when lie removed to Illinois, remain- 
mi; until the following Septeniher. Once more 
coming to Hock County, he purchased a farm on 
section 3(i. Magnolia 'rownshi|). where he spent the 
succeeding ten years, when, selling that property, 
he became the owner of the farm ui)on which lie 
has since resided. The land was then jjartially irn- 
|)rove(l. and the house had been built, but it has 
since been remodeled and beaiitifieil. and the farm 
has been placed under a high state of cultivation. 
'Sir. Howe now carries on general farming, and is 
acknowledged to be one of the leading and enter- 
jirising citizens of Spring X'alley Township. In 
politics he is an inflexible adherent to the Republi- 
can party, and a strong advocate of its principles. 
On the 3tlth day of .Tune. 1867. his wife was called 
to her final rest, and her remains were interred in 
the cemetery at Orfordville. She was a most esti- 
malile lady, and was highly respected by all. 



EX J. DOW'l). rresident of the Beloit Sav- 
ff- ings Bank, and one of the leading business 
men of the city, now engaged in the mann- 
^p facture of knives, was b(jrn in Berkshire 
County, Mass., on the 24th day of October, 1833. 
His parents. .Tared B. and Sally (Smith) Dowd, 
were descended from old New Engl.aiid families, 
and were married in Berkshire County, where three 
children >vere born unto them: .lohn. who is now a 
jirominent business man of Lee, Mass., engaged in 
the manufacture^of knives; Mary A. and Rex.T.,of 
this sketch. Jared Dowd was a man of more than 
ordinary ability. Possessing a studious nature, and 
being a close observer of men and events, he be- 
came well informed on all the general tojiics of the 
day. and was also a (lueiit speaker. Religiously, be 
was a member of the Baptist Church, and was a 
liberal supporter of the gospel. His deiith occurred 
in Lee, M.ass., in 1863, and his wife, who was an 
exemplary Christian and most estimable lady, died 
in 188(1. 

I'he subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
Berkshire County, Mass., and receiveil his primary 
(■(lucMtion in the public schools. He later attended 
the Connecticut Literaiy Institute at SuHield, Conn., 

4 * 




.acquiring a thorough knowledge of book keeping 
and higher mathematics, which have been of great 
service to him in his after life. When eighteen 
years old he wjls apprenticed to the trade of knife- 
making, serving out his full term and becoming 
quite familiar with the business in all its details. 
In the year 18,')7 he formed a partnerslii|) with his 
brother under the firm name of .1. and R. J. Dowd, 
and engiiged in the manufacture of knives at Lee, 
>Mass.. for the long period of twenty years. In 
1877 he resolved to come West, and acting upon 
this determination located in Beloit, Wis., where be 
again embarked in the manufacture of knives. He 
is the owner of the only establishment of that kind 
in the Northwest, and his goods find a ready sale in 
the neighi)oring States. He h.as now carried on the 
business for about twelve years, and his trade is 
constantly- increasing. He furnishes employment 
for eight men. In 18.59 Mr. Dowd w;is united in 
marriage with Mi.ss .Sarah A. Kelsey, a daughter of 
Silas W. Kelsey, their union being celebrated iu 
Lee, Mass. Two children have been born unto 
them, sons: Olenville Arthur, now a student of 
Beloit College, and Robert Irving, who is engaged 
in business with his father. Mr. Dowd, his wife 
and sons, are members of the Second Congrega- 
tional Church, and are numbered among the highly 
respected citizens. He has been prominently iden- 
tified with its leading business interests since be- 
coming a resident of Rock County, is now Presi- 
dent of the Beloit Savings Bank, while his estab- 
lishment is one of the important manufacturing 
enterprises of the city. 



--^-*- 



^«^HELI)ON W. PECK. The following are 
^^^^ the principal events which have occurred 
ltl/_^j in the life of one who. dependent from 
early youth upon his own resources, has 
won his vv:iy slowh" but surelj- to an honorable po- 
sition -4n the mercantile world. He was born in 
Libhfield County, Conn., Aug. 31. 1810, and the 
family of which he was a member numbered four 
children. His parents. Elijah and Abigail (Whitel- 
sej") Peck, were mari-ied and reared their family iu 
Litchfield County. Henry, their eldest chihl. died 



r 



962 



i«^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4. 



-t= 



when a young- man; Sheldon \V. is tlie second in 
order of biith : James is also deceased, and Maria 
is the widow of Rev. Joseph Whitelsey, a Congre- 
gational minister. By a former marriage with a 
Miss Beckwith one son had ln-en born to Mr. Peck, 
but he was drowned when a young man. The pa- 
rents of our subject were active and consistent 
members of the Congregational Churcii, and re- 
ceived the respect of all who knew them. In his 
political sentiments Elijah Peck supported the 
Whig party and was a great admirer of its leaders. 
He never sought or desired political preferment, 
giving his attention to his business interests, but 
was well informed on all the leading questions of 
the day. 

The days of his boyhood and youth (.>ur subject 
passed on his father's farm, his farm duties being 
alternated by attendance at the district schools 
during the winter months. On attaining his ma- 
jority he left the parental roof and started out in 
life for himself. He became associated in business 
with Dyer, Wadsworth it Co., who were engaged 
in selling' the Seth Thomas clocks, and for ten 
years was in the emploj' of that firm as collector, 
traveling extensively over the South. In 1841 he 
was united in marriage with a lady of excellent 
Christian virtues and character, Bliss Olive G. 
Beebe. Her grandfather was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary War, enlisting as a i)rivate at the early 
age of sixteen years, and for meritorious conduct 
on the field of battle was promoted to the rank of 
Colonel. Mrs. Peek's parents, Hon. William and 
Clarissa (Sanford) Beebe, were natives of Litchfield 
County, Conn., and to them were born six chil- 
dren, namely: Eliza, who married Dr. John Rus- 
sell, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where her death 
occurred; Rebecca wedded Alexander Howard, and 
both are now deceased ; Hon. Philip S., of Waver- 
ley, N. Y., represented his district in the Legis- 
lature for many years; Harriet died at the age of 
twenty-one; Olive G., wife of our subject, and 
Clara, wife of Joshua Darling, now of Winsted, 
Conn. William Beebe was a man of prominence 
in the community where he resided, having several 
limes been elected to both houses of the Legis- 
ture, in which he represented his constituents with 
honor. For many years he was Probate Judge of 



Litchfield County, where he was held in the highest 
regard. 

A short time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Peck left their home in Connecticut and started for 
the far West, their journey being bj- cars to Au- 
burn, N. Y., which was then the terminus of the 
railroad, after which they proceeded by stage to 
liuffalo. where they took passage on a lake steamer 
for Chicago, arriving at their destination after a 
long and tedious journej'. The city which now 
ranks third, if not second, in population in the 
I'nion, then contained l)ut 10,000 inlial>itants. 
There was no Madison street bridge, while but a 
few scattering settlers resided on what is now 
known as the West .Side. Soon after thei.i arrival 
Mr. Peck, in compan}- with Thomas Dj'er, pur- 
chased the onl}' exclusive crockery store in the 
city. He afterwaids bought a block in connection 
with L. M. Boyce, on JMadison street, the present 
site of Charles Farwell's wholesale store, and 
erected a linseed oil mill, the first estalilishment of 
the kind in the city, and probably' in the State. 
He also purchased three lots on State street, vvhere 
he erected a handsome residence, one of the finest 
in the city at that time, then sold the other two 
lots at an advance, which paid for the one he had 
built upon, together with the cost of the residence. 
Fortune seemed to favor his ever)' effort in the 
city, and he rapidly accumulated mone)', and had 
it not been for the cholera, he would probably lie 
yet numbered among its residents. Leaving his 
Chicago home in 1856, Mr. Peck came to Beloit 
and immediately established himself in the luml)er 
trade, though he subsccjuently built a warehouse 
and handled grain in connection with his other 
business until 1878, when he retired from active 
pursuits, having since lived a private life. 

The union of Mr. and Jlrs. Peck has been blessed 
with a family of six children. Clara, who was the 
wife of John S. Kendall, died in Chicago in 1886; 
Kate; (ieorgana died at the age of twenty-one; 
William S. is living in Shelby. Ala.; Mary died at 
the age of three years, and Robert is located in 
Chicago. The parents are both members of the 
Congregational Church, and in the social world of 
Beloit hold a high position. During his earlier 
jears Mr. Peck supported by his ballot and inflii- 




t 



-4•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



9G3 



once the Wliig |)a.rty. Iml wlien the Hepubllean 
parly spraiiu; into existence sis an organization, de- 
sirinii: to prevent the furtlier extension of slavery, 
he enlisted in its ranks, and lias since been a loyal 
defender of its banner. Almost half a century has 
passed since his .arrival in this part of the country, 
at which time but a few settlers were scattered 
over the vast Northwest. The few improvements 
that had been made were of a primitive character, 
while the work of development and progress had 
hardly been begun. In the great and gram! work 
of transformation which has taken place Mr. Peck 
has been not only an eye-witness, but has taken an 
active part in producing this change. He has 
labored long and faithfully in the interests of the 
community. n)id the esteem in which he is licid is 
well merited. 



■'o*c~(ey^^\;(^o*o.. 



AMES ATNSLIE, who is numbered among 
I the pioneer settlers of Rock County, is a 
I prominent farmer of the town of Lima, re- 



-i: 



J 

(^^// siding on section 17. He, .as his parents 
were before iiim. is a native of Scotland, born in 
1818, a son of .lames and Isabel Ainslie. The 
family is noted for longevity, his paternal grandfa- 
ther. Anih'ew Ruthford Ainslie, having lived to the 
advanced age of one hundred years. The children 
born to James and Isabel Ainslie were ten in num- 
lier, seven sons and three daughters, of whom our 
subject is the only one living. Six sons and two 
daughters grew to manhood and womanhood and 
two brothers and one sister liecame residents of 
America. .Samuel w:is a prominent merchant and 
banker in Castalia. Ohio, and his family are well-to- 
do and inllueiitial. one of his sons being I'resident 
of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. Mr. Ainslie's 
nu)thcr died in her native land; his fatiier in Ohio, 
in 18 10. 'I'liey were both consistent Christians 
and members of the Presbyterian Church. Our 
subject w!is educated in Si'otland and in his early 
life was si farmer, and also engaged in teaming. 
When a young man, he resolve<l to try his fortunes 
in the New World, and bidiling goodbye to home 
and friends embarked for America on board a 
sailing vessel from Greenock. After a voyage 

4* 



of five weeks across the broad Atlantic, he landed 
safely .at New York, whence lie went to Hoston, 
where he remained for one year, engaged at day 
labor. In 1836, he left the East and became a 
resident of Iv'ie County, Ohio, where the succeed- 
ing nine years of his life were passed. He then 
continued his journey westward until reaching 
Rock County, where since 1815. he has made his 
home the greater part of the time. For a while he 
engaged in speculating in real estate, wlien form- 
ing a jjartnership with .lohn Alexander, he em- 
barked in tr.adc, carr3-ing a complete line of gen- 
eral merchandise. The connection continued for 
three years, when in 1848, he sold his interest and 
the partnership was dissolved. Tivo years later, 
he purchased 160 acres of land on section 17, town 
of Lima, his present home. In 18')2, attracted liy 
the gold discoveries on the Pacific slope, he made 
a trip to California, where he for some time en- 
gaged in mining. Aft<u- five years he returned to 
his home, having in the meantime visited Texas 
and New Mexico, and traveled quite extensively 
over the southwest. In 1860 he removed upon his 
farm, where he has since made his home, and began 
the cultivation and develo|>ment of the land. 

Mr. Ainslie was united in marriage with Miss 
Margaret Ruthford, who was born in Roxsbury- 
shire, Sept. 22, 1840, a daughter of Richard and 
.lanct (Dougl.ass) Ruthford. to whom were born 
four cliildri'ii. The |)areiits died in their nati\e 
land, and accomiianieil liy her brother and two 
sisters, Mrs. Ainslie came to America in 1870. She 
was the eldest of the family; her l)rother and sister, 
Andrew and Catharine, are living in I'aivnee 
County, Neb. Her sister Jane shares her home. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Ainslie h.ave lieen born an in- 
teresting family of five children — .lanet. Belle, 
Maggie, Christina and a son who died in infancN'. 

Mr. .\inslie li.as 2 Id .acres of line land, compris- 
ing one of the best farms in town. It is well 
stocked with a good grade of horses, cattle and 
hogs and h.as many useful and beautiful improve- 
ments, while the home with its entire surroundings 
indicate thrift and relinement. Its owner is a prac- 
tical and i)rogiessive faiiner, energetic and enter- 
prising, though beginning life in limited circum- 
stances, working by the day at any labor by which 



r 



961 



ROCK COUNTY. 



he c'Oulfl earn an honest dollar, he has steadily 
made his way ujjward. and by habits of industry 
and economy has a<'cuniulated a comfortable i)rop- 
ertv. He and his wife are members of the Pres- 
byterian Cluircli. In i)olitical sentiment he is in- 
dependent, not fettered by any party, but votinj; 
for the man wiio he thinUs will best fill the oflice. 
Ills honorable upright life during tiie forty-four 
years of his residence in HocU County has won him 
the resi)ect and confidence of all, and he well de- 
serves a representation in the history in tiie com- 
munity where lie has so long made his home. 



OHN >S. McMillan, residing on section l.o, 
\ Union Township, is numbered among the 
pioneer settlers of the county, and is a rep- 
resentative of one of its honored and re- 
spected families. He is a native of Franklin County. 
N. '\'.. born Feb. 14, 18:32, and is a son of Charles 
and Marian (Brown) McMillan. The father was 
born .luly 11. l.snii. in Fr.ankliu County. N. Y.. 
and the mother in Lower Canada in liSlO, and their 
marriage was celebrated in the native count>- of 
Mr. McMillan. The family is of Scotch descent, 
and the religion of the Scottish peo|)le. the doctrine 
of the I'resbyterian Church, was faithfully adhered 
to by Charles McMillan. In 1H33 he removed with 
his wife from Franklin Couuty, settling in Seneca 
County. Ohio, where he rented and operated a saw- 
mill until 1H;?s. In that year he continued his 
journey westward until reaching Wisconsin, and 
spent twelve months at what is called the Lyden 
House. In tlie fall of 1839, .accompanied by his 
family, he reached the banks of the Rock River, 
which he crossed on a ferry and found himself in 
.lanesville. then but a mere handet. Kutering 160 
acres of Governnuut land on the northeast quarter 
of section l.'j. in what is now ITnion Township, he 
erected a double log cabin, into which tiie family 
moved, and which for many years continued to be 
their home. That little dwelling was the abode of 
hospitality, and the traveler journeying westward 
always received a hearty welcome from our pioneer. 
Ctiarles McMillan loved hit life on the frontier and 
round great pleasure in the simple mode of living. 



lie made his home on the original purchase until 
1852, when he removed with his fruuily to the 
pineries in the northern p;u-t of the State, where he 
was employed until about 1868. when he returned 
to his ohl homestead, where he spent the succeed- 
ing two years. At the expiration of that time he 
returned to the lundier camp, l)ut finall}' sold out 
and became a resident of Wood Couuty, where he 
remained until 1S7;>. Going on a visit to his son 
David, who was a resident of Wautoma, Waushara 
Co., Wis., he was there taken sick and died. He 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mrs. McMillan survived her husband until Nov. 3. 
1886. when she too passed to her linal rest. She 
was a woman who placed the utmost faith in the 
|)romises and power of Christ, and when the final 
summons came was ready to respond to her Master 
and cross the dark river to meet the loved one gone 
before. This worthy c()U|ile have now passed avva\' 
but their memory will ever be held dear by their 
many friends in Hock County. They were re|)re- 
scntatives of the noble pioneer, and took great 
delight in performing an act of kindness or doing 
a charitable deed. 

They were the parents of ten children, six of 
whom are living at this writing in 1889. Sarah 
A., widow of Fdwin Martin, who was killed in the 
late war just before the surrender of Lee; .lolin S., 
of this sketch ; David H. , who is residing in Oshkosh. 
Wis.; Eliza, wife of Alfred Harold, a farmer of 
Swift County, Minn.; Hannah, wife of A. C. Thorp, 
a prominent stock dealer of Evansville; IMatilda, 
wife of N. D. Luce, a lumber dealer of Wausau. 
Wis. The deceased meudjers of the family are 
Amanda, who became the wife of William Ray and 
removed to Missouri, where both died; James, 
Edward and one child who died in infancy. 

I5ut few citizens of Rock County have been num- 
bered among its resfdents for the long period of 
hall a century', but more than fift}' years have 
elapsed since John S. McMillan settled with his 
parents in Union Township. lie was then a lad of 
six years, consequently almost his entire life has 
been spent in the community where he yet resides. 
He was educated in the common schools of the 
county, and was reared to manhood on the old 
homestead, within :i half uiilc of bis present resi- 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



9G5 



i 

I 



dence. Although the trials and hardships of pioneer 
life were many, yet those early ilays on the frontier 
were not without their pleasure, for the early settlers 
lived not alone for self, but shared with each other 
the joys and hapiiiness whicii came to them. At 
the time when tlie McMillan family crossed the 
river toJanesville it contained hut three log cabins 
and a little store owned by Thomas Lappin. The 
grain was hauled to market at Milwaukee, our sub- 
ject making his regular trii)s to mill and selling his 
wheat in that city. At one time, on his return, the 
price of wheat being so low and his expenses so 
so much, he found that he had $6 less than at start- 
ing. This is but one of the few inconveniences 
which were endured bj- the early settlers. 

On the 10th day of October. 1852, Mr. McMillan 
vv.as united in marriage with IMiss Lucretia Thorp, 
whow.as born in Wyoming County, N. Y., July 13, 
183(;. and is a daughter of Charles and Betsy 
(Dinsinore) Thorp. In 1840 her parents came to 
Wisconsin, settling in Kenosiia. where the father 
died in tlie t';ill of the same yeai'. Mrs. Thorp 
afterwards went to visit her brother, who was living 
in IJoone County, 111., and there became llie wife 
of Peter Johnson, liotli are now deceased, the 
wife dying near .Sharon. 111. 

The domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. McMillmi was 
begun on the old family homestead, wiiere tiiey 
continued to reside until I8.J5, when the iuisbaiid 
l)urciiased forty acres of land, which formed the 
nucleus of his present farm. He is now tiie owner 
of eighty acres under a liigii state of cultivation, 
forming one of the best farms in tlie township. 

They have l)een blessed willi four children, Init 
the eldest, Chark's. died in infancy; I'llla is tlie wife 
of F. B. (ilidden. a leading farmer of Hancock 
Countv, Iowa; .Mice wedded O. L. Richards, now 
a retired farnier of JanesvUle; and Henry Eugene, 
who was born Jan. 14, 186G, is in charge of the 
home farm. .Mr. McMillan is one of the leading 
citizens of Rock County, and has been identified 
with many of her important enterprises. He has 
not only witnessed but has been an active partici- 
pant in the great and rapid changes of the bannei' 
county: has seen the little cabins re|)laced by sub- 
stantial and lieaulifid residences; the ox teams sup- 
planted by the locomotive and the palace cars i 
^» 



which rival a parlor in splendor; has marked the 
rapid growth of town and village, and has aided 
in the development of the wild lands into beautiful 
farms and homes. 

Mr. and Mrs. McMillan hold an enviable [ilacc 
in the hearts of the peojile of this {•ommnnity, and 
are respected by all who know them. The family 
are all members of the First Baptist Church of 
Union with the exception of our subject, who, 
though not belonging to any religious organization, 
gives liberally in support of the gospel. .Socially, 
he is a member of Union Lodge, No, 32, A. F. it 
A. M., of Evansville, and is regarded as a valued 
citizen. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, 
and has filled various official positions. Thus we 
have given the main facts in the life of one of 
Rock County's oldest jnoneers. 



ENRY BRAYTON JOHNSON, a pioneer 

I settler of Rock County of 1.S14. dating his 

residence in Johnstown from the 4th day of 

^) July of that year, is a nali\e of New York. 
He was born in the town of W.alton. Delaware 
County. May 15. 1HI8, and is a son of Chapman 
and Hannah (Edwards) .lohnson, whose birthplace 
was also in Delaware County. The family was 
founded in Rhode Island many years prcvitius to 
the Revolutionary War. The great-grandfather 
served in the French and Indian War begun in 
1755. and also aided the colonies in their strugo-|e 
for independence. The father of our subject was a 
soldier in the War of LSI 2. 

When Henry was a young lad he removed with 
his parents to JetTer.son County. N. Y.. and was 
reared to the occupation of farming, but afterward 
engaged in lumbering and merchandising in the 
town of Natural Bridge for a few years. Leaving 
his native State in 1844. he came directly to Rock 
County, Wis., settling in Johnstown Townshij), 
where he engaged in farming. His l:uided posses- 
sions at one time amounted to 500 acres, but he lias 
recently disposed of all of it witli the exception of 
seventy acres. In 1 84(1 he remo\ed to Jolinslown 
Center, where he built a hotel, oiK-rating the same 
for eighteen years, at the same time carrying on 



■► ,^ ^» 



4= 



906 



-•^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



f 






exten.^ive agricultural operations. In 1869 he 
ereeteil another hotel, of which his son, Horatio 
Seymour, is now proprietor. He was also for sev- 
eral years engaged in mereliandising in that town, 
keejjing a general store. 

In .Jefferson County, N. Y., Sept. 23, 1846. Mr. 
Johnson was joined in wedlock with Miss Margaret 
(irenis. who was born in Oneida Countj'. N. Y.. 
and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth Grems. 
Her people were descended from the old Knicker- 
liockor stock of tlie Empire State. To Mr. and 
Mrs. .lohnson two children have been born : Edwin 
Chapman, who married Miss Fronie Cheeney, 
daiiglitcr of Henry C'lieeney, is novv living in Janes- 
ville, Wis.; Horatio Seymour married Miss ]>illian 
Amlik'r, daughter of Hiram Ambler, and is now 
conducting the .lolinson Hotel at .Johnstown Cen- 
ter, in connection with which he operates his farm 
of ciglitv acres in .Tohnstown Township. 

In .Inly. 1887, Mr. .lohnson came to Janesville 
and bought into liis present business. He now deals 
in grain and feed, doing both a wholesale and re- 
tail trade. In politics he is a Democrat, but has 
always refused to accept public ofiicc. 

eHARI.ES G. Tl^JNEY, millwriiilit. of Ke- 
loit. Wis., is a native of Conneclicut. and 
was born in Bridgeport, on the 4th day 
of .lanuaiy, 1825. His i)arents. Seth I), and N'ar- 
cissa (Rriscoe) Turnej', were natives of Fairfield 
Co., Conn., the former born Jan. 26. 1790, and tlie 
latter March 24, 1790. Their marriage was cele- 
bratc<l in their native county, where live ciiildren 
were born unto them, foui' of whom are now liv- 
inf»: Mary A., who resides in (!reeuwood County, 
Kansas, is the widow of William C. Hurd; Rebecca, 
deceased; Charles G., of this sketch; Olive A, 
widow of Dr. E. ^\'. Stevens, who is numbered 
among the early settlers of this county and was 
for many years a prominent physician; Edward N.. 
a leading and prosperous business man of (ireen- 
wood. Kansas. In 1811 Seth Turney, accompanied 
by his family emigrated to the Far West, locating 
at Durand. Winnebago Co., 111., which was then a 
wild and unsettled country. He there entered a 



claim and transformed the virgin soil into a fine 
farm, upon which he resided until 1874. In that 
year his wife died. He was again married to Miss 
Kincaid. and soon after removed to Rockton, 111., 
where his death occurred July 27. 1S80. He was a 
man who commanded and received the respect of 
all who knew him. and on his death the cominunitv 
in which he resiiled lost a valued citizen. 

Our subject was educated in the common schools 
.and reared to farm life. He remained under the 
parental roof until attaining his majority, when he 
started out in life for himself. He further com- 
pleted his arrangements for a home by securing as 
its mistress Miss Cornelia E. Smith, a native of 
.\shtabula County, Ohio, and a daughter of Ira 
Smith, and in 1848 their marriage was celebi-ated. 
At the breaking out of the late war in 1861, Mr. 
Turney was among the first to respond to the coun- 
try's call for troops, enlisting in the ,55th Illinois 
Infantry, and was mustered into service at Camp 
Douglas. Chicago. About the middle of December 
of the same year his regiment was ordered to St. 
Louis, and thence to I'ittsbnrg Landing, at which 
battle it displayed great bravery. It formed a part 
of Stewart's Brigade, being stationed on the extreme 
left, and had to contend against the forces of 
Jackson, Br.agg and Chalmers, who outnumbered 
them live to one. The bris^ade held their line from 
eleven o'clock in the morning until half p.ast three, 
when they were relieved by the gunboats. Had it 
not been for the valiant little band who bravely 
resisted the enemy though greatly outnumbered, 
the whole I'niou forces would probably have been 
defeated. In this engagement Mr. Turney was se- 
verely wounded. Twice a Rebel bullet pierced his 
right leg near the knee, another struck his left Ic, 
two buckshots were bulged in his wrist and arm, 
a b.ayonet was thrust tlirough his foot, and he was 
struck across the back with a sabre. After beiu" 
wounded he worked his way back to the ambulance 
at the landing and liy Imat proceeded to Savannah, 
Ga.. where he remained in the hospital for twentv- 
one days. He w.as then sent to Camp Dennison, 
Ohio, and on the 28tli day of .lainiary. 1863, was 
mustered out of service on account of his wounds. 

Returning to his home in Illinois. Mr. Turne\- 
resumed the trade of a millwright, which he lia.s 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



!)G7 






since followed. For several years he continued to 
reside at Diirand, when in 1H75. he went to Green- 
wood, Kansas, with the intention of locating. Not 
l)eing pleased with the town he went to Harber 
County, Kansas, where he entered and partially im- 
proved a claim. In 1880 he wa,s called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, whose death occurred 
on the 4th day of February. She was a member 
of the Methodist Episcojial Church and a sincere 
Christian lady. The children of that marriage are 
Martha, now the wife of Ira Decker, of Durand, 
111.; Fdward N.. of Beloit; Alfred ('., a resident of 
Beloit, Wis.; Oscar II., of Heloit; and Charles A., 
whose home is in Custer County, Col. 

After the death of his wife Mr. Turney sold his 
farm and removed to Medicine Lodge, the count}' 
seat of Harber County, where he remained until 
1 883, when he came to Beloit. On the 3d day of 
November of the same year, he was again married, 
his second union being with Mrs. Harriet Andrews, 
widow of .1. P. ^Andrews and daughter of James 
and Lizzie (Rice) Pitts. Socially Mr. Turney is a 
member of the (1. A. R. Post and also belongs to 
the Masonic fraternitj' and Independent Order of 
()d<lfellows. He has filled all the oftices in the lat- 
ter lodge and has represented the organization to 
which he belongs in the Grand J^odge several times. 
He is a respected citizen of Beloit, and though his 
residence d.ates back but little more than five 
3-ears he iias gained a large circle of warm friends. 

AVID A CU.MMINGS, a farmer residing 
on section 31, in the town of Johnstown. 
ifij^^ is a native of New Hampshire, and was 
born August 9, 1834. He was the eldest 
in a family of four children : John A., the second 
child, who is residing in Somerville, Mass., has 
served two terms in the .Stale Legislature, and was 
for four successive terms Mayor of the city, at his 
last election to that ollice receiving 2,000 votes out 
of 3,000, which conclusive!}' shows the appreciation 
of his friends and constituents. He was also a sol- 
dier in the late war, enlisting as a private in a cav- 
alry company, but on liclng mustered out held the 
rank of Major. He was twii^e married, his (irst 



wife being drowned in the Potomac River when 
I on the way to meet her husband. He was again 
I married in 186(), aiul by his second marriage six 

children were born. Ellen Jane, the third child of 

the family, is the wife of William Livingston. 

cashier of the First N.ational Bank of Petersbo- 
j ro, N. II., and they have three children, twu 
I sons and a daughter. John Waite, fourth in the 

famil}', is a resident of Franceslown, N. H.. and 

cashier of the First National Bank of that city. 

He has been twice married and liy his first union 

has one child. 

Our subject received his education in his native 
I county, iind at the age of eightien years started out 

in life for himself. Leaving home in 1853, he went 

to Chautauqua County. N.Y.. where he remained 
I for a short time. He had previously learned the 

trade of a carpenter and builder, following that 
! occupation for a livelihood in the various jilaces in 

which he resided. After a short time he left Cliau- 

I 

tauqua County and removed to Cleveland, Ohio. 

I where he remained a few months, then became a 
resident of Chicago; later went to Belvidere, III., 
thence to Beloit, and on the 18th day of March, 

[ 1854, reached Jauesville. He found himself among 

[ strangers with but *2 in his pocket, but immedi- 
ately began to search for employment. The fol- 

' lowing day he started for .Milton, and on the w;iy 
saw a farmer gatliering corn, while plowing wjis 
being done in the same field, a sight rarely seen in 
this country. When he wrote to his mother what 

I a strange thing he luid witnessed she .advised him 
to return home if that was the kind of country he 
was in. He, however, remained, and in 1856 |)er- 
suaded his father to come to Wisconsin, but after a 
short time the old gentleman returned to his old 
home in New Hampshire, where he [)assed the re- 
mainder of his days, dying in 1880. His wife sur- 
vived him for about a year, <lying in 1881. 

Our subject was first enipU)yed in this county 
bv S. K. Burnam. witli whom he remained for a 
week, when he engaged to work for Wm. Hume, 
continuing in his employment for about three 
years. He proved a benefactor to Mr, Cummings, 
who regards him .is the best friend he ever had in 
Wisconsin. In \finb Mr. Cummings purcha.-<oi| 
eighty acres of Goveruinenl land in Buchanan 



«•*■ 



f 



968 



ROCK COUNTY. 



County, Iowa, but after six years sold it for -?500, 
entailing a loss of $100 on the investment. He 
li has also owned considerable other property, in- 
fluding 100 acres of land in La Prairie Township, 
two lots in the city of Janesville, ten acres in Har- 
mony Townshij). and a house and lot in Allen's 
Grove, where he made his home for two years, in 
18."i8 and 1859. The following year he removed 
to La Prairie Township, where he continued to re- 
side until 1866, when, selling all his land and town 
|)roperty, he removed to Janesville. wliere he pur- 
chased a home and passed the succeeding years 
until 1873, working at his trade of carpentering. 
He was emplo\-ed in the window-blind department 
in the manufacturing establishment of Gates & 
Hastings, Janesville, until the year following the 
Chicago fire, in October, 1871, when he went to 
that city and for a short time worked at his trade. 
He built a hotel on the corner of State and Kld- 
redge streets, and after its completion erected a 
building on the corner of Micliigan avenue and 
Twenty-third street for a man by the name of Peck. 
Returning to Rock County, he followed the same 
line of work, and has been the contractor and 
Ijuilder of nearlj- all the fine houses on Rock Prai- 
rie, together with many other important buildings. 
He built the residence of Thomas Campbell, in 
Walworth County-, which was erected at a cost of 
nearly *G,000; has been employed on three flour- 
inw mills, and has built no less than twenty-six 
dwelling-houses and about the same number of 
burns. He also erected a store and a school-house 
at Emerald Grove. Since fifteen years of age Mr. 
Cunimings has worked at his trade, in which lie is 
(piitc proficient, his work being done in the best 
manner and giving entire satisfaction to his em- 
ployers. 

In the year 1858 Mr. Cummings was united in 
marriage with Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Ezra 
Chesebro. a leading farmer of La Prairie Town- 
ship. Unto them have been born three children: 
l-'rank, the eldest, was born April 10, 1859, and in 
November, 1884, was united in marriage, but in 
1880 his wife died. He is now baggage master of 
the Northwestern Railroad. Harry, the second 
child, who was born in August, 1863, is now 
working at his trade of carpenter and builder. He 

4» 



was married in June, 1K88. to Miss Lola Cogswell, 
daughter of Orlando Cogswell. Rov. the young- 
est, born on the 15th day of July. 1870, is attend- 
ing college at Milton, AN'is. 

Mr. Cummings is now engaged in farming on 
section 31, Johnstown Township, where he owns 
eighty acres of land under a high state of cultiva- 
tion. He is a man well informed on all the lead- 
ing questions of the day, and ha.s gained much in- 
formation in his extensive travels, having worked 
at his trade in New Hampshire, M.issachusetts, 
New York, Illinois, Wisconsin. Iowa. Kansas and 
California. He spent the winter of 1886-7, in 
visiting friends in his native State and in Massa- 
chusetts, and in the winter of 1887-8 resided in 
California. He has, however, passed the greater 
part of his life since 1854 in Rock County and is a 
valued and leading citizen. 



DELMORN B. MANLEY, M. D., a promi- 
I' nent practicing physician of Shopiere, 
Wis., was born in Manchester. Hoone Co., 
Ill,, March 2, 1850, and is a son of A. H, 
and Jane E. (Brookins) Manlej'. His father is a 
native of Vermont, his mother of the Empire State, 
and the}' now reside in Shopiere. His education 
was begun in his native county, where he attended 
the common schools, and at the age of fourteen he 
entered the High School of Bcloit, where he pur- 
sued a preparatory course, and graduated from Be- 
loit College in the class of 1874. Wishing to pur- 
sue the practice of medicine for his life work, he 
entered the office of his uncle, Dolphus Randall, of 
(iarden Prairie, 111,, with whom he remained a year, 
where he was engaged in teaching, (ioing to Cap- 
ron. 111., he secured the professorship of the schools 
in that town, in which line he continued two years, 
meanwhile pursuing his medical studies under the 
direction of Dr. Frank Nichols, of that place. He 
gave sucli splendid satisfaction as a teacher that he 
was engaged at higher wages than any of his prede- 
cessors, and could have secured the school again 
bnt he desired to attend medical college, and henfc 
resigned his i)osition. He entered Rush Medi- 
cal College of Chicago, which he attended during 




■•^ 




-4*- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



9fi0 



the winter of 1878-79, and the following Mart'h 
went to Shopiere, where he began t!)e practice of 
lii.s chosen profession. In the fall of 1882 he re- 
tnrned to college, graduating in the class of 188;i. 
In the meantime he had continued his professional 
duties in Shopierc, and after his graduation located 
permanently in that village. He hjis secured a, lu- 
crative practice, of which many an older jjracti- 
tioner might well be proud, and gained tlu' confi- 
dence of all. His labors have been crowned with 
good success, and notwithstanding he has taken a 
prescribed course, he still continues his studies, and 
is far advanced in his profession. He h:is received 
the highest honors from the chemical dep.artment, 
and is a registered member of the State Board of 
I'liarm-icy of Wisconsin. He keejis a full stock of 
druggists' supplies, and has a tasty and well-ar- 
ranged olHce. 

On the 6th day of September, 1871!, Dr. Mauley 
was united in marriage with Miss Kstlier M. Stewart, 
of New York, a daughter of Samuel and Ainanda 
Stewart, who are both deceased. Their union has 
been lilest with an interesting family of three chil- 
dren — Howard. IJoy and Guy. Socially, the Doc- 
tor is a member of the I. O. O. V.. ami in his 
political affiliations is a faithful and intlexible ad- 
herent to the principles of the Republican party. 
He is also a member of the Board of Health. As a 
physician he stands high in his profession, as a citi- 
zen he is loyal aTid true, and as a friend and ac- 
quaintance he is held in the highest regard liy all 
who know him. 



T 






(| ^ILLIAM McE^VAN. of Milton, who is 
\/\l/l '"""''f''''^ among the honored pioneers of 
W^ tills county, was born October '), 1813. at 
Birnnm Woods, in Perthshire, Scotland, the place 
mentioned by Shakespeare in his piny <>f " M;u'- 
beth." His father was a slate (piairyinan and for 
Muuiy years leased and o|ierated Hirnam quarry 
near his home. In his earlier years our subject at- 
tended the Drummond (School, anil later, during 
t!ie winter months, he attended the parish schools, 
enjoving (piite limited opportunities for the acqui- 
sition of an eilucalion. which, however, have been 



f 



largely supplemented by private stuily and obser- 
vation. He served an apprenticeship to the car- 
l)enter's trade, at which he worked until his emi- 
gration to America. June 2P, 1838, he set .sail 
from Greenock, on the '• Lad.\- of the Lake," com- 
manded by Caittain Hugh Munn. accompanied bv 
his mother, four sisters and his brother -lames. 
After a tedious voyage of nearly seven weeks they 
landed at New York, August 12, and came directly 
to Wisconsin to join his brother Teter, the journe\ 
from the Atlantic consuming four weeks more. 
His sisters were Beatrice, who died at INlilton in 
1876; 'Margaret, who became the wife of James 
Murray and resides in Milwaukee; Calhaiiiie. who 
wedded James Holmes and lives in Milton; and 
Elizabeth, who became tlic wife of D. 1 riiuh.ut. 
and is deceased as is .also her husband. Mrs. .Mc- 
Ewan, the mother of this family, died at Milton in 
18G6, .aged eighty-one 3'ears. 

Mr. McEwan located at the village of Milton, 
then containing but two houses. re|iaired the dwell- 
ing of his brother, made some furniture foi- the 
house, and lived there until the spring of 1K3'J, 
when he went to I'latteville, Wis.. wlitMc he worked 
at his trade two seasons. He entered a claim in 
the southwest quarter of section 34 and bought 
eighty acres at the land sale in 1810, subseciucntl y 
buying the remaining eighty acres, making 160 in 
all. In 1811 he worked .at his trade a short time 
in Janesville. and from there went to Beloit, where 
he was likewise employed the balance of that sea- 
,sou. While at Beloit he built a boat and loaded 
liis tools therein, and, in company with his cousin. 
James H. Dow, started down the river. intendiuL; 
to visit the South. AVith this boat they proceeiled 
as far as Muscatine, Iowa, before securing a river 
boat, when the}' took pass.age on a steamboat for 
St. Louis, bidding adieu to their frail craft and re- 
lincinishing it to the mercy of the waves and cur- 
rents of the Eather of Waters. At St. Louis Mr. 
McEwan met some friends who gave him letters 
of introduction to friends of theirs in New C)r- 
leans. Proceeding to Vicksburg, Mr. McEwan and 
Mr. Dow separated, the former remaining at 
N'icksburg and the latter returning to Wisc(,)nsin. 
In the spring of 1842 Mr. ,McEwan returned to .St. 
Louis anri there worked at his trade until the fol- 






4 



<*• 



970 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-t 



lowing August, when he deciiled to come back to 
Milton. I'pon his arrival at G.ilena, 111., he met 
with a Metliodist preacher named Henry \V. Reid, 
who wanted him to inakc some repairs on a liouse 
lie had bouglit. As there seemed to be consider- 
able money in circulation at Oalena, IMr. McEwan 
concluded it would be a good place to locate for a 
wliile. While doing the work for Mr. Held lie was 
casting aliout for some means to improve his for- 
tunes, liuying a machine for manufacturing sash, 
he engaged in that business, thus establishing the 
first sasli factor}' in Galena. Remaining there until 
the fall of laiT, he went to Memiihis, Tenn., where 
lie worked at his trade until June, 1848. While at 
Mciiiplii^i Mr. McEwan finished a fine residence for 
I. 15. Kirtlaiid, a nephew of Governor Kirtland, 
the job having been begun by two brothers named 
Case, from Ohio, who liad been obliged to leave 
the place for their own safety on account of their 
pronounced anti-slavery views. Early in .July, 
1848, Mr. McEwan returned to Milton, and, in 
connection with his brotlicis, he soon erected the 
building now occupied by Collin Smith and, with 
his brother Peter, engaged in mercantile business, 
whicii they continued until 18.jG, wiicn they sold 
out, Mr. McEwan removing to ids farm and en- 
gaging in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, 
in which lie was successful. Tn 1878 he returned 
to the village, where he has since lived, having 
given up the management of his farm to his son. 
Mr. McEwan was married in .lanesville to Mrs. 
Caroline C. Carr, widow of John E. Carr and a 
daughter of Simon and Koxie (Risle}-) Atherton. 
Mrs. ^IcEwan wjis born in Bolton. Tolland Co., 
Conn., and her parents were also n.<itives of that 
State. Three children have been born of their 
union: Adeline, wife of Henry C'. Curtis, principal 
of the High School at Waupun, has two children 
by her marriage, Leroy and William Ray; Eliza- 
lictli 1)., wlio married George H. Butts, died March 
1, 1881, leaving three children. William D., who 
was drowned at the age of seven years, Addie Mc- 
Ewan and Cornelia; William Atherton, the third 
cliild. who is now farming on the homestead, wed- 
(1(m1 Ida M. Eldridge, and to them have been born 
two cliildren, Lizzie and Willi.am Ira. For more 
than half a century Mr. McEwan has been num- 



bered among the citizens of Rock Count}-, has 
witnessed the develoimient of town and cauntr}-, 
has participated in the growth and progress, and 
has borne no inconsideralile part in the work of 
transformation. His manj' warm friends in the 
county hold him in liigli esteem as a valued citi- 
zen and a man of sterling worth. In politics he is 
independent but rather favors the Prohibition 
party. In former years he was a Republican an<l 
was present at the orgauiisalion of that party at 
Madison. He and his family are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Milton. 



i|t-^ON. ZEBULON PALMER Bl RDICK. a 
'"^ prominent citizen and farmer of Rock 
County, residing on section 20, Jancsville 
Township, was born in Rensselaer County, 
N. Y., in 1800. He w.as the fourtli in the family 
of twelve children born to Joseph and Betsy 
(Scrive) Burdick, the former a native of Rhode 
Island and the latter of Connecticut. They re- 
moved to New York shortly after the close of the 
Revolutionarj- War, and in the Empire State Mr. 
Burdick engaged in farming until 1849, when, ac- 
companied by his family, he emigrated to Wiscon- 
sin and purchased land in Rock County. Making 
that his home until 1852, he then sold out and re- 
moved to Jancsville Township, where his death 
occurred in 18G0. at the age of eighty-four ^-ears. 
His excellent wife died in 1838, at Grafton. Rens- 
selaer Co., N. Y. The paternal grandfather of 
our subject served in the Revolutionary War, 
while liis father was a captain of the militia. Po- 
litically, the latter was an .active supporter of the 
Democratic party. His chililren who came West 
were: Zebulon P.; Deacon Moses Burdick, who 
was numbered among the early settlers of Rock 
Township, and whose death occurred in Janesville; 
Mrs. Hannah \»n Name, who died in lts7.'?; Zipo- 
rah marriccl Dr. Israel Smith. Both are now de- 
ceased. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm 
life, and in his early years also eng.aged in luniber- 
ing. His education was received in the schools of 
his native State, after whicli he studied l:iw. and 



■^i^ 



i 




HOCK COUNTY. 



9T1 



was admitted to the liar at Troy, X. V.. in 18o2. 
lie then praotieed in tlie surroundinu' country for 
several \ears. In I82H, while residing in New 
Vurk, he led to the niarriaue altar Miss Amanda M. 
Denioray, who was horn near Tro3', N. Y. Two 
children graced their union: .Sullivan It., who was 
clerking and studying law, died in Wisconsin in 
1 W.)0; Uaeliel Ann is now the widow of (i. L. Knox; 
she has one son, Linn E., a druggist in Chicago. 

In 18:>1 the death of the mother occurred, and 
Mr. liurdick was again niarrie<l in 1838, in Graf- 
ton. N. v.. his second union being with I'hilena 
lirock. She was horn in that State, and is a daugh- 
ter of Jonathan and Ann-i (Smith) IJrock, the 
f(irmer a native of New York and the latter of 
Khode Island. Her father learned the trade of 
a carpenter, which he followed in connection with 
f.arming. His death occurred in his native State in 
1850, and his wife was called to lu'r linal home in 
1818. 

Accompanied i)y his family, Mr. liurdick emi- 
grated to the A\'est in 1 « U», locating in Rock 
County, where he purchased a farm on section 20, 
.lancsville Township. He is now the owner of 180 
acres of line arahle land, which he manages him- 
self, and which is under a fair slate of cultivation. 
The two succeeding 3'ears after his arrival in this 
county he made his home in a little log cabin, 
which was then replaee<l by a more coininodions 
residence. Manj' improvements he has added to the 
farm, which in every department denotes the thrift 
and enterprise of the owner. In connection with 
general farming, Mr. IJurdiek gives some attention 
to the raising of tobacco and also handles a good 
grade of stock. He has been honored by his fel- 
low-citizens with various ollieial positions. For 
fifteen years he has been Chairman of the Board of 
Supervisors, and in IHoH was elected a member of 
the Wisconsin General Assembly. The following 
year he held the position of Stale Senator, to which 
he had been elected the previous fall, and again in 
l«(i(l lield the same ollice. Ten \ears later he was 
again elected to the State Legislature, this time oc- 
cupving a seat in the House, and serving as Repre- 
sentative until 187.J. In the various ollieial posi- 
tions which he has filled, his course has always been 
such as to win the resi>erl of even his political en- 



emies, and his duties have been discharged with 
the same promptness and fidelity which character- 
izes all his undertakings. In 18;)1 he was elected 
the third President of the Agricultural .Society, 
which position he held for three years. During his 
early life he sup|)orte<l the political party known as 
Barn Burners, but since 1856 has been a stanch 
and earnest advocate of the Republican party and 
a warm defender of its princi[)les. He is numbered 
among the early settlers of the county, has witnessed 
almost its entire growth and development, and 
ranks as one of the leading citizens. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burdick are members of the First 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Janesville, and arc 
the parents of three children, two of whom are 
living: Edson A., who is in the employ of the pen- 
sion de|)artment of the government, is married :n)d 
resides at AYashington; Emma Oi)helia died in 
1848, at the age of five years; Emmett E., who re- 
sides in Janesville, is an artist of considerable note. 
In early life he displayed much ability in that di- 
icction. and his parents provided him with the best 
instructions which could be obtained from noted 
artists in Chicago. While receiving from his pa- 
rents such assistance as they could give, nmch of 
his success in life has been olitaiued by hard labor 
and constant application to the work_in hand. He 
is now engaged in teaching both painting and etch- 
ing, at Janesville, and does considerable decorative 
work. 

-^ ^^ ^ 

^^^ LARK NYE, deceased, who for forty-three 
l|(^^ years was a resident and leading citizen of 
^^5'' this county, and resided on section 21, Beloit 
Township, was horn in Oswego, N. Y., June 5, 
1803, and was a son of Joseph and .Sail}- Ann 
(Clark) Nye, both of whom were natives of Con- 
necticut. Thej' were married in liridgewater, N. Y., 
about the year 1800, but later removed to Herki- 
mer County, N. Y., where eight children were born 
to them. Clark, of this sketch, is the eldest; Sally 
became the wife of Martin Johnson, and both died 
in Herkimer County, leaving two children. Henry 
and Albert, who are i»rominent and wealthy resi- 
dents of Minneapolis, Minn.; Abel, now deceased ; 
Austin, who is engaged in farming in Minnesota; 




■*►■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



Nelson, a farmer, residing near Hudson, Mich.; 
Horace, who is living in Bridgewater, N. Y.; Albert, 
now deceased; Ehnira, whose home is in Nebinska, 
and Maria. The father of this f;imil\- died in Her- 
kimer Count}' in 1853, and the mother, who was a 
member of the Methodist E^piscopal Church, de- 
parted this life ill 1«C0. They were botli highly 
respected citizens in the communit}' where they re- 
sided, and their death was mourned by many- 
friends. In an early day Joseph Nye went with a 
surveying party to Ohio, and during his journe3's 
through that State saw but two white settlers. 

Our subject received a liuiiled education in the 
schools of his native county, and at the .age of 
fifteen left the parental roof to m.ake his own way 
in the world. He was first employed at farm laljor 
by the month, and from tiie small wages which he 
received he saved enough to jiurcliase a small tract 
of land in 1824. Since that time his enleriirises 
have been general!}- successful, he being able to add 
to his possessions by his industry and economy. 
In 1828 he was united in marriage with Abigail 
Morgan, a native of Herkimer County. N. Y.. and 
in the spring of that year the young couple began 
tlieir domestic life U|)on a rented farm in that 
county. They there continued to reside until 18:30, 
when Mr. Nye purchased a tract of timber land, 
which he began to clear and where they resided 
for two years, then sold out. i)urchasiug another 
farm in that county, which tl ey continued to make 
their home until 18 1(). Previous to this time he 
had made a ji>urncy to Wisconsin, and having a 
chance to sell ^his farm to advant.age, he resolved 
to cast his lot vvith the early settlers of Rock 
County, and emigrating to the West, located near 
Beloit. Lands were cheaper further from the city, 
but Mr. Nye desired to provide his children with 
good educational advantages and selected that 
farm. He bought 120 acres of land, entering an- 
other tract of forty acres, and at the time of his 
death, which occurred March 21, 1881), resided 
upon his original purcha,se. which continued to be 
his home with the exception of six years spent at 
Beloit. Feeling that the loss of an education had 
been a detriment to him through life, he deter- 
mined that his children should receive liberal ad- 
vantages, and to that end removed to that city. 



"^^ 



Seven children were born of this union — William 
N.. who is now a prominent farmer of Beloit Town- 
ship; Caroline, widow of John V. Hugunin. who 
was a leading farmer of La Prairie Township, still 
resides on a farm; Ira P., a prominent attorney 
and real estate agent of Eureka, Kan.; Sarah, widow 
of Lyons Bentley, is now living on the old home- 
stead ; Charles is a well-to-do farmer of Beloit 
Township; Joseph ('., a banker and prominent 
citizen of Eureka. Kan., is also an extensive ranch- 
man in Greenwood County; ^Nlary, wife of Henry 
Albertson. who is a leading citizen of Des 
Moines. Iowa. In 1878 the mother of these 
children passed to her reward. Fov fifty years 
Mr. and Mrs. Nye traveled life's journey to- 
getlier, sharing with each other it-s joys and 
sorrows, its pleasures and its pain. The lady 
was an earnest, devoted Christian, and for many 
years w.as a devoted member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Her children received the kind- 
est care and attention, and it w.as her daily en- 
deavor to teach them the true w.ay of life. She 
was permitted to live to see them honored and use- 
ful members of society, of which .any mother might 
be proud, and when death called her she was ready 
to respond to the Master's summons. .\ It hough 
her altsence makes a void in the family circle which 
nothing can fill, her family can look forward to a 
happ\' reunion when the toils and trials of this life 
are over. 

For about forty-three years Mr. Nye was identi- 
fied with the history of Rock County. On his ar- 
rival in this community the country was in a wild, 
uncultivated state, settlements were few, and wild 
game was seen in abundance. From his own land 
he dug tlie stone which was used in building his 
house, and from Milwaukee, which is distant 
eighty-seven miles, he hauled the luniliei-. He 
immediately began the cultivativation and im- 
l)rovement of the land, clearing it of brush, plant- 
ing crops, erecting bai'us, and continuing the work 
of transformation until he became the owner of one 
of the best farms in this section He was truly one 
of the self-made men of tlie community. Starting 
out in life when only fifteen years of .age, his capi- 
tal consisted of only .a strong determination to 
succeed, combined with a young man's bright hope 




•►Hh-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



973 \ 



of the future, but by enterprise, hard labor and 
ability he gained a comfortable competency, and 
became one of the well-to-do fanners of the town- 
ship. His home was the abode of hos|)itality. and 
kindness and charity were extended to all. The 
poor had no truer friend than Mr. Nye, and to 
many he reiidereil most kindly a.ssistance. In early 
life he was a supporter of the Whig party, and 
cast his ballot for William Henry Harrison, the 
the hero of Tippecanoe, but on the dissolution of 
that ]iarty he joined the new Republican party, 
which he has since supported, and in 1888 voted 
for Gen. Henjaniin Harri-son. the illustrious grand- 
.son of the Whig President. For sixty j-ears he 
w:us a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and as time passed his faith continually grew 
stronger In the Bible and its promises. He h.as 
given liberally in support of educational and re- 
ligious institutions, and no citizen of Rock County- 
is held in higher respect. 



'i^m- 



A IVILLIAM C. RICHARDSON is engaged in 
\/\l/' f'i''"i'"8' "" section 7. Union Township. 
V5^ ^\'e lind in this esteemed gentleman one of 
the honored iik)neers of Rock County, who for the 
long period of forty-live years has resided within 
her liorders. He has shared the trials and hard- 
ships incident to life on the frontier, and has wit- 
nessed the entire growth of the count}'. He w.as 
born in Franklin County, N. V., on the 7th day 
of August, 1S28, and is a son of .Tohn K. and 
F.unice T. (Curtis) Richardson, both of whom were 
natives of X'ermont. 

In 1832 .John Richardson removed with his fam- 
ily to Chuutauiiua County, N. Y.. where he con- 
tinue<l to leslde until 1844, at which time, with his 
wife anil children, he started (or Rock County, 
Wis. His funds givingout, not havingenough monc}' 
to convey his household goods to their destination, 
lie was forced to remain in .Milwaukee for about two 
months, while earning enough money to continne 
the journey. The family moved into a little cabin, 
and in a very primitive manner lived until they 
could proceed on their way. Our subject, however, 
remained in Milwaukee but a few days, when pur- 



chasing some cheese and crackers, he started on 
foot for the home of a cousin. .Tohn Warren, whose 
father kept what w.as then called the Ruck House 
Tavern, in the town of Center. On the second day 
Mr. Richardson's food gave out, and he was forced 
to stop and earn some money. Karning fiftj' cents, 
he purcha.sed a fresh supply of food to last him 
until reaching Jancsville. where he again added to 
his stock and continued his walk until reaching the 
home of Mr. Warren. He iinmedi.ately went to 
work by the daj', receiving as his compensation one 
bushel of wheat or two bushels of potatoes. He 
worked in the harvest field, and, on the arrival of 
the family some two months later, had fortv 
bushels of wheat and twenty bushels of potatoes. 
The family made their first location in a small 
cabin in Center Townshii), and the father at once 
began working at the carpenter's trade, and our 
subject engaged in the cultivation of the land. The 
food on which the family subsisted was mostly 
wild game, which was found in abundance. The 
first crop harvested was two acres of beans and 
some small grain. For the beans they received |i2 
per bushel, and, with the money secured in this 
way, .John Richardson entered fort}' acres of land 
on section 7. Union Township, where our subject 
yet resides. In the winter of 1845 the father and 
son built a log cabin on the land, and into this the 
family moved, living in true pioneer style. Many 
happy days were there passed, for the settlers, sep- 
arated from their friends, seemed to be drawn to- 
gether b}' tics of .sympathy and kindred feeling. In 
those early days a neighbor with his wagon would 
drive around the settlement collecting the different 
families, and they would all proceed to a school- 
house, where religious services were held. 

Not long after his arrival in Rock County, our 
subject began breaking prairie for the farmers, re- 
ceiving $10 per month, and in this w.ay also se- 
cured a yoke of oxen, which was the first team 
owned by the family. The father secured a cow 
by building a barn for Benjamin McMillan, and 
thus in various ways, and by the combined efforts 
of the family, they got a start in their pioneer 
home. Mr. Richardson continued to work at the 
carpenter trade for some time, while William oper- 
ated the farm, having only one yoke of oxen with 



n^ 



•^^f^^ 




974 



ROCK COUNTY. 



wliieli to break |>niirie. However, he broke many 
acres of land in Rock Count}-, and liis plow turned 
the furrows on the second cfardcn on the west !>ide 
of the river, which i.s now in the heart of the city 
of .Tanesville. lie was one of six men who built 
log cabins in f)r(ler to hold claims on the site of 
the present village of Albanw in (ireen County, 
and in many other wa\s aided in the development 
and growth of tiie community. In 1847 he went to 
Janesville, where he served an apprenticeship of 
two and a half years to the blacksmith's tr.ade. At 
the expiration of tiiat time be returned to his home 
with the intention of going at once to -St. Louis, 
hut, being offered work in Albany at %1.50 per 
day, he changed his mind and accepted the posi- 
tion in Green County. After two mouths spent in 
that employment, however, he was taken sick with 
chills and fever, and returned to his home. His 
father pevsu.aded him to remain at home and work 
upon the farm, which he did for eleven months' 
though being still alHicted with the chills. At the 
end of that time, when the crop was harvested, he 
was forced to abandon farm life, and, finally secur- 
ing mone}- enough to buy a bellows and a small 
stock of blacksmith's supplies, he opened the first 
shop in Evansville. In the spring of 18.51, lieing 
attracted by the gold discoveries in California, he 
resolqed to make a trip to the mining districts. 
Loading his blacksmith tools in a wagon, he started 
for the Pacific Sl(j|)e with but ¥L') in money. The 
journey across the plains, where danger threat- 
ened on every side, was then a long and toilsome 
one. the Indians causing much trouble to travelers, 
and often committing barbarous massacres. Mr. 
Richardson, after six months s]ienl in making the 
journey. reached California and opened a blacksmith 
shop, which he operated for a short time. He then 
began working in the mines, at which he was 
reasonably successful, and at the time of his return 
home had saved iil, 250, witli which he purchased 
the old homestead. conii)rising the forty acres 
originally entere(L and eighty acres which were 
afterward purchased. He at once began the de- 
velopment and imi)rovement of the farm, in con- 
nection with which he worked at w.agon-making 
for sorae time, and also eng.aged in breaking prai- 
rie. Since becoming the owner of the old home- 



stead, he has extended its boundaries until it now 
comprises 2;)4 acres, and he also owns a farm of 
200 acres in Dane County, making a total of 454 
acres, which pays a golden tribute to the care and 
labor wliich he bestows upon it. I'pon the farm 
will be found eight}- head of fine cattle .twenty- 
three head of horses, and, in general, a large drove 
of hogs, but the |):ist year he has suffered great 
loss in the latter from cholera. 

In 1856 Mr. Richardson was united in marriage 
with Miss May I)aven|)orte. a native of Ohio, with 
whom he had become acquainted while she was on 
a visit to her brother. By this union ten children 
have been born, eight of whom are now living: 
M.ay. wife of Henry Banks, of Mead, Kan.; Ada, 
wife of Charles Phelps, a resident of Chicago; Fred 
W.. John C, Carrie, Charles, Warren, Neva; 
Eunice and Gr.acie, who are now- deceaseil. In the 
spring of 1881 Mrs. Richardson was called to her 
final home. She was a loving wife and tentler 
mother, ami was moiuned, not only by her family, 
but !)}• many friends throughout the communit}-. 
Mr. Richardson was again married, his second 
union being with Mrs. Klizabcili (Vest) Durst, a 
native of Galena. 111. Her mother w.as born of 
German i>arent.age. Iier father was of Kuglish ori- 
gin, and he was a son of one of the soldiers who did 
guard duty at the old fort in Portage, Wis. He 
also served four years in the Civil War. first enlist- 
in the 17th Wisconsin Infantry, and later in the 
20th Wisconsin Infantry. By her first marriage 
Jlrs. Richardson had a family of seven children — 
Jehu H., Adam, John, Mamie, l>en.a, Amelia and 
Fannie. Two children have graced the second 
marriage — William ami Lillie Alice. 

In politics Mr. Richardson generally suijjjorts 
the Rejniblican part}', but is very liberal in his 
views, voting for princi|)le rather than to supjjort 
a political organization. Since becoming a resi- 
dent of Rock County, he has taken an active part 
in its upbuilding and in the promotion of its in- 
terests. The story of his life during the pioneer 
daj'S would be an exciting and intensely interest- 
ing one. The traveler stopping in the [irosperous 
and thriving towns and cities, or driving across 
the country where stretches out before him l)road 
and fertile farms, could scarceh- realize th:it foilv- 
^ 






a 



^•■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



five years ago Rock County' was almostan unbroken 
wilderness, Imt at that time, when ^Ir. Riciiardson 
first located witliin its borders, the settlements were 
very few, the nearest neighbors were often miles 
away, the prairies were still in their primitive con- 
dition, wild name of various kinds, including 
diH T, were in their various haunts, and the smoke 
of the Indian wigwam had scarcely cleared away. 
How great is the change which has l)oen wrought 
in the past half century 1 The pioneer homes 
have been replaced by substuntial and elegant resi- 
dences, and where the ox team slowly plodded 
over the unl)roken prairie the locomotive witli its 
palace cars sweeps b^-. The little towns and vil- 
lages have become prosperous and thriving cities, 
and the county is inliabited b^' a well-educated 
an<l contented pco[)le. 



•S- 



EDMOND FKLLOWS, u leading farmer of 
Rock County, residing on section 19, I'nion 
' Township, was born in Monroe County, N. 

Y., on the 30th day of December. 1827, and is a 
son of Frederick and Emily (Hulihard) Fellows, the 
former .'i native of 'Massachusetts anil the latter of 
\'ermoiit. The Fellows family is of German an- 
cestry and for several generations has engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. Our subject is one of a fam- 
ily of seven children, all of whom are now living, 
(ieorge is a prominent farmer of Center Township; 
Fdmond is the second in order of l>irth; Maria be- 
came the wifeof (ieorge I.ee. a farmer of the town 
of .Magnolia: Mary wedded M.'u-tin Case, who is 
engaiied in I'arniing iii'ar l>eluiont, Iowa; Sarah is 
the wife of Ra\- (iilman, a clothier of Kvansville; 
Henry is a resident of Fvansville, and Frances is 
the wife of Clinton Scolield, a resident fai'mer of 
the town of Union. The faniil}- resided in New 
York until IS;')!, when they became residents of 
Loraine County, Ohio, where Mr. Fellows pur- 
chased a farm of 1 10 acres, lie engaged in the op- 
eration of that land until IH.'jO. when he came 
with his wife and children to Kock County and 
.again resumed farming. He [jurchased 2 10 acres of 
laii<l. which he pl.aced uncU'r a high state of culti- 
vation, and his farm became one of the most valu- 



able in the township. Mr. Fellows w:ls one of the 
leading citizens of Rock County, and was especially 
interested in political affairs. He su|)ported the 
Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the 
new Reiniblican party and remained one of its in- 
flexible adherents and stanch supporters until his 
death. He never aspired to political honors, but 
was ever an active worker for tlie success of his 
party, using every honorable means in his power to 
advance it« interests. He was a man who had many 
friends, and was loved and respected ))y all who 
knew him. Strong and robust, he was a lover of 
field sports and took great delight in hunting. He 
was always well informed on the public issues of 
the day, could converse well and intelligently on 
all subjects, and was a favorite in the social world. 
His kind and benevolent acts have enshrined him 
in the hearts of many, and by the poor and op- 
pressed he is held in loving remembrance as a ben- 
efactor. No needy one was ever turned from his 
door, and the downtrodden were always sure of a 
word of encouragement. On the 17th of May, 
1872, he passed awa3', and thus another life of use- 
fulness ended. His excellent wife survived her 
husband until 1888. when she, too, departed this 
life. She was a devoted member of the .Mi'thodist 
Ki)iscopal Church, and her life was in harmony with 
her professions. 

The subject of this sketch p.assed his boyhood 
days in his native State, and received his education 
in the common schools. He remained under the 
parental I'oof until the age of twenty-six j'cars, 
when, in 18r).3, he began working on the Clevelanil 
(k Toledo Railioad. He was em|)loye(l on the con- 
struction of a bridge at Toledo during that year, 
and in 1854 went to Lorraine County, Ohio, where 
he made his home until I8.")8. In the latter year he 
came to Rock County and renteil a faro). which he 
operated for two years, when, in 18C(l, he jjurchitsed 
forty acres of land. .Since becoming a resident of 
Rock County he h.'is bought and sold lands to the 
amount of l,2o,'5 acres, and was also proprietor of a 
hotel in Kvansville, which he conducted for a short 
lime. He became the owner of a farm in Dunkirk, 
Dane Co., Wis., and in 1881 purchased his present 
farm of eighty- acres, on the northwest quarter of 
section 19, Union Township, where he has made 



-♦ 



r 



976 



L, 



ROCK COUNTY. 



his liome since. No land is better cultivateil or 
more highly improved than that owned by our sub- 
ject, and he is regarded as one of the prominent 
farmers of the community. 

In 1851 Mr. Fellows led to the marriage altar 
Miss Jane Elliott, a native of Monroe County, N. 
Y., and a daughter of German and L3-dia Elliott, 
who resided until death in Monroe County. Their 
union has been blessed with two children. Edgar 
G., who is engaged in farming in connection with 
his father, is an energetic and enterprising young 
man, possessed of good business ability, and is an 
honor to the family name. He is one of the most 
stalwart supporters of the Kepublican party, and 
during the campaign of 1888 made a trip to Indian- 
apolis, calling upon the President-elect, Gen. Har- 
rison. Katie, the younger child, is now the wife of 
Frank Gibbs, a farmer of Union Township. 

Mr. Fellows is one of the representative men of 
Rock County, is an indefatigable worker and an 
enterprising citizen. He has been very successful 
in his business career, but in 1887 suffered consid- 
erable loss by fire, a splendid barn, 70x96 feet, 
being ourned to tiie ground. Three head of cows 
were in the building at the time, together with 
many valuable farming implements. Whatever he 
undertakes Mr. Fellows carries through success- 
fully. Like his father, he joined the ranks of the 
Republican parly at the lime of the first election of 
Lincoln, and was a warm advocate of the Presi- 
dent's policy during the trying scenes of the Late 
war. He takes a deep interest in the success of the 
party, and feels that though the work it has accom- 
plished is inimeasuralile, its mission is not yet ful- 
filled. Mr. Fellows commands the respect and es- 
teem of all, and has won the confidence of those 
with whom business or pleasure have brought him 
i4i cDUtact. 

■^^' 

^i>«ix AVID MEHRILL is a leading farmer of 
Ij) licloit Township, residing on section 10. 
Probably no man in Rock County has done 
more for its development and upbuilding 
than our subject, who has been a resident since 
18H. but of this we will speak htreafter. Jn Shel- 
burnc, Franklin Co.. Mass., he was born Dec St, 




1M2. His parents. Capt. Thadileus and Achsah 
(.Severance) ^lerrill, were of English descent. His 
maternal great grandfather came to America dur- 
ing the early Colonial times and the stor^' of his 
life is one of thrilling interest. He was a brave, 
fearless man, and twice served his country as a sol- 
dier. Pie enlisted in the French and Indian War 
and was twice captured by the red men and sent to 
Canada. He also aided the Colonies in their strug- 
gle for independence, and lived to a ripe old age, 
and died in his ninety-third year. At one time 
having been taken prisoner by the Indians, he 
came, with his captors to a stream. They felled a 
large tree, laid it across the water and then sent 
their prisoner over to hold the other end of the 
log to keep it from rolling. When the old chief 
started to cross the water, without the slightest 
fear of the consequence, Mr. Severance rolled the 
log, thereby causing the Indian to fall into the 
water. On reaching the bank the chief drew his 
tomahawk to kill the old gentleman, but the other 
Indians, who were greatly amused by the perform- 
ance, interfered and thus saved his life. He made 
his escape from the Indians by providing the chief 
with liquor until he became intoxicated, and then 
forcing him to make his mark which he used when 
passing the Indian guards, and in that way reachetl 
his home. He at length laid down his life after a 
long and useful career. 

The parents of our subject. Thaddeus Merrill 
and his wife had a family of thirteen children, all 
of whom reached mature years with the exception 
of one. Joel. Ira. Strong and Lloyd are now all de- 
ceased; Levi is living in Shelburne Falls, M.ass. ; 
David was the seventh in order of birth; one died 
in infancy; Thaddeus, Jr., makes his home in Ab- 
ingdon, 111.; Martin died in 1887; Solomon is lo- 
cated in Kej', N. 11.; Nathaniel is a prominent citi- 
zen of Milwaukee, Wis.; Tirzah, widow of Cyrus 
Pelton, is living in Cuylerville, N. Y.; and Hannah 
is deceased. The parents both died in Shelburne, 
M.ass.. the father at the .age of seventy-six years, 
and the mother at the advanced age of ninety. He 
was a member of the Unitarian Church, while she 
held fellowship in the Congregational Church. 

The early education of our subject wjis pursued 
in the common schools and .academy of Shelburne, 
-^ 



I 



ROCK COUNTY. 



977 



]Mass., and in 1835. he took a prei)aratory course 
with till' intention of entering eoUeite. However, 
in liie spring of 18;!(;, lie w;is imliiced to change 
his mind and accompany a parly of travelers to 
the West. On reaching Ann Arlior, Mich., lie left 
Ills friends and in thai coiniiiiinily secured a posi- 
tion as leachcr in the piililie sehiiols. while in the 
evenings lie trained a singing class. In the month 
f)f November, 1837, lie first came to Wisconsin, re- 
maining in Milwaukee until Ihe spring of 1838, 
when he returned to .Vnu Arbor, Mich., where he 
made his home until the spring of 1841, during 
which time he w.as principally engaged in teaching. 
During thai spring he went lo Whitewater, Wis., 
where during the summer he worked upon a farm. 
The following winter lie was engaged in teaching 
singing schools along the l{t>ck River from Rock- 
foi-d. III., to Whitewater, Wis., and in that man- 
ner formed an extensive acquaintance. On tlie 
r.ltli vlay of March. 1842, he married Agnes Fonda, 
this being one of the first public weddings in the 
county, and was celebrated in the Congregational 
Churcli of r.eloit. The lady was a native of Ful- 
ton Coiiiily, N. \.. and a daughter of John Fonda. 
The young couple made their home in AVhite- 
water until Nov. 17. 1842. when they started for 
Heloit. The sleighing was fine, and reaching 
Fletcher's .about 1 o'clock they started to cross 
Rock I'rairie, where for the distance of nine miles 
there was not a single house. .Vfter having pro- 
ceeded on their journey for about a mile a blizzard 
struck them, and so blinding was the storm that 
night came <m when tliey li.id only gone about 
four and a half miles. Inloading the goods. Mr. 
Merrill lillchi'<l one horse to the cutter while a gen- 
tleman mounted the other and he and his wife fol- 
lowed as best they could. At about 10 o'clock 
that night they struck a rail fence which they fol- 
lowed until it led thciii to Mr. \ an Tassel's nine 
miles up Turtle Crei'k. The next morning he re- 
turned for the sled and goods and they then [iro- 
ceeded on their journey to Beloit. 

In that city Mr. Merrill again engaged in te.acli- 
iiii: singing and also manufactured mittens and 
iHoves. For several years following he engaged in 
s|)ecul:iting. and erected some thirty or forty build- 
ings including business blocks and dwellings. Until 



1851, he resided in Beloit, when he removed to his 
first purchase of land on section 11, Heloit Town- 
ship. This comprised 160 acres in a wild and un- 
cultivated condition, from which he develojied a 
. lieautiful home, now the residence of his dauglitcr, 
ICIlen, widow of Winfu'ld Scott. Altogether Mr. 
■Merrill lias purchased 1,331 acres of land .all of 
which he has since disposed of, with the exception 
of 230 acres. His life has been one of untiring in- 
dustry and in the develojiment of Rock County lie 
has born no inconsiderable part. He has broken 
at least 1,400 acres of land and h.as laid the foun- 
dation for many of the finest farms. He h.as built 
twenty-two and a half miles of fence and h.as been 
constiintly employed in the work of improvement 
in one way or another. The railroad is also in- 
debted to him. For the Northwestern Railroad 
Company he furnished eight miles of ties, and for 
the Chicago, Milwaukee it St. Raul road he supplied 
seven miles of ties. In 1860, his yield of farm 
produce was very great. He raised 6,000 bushels 
of wheat, 1,600 bushels of rye, 1,000 bushels of 
oats, 2,500 bushels of corn and fiftj- tons of hay. 

Until December, 1863, Mr. and Mrs. Merrill re- 
sided upon the farm, but at that time they removed 
to the city of Beloit for the purpose of educating 
their children, six in number. They had one other 
child who died in infancy. F.llen, the oldest of the 
family became the wife of Winlield .Sc(jtt, a farmer 
who in 1876, was killed by a locomotive on the 
Chicago & Northwestern while in the act of saving 
the life of his child. Mrs. Scott died April 1, 18«1». 
Stewart is a photographer of San Francisco, Cal. ; 
.John is a real estate agent of San Bernardino, 
Cal.; Charles is a Presbyterian minister located al 
North Ontario, Cal.. and h.as recently visited Pal- 
estine and Egypt; Mary wedded Paul P. Ferdner, 
of Washington; \'irginia became the wife of Rev. 
Theodore Hunt, a Congregational minister of Riv- 
erside. Cal. On the Istd.ayof November, 1878, 
the mother of these children wjis called to her final 
rest. She was devoted to her family and was a 
sincere mem lier of the Presbyterian Church, who 
gave much attention to the religious training of 
her children, whom she lived to see useful and hon- 
ored members of societj'. .Mr. Merrill was again 
married June 16, 1881, when he wedded .Mrs. liar- 



^t^ 



:?M^-^ 



. 978 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-•►^^-♦ 



•f 



lict Wheat, widow of Koliort L. Wheat, a respected 
citizen of Rock County, who dieil in 1875. Mrs. 
Merrill is a native of Orange Comity, N. Y., a lady 
of great refinement and pleasing manners, and by 
her former marriage became the mother of five 
children, namely: Jennie S., died in 1876; Homer 
II., who is engaged in farming in Beloit Township; 
llattie A., wife of John F. Bender, a grocer of 
Oconomowoc, Wis.: Mary A. is the wife of Wil- 
lis Woodward, of Rockford, III; and one died in 
childhood. Jennie S. was a young lady of much 
ability, a graduate of the Boston Normal School, 
and a teacher in the public schools of Beloit. Mrs. 
Merrill has been a memlier of the Baptist Church 
for many years, while Mr. Merrill belongs to the 
Presbyterian. In politics, he is an active member 
of the Republican party, and has filled various 
public offices. This worthy couple have the highest 
respect of all wiio know them. 

\f *^ AVID VAN WAIIT, one of Rock County's 
I )| pioneer settlers, and a leading farmer re- 
ffij^ siding on section 29, Porter Township, is 
^^ a native of New York, having been born 
in Chautauqua County, Oct. 16, 1835. His i)ar- 
cnts. Bishop and Lydia (Gordinier) Van Wart, 
were also natives of the Empire State, and the fa- 
ther was a soldier in the War of 1812. He had 
previously resided in Rensselaer County, but after 
his discbarge from the service removed to Chau- 
tauqua County, where he engaged in farming until 
1814, when accompanied by his family he emi- 
grated to Janesville, Wis. Arriving in Rock 
County he purch.ased forty acres of land, and after- 
ward ailded to it another 40-acre tract, which he 
purchased from the government. Being in a prim- 
itive condition he had to clear it before planting 
his crops. He was a man higlilj' respected among 
the early settlers of the county, and was a leading 
citizen, who took an active interest in the progress, 
o-rowth and adv.aucement of the communitj' in 
which he resided. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Wart 
wore born a family of eight children : Ann the eld- 
est, who became the wife of Nelson Clark, died at 
ler home in the town of Porter on the 1st day of 



April, 1855; Abram, who w.<is a farmer by occupa- 
tion, died in Minnesota in 1881; Jacob died Nov. 
29, 1850; Harrj-. who was joined in wedlock with 
iliss Lucy Scofield. of .Janesville Township, is re- 
siding in Albany, Green County, Wis.; David, of 
this sketch, is the fifth in order of birth; Newton, 
who is also engaged in agricultural pursuits, is liv- 
ing in Lyle, Minn.; Emma Jane is now deceased; 
and Orilla is the wife of Sylvester Howard, who 
resides in Oakland, Cal. 

Bishop Van Wart continued to reside upon his 
farm in Porter Township until his death, which oc- 
curred April 17, 1866, when his wife became an 
inmate of the home of her son David. After ten 
years of widowhood she passed to her final rest on 
the 1st dny of April, 1876. She was a raemlier of 
the Methc)dist Ei)iscopal Church, a most estimable 
hill}-, and took an active part in the advancement 
and upbuilding of the Master's cause on earth. 

David N'an Wart passed his life in his native 
State until nine years of age, when he came with his 
parents to Wisconsin in 1844. He was reared to 
farm life, receiving his education in the jiublic 
schools, and assisted his father in the labors of the 
farm until 1852. when with a party of seven young- 
men he started for the gold fields of ('aliforni:i. 
making an overland trip. On reaching Council 
Bluffs they joined a train of forty wagons, and 
with that part}' proceeded to the Pacific .Slo[)e, 
reaching Downieville. Cal., on the 1st day of Au- 
gust, 1852, after a long and toilsome journey of 
four months across the plains. After two ^years 
spent in mining, in which he w:is reasonabl}' suc- 
cessful, he returned to Rock Count}-, and in con- 
nection with his father purchased the Ball Tavein, 
which was widely known throughout the State. 
The succeeding eight years of his life were spent as 
the proprietor of that tavern, when he sold out and 
again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, 
purchasing the farm on which he now lives. 

On the 22d day of December. 1857, Mr. \:\\\ 
Wart led to the marriage altar Miss Ann .loncs, a 
native of Wales. Unto them have been Imni five 
sons, and the family circle yet remains unbroken: 
Frank, the eldi'St, born May 12. 1864, marrieil 
Laurie Baggs. and resides in Beloit, Wis.; I^iew is 
now living in Evausville; Charles, Don and David, 



4*- 




I 



•4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



979 



tlie three yuuiiger sons, arc still under the parental 
roof, and assist tlu'ir talhcr in tlu' lalmrs of the 
farm. 

To his oriiiinal purchase .Mr. \ an Wart lias since 
a(hlcd 1(')0 acres, hi.s farm now aggregating 240 
acres of as fine land as can be found in Rock 
County. lie raises a good grade of all kinds of 
stock, his improvements are uf the hest. and he is 
acknowledged to I)e one of the leading and pro- 
gressive farmers of Porter Townsliii). For the 
long period of forty-five years witli tlie exception 
of the short time si)ent in California, he has made 
his home in Rock County, has shared in the trials 
and privations of jpioneer life, has witnessed its 
r.apiil growth and progress, lias iiartieipated in the 
development, wiiich li.as transformeil its wild and 
uncultivated [jrairies into farms of great fertility, 
and lia.s taken a deep interest in its welfare. Mr. 
\'an Wart has served as Chairman of the Board of 
Su|)er visors in the town of Porter for three terms, 
.ably discharging the duties of that [position. So- 
cially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
an<i in i>()litical alliliations was a menilier of the 
(irecnltack [larty until 1884. wiien he joitied forces 
with the Democratic party, and has since adhered 
to its principles, lie enjoys, as he richly deserves, 
the rcs|)ect of .all. and is well knnwn throughout 
the coninuinitv. 







0B?:RT LILBl'RX. residing on section .'). 
Bradford Township, is a well-known citi- 
zen of Rock County, which he has claimed 
as his home for more than forty-lour years. 
lie is a native of Scotland, born in Uinrosshire, 
Julv 1, 1842, and is the son of James and .Margaret 
(Laurie) Lilburn, now deceased, whose sketch ap- 
pears in thi.s volume, lie was but three years of 
age when he accompanied his parents across the 
broad Atlantic to the beautiful prairie home which 
his father had selected the [previous year. In this 
new home he lived until the age of twelve \ears, 
when he was sent to Scotland, and there accpiired 
a thorough knowledge of Scotch farming. After 
remaining in his native land three ^ears, he re- 
turned to bis father's house in Bradford Township, 



4^ 



glad, no doubt, to again be amid the scenes of his 
earl^' childhood, and wliere he could enjoy the 
loving counsel of his father. The vocation of a 
farmer he chose .as his life's work, and a visit to his 
home, surrounded as it is by every evidence of the 
[H-ogressive farmer, proves that his choice was wdl 
made. 

In 18()7 Mr. Lilburn once more returned to liis 
native land, anil there chose for his life cfiin|)anion 
Miss Mary Lilburn, a most estimable lady, their 
marriage occurring on the (Jlh day of .Inne, 186(i. 
She is a daughter of Thomas and Agnes (Horn) 
Lilburn, who were also natives of Scotland. Soon 
after their marriage, he brought his young wife to 
this fair land, and installed her as mistress of his 
beautiful home. For more than a .score of years 
they have trod life's journey' together, and three 
children came to bless their union. One son, Lc- 
roy, ilied in 1888. The living are James and 
Roberta Agnes, who are 3'et inm.ates of the paicntal 
home. 

Robert Lilburn can traci' his ancestry back several 
hundred years, one of his ancestors, likewise named 
Robert Lilburn. Iieing .'imong the number who tried 
anil signed the death warr.mt of Charles I. But it 
is not because of his ancestry that he claims recog- 
nition. Like the native born .Vmericin. he wishes 
to be judged on his own merits. Still he has rea- 
son to be [noud of the stock from which he sprung, 
and like all .Scotchmen lu^ has a love foi' his native 
country, and a pride in its history and in the lives 
of its heroes that have rendered im|)erishable the 
name of bonnie .Scotland. His good wife shares 
with him a love for her native laud, and although 
her lot has been cast in the New World, in memory 
she often lives in the good old days when she was 
a bonnie Scottish lass. 

Success has crowned the eflforts of Robert Lil- 
burn, and to-day he is the owner of 960 acres of as 
fine land as the sun shines on. together with a large 
amount of personal pro[)erty, rendering him inde- 
[lendent in the fullest sense. In addition to gen- 
eral farming, he makes a specialty of tine stock, 
especially rolled Angus cattle, of which he is an 
extensive breeder. He is a member of the Polled 
Angus A.ssoeiation, both of Scotland and America. 
For some years he has been engaged in iiniiorting 



-•► 



-•► 



980 



ROCK COUNTY. 



and selling Shetland ponies, and is a member of 
the Shetland Pony Association of ihe Inited 
States. 

Politically, Mr. l>ill)urn is a Democrat, bnt not 
nil :u;tive politician, i)referring to devote his atten- 
tion to his business interests. Religiously, he was 
reined a Presbyterian, in whicli faith his wife was 
;ilso reared, though tliey now worship with the Con- 
gregationalists of Emerald Grove. Bradford Town- 
ship. As a citizen he is held in iiigh regard by one 
and all. 

I'USTINli. FESSENDEN. a practical and 
representative farmer and raiser of tobacco, 
residing on section 24, Porter Township, 
ig|/ was born in Chatauqua County, N. Y., on 

the Cth ilay of February, 1840. His parents. Ho- 
race and Salome (IJeebe) Fessenden, were natives 
of the Empire Slate, and tliere resided for many 
years. Horace Fessenden -.vas a lumber dealer, 
following that business in Hanoou, N. Y. until 
I8;i(), when he purchased a farm in Chatauqua 
Cnunty, and turned iiis attentions to agricultural 
|)ursuits. After operating his land for ten years, 
he sold out and in 1846, following the course of 
emigration which was steadil}' drifting westward, 
landed in Rock C'oiuity, Wis. ImniiMliatcly after 
his arrival, he purchiised a farm of ICO acres on 
section 20. Porter Township, the land then being in 
a primitive condition. He built a little log cabin 
into which the family moved and immediately be- 
gan clearing the land. Mr. Fessenden was one of 
the earliest settlers of Rock County and was an im- 
portant factor in the upbuilding and development 
of the township. He added to his origin.al purchase 
until his farm comprised 430 acres, which he |)laced 
under a high state of cultivation and greatly im- 
proved. As a citizen, lie was public spirited, enter- 
prising and progressive and filled various offices of 
trust, serving for three or four years as town 
Treasurer, and for a number of years was a mem- 
ber of the 4"own Board. All moral and social in- 
rests received his ready su|)port and he was a true 
friend to the cause of education. In political sen- 
timent, he alfiliated with the Democratic party, aud 
a> every true American citizen should do. took an 



active interest in politics, but was never an office- 
seeker. Through the community in which he lived, 
he was held in high regard and won the confidence 
and respect of all with whom business or pleasure 
brought him in contact. His excellent wife died on 
the 2od dav of August. 1859. and was laid to rest 
in Taylor cemetery' in Porter Township. A 3-ear 
had not jet passed when the husban<l followed lier 
to the grave, his death occurring at the old home- 
stead July 12. 1800. He was then placed by the 
side of a loving wife with whom he had traveled 
Ufa's journey for so many j'ears. 

Horace and .Salome Fessenden were the parents 
of eleven children — Nelson, who is now deceased ; 
Eli, a resident of Iowa: Alanson. also deceased; 
Austin B.. of this sketch; Helen, who has passed 
awa}^; Adelbert, who makes his home in Fulton, 
Rock County; Lero}', who is living at the old home- 
stead in the town of Porter; Albert, a resident of 
Evansville, Rock County ; Helen, who is also living 
in Evansville; Dean, who resides in Clinton, Wis.; 
and Frank, the youngest, now deceased. 

Austin B. Fessenden, who name heads this sketch, 
has p.assed almost his entire life in this count}- aud 
has witnessed almost its entire growth. At the time 
his parents settled in this community, the smoke of 
the Indian wigwam had scarce!}' cleared awaj'. the 
deer and other wild game were still found in abund- 
ance and the settlements were few and far between. 
In those d.ays they lived in tlie true pioneer style 
of frontier settlers, and enduretl many hardships 
and trials. Austin began his education in a little 
log school-house in such as mauy of our most emi- 
nent men learned the rudimentary braiiches. He 
resided with his parents until their death when he 
took charge of the home farm, operating it for two 
years, when he i)urchased the share of one of the 
heirs and began business for himself. His life h.as 
been one of industry and hard work, but his labors 
have at length brought their rewanl and he is now 
the owner of one of the finest farms in Rock 
County. It now comprises 180 .acres of arable 
lainl under a high state of cultivation, many beau- 
tiful improvements have been made and everything 
necessary to a ino<lel farm can be found thereon. 
The little log cabin, his home in early years, was 
replaced ia 1867, by a commodious and handsome 



:l* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



9«1 



two-storv brick clwelliiiij, which shelters one of tlie 
iiiosl hospilnlilc iiiid i>leasanl families of the county. 
In connection with general farniinyf. Mr. I^'csscnilen 
cnfj'iRcs in the cultivation of tobacco, having' raiscil 
that [)roiluct foi- nineteen years. 

On the Glh day of September, 18(50, Mr. Fessen- 
(len led tu the ni.arriage altar Aliss Emily Vaughn, a 
native of New Yorl<. Uy their union .seven child- 
ren have been born — Orpha A., who wa.s born 
.Marcli 2G. 1862. is li vino- in tiie town of I'orter; 
Forre.st G., born April l.'i, 18().5, is still under the 
parentJil roof; Fred C, born Feb. 14, 18G7, is now 
deceased ; Luella ]\I., born Aug. 15. 1801*, is at 
home; Frank W.. born July 19. 1 871. is now dead; 
j;inia S.. born April 12, 1877, and IJoyd B., b(jrn 
Sept. 8. 1882, yet reside with their parents. The 
children have all received good educational ad- 
vantages, thereby fitting them for the practical 
duties of life. 

Possessing progressive ideas. i\Ir. Fessenden has 
always taken an interest in .-ill public measures and 
has been iironiinently identilied with many of the 
leading enterprises of the community. lie has 
served his fellow-citizens as a member of the Town 
IJoaril, has (llled the office of Treasurer, and at 
different times has served as Side Sui)ervisor, dis- 
charging his various duties with promptness and 
fidelity-. In political life, be has followed in the 
footsteps of his father, being a warm supporter of 
Democratic principles. Mr. and 3Irs. Fessenden 
hold an iMiviable place in the hearts of their many 
friends and the respect which is rendered them is 
well merited. 

— -i^m- — 



I 



i 






DWAHI) (iILLi;Y. residing on section 5 of 

Ethe town of I'orter, is numbered among the 
pioneer settlers of the county, dating his 
residence from tlie month of May, 1843. He was 
born in I'.els.iy, in the i)arisli of Holain, Xorthum- 
berland Co., England, and is of Scotch <lescent. 
He was born Feb. 1:{, 1811, and was named for iiis 
grandfather, who removed from Scotland to Eng- 
land. His i)arent* were .lolin and Mary (Shillito) 
(lilley. and the father w.as also born in the parish 
of Bolam. and passe<l his entire life in the house 
where he was born, and under its roof his death 



occurred in 1823. when in the fifty-third year of 
his age. They were the parents of seven children, 
only two of whom are yet living — Edward, of this 
sketch, and William, who resides in Shellleld. Eng- 
land. For twenty-two years William served as 
Superintendent of the police force of that city, 
when he retired to private life, living upon a pension 
given him by the city government. His son, John 
Gilley, has for the p.ast ten years filled the position 
vacated by his father. Samuel, his second son. is 
Superintendent of the National School Board, and 
resides in Sheffield; William, the youngest son is 
cashier of a bank, and to him Xorthnmberlanil 
County has given the power to pay its bills. 

Our sul)ject was educated in his native land, ami 
his eaily life was spent upon a farm. When thirty- 
two years of age, he bade good-bye to home and 
friends, and boarded a vessel bound for America. 
On the 4th day of May. 18t;5,tliey dropped anchor 
in the harbor of New York, and landing in the 
city. Mr. (iilley fouinl himself in a strange land, 
unknown and unknowing. He brought with him a 
letter which proved to be of service in establishing 
him in the new world, and it is still in his possession. 
We give a copy of it: 

Denton Hall. March 31. 1843. 
Messrs. Gkokiie Myers it Sox. New York. 

Dear Sirs: — The bearer of this, Edward (Jjlley, 
was a servant many years to my late father, and 
being possessed of a few hundred pounds, has come 
out to your place with the intention of purcli.-vsino- a 
piece of land. I know both him and his l)rother, 
who accompanies him. to be honest, sober, indus- 
trious men, and if you will bj' your valuable ad- 
vice aid them in their undertakings, I shall esteem 
it a favor. 

I am. dear sirs, yours tiuly 

KlCH.VKD HOVLE. 

Mr. Myers advised Mr. (iilley to go to Wiscon- 
sin, and accordinglv he set out. arriving in Janes- 
ville, on the 20th day of M.iy. 1843. Being satisfied 
with the country, he spent three days in viewing 
the land, and length came to what is now Porter 
Township, where he entered eighty acres on sec- 
tion 4. receiving his patent from the ( Government, 
signed b^- John Tyler, then President of the I'niled 



■4- 



W2 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



States. It was a wild and unimproved tract 
of prairie, on which not a furrow had been 
turned, but he at once built a log cabin, and con- 
tinued the work of development until the raw lan<l 
became a rich and fertile farm. 

On the 4th day of January. 1845, Mr. Gilley 
further completed his arrangement for a home by 
his marriage with Miss Hannah Theakston, who 
was duly installed as mistress of the pioneer cabin. 
The lad}- was also a native of England, and emi- 
grated to America about the j'ear 1843. Time 
passed merrily for a while, but ere two years had 
come and gone, the home was bereft of the good 
wife, who died in 1845. Mr. (lillcy was again mar- 
ried in .\pril. 18.53, when .Miss Mar}' Scarcliff be- 
came his wife. She was born in Lincolnshire. Eng- 
land, and in 1851 came to America with her 
liarenls, liotli of whom died in Janesville a numlier 
of years ago. She has four brothers still living. 
One child was born of the union of our subject 
and his wife, but died in infanc^y, and Mrs. Gille}' 
died in May, 1875. 

To his original farm of eighty acres Mr. Gilley 
.added from time to time until it was 187 acres in 
e.Ktent. On his arrival in America, his capital con- 
sisted of one hundred sovereigns, which formed the 
nucleus uf ills present competence. In 1877, after 
thirty-four years spent in his adopted country, ^Ir. 
(iillcy returned on a visit to his native land, but 
the pleasure of again viewing the scenes of his 
childhood was nut unmixed with pain. All w.as 
changed, many dear ones had passed to their last 
rest, and the boys and girls, his early friends, were 
now gray-haired men and women. After four 
months ^pent in England, he returned to his home, 
and in 1.S80 p\nchased 101 acres of land on section 
5, Porter Township, where he has now a beautiful 
home, surrounded by all the comforts which go to 
make lifi' pleasant. His days of hardship and toil 
during his early years in the count}- make the pres- 
ent all the brighter, and he can feel the satisfaction ' 
of knowing that his possessions have been .acquired 
by his own efforts. .Mr. (iilley has tilled various \ 
township olliecs of trust, and since the organiza- 
tion of the Republiean party, has been an ardent 
supi)orter of its principles, and a faithful worker 
for its interests. He and his wife were members of 



the Congreg,atioual Church, in which he has for 
many years been an officer. From the earliest days 
of his settlement in the county he h.as been identi- 
fied with its le.adiTig interests. and has been especially 
prominent in the promotion of all social, religious 
and moral enterprises. None stiind higher in the 
esteem of all than does Mr. Gilley, whose history 
we are pleased to record in this volume. 



-^>^i^^^^^^S^^^^ 



\¥OHN GRH'T-TTHS, deceased, was l>orn in 

j South Wales, Sept. 24, 1841, and was a son 

of Thomas and Caroline (Howell) Griffiths, 

who were also natives of Wales. When 

John was eight years of age, his father ilied, and 
the following year, 1850, he came to the I'liitcd 
States with his widowed mother. After landing in 
this countr}-, they proceeded at once to Janesville. 
where our subject attended the city schools, and 
when thirteen years of age, began learning the tin- 
smith's trade with R. J. Hich.ardson. Having served 
the term of his apprenticeship, he then worked at 
the bench until July, 18(!3, when he opened a shop 
on the site of his late business block. Beginninir 
in a modest way, with almost no capital, he pushed 
his business with promptness and energy, and rap- 
idly built up a good trade, increasing his stock in 
proportion to his increased capital vmtil he reached 
an aruuial business of from ?!75,000 to ^80,000. in 
the fall of 1809 he purchasi'd the tine brick block, 
located at Nos. 9 and 1 1 West .Milwaukee street, 
the east half of the first (loor of which he occupied 
as a sales room. The building is 44x135 feet on 
the ground, and is three stories in height. He also 
built the adj(_(ining store on the river front, now 
occupied by W. C. Holmes as a merchant tailoring 
house. 

Mr. Grirtiths was married in Chicago, J.an. 29, 
18G5, to Miss Emma M. Carpenter, a daughter of 
Curtis Carjienter of Mooretown, ^'t,, but after 
four years had passed, the lady's death occurred. 
May 28, 1869. He was again married at Janesville, 
on the 2i-ith day of .\i)ril, 1885, his second union 
being with ^liss Lizzie F. \'ai\ Etta, daughter of 
James Van Ett.a. Mrs. Griffiths was born in Utica, 
N. Y., and is a member of the E|)iscopal Ghunli. 



i- 




•<- 



^i^K-* 



ROCK COTTNTY. 



9k;) 



Tlie3' Imve one child, a son, William Van Etta, who 
was born Feb. 2. 1886. Mr. Griffiths' mother made 
her home with lier son until her death, which oc- 
(•uii-(m1 ill December, 1873. The death of Mr. Grif- 
fiths occurred .lunc 18, 1881). lie w.as confirmed 
ill the Kpiscfipal Church, shortly before his death. 
( )ur subject was a stockholder in the Janesville 
Machine Company, and in the new McLean Manu- 
facturing Com|)any, bolli important manuf.acturing 
institutions of Janesville. He was also interested 
in .agriculture and was the owner of a fine farm of 
120 acres lying two and a half miles east of the 
city, which he stocked and improved at consider- 
able expense, c.anying it on for some years under 
his personal directions. Mr. Griffiths was essentially 
a Self-made man. Starting in life a poor bo}-, with- 
out intluence or means, by close application to 
work and business and the exercise of industrious 
and frugal habits, he achieved a marked success. 
Upright and honoiable in all his relations to the 
world, he h.as established a business reputation sec- 
oml to none in the city, as a fair and reliable man. 
Energy and enterprise, with a conservative, though 
progressive spirit, marked his course in life, and 
insured his success. In his political sentiments he 
was a Republican, but had neither time nor inrliiiM- 
tioii to ct)urt official favors at the hands of the 
people. 

'" ■ > ' ^^^^ ' E j—^- — 

^1 G. PATTERSON, eilitor and proprietor of 
the Edgerlon Index, published at Edgerlon, 
Wis. ,w.as born in Jefferson. .feflferson County. 
i^j^' this State, on the 24th day of August. 18(10. 
lie is the son of Jiisuph 1!. Patterson, who removed 
to Jefferson in 1842. and assisted in laying out 
that town, where he still resides. He has been 
prominently connected with the liistor}' of South- 
ern Wisconsin, and also a.ssisled in the laying out 
of Janesville, where for a short time he made his 
home. 

The subject of our sketch w;is reared t<j man- 
hood in his native county, and choosing the print- 
er's trade os the occupation which he wished to 
make his life work, he entered an office in JctTerson. 
where he received a thorough education in that line, 
becoming quite [irolficient in the business. He wiis 



later emplo3'ed on various papers, holding the posi- 
tion of foreman in the oflice of the Oconoraowoi' 
Local, which was published by Fred W. Coon, and 
when Mr. Coon purchased the Kdgertoii Tubami 
Reporter, he came to Edgerton as foreman of that 
journal, which position he occupied until Mr. Coon 
severed his connection with the Oconomowoe L'kmI 
and took personal charge of the Jieporter. The 
first edition of the /Hdcx- apiiearcd on the 2(;th of 
June, I88G.and like the Reporter, i\c\<>{es much at- 
tention to the tobacco interests of the State. It is 
published weekly, with a circulation of about 0(10 
copies, and is a well edited sheet. 

In 1882 Mr. Patterson was united in marriage 
with Miss Gr.ace I. Banks, a daughter of James 
Banks, one of the early settlers <jf (Jreen Count v. 
now residing in Jefferson. They have gained 
many friends since becoming residents of Edger- 
ton. and are held in the highest regard by all who 
know them. 

■•^-*<-^ 

Vf/AMES J. DENNKTT. one of the pioneer 
settlers of Rock County, residing on section 
31. in the town of Milton, was boin on the 
^j// l.sth day of .Inly, 183(1. in I'.n.mpton, Lower 
Canada, ami is a son of .leremiah and .Mary (.bilins- 
ton) Dennett, the father a native of Porlsinoutli. 
N. II.. and the mother of Scotland. They were 
married in the old Granite State, where the lius- 
band worked at his trade of carpentering and 
building until removing to Canada, when he estab- 
lished a hotel in l>ioin|)toii. Four children were 
born unto them, as follows: John .S.. now deceased: 
James J., the subject of this sketch; Agnes E., who 
became the wife of John Zook. a resident of .Sitiux 
Falls, Dak.; and George, a farmer in the town of 
Milton. In 1841 the family emigrated to Rock 
County, where two other cliildien were born — 
Mary, who is the wife of H. 11. Hlanchard, of 
Janesville; and John S.. who wiis the second of the 
family' of that name, a farmer in the town of Janes- 
ville. (In his arriv.al in this county .Mr. Dennett 
entered forty .acres of land on section 31. town of 
Milton, and after erecting a small cabin, of which 
the family at once look possession, began the de- 
velopment of a farm. At the lime of his purch:isi' 



i:ise T; 



-4•— 

984 



-•► 



ROCK COUNTY. 



*!= 



the land was in a wild, uncultivated condition with 
no imppovcments, nor had a furrow been turned. 
Prosperity attended liis efforts, and as his financial 
resources increased, he extended the boundaries of 
his farm until 260 acres paid a golden tribute to 
his care and cultivation. After a residence in Hock 
County of almost twenty years, during which time 
he won the respect and confidence of all. he was 
called to his final rest, dying in 1863. His wife 
survived him until April 11,1889, when she too 
was called to tlie reward prepared for the righteous. 
In public affairs Mr. Demett took a deep interest, 
and was a true friend to the causes of education 
and religion, doing all in his iiower to aid in their 
promotion. At his death the county lost a valued 
citizen, and his neighbors and friends a kind and 
accommodating companion. 

Our subject is numbered among Rock County's 
earliest settlers. In 1844 he left his native place 
and came with his parents to the Territory of AVis- 
consin. His education was received in the common 
schools, and his boyhood days were passed in much 
the same manner as those of ottier farmer lads. 
He was joined in weillock in this county, with Miss 
Fannie Bond, in October, 18C6. The l.idy is a 
daughter of Jonathan and Polly (French) Bond, 
who were natives of Pennsylvania, and became 
residents of this community in 1847. They here 
passed the remainder of their lives, and left a 
large family to mourn tlieir loss. Mr. and Mrs. 
Dennett have one child, a son, Carleton B., born 
Aug. 14, 1807. 

Our subject is now engaged in general farming, 
and is the owner of the old homestead of 160 acres, 
which is under a high stale of cultivation, and is 
stocked with the best grades of cattle, horses and 
hogs. A handsome two-story fr.ame residence 
marks the spot where once stood the old log cabin, 
and is one of the most hospitable homes in the 
town. Fortj'-five years have come and gone since 
Mr. Dennett became a resident of Hock County. 
Many great changes have taken place since that 
lime, and little could one imagine tliat, where now 
aae beautiful homes and farms, flourishing towns and 
thriving cities, was but a few years ago a wild and 
uninhabited prairie; neither did the earlj- pioneer 
dream of the wonderful transformation which was to 



take place — yet it is to his efforts that all credit is 
due. Not only has Mr. Dennett been a witness of 
the ra])id growth and progress, but has been an 
active participant in the work. At the time of his 
coming Janesville, the metropolis of Southern Wis- 
consin, was but a mere hamlet; grain had to be 
hauled to Milwaukee, and hogs and cattle were 
driven there to market. What a contrast to the 
present time, when a perfect net-work of railroads 
span the State, crossing and recrossing each other, 
while with the telegraph and the telephone one may 
send a message or communicate with a frieml miles 
away. The forest trees that then stood and were 
used as land-marks have fallen and decayed, but in 
their stead are giant oaks, whose towering branches 
seem to touch the blue sky above. The pioneers 
are one bj- one being called from earth, and lew now 
remain to tell the story, and to them all h(jnor is 
due. 

In his |)olitical sentiments. Mr. Dennett is a firm 
and inflexible adherent to the principles of the 
Republican partv, and is a warm advocate of the 
temperance cause, using every means in his jKiwer 
to banish the liquor traffic from our land. 

A man of sterling integrity .and fair dealing. Mr. 
Dennett has won the respect and confidence of all 
who know him. Both he and his wife arc members 
of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, and are ever 
ready to aid in the advancement of the ^Master's 
cause. 

(YiU^ORACE G. HAMILTON, one of RockCoun- 

11 J: V^'s pioneer settlers, now living a retired 
!^^ life in Milton. Wis., was born in the town 

(^) Brookfield, Madison Co, N. Y., on Feb. 
18, 1810. The family is of Scotch descent, and 
is noted for the very advanced age to which 
some of its members have attained. The parents 
of our subject were Freeborn and Tacy ((Jreen) 
Hamilton. The father w.as numbered among the 
early settlers of Alleganj- County, N. Y.. where he 
resideil for many j-ears and died Oct. 8. 1 «(>!). at 
the age of eighty-three years and eleven months. 
His wife preceded him to her final rest, her death 
occurring on the old homestead in Allegany 
County, Sept. 1. 1840. in the fifty-first year of her 



-t 



4= 



♦- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



985 i 



age. Tli.nt woitlij' couple were the pnrcnts of 
eleven eliildien, seven of whom are now living. 
Sanmel, the eldest, is now deecaseil ; II. (i., of this 
sketch, is the seconil in the order of hirth; Orpha 
died in Minnesota; Lavin.n niai<es her homo in Al- 
leL;lKiny County. N. Y.: Loriiuhi dieil in that 
county M.iv 27, 1873, ajjed (ifty-six years. Ed- 
ward is a resident of Milton; Sus.-innah died in lier 
native State; John lives in Allegany County, 
N. Y.; Freeliorn is livintj on tlie old homestead, in 
Allegany County; Tacy is the wife of a Mr. (ireen. 
a resident of Andover, N. Y., and Sophrouia, the 
youngest is living in Dane County, Wis. 

Our subject was reared to the occupation of farm- 
ing, liut tiring of the monotony of that life, at the 
age of nineteen years, he began working at 'he 
carpenter's trade, for which he had a natural adapt- 
ability, not i-equiring to serve an ajjprenticeship, 
and liuilt a barn for his father, which was his first 
work in that line. lie continued in that business 



better known as M;ijor Hamilton, is a resident of 
New York City. Arthur w.as the first who enlisted 
at Milton for service in the war of the rel)el!ion. 
an<l iKUticipaled in every engagement with his 
regiment until the battle of Anlielam, where he 
w.as killed, being the first one from Milton to lose 
his life; and in his nienuiry the C. A. R. Post of 
.Milton was named. Mailelia S. married Good well 
Foster, a native of New York, and they now reside 
in Independence. Kas. Madeline 1,. l)eeamc the 
wife of W. II. Coon, who wxs born in I'ennsvl- 
vania. and they now make their home in Beatrice. 
Neb. 

Since removing to Rock Comity. .Mr. Hamilton 
has been prominently identified with its history and 
is one of its valued citizens. He has witnessed its 
growth and development through the long i)eriod 
of forty-seven years, and has nobly borne his share 
in the work of transformation and progress. He 
has filled various local olliccs, including tliat of 



in his native State until 1842, wlien he resolved to Assessor and Justice of the Peace, which position 



h 



try his fortune in the West and emigrated to the 
territory of Wisconsin, settling in Rock County. 
Purchasing a farm in the town of Lima, then a 
part of Milton, he engaged in the cultivation an<l 
development of the land for many years, and also 
followed carpentering, until too old for manual 
labor, when he retired from .active life. 

Before leaving New York. Mr. Hamilton letl to 
tlie marriage altar Miss C. M. Uurdick, their wed- 
ding being celebrated in Alfred, Allegany Countv. 
in 1834. This lady was born in that county on 
Dec. 25, 1818. and is a daughter of Edward and 
Susannah (Stillman) Burdick; tiie former a native 
of Rhode Isl.ond, and the latter of the ICnijiire 
State, who were parents of live children. Adol- 
l)hus, the eldest, died at the age of fourteen years; 
Mrs. Hamilton is the second in the order of birth; 
Edgar died in Chicago in 1875; Delos is a resident 
of Janesville and is the County Treasurer for Rock 
County; Alfred, who is now (ifty-si.\ years of age, 
is now living in Milton. The children born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are as follows: Marj-, who 
was born June 29, 1830, in Allegany County, 
N. v.. now the wife of Charles Goodrich, son of 
Asa tioodrich. by whom she has three children, 
two yet living. Cora and Asa II. Emery M., 



he held for a number of years. He is hn adher- 
ent of and active worker in the Seventh D.ay Bap- 
tist Church of Milton. The cause of education 
has also found in Mr, Hamilton a warm friend, and 
the best interests of the community are sure of his 
ready support and sympathy. In early life he 
cast his liallot with the Whig party, and on its 
organization joined the ranks of the Repnldiean 
party. In 1830 and 1840 he voted for William 
Henry Harrison, and in 1888 voted for the illus- 
trious grandson of the Tippecanoe hero. He has 
a pleasant home in Milton, and l>esides his own 
residence owns two otiiei- buildings. 



ALVIN S. CROW, a leading farmer re- 
siding on sectional, Center Townshi]), is 
g^ numbered among the early settlers of this 
county, dating his arrival b.ack to 1850. He was 
born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July (!, 184(1, 
and w.as the third in a family of six children born 
to William and i^ucinda (Herbert) Crow, the 
former a native of Wjishington Countv, Pa., and 
the later of Ohio. In his veins run the blood of a 
Revolutionary hero, for his great-grandfather was 



-•► 



4 



"*•- 



9SG 



•*^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-r- 



one of the gallant defenders of the Colonies in 
their struggle for Independence. His paternal 
grandjjarents, William and Crow, were natives of 
Pennsylvania, but were born of Irish and Scotch 
(li's'jent. The maternal grandi)arents. Stewart and 
Herbert, were also natives of Pennsylvania, born 
of Irish descent, tlie great-grandparents having 
emigrated from the Emerald Isle to America in an 
early day. 

AVilliam Crow, the father of our subject, was a 
man of pnjminence in the communitj' where he 
resided. He was a cooper by trade, and in his polit- 
ical sentiments afliliated with the Democratic party 
and was an earnest .advocate of the principles of 
that organization. In 1848, he was stricken with 
typhus fever, from which he never recovered, his 
death occurring at the age of tliirt3'-three years. 
Six children were born of this union with Miss 
Ilerliert — Henry AV.. who is married and resides in 
Nebraska; Margaret A., now Mrs. Dann, who lives 
near Footville; Matilda Jane, who is now Mrs. 
Forbes, of Montgomery- County, 111.; Lucy, wife 
of ]\Ir. Warner of the same county; and Calvin S., 
of this sketch. After the death of her first hus- 
b.and. Mrs. Crow was again married in 1852, be- 
coming the wife of Samuel Ramsey, and to them 
three children were born. They removed from 
Ohio to Southern Indiana, and in 1862, our subject 
induced them to become residents of Rock County. 
'Ihey soon returned to Indiana, however, and there 
resided until the death of Mr. Ramsey. His wife 
is still living and makes her home in western Ne- 
braska. 

Our subject was reared to farm life, and since 
the early age of ten years ha.s been a resident of 
this county. With an uncle he settled in Center 
Township and made his home with that gentleman 
for two years, wlien he began life's battle for him- 
self as a farm laborer, working by the month. In 
after years by his economy and industry, he was en- 
abled to purchase a farm and bought land on section 
21, Center Township, where he has since continued 
to reside. He is now the owner of 125 acres, com- 
prising one of tlie best farms in the township, and 
his land is now highh' improved and cultivated. 
His home is pleasantly situated about nine and one- 
lalf miles from the city of Janesville, and he is re- 



garded as one of the leading farmers in the com- 
munity. 

In the balmy month of .Tune. 1861. Mr. Crow 
led to the marriage altar Miss Louisa \'. Parmle^-, 
who was born in IJerlin, Mahoning Co., Ohio, and 
is a daughter of Curtis and Matilda (Isahower) 
Parmk^y. Her mother w.as a native of Ohio and 
her father of Cromwell. Conn. He engaged in 
agricultural pursuits throughout his life and in 
1816. became a resident of Rock County. locating 
in Centre Township. Enteiing land from the Gov- 
ernment, he immediately began its improvement 
and continued its cultivation until 1880, when he 
w.os called from the earth at the age of sixtj'-five 
ye.ars. He was an earnest, sincere, Cliristian gen- 
tleman, a member of the Disciples Church and he 
will long be held in loving rememberance for his 
man}' acts of kindness. He also took a deep in- 
terest in political affairs and voted with the Repuli- 
lican part}-. His wife departed this life in 1867. 
in the forty-sixth year of her age. By the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Crow eight children have been 
born, six of whom .are living, the daughters being 
accomplished ladies and each having cultiv.ated a 
talent in some direction. Eva, the oldest child of 
the famil}-. who died Jan. 22, 1885. at the age of 
tweutj^-two years, w.is a very able student; one 
child died in infancy; May L., now Mrs. Fuller, 
resides near the old homestead; Adda B. is an 
artist of considerable ability, her paintings being 
well deserving of praise; Lottie, wife of Mr. Fer- 
guson of Footville, is teaching music and h.as a 
large class; Blanche is numbered among the most 
successful teachers of the county ; Lucy has at- 
tained distinction as a penman, having t.aken the 
prize for i)eumanship at the Count}' Fair; Nettie is 
at home. 

Mr. Crow takes an active part in local political 
affairs, and is a stalwart supporter of the Republi- 
can party. He has held various otlicial |)ositions 
of public trust, has served in the capacity of Town- 
ship Supervisor, was candidate for Sheriff of the 
county, and is now Township Clerk, a position 
which he has held for several years. Socially, he 
is a member of the A. F. i\r A. M. fraternity, be 
longing to Footville Lodge, No. 137, of Footville 
in which for five or six years, he h.as served as 
—-—— ^ 



^' 



-4^ 



KOCK COUNTY. 



987 



Worsliipful ^Faster. lie is :iI.so.a meinl)er of Center 
(i range, No. Si), in which he has jielcl tiie ofHee of 
Lecturer for the past year, and his wife is a mem- 
her of the Disciples Church. The life of Mr. Crow 
lias been one of industry-. At tlie early age of 
twelve years he began earning his own livelihood 
and from the humble position of a farm-laborer has 
risen by his own efforts until he is now numbered 
among the well-to-do farmers of the county. Dur- 
ing his long residence in this community, his hon- 
orable, upright course of life has won him the 
respect of all and by his many friends he is held in 



liiirli rctrard. 



Qtro - 



OCJO 



a APT. JAMES 
, mer residing 
ship, is anatl\ 



i= 



APT. JAMES C. GOOCII. a prominent far- 
on section 31, Center Town- 
p, is a native of Vermont, born March 2G, 
IK 1(1, and was the second in order of birth in a 
f.imily of three children. The eldest, Thomas, born 
IMarch 26, 1808, and has been twice married, first 
wedded Miss Thomas, by whom ho had two chil- 
dren, a son and daughter, both living, and for his 
second wife married Mrs. Noyes, who is now liv- 
ing in Brooklyn, X. Y., with their only child; 
Thomas died at Morceana, N. V.; Samuel, the 
youngest, died at Hoston, Mass., many years ago. 

The father of this family died during the War 
of 1812, when our subject was but two 3'ears old. 
His mother then removed to Boston and remained 
there until James was twelve years of age. He 
then spent one year at the home of an uncle in 
Hoston, where he attended school, and at the age 
of thirteen shipped on the sea as a cabin boy on 
board a vessel bound for Havana, Cuba, and re- 
turn. After about two months he again reached 
Hoston and \vent ns cabin boy on the ship -Jasper.'" 
Capt. Crocker, commanding. The vessel made 
two voyages per year, loading at Boston with a 
general cargo, discharging the same at Charleston, 
where a cargo of cotton was received and taken to 
Liverpool, wliere the shij) was again re-ladene<l for 
Hoston. On the retirement of Capt. Crocker, Mr, 
(Jooch. tlien nineteen j'ears of age, was ])romoted 
third otiicer of the ship "Emerald." his first voy- 
age after promotion licing lietween Boston and 
Havre, by way of Charleston. He was then pro- 



moted to first mate and shipped on the bark "Ru- 
ble," under Cnyit. Davis, making a voyage to Rus- 
sia, which occupied about four months. His next 
voyage was on tiie great "Neptune," wliich sailed 
to Sweden, returning in four months, when he 
again went on the same vessel to Holland, and 
subsequently made a trip to Hamburg in the same 
ship. He then made another voyage on the "Nep- 
tune," to Sweden, but w.as nearly wrecked off the 
coast of Scotland, the crew exiK-riencing the vari- 
ous liardshii)s incident to a seafaring life. The 
next voyage was from Boston to the Cape \'erde 
Islands, and at Buenos Ayres the cargo of salt w.as 
exchanged for one of hides, horns and tallow. 
The salt w.as bought at four cents per bushel and 
sold at §1 .00 per bushel. After returning to Hos- 
ton, he shipped abo.ird the "Marathon," making a 
trip to France with cotton, discharging the cargo 
at Havre, receiving a cargo of general merchandise 
His next voyage was in the "Albra," from Hoston 
to Savannah, where they leaded with cotton, which 
they took to Liverpool, .and returned to Boston 
loaded with general merch.andiso. They then m.ade 
a second voyage to Liverpool, but first going to 
Richmond, where they loaded with tobacco for the 
Liverpool market, and again returned to Boston 
with a cargo of merchandise. The next trip was 
to Santos, with general merchandise, and after dis- 
charging their freight at that pl.-ice, they went to 
Rio Janeiro .and loaded with coffee, which was con- 
signed to Philadeli)hia. While anchored in the 
Delaware Bay, a storm arose which drove the ves- 
sel to sea again, and they landed at New York and 
there discharged their cargo, the consignees accept- 
ing it at that port. After landing at New York, 
Capt. Davis left the ship and Mr. Gooch was pro- 
moted first ofKcer. His first trip .as Captain, 
was to New Orleans, where he was quarantined on 
account of the yellow fever, but at length receiv- 
ing a cargo of cotton he returned to Hoston. That 
was his last trip on the ocean. 

Capt. Gooch was united in marriage at Hoston. 
March 7, IH.-JC, witli Miss Maria T. Stockbridge, of 
Hanover, M.iss. Mrs. Gooch wsis a daughter of 
David Stockbridge, and was the fourth in order of 
birth in a family of ft»ur children. Her mother 
was also :i native of the Hay Stale, .-nid a dex-eii- 



I- 




■•► 



,t 



988 



ROCK COUNTY. 



dant of I'uiitan ancestry. Caroline, the oldest, 
married Benjamin White, and is living in Long 
Plain, ]Mass.; JoLmi Stockbridge. whose wiierralioiits 
is unknown, is tlie eldest of the family; and 
George is a resident of Montana. 

Eiglit children were born unto Captain and Mrs. 
Gooch — Helen M., born Dee. 7, IHSfi, married 
Jehial T. Selonthom. of Center Township; James A. 
born Aug. 10, 1840, is now a resident of Colorado; 
Francis, born Feb. 16, 1812, died in infancy; Fred 
T.. born Dec. 9, 1843: George M.. Aug. 16, 1845; 
Emma, Nov. 4, 1847; Charlie. Nov. 26. 1849; 
and Henry T., Sept. 22, 1852. 

After his marriage, Capt. (^ooch, at the request 
of his wife, gave up going to sea, but with the in- 
tention of commanding a vessel on the lakes. He 
m.ade one trip but became disgusted on account of 
a want of discipline anicjng botli otHcers and sail- 
ors, and therefore abandoned that life. He first 
settled in Chicago, but later went to Boston, where 
he formed the acquaintance of two young men, 
Messrs. Gray and Parker, and with them went to 
Chicago in the fall of 1836, and opened a stock of 
merchandise on Lake .street, under the firm name 
of Gray ik Co. Their stock was valued at SSO.OOn, 
But at the cTid of one year. Capt. (Joocli sold his 
interest, and in \M~, went to Helvidere, III., where 
he entered land from tiie (iovernment. for which 
he paid 4^1.25 |)er acre, and there resided for eigh- 
teen years. 

On the loth day of October, 1852, he was called 
upon to mourn the deatli of iiis wife. but. one year 
later, Oct. 10. 1H53. was .again united in marriage, 
^liss Catherine Burnett, a native of M.assachusetts, 
becoming his wife. By this union three children 
have been born — Arthur L., l)orn Aug. 20, 1854, 
is unmarried and resides with his parents; 
Thomas De Witt, born .Sept. 13. 1859, is a resident 
of San Burno, Cal.; Jennie L., born Sept. 30. 1867, 
died \vhen one j'ear old. 

In 1855, Capt. Gooch became a resident of Rock 
County, purchasing the farm on wiiich he yet re- 
sides. He also owns eigiity-five acres of land in 
Green County, Wis., and .-ilso 160 acres in Bremer 
County. Iowa. He has taken a leading interest in 
the afifairs f>f the community, and for ten years 
served as a member of the School Board, during 



-<•■ 




which time he labored earnestly for the advance- 
ment of the cause of education. In political senti- 
ment, he is a Republican, having vote<l with that 
part3' since its organization, while jirior to th.at 
time he supported the Democratic party but in 1840, 
cast his first i)residenti.al vote for Gen. William Henry 
Harrison. Capt. (Jooch and ills wife are members 
of the Congregational Church, but as there is no 
organized society- of that dendminatiun in their 
Immediate neighborhood, they attend and support 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Footviile. 
They are people highly respected in the commu- 
nity in which they reside and hold an enviable 
place in the esteem of tiieir many friends. 



5S;, ATRICK RYAN, (deceased), who settled 
in Rock County in 1844. w.as a native of 
Ireland, liorn in County Tipperary. in 
1809. He was a son of John and Mary 
Ryan, and was reared on a farm in his native 
county. He married Bridget McKeogh, a native 
of County Clare, in 1837, and immediately sailed 
for America. Landing at Pliiladejphia earlv in 
1838. tliey remained some 3-ears in Pennsylvania, 
where Mr. Ryan was engaged in running a canal 
boat. There two of their children were born, the 
eldest, Henry, dying in I'hiladeipliia. After a so- 
journ in New York, tiiey moved to .St. Catiicrine, 
Canada, and soon after came to Wisconsin, arriv- 
ing in Milwaukee in the fall of 1843. A year la- 
ter, they came to Janesville. and the next sprino- 
settled on a farm in Plymouth Township, ei^^ht 
miles west of tiie city, where Mr. Ryan died in 
October. 1855. Besides his farming operations, 
he eng.aged in contracting, constructing among 
other works, the mill-race at Janesville. In this 
last work, he was associated with iiis brother. Dan- 
iel Ryan. He employed men and sent them out 
on tiie prairies, wliere they camped while enwa^ed 
in constructing the pioneer sod fences. '|"(ie fam- 
ily continued to reside on the lioinestead till 1875. 
and his widow survived till .May 6. 1888. She 
dieil at the home of her youngest daughter, in 
Milton Junction, aged about si.xty-eiglit years. 
During the three years' illness preceding her 



_ > » i - 



-^•- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1 



989 



death, she was tenderly cared for by lier devoted 
cliihlren. Koth the parents and their youngest 
son lie side b}' side in Mt. Olivet cemetery. 

The first Catholic mass celebratetl in Janesville 
was held in the humlile cabin of Mr. Ryan. The 
first child born to ("alhollc parents at Janesville, 
was Daniel, a son of Mr. Uyan, whf) was carried in 
a lumber wagon to Milwaukee to l)e baptized by 
the Bisho)). On this occasion, arr.angemenls were 
made for an occasional service among the scattered 
communicants of this faith in Kock County. Pu- 
litically, Mr. Ryan was a strong Democrat. 

The family embraced ten children, of whom 
seven are now living. The eldest has been men- 
tioned. John R., the second, resides in Janesville, 
and is engaged in railroad contracting; Dennis, 
born in Xew York, dwells at Footville, this eounlj-, 
and follows farming and contracting; Daniel, of 
Janesville, owns a fine farm in Rock Township, 
and conducts a large livery business in Janesville; 
Mar\- A., wife of Daniel Dvvj'er, lives near Spencer, 
Clay Co., Iowa; Mich.ael died at the age of five 
years; Margaret M., (Mrs. P. W. Meehan), lives 
in .Iniiesville; William P., a railroad contractor, 
resides at St. Paul, IMinn.; James II., died in 18H2, 
aged twenty-seven jears; Catherine K., is the wife 
of Thomas F. Crawley, section foreman of the 
Chicago. Milwaukee it St. Paul Railway at Milton 
Junction. All are successful, and a credit to tlieir 
e&Tly training. 



(f SAAC F.VRNSWOKTII, treasurer of the Janes- 
I ville Machine Company, was born in Fairfield, 
ii\ Franklin Co., Vt., on the 18th] day of August, 
1837, and is a son of Joseph A. and Eliza 11. (lUirr) 
Farnsworth. His parents were born in the same 
town. The parental grandfather of our subject 
was a prominent man of his state, a physician li}' 
profession, and for man3' 3-cars judge of the cir- 
cuit court. He came of an old New England fam- 
ily of English origin. Mr. Farnsworth's mother's 
family was of Englisli I'uritan descent, and the 
family name is prominently identified with the early 
history of the American Repul)lic. His parents 
came to Wisconsin at the same time he did, and 



settled at Lancaster, but came to Janesville with 
him in 1864. The father died in January, 1883, 
but the mother still survives him. 

When Isa.ac was twelve years of age, the family 
removed to St. Albans, Vt., where he was educated 
at the public schools and at Hampton Institute, at 
Fairfield, that Slate, lie was engaged in farming 
until shortl3- after the breakingout of the late war, 
wiion, in the fall of 1861, he enlisted as a private 
of Com|)any D, 5th Regiment, ^'ermont Infantry. 
In July, 18C2, he was commissioned second lieu- 
tenant of Company A, of the same regiment, but was 
subsequently made rpiartermaster sergeant, and 
served until (lie fall of 1862, when he resigned on ac- 
count of physical disability. He returned to Ver- 
mont, and in 1861 came to Wisconsin, locating at 
Lancaster, Grant County-, where he was engaged in 
general merchandising, until the fall of that year, 
when he removed to Janesville. Here he formed a 
partnership with R. L. Colvin in the dry goods busi- 
ness under the firm name of Colvin & Farnsworth. 
That connection continued until 186!l, when he 
purchased his partner's interest, and continued the 
business alone until 1878. In the spring of that 
3'car, and prior to going out of the dry goods busi- 
ness, Mr. Farnsworth bought a half interest in the 
Janesville Gazette office, but was not actively en- 
gaged in the management of the paper. He re- 
tained his ownership in that establislunent for five 
years. In the fall of 1878 he accepted the position 
of secretary of the Harris Manufacturing Company, 
continuing in that ollice until the new companj' was 
formed in 1881, when he bought an interest in the 
business, and was chosen to the same position with 
the Janesville Machine Companj', the successor of 
the Harris Manufacturing Company. On the 1st 
day of July, 188"), he bought a half interest in the 
jewelry firm of Webb & Hall, and devoted a por- 
tion of his time to that business until March, 1887, 
wlipn he sold out, and has since given his time en- 
tirely to the business of the Janesville Machine 
Companj", of which he is the present sceretarj', and 
which has now attained important proportions. 

Mr. Farnsworth wa.s married at Lancaster, Wis., 
on the 27tii day of December, 1858, to Miss £liza 
Harnett, daughter of Andrew Barnelt. of that citj-. 
Mrs. Farnsworth was born at Itrookfield, Pa., and 





990 



ROCK COUNTY. 



came west with her parents, in an earlj- daj-. Five 
diiklren were horn of tiieir marriage, a son and 
fonr daughters. Catiierine, tlie eldest, is the wife 
of Frank C. Haselton, of Rockford. 111.; Frank 15. 
lives at Rockford; IMary E., Alice 1)., and .loseph- 
ine A. are at home. Mr. and ]Mrs. Farnsworth are 
members of the Congregational Ciuirch. In poli- 
ties lie is a Republican, but has been in no sense a 
politician desirous of pulilic office. For upwards 
of a quarter of a century, Mr. Farnsworth has been 
associated with the citizens of .lanesvllle as a mer- 
chant and business man, and li.ns won a safe and 
iionored place in the esteoin of his fellow-citizens. 



4 



ON. L. T. PULLEN, one of tiie jironiincnt 
i.j and well known business men of Rock 
^ County, has been identified with the bank- 
ing interests of Evansville, his present 
home, for many years. Tlie present bank of the 
town was organized as a National bank in 1870, 
the chief promoters of the enterprise being L. T. 
ruilen. Nelson Winston and I. M. Bennett. Mr. 
I'ulk'n was elected president of the institution and 
the other gentlemen, vice-president and cashier 
respectively. In 187.5, tiie institution was changed 
from a National to a State bank, tlie charter .as a 
National bank being surrendered. The object of 
re-organizing the bank under the Slate law was to 
secure a greater degree of independence. Mr. 
"Winston and Mr. Bennett then withdrew from the 
enterprise and J. C. Sharp, who had previously 
been book-keeper and assistant cashier, and Mr. 
L. T. I'uUen, purchased the stock of the other 
parties. Mr. Sharp was m-idc cashier, a position 
which he occupied for a nuinlicr of years and Mr. 
I'uUeu continued in the presidency. Finally other, 
parties purchased the interest of Mr. Sharp in the 
b.'uik and he withdrew. Mr. Pullen then became 
cnslucr, his son, Charles F., was assistant cashier, 
and 1). M. Rowley became president. A year later 
Cliarh'S F. I'ulleu was elected cashier, his father 
ayaiu becoming president and Mr. Rowley filled the 
ollice of vice-president. In 1889. the oflicials of 
the Evansville Bank are L. T. Pullen, president; 
r.cor"-e L. Pullen. cashier; C. I'". Pullen, vice-presi- 



dent; and D. M. Rowley, second vice-presidentt. 
This is the onl3' banking institution of Evansville, 
and does an extensive general business in that line. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the town 
of Anson, Somerset ' Co.. Me., in 1825, and is 
descended from Revolutionary stock, his grand- 
father. Stepiien Pullen. having aided the colonies in 
their struggle for iudei)euilencc. His p.arents were 
Greenleaf and Mary E. (Hancome) Pullen, and his 
father, who was also a native of Maine, was a 
soldier ill the war of 1812. They had a family' of 
five children, two of whom, a son and a daugiiter, 
died in infancy. Three sons grew to manhood 
and two are living at this writing. The deceased 
brother. Alvin II.. had reached middle age at the 
time of his death, and the surviving brother of our 
subject is Charles B., who is now residing in Ber- 
rien Springs, Mich. 

AVlien Mr. Pullen was a young lad he removed 
with his parents to Kingfield, Franklin Co., M., 
where the family settled on a farm. He was there 
reared to manhood and on attaining his majority 
began his business career as a merchant. In 1849. 
he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine B. 
Pike, who is also descended from an early family of 
Maine. Her father was Charlei Pike, and her 
grandfather was John I'ike. an early settler of the 
town of Norway, in the Pine Tree State. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pullen attended the centennial celebration of 
the settlement of that old town. Three children 
grace their union, two sons and a daughter — their 
eldest child, Charles F., was born in Kingfield, 
M., on the 12tli day of June. 1852, w.as edu- 
cated at the seminary of Evansville, and after- 
ward took a course in Bryant it Stratton's Com- 
mercial College of Chicago, graduating from that 
institution in 1871, and then eng.aged in merchan- 
dising at Evansville for some time. Later be be- 
came cashier, and is now vice-president of the 
Evansville Bank. lie married .Miss Eva M. 
Winston, a daughter of John Winston. The second 
son, George L., now cashier of the bank, was born 
at Argyle, Wis., Aug. 9, 18(!0, was also educated at 
Ev.ansville, and wedded Miss Lillian Spencer, a 
daughter of Louis Spencer, one of the pioneers of 
Rock County. Both sons are enterprising, success 
ful business men ami worthy and esteemed citizens 



^f""^ 



^l 



<^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



'I'lio (laiifflitcr. IMiirv !•'., is a studont of the New 
Kiitchiml C'onsei'vaUiry of Music, at Boston. Mass., 
now puisuing lii'i- third year's course m tliat insliln- 
tion. 

In 18;j4. Mr, Pullen came to tlie West and took 
np his residence in La Fayette County, Wis., eji- 
liaging in merchandising at Argyle. For several 
years he resided in tliat town, but in 1867. settled 
in Evansville and for three years cng.aged in mer- 
chandising. In 1870. when the banking house 
were established, the mercantile firm of Winston, 
Puilen & Co. was also formed. In eaily life lie 
was a Democrat, but on the organization of the 
Kepublican party, joined its ranks and has ever 
been a warm advocate of the principles of that 
political party. .\t different times he has been 
c-tilled upon to represent his constituents in the 
the General Assernblj' of the St.ate, in 1861 and 
again in 18(!3, was sent 1)}' La Fayette County to 
the Legislature, and in 1876 was the represeiitative 
of Rock County. Mr. I'ullen is cordial and genial 
in disposition, fair and honorable in liis dealings 
and possesses tiie respect and confidence of all who 
know him. He and his wife are consistent mem- 
bers of the Methodist F.piscopal Church, of which 
their eldest son anc' daughter are also communi- 
cants. 



ENRY R. CHARLES, who is engaged in 
farming in the town of Lima, on section 
22, is a native of Fond du Lac Count}', 
'i^ Wis., where his birth occurred Nov. 6, 
1848. His father, Richard B, Charles, was born in 
County Tyrone, Ireland, on the 16th day of No- 
vember, 1818, and was reared to manhood in his 
native land. Wishing to try his fortune in the New 
World, in 1840 he bade good-by to the green isle 
of Erin and sailed for America. On reaching the 
shores of this country, he first located in New Y'ork. 
where for three years he was employed in the 
capacity of foreman in a sawmill. At the expira- 
tion of that time lie continued his journey west- 
ward until reaching Fond du Lac, Wis., where he 
entered Government land and developed a farm, 
wliercon he made his home until his removal to 
Rock County in October, 1871, when he purchased 





the RockafcUow farm in the town of Lira.i. For 
some years he made his home in this community, 
but subsequently became a resident of Whitewater, 
where he now resides. He is a stockholder in the 
Citizens' Bank of that place, and is also the owner 
of two farms in Fond du Lac County. He pos- 
ses.ses good business ability and sound judgment 
and is systematic and accurate in every transac- 
tion. He was twice married, our subject being 
the only child of his first marriage, while by his 
second union a daughter was born, who died in 
Fond <iu Lac County on the 9th day of April, 
1861. 

The subject of this sketch removed to this 
count}- in 188.5. He was united in marriage in 
1869 with .Miss Ellen T. Estabrook. Her pater- 
nal grandfather, Elisha F^stabrook, was born Feb- 
ruary 29, 1777, and died Januar}' 28, 1868, at tlio 
advanced age of ninety-one years. His son Rob- 
ert, father of Mrs. Charles, w.as a native of \qv- 
mont; his birth occurred in the town of .Sherburne, 
Rutland County, in .Viiril, 1809. He married Miss 
Lucinda Ketcham, .-i native of New York, and in 
1838 they removed with their family to Fond du 
Lac County. Wis. The children born of their 
union areas follows: Harrison E., born February 12, 
1840, died January 29, 1861; Elisha E., born May 
7, 1844, died .September 3, 18(!4; Albert E., born 
February 17, 1842, died April 29, 1850; Ellen E., 
born December 10, 1849, is the wife of our sub- 
ject. The mother of this famil}' died on the 2d 
day of Januarj-, 18.56, at the age of forty-seven 
years, after which Mr. Estabrook wedded Mrs. 
Mary Wheaton, who was born March 16, 1828. 
The second union was blessed with one child. Lu- 
cinda, who was born November 17, 1857; and 
there was also an adopted son of the family, How- 
ard E. Wheaton, who was born December 11, 
1854. 

After his marriage Mr. Charles began operating 
his father's farm and continued its cultivation for 
thirteen years, when he purch.ised a tract of 160 
acres in Fond du Lac County, where he made his 
home until 1885. In that j'ear he came to Rock 
County and has since resided on section 26, in the 
town of Lima. In connection with farming he is 
engaged in the dairy business, having begun oper- 



-4»- 



r^^rf-^ 



I 



992 



ROCK COUNTY. 



ations in that line about 1872, before coming to 
this count}'. He has been very successful in that 
work, and his constantly increasing sales testify to 
the quality of the product which he places on the 
market. Politically Mr. Charles is a supporter of 
the Republican party and a warm advocate of its 
principles. In 1887 he was elected to the office of 
Town Supervisor, which position he still holds, and 
he discharges his duties with the same promptness 
and fldulity which li.is marked his intercourse with 
his fellow-men throui>'hout his entire life. He is a 
respected and worthy citizen and is widely known 
throughout the county. He is a member of the 
Masonic and Oddfellow fraternities. Three chil- 
dren grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Charles: 
George R., who was born December 12, 1870, and 
has been liberally educated in the normal schools; 
May, born Feb. 27. 1878; .and Lilah, born August 
29, 1886. 




SAHEL W. SOPER. who for many years 
''- has been ideutiQed with the history of this 
!i count}', and now resides on section 2, in 
the town of Clinton, was born in Hunting- 
ton, Long Island, August 9, 1829, his birth occur- 
ring in an old block house, such as was common in 
Colonial days. His jiarents were Asahel W. and 
Elizabeth (Sherwood ) Soper,the former born of Eng- 
lish parentage, the later being of English and Scotch 
descent. His father served as a soldier in the war 
of 1812, going first as a substitute for a friend, but 
later was drafted. Our subject is one of a family of 
seven ciiddren, four sons and three daughters,all of 
whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Charles 
P., the eldest, was twice married, his first union 
being with Harriet Washburn, bv whom he had one 
son, Frank, who was drowned at the age of fourteen 
years, and after the dcalh of his first wife, he 
wedded Wealthy Gallop, and three children were 
born unto them — .lames. Mary and Harriet; 
Elizabeth C, widow of Stephen \'arnell, is now 
living in California with her daugiiter, Josephine, 
the wife of Elijah Higham; Herbert resides at 
Sauk City, Sauk Co., Wis.; Tread well, a resident 
of California, married Is'ancy Evans of Oneida 
County, N. Y., and unto them was boru three chil- 



dren. Clara. Edgar and Nellie; Jane is now the 
wife of T. C. Williams, of R.acine County, and 
Mr. Williams oldest son is an attorney at law and 
ex-district attornc}- of Milwaukee County, and 
their family numbers five children, W. C. 
Pliny, Dora, Clara and Retta; Pliny who was a 
soldier in the late Rel)ellion in the 13th Kansas 
Infantry, and was detailed and served as chief clerk 
under his Colonel, married ]\Iiss Fannie Leland, 
bj- whom he had one son. now a practicing attorney 
of Topeka, Kan. He held a position in the Pension 
Department, during President Arthur's .adminis- 
tration, and is now retired. 

About the year 1838, Mr. Soper removed with 
his family to Oneida County, N. Y., where he 
made his home until the spring of 1844, which 
witnessed his arrival in the Territory of Wisconsin. 
He became one of the pioneer settlers of Walworth 
County, but was only permitted to enjoy his new 
home for two years, death claiming him as its 
victim in September, 1846. His wife departed 
this life in February, 1869. They were life-long 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
at their house, the ministers of tiiat denomination 
always found a home. Mrs. Soper was a woman of 
more than ordinary ability and possessed a most 
extraordinary memory, always remembering any- 
thing which she once read. Politicall}', Mr. Soi)er 
w.as what w.os known as an old line Whig, and was 
a great admirer of Gen. William Henry Harrison. 
The subject of our sketch resided in his native 
cit}- until about nine 3ears of age, when he removed 
with his parents to Oneida County, N. Y., where 
his school life began. His education was com- 
pleted in the schools of Walworth County, to wliich 
the family removed in 1844, and in that county lie 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Meribe Fenders, a 
most estimable young lady, who became liis wife in 
1850. She was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., 
in the month of March, 1829, and is a daughter of 
John W. and Kate (Fredendall) Enders. Soon 
after their marriage, the young couple removed to 
Linn County, Iowa, where Mr. Soper purchased a 
farm, but after engaging in its cultivation for two 
years, returned to Walworth County. He there 
m.ade his home until 18,56, when he came to Rock 
Count}-, locating iu itrudford Township, and has 



¥ 



:??:#-*• 



; 



-^^ 



t 



ROCK COUNTY. 



903 



since enj^agofl in farming. In 1809, he purchased 
liis present farm in the town of Clinton wiicrc he 
lias a pleasant home. He is recognized as one of 
tlie leading farmers of the commnnity, is practical 
and progressive and I'Verytliing about the place 
denotes thrift and enterprise. 

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Soper — .Terome. the oldest son is a Horist of Rock- 
ford, 111. ; lie wcrldcd Miss Adell Winn, and they 
have a family of four children — liertha, fieorge, 
I.loyd and H.'ury. John, the youngest, who is 
now ticket agent at Clintim in the employ of the 
Chicago & Northweslcrn Railroad Company, mar- 
ried Miss Klvir.-i Westby of Wasliiiigton. I). C. and 
their union li.as been blessed with four chililren — 
Roy, Lillian. Ethel and Jjizzie. 
■ Mr. Soper cast his first presidential vole for Gen. 
Fremont and since that lime has been a staunch 
su|)porter of the Republican party and a warm 
advocate of its princijiles. Me takes an active part 
in the i)olitical campaigns, earnestly working for 
the interests and success of the candidate whom he 
supports, but never seeking ollicial honors for him- 
self. As a citizen, he is true and loyal and was 
instrumental in sending niany 1o the front diu-Jng 
the late war. .\t that time, he was chairman of the 
Township Committee and handled large amounts of 
money which were always luinoiabh- accounted for. 
Fair and honest in all his dealings Mr. .Soper has 
won the respect and confidence of each and every 
one with whom business or pleasure h.as brought 
him in contact. He and his vvife have Ijeen mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church for manj' 



years. 



-:— ^ — ^ 



m 



lEIT. CIIARr>ES A. HA'I'llHUN, one of 
the gallant soldiers of the late war, who is 
now proprietor of the Paper Pail Wcjrks of 
Keloit, was liorn in Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., 
on the 17th day of June, IH'ii. an<l is .a son of 
Gideon and Charity (Welch) Rathbun, who were 
both descendants of old English families who emi- 
grated to America in an e.arly d.ay, but who were 
also natives of Chenango County. Unto them 
were born ten children, six of whom lived to ma- 
ture years, namely : George C, a resident of 15eloit; 

<• 



Mary, who died at tlie age of seventeen years; 
Charles A., of this sketch; Julia, who became the 
wife of F. W. Walker, and died in 1880; Maria A., 
wife of George Whijjple, of Stewart, Iowa; Ellen, 
who makes h(;r home in Iteloit; Jeilediah, also of 
Ik'Ioit; Edwin, who died at the age of thirteen 
years; and two children who died in infancy. In 
18.04, Gideon Rathbun, accompanied by his family, 
emigrated to Wisconsin, settling in Heloit, where 
he died Nov. I. 1888. His widow is still living in 
Rcloit in her eighty -second year. He was u consistent 
mcml)erof the Baptist Church, of wliicli his wiilow 
is also a member, was kind and acconnnodating and 
highly respected. They traveled life's journey to- 
gether for the long period of sixty years. 

The subject of this sketch was twenty-three 
years of age when he came to the West. He re- 
ceived such an education as could be obtained in 
the common schools, and at the age of sixt^-en 
years started out in life for himself. In 18.07, he 
came to Beloit, and possessing nnicli natural genius 
!is a mechanic, turned his .attention to tlu^ trade of 
a carpenter and joiner, which he followed for some 
time, but spending his first two winters in Rock 
County, as a teacher in the district schools. In 
18()0. he w.as emplo^-ed .as baggage m.a.ster on the 
Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, and in the 
meantime began the study of telegraphy. He had 
watched the progress of events in the South, and 
noted the discontent and general uprising and at 
Lincoln's first call f(jr troops to put down the Re- 
bellion was ready to respond, in fact, he was the 
first man in Beloit to take up arms in defense of 
the Union. In company with two friends he called 
a meeting at which seventeen enlisted, his name 
being one of the first enrolled, but he was the only 
one f)f that n\unber received into the service. The 
date of his enlistment was A[)ril IC, 18GI, and with 
his company he was mustered in at Camp Scott. 
Milwaukee. Shortly afterward orders came to pro- 
ceed to Hagerstown, Md., anil while cro.ssing the 
river at Williamsport, his company was first under 
fire. They were next ordered to Martiiisl)urg. and 
to Bunker Hill, then on to Harper's Ferry, where 
they were stationed at the time of the first battle of 
Bull Run. From that lime until their term of ser- 
vice expired they did guard duty on the river. 



«» ■ » 



, ,994 



ROCK COUNTY. 



"•^TT* 



Sent to Milwaukee, the company was there mus- 
tered out, but the men were not paid, and hi'lng 
out of raonej- and not wishing to remain in .Mil- 
waukee, the officers visited the superintendent of 
the Milwaukee it Prairie du Chien Railroad, who 
promised the next morning to meet them and pass 
them over, but failed to keep his promise. The 
following morning the men were at the depot as 
agreed upon and it created some little feeling 
among them when they found that they had been 
deceived. They had determined to go liome and 
when tliey found that the superintendent of the 
road had failed to keep his part of the agreement, 
they resolved to carrj' out their determination at 
all hazards. Mr. Rathbun and two of his comrades 
then uncoupled the engine from the train, saying 
that the train could not go furtlier unless the sold- 
iers were among its passengers. The matter was 
finally decided in their favor and the men returned 
in triumph to their homes. Mr. Rathlnin had been 
in IJeloit but thirteen days when another call for 
troops was issued and he enlisted in the 4th Wis- 
consin Light Artillery, being mustered in at Racine, 
where he was appointed orderly sergeant, and in 
fact was commander of the company from that time. 
In January, 1862, he was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant. T^lie compan}' was then ordered to 
Fortress Monroe, where was a Union gun that had 
never been mounted. The captain received orders 
to build an earthwork and mount the gun and he 
gave command to Lieut. Rathbun to detail sevent3'- 
flve men and perform the work. His task was 
completed March 9, 1862, while the Merrimac and 
Monitor were engaged in their battle of that date. 
In September, 1802, after receiving the equipments, 
he was sent to Camp Hamilton, and thence to 
Suffolk, where the army was besieged by Longstreet 
for six weeks, when the siege was raised and the 
order given to proceed to West Point by boats. 
Arriving there he was placed in charge of two forts 
and later was sent to Yorktown, where he remained 
ten d.'iys. From Yorktown he proceeded with his 
regiment to the While House Landing, where their 
command made a feint of attacking Gen. Lee in 
order to draw a portion of his arm}' away from 
Gettysburg. He participated in the capture of 
Fitz Hugh Lee, and then returned to Yorktown. 



^h^ 



About that time iiis health failed him. He was 
att.acked with fev(>r and was borne insensible to 
Chesapeake Hospital, where he lay for two months. 
At the end of that time he received his discharge 
and returned to Bcloit. 

As soon as his health would permit, Lieut. Rath- 
bun entered the telegraph office as operator, and 
was seated at the instrument wlien the sad news of 
the assassination of Abraham Lincoln Hashed over 
the wires, he laking the dispatch and reporting it 
to the people. On the 17th d.iy of April, 1864, he 
married Miss M. McCaflfre}-, a daughter of Hugh 
and Rosa (Markey) JlcCafifrey, who emigrated to 
Wisconsin in 18;>2. One child h.as been born of 
their union, Charles Edward, born April 2, 1865, 
who married Miss Cora Lenderman of Winnebago 
County, III. 

In 1868, Mr. Rathbun purchased a farm and be- 
gan its cultivation, but his health again failing, he 
was forced to abandon it and for several ^-ears was 
employed as a commercial traveler. In 1885, he 
purchased the Paper Pail AVorks of Beloit, one of 
the leading industries of the cit}-, and still con- 
tinues in that line of business. Sociall}-, he is a 
member of the G. A. R. Post, also of the Masonic 
fraternity, a member of Morning .Star Lodge, Xo. 
10, A. F. & A. M., Beloit Chapter, No, 9, R. A. M. 
and Beloit Commanderj- No. 6, K. T. He is a 
charter member of G. A. R. Post No. 54, and Mrs. 
Rathbun is a charter member of the Woman's 
Relief Corps, No. 49, and t.akes an active interest 
in that organization, while their son is a charter 
member of a Camp of the Sons of Veterans of 
Beloit 

He was a loyal and gallant soldier during 
the war, and now serves the interests of his 
adopted cit}' with as much faithfulness. He is 
held in the highest respect by all who know him, 
.and we are pleased to record his sketch in the per- 
manent record of Rock County. 



-?-l5i^3-«- 



J^ AC015 B. HYZER, an early settler of Janes- 
' ville, w.as born in Dutchess Count}', N.Y., 



near Poughkeepsie. on the 1 1th d.ay of Sep- 



»' tember, 1820, and is the son of Michael 
Hyzer. The Hyzer family was founded in Araer- 



•> i ^ 



^u 



ROCK COUNTY. 



995 



ica at the time of the Revolution by a soldier of 
the Hessian armj', who came to this country at 
tile command of his government, as an ally of tlie 
Britisli, and was at the battle of Bunker Ilill. His 
sympathy lieing with the Americans, lie, lilce many 
others of his comrades, deserted and settled in the 
valley of the Hudson River. 

Jacob B. Hyzer was reared on a farm, and was 
for many years eng-aged in the tin and stove busi- 
ness in this city, but lias now retired from active 
life. He was married in Feb. 1848, at .lauesville, 
to Miss Mary Chase, a daughter of William C. and 
Mar}' (Gilson) Cliase. Three children were born 
to them, sons: William W., married Miss Alice 
Cortzenberg, and resides in Chicago; Alvin C. died 
aged seven years; and P^dward M. married Miss 
Harriot Lappin, and is a member of the law firm of 
AVynans it Hyzer. of .lanesville. Mr. J. R. Hyzer 
is a Hepniilican in politics, and together with his wife 
is a member of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church. 



(|/ n?AM M. COHH. one of the respecte.l citi- 
|r)j' zens of Clinton. Roc-k Co.. Wis., was born 
lA^ in Walerbury, Vt., June 4, 182H. His 
'(^ parents were Ebenczer Cobb, a st)ldier of 
tlie ^^'ar of 1 SI 2. who participated in the engage- 
ment at I'latlslinry, N. V.. and Rlioda (Farns- 
woilh) Cobb. They were married at Pollock, \t., 
an<l were the parents of ten children, nine of whom 
lived to be adults. Clarissa married Abraham 
Mockbridge. and together they came West in 185;'), 
but both are now de.'\d; Reuben died at the age of 
twenty-two years; Henry married Fannie Pearl, 
and died in (irand Isle, Vt.; .Mary m.arried (ieorge 
Pearl, and settled in St. Lawrence Countj', N. Y., 
where she died in 1858; (ieorge married Lena 
Pearl, settled in Milton, \"t., and was killed by a 
runaway Dec. 25, 1885; William died in infancj'; 
Charles, who settled in Rock County in 1854, is 
now a resident of Cambridge. HI., and is m.aster 
mechanic of the Chicago, Rock Island ct Pacific 
Railroad; he married Miss Jane Camiibell. The 
mother of these children died in St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., in 184G, while the father died in 
180C., in Clinton. Wis. 

The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm. 



where ho reinained until eighteen years of age, at 
which time he was apprenticed to the trade of 
wagonmaker. He served three years, the first year 
receiving ij:55; the second, !^45; and the third, 855. 
After finishing his trade he went to St. Albans, Vt.. 
where he worked at his trade one year. For two 
years he ran on steamer "U. S." on Lake Cham- 
plain. In 1849 he married Miss Elizabeth Camp- 
bell, a kind and true woman, who was love<l and 
respected by all with whom she came in contact. 
.She was a native of Scotland, coming to this coun- 
try when an infant. In 1855 Mr. and Mrs. Cobb 
left for the far West, coming to Clinton Township, 
where lie embarked in farming, following the same 
up to 1861, when he removed to Clinton, and there 
embarked in the manufacture of wagons. In 1864 
he was in the employ of the Govennnent, and was 
severely injured, from the effects of which he has 
never recovered. Since 1865 he has been engaged 
in the manufacture of baggage barrows. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cobb were the parents of one child, W. H., 
now railroad engineer on the Chicago iV North- 
western Railway, witli headquarters at Harvard, 
111., who married Miss Maggie O'Brien. Mrs. Cobb 
died in 1886. 



'•ATjy©^--— ^x 



K<) — — ^^i<7W»>^ 



^ti'AMES LILBIRN. deceased, was a well 
known pioneer of Rock Count}', and num- 
bered among the settlers of 1844. He w.-us 
'f^Jj/J a native of Scotland, born in Kinrosshire, 
Nov. 30. 1804. and there grew to manhood and re- 
ceived a liberal education. The occupation of a 
farmer he followed in his native land, and he there 
wooed and won Margaret Laurie, with whom he was 
united in marriage. Possessed of a spirit of enter- 
prise, and believing the New World better adapted 
to its development than the Old, he deter- 
mined upon removal. But that he might not he 
too hasty, and do an act for which he might after- 
ward repent, he resolved first to make the trip 
across the ocean, leaving his loved ones behind. 
If the country met •l7isexi)ectations he would return 
for them. Accordingly, in the spring of 1844, he 



-4^ 



r 



-» y ^ 



996 



ROCK COUNTY. 



embarked in a sailing vessel, and after a long and 
tedious voyage landed in New York in the month of 
July. Coming directly to Rock County, in the new 
territory of Wisconsin, ami being much pleased 
with the country, he purchased 640 acres of land 
in the towns of Bradford .ind Johnstown. Re- 
maining here until fall, he returned to Scotland, 
and in the spring of 1845, brought his family, then 
consisting of a wife and one son. Robert, to his far 
western home. At that time the greater part of 
this, the banner county of Wisconsin, was but lit- 
tle better than a wilderness. The land that he pur- 
chased was wild prairie and in its virgin state, but 
with characteristic energy, he at once went to work, 
and in due time had one of the best farms in 
Southern Wisconsin. The improvements which he 
made were of a substantial cliaracter. A frame 
house he at once erected, and it is still used as a 
residence. His Ijarn and other outluiildings were 
built principally of stone, including large granaries 
and Ills root cellar. 

Inlike the great majority of pioneers, Mr. Lil- 
burn was in comfortable circumstances on his arri- 
val in lliis county, and tlierefore did not experi- 
ence many of the hardships endured by those not 
so comfortably fixed, but he was not content to 
merely hokl his own, and so used all his (lod-given 
powers for his advnneement in this life, and added 
to his possessions until lie was numbered among the 
wenitiiiest farmers in Rock County. But wealth 
did not si)oil him nor lessen the esteem in which he 
was held by liis neighbors and the community at 
large. 

The loved companion of Mr. Lilburn lived but 
two short years after her arrival in this country, 
her death occurring March 17,1846. But when 
the summons came she w.as ready to go, having 
from early life been a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and a sincere believer in the Christian re- 
ligion. Iler husband survived her many years, his 
de.ath occurring Oct. 29, 1879. Like his wife, he 
was a believer in the religion of Christ, and also a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. In the thirty- 
five years of his residence in Rock County he sur- 
rounded himself with many friends, who sincerely 
mourned his death. As a citizen he was loyal, and 
as a Christian true and faithful. Death to him had 



no terrors, and when the call was made to come up 
higher, like Samuel of old, he could bravely say, 
'•Lord, here am L" The memory of such a man 
should ever be lield dear. 



^/ AMES McEWAN. who is now living a re- 
tired life in Milton, is a native of .Scotland, 
born at Comrie, Perthshire, May 8, 1823, 
and is the fourth son of William and Eliza- 
beth (Dow) McEwan. His education was received 
in the parish schools of his native land. In June 
1838, in company with his mother, four sisters and 
his brother William, he left Scotland for the new 
world. Thej- sailed from Greenock in the "Lady 
of the Lake," commanded b}- Capt. Munu, and 
after a journey of seven weeks and four days landed 
at New York. Thence they came by rail, canal and 
the chain of great lakes to Milwaukee, the trip oc- 
cupying about ten days. At Milwaukee they were 
met by his brother Peter, who conveyed them to 
their new home with an ox team, over new and 
rough roads, a part of which was corduroy. The 
journey was somewhat tedious, and a delay of sev- 
eral hours was caused on the way by the breaking 
of the wagon, and while the repairs were being 
made our subject and some other members of the 
family regaled themselves on blackl)erries picked 
by the waj-side. They arrived at JMilton Sept. 11. 
For a short time after his arrival he worked at 
farming and then went to Milwaukee, and engaged 
at carpentering, and remained there four years.jbut 
continued in that Ijusiness for about twenty j'ears 
in all. In 1853 he purch.ased 160 acres of land 
from his brother Peter, and improved it from time 
to time, and since that time has been more or less 
interested in farming in connection with his vari- 
ous other pursuits. 

On the 20th of Oct. 1861, Mr. McEwan was 
united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth McEwan 
who was also a native of Scotland. By this mar- 
riage he has a daughter, Mary B., who is a graduate 
of Milton College, and is now a successful teacher 
at Wan pun. 

In 1866 Mr. McEwan engaged in merchandising 
and kept a general store for about thirteen j^ears, 



■» m^ n* 



f 



i 



^11 ^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



997 



(lurinij which time ho was successful. Since retir- 
ing from mercantile puisuils, he has not been idle, 
but spends his time looking after his landed inter- 
ests, and his village property, for though possessing a 
comfortable competency, he is one of those men 
who lielieves •' it is better to rust out tiian to wear 
out." 

On the I3th day of August, 1878, Mr. McEwan 
was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. He 
was again married Nov. IG, 1881, becoming the 
husband of Miss Margaret Young, who is a native 
of Shetland. After arriving at maturity he became 
a su|)porter of the Democratic party, but suhsc- 
queutl3' joined the Free Soil party. His natural 



love of liberty made him an opponent of the insti- 
tution of slavery and on the formation of the Re- 
publican party he siipported its policy. He is 
rather independent in politics, preferring to sup- 
port the best men regardless of party. He h.as 
never been an aspirant for public office, though he 
has filled various local positions of trust. He has 
taken a commendable interest in educational af- 
fairs, and all matters pertaining to the public good. 
He is an adherent of the Congregational Church, 
and contributes to its sui)i)orl. He is a (piiet, un- 
assuming man who is universally respected in the 
community where his home has been for upwards 
of half a century. 




■<^ 



T 



■♦- 



-•► 




•<^ 



T- 



I 



-^•- 



•"-■^ 




4 



3— 



,^-5=7=5^1^ 









'^Wi 



^:l£. 



fir 










!?^:#-^ 



.4^ 



-•► 




r^ 




*► w ^* " 



ROCK COUNTY. 



9!)9 4 




PHYSI6AL FEATURES, 



-''^%pSi 



^4r 




■^ 




■1 r 



UK County of Rock com 
prises twenty congressional 
tonnsliips, eacli about six 
miles square, known as town- 
ships 1. 2, ."5 and I, of ranges 
10, 11. 12, 13 and 14 east. 
The surface is generally level, 
only a small portion being bro- 
ken or irregular to .'iny ap|ire- 
ciable extent. At the lime of 
li_ the survey more than one-half 
was prairie land, and the balance 
consisted chietly of oak openings 
and densely timbered tracts, there 
lieinir also some marsh land. The 
ditiferent varieties of oak. hickory ami other woods 
indigenous to this [lart of the State, predominate. 
The county is traversed in nearly all directions 
b\ li\ing streams, and is dotted here and there by 
springs and lakes. Rock River enters its borderson 
the north line of the town of .Milton, in .section 7, 
at the indentation of the county by Lake Kosliko- 
nong. and Hows through the entire width of the 
county from north to south, its general course be- 
ing a little east of the center of townships 1, 2, 3 
and 1, range 12 e:ist. Other streams having their 
sf)urces in or flowing through portions of the 
county are .Sugar River, Y.ahara or "Catfish" 
River, Turtle Creek and tril)utaries. Radfish, Af- 
ton or -'Rass," Otter, .Mien's. Taylor's. Marsh, 
North I'rall's and tdon Creeks. 
^« — — — 



The foot of Lake Koshkonong occupies about 
1,000 acres in sections />, G, and 7 in the town of 
Milton. Other lakes in the county, none of them 
more than a mile in lengtli, lie in the norlhern jiart. 
Big Siiring Lake on .section 27, in the town of 
Porter. Little .Si)ring I>ake between sections 27 and 
34. in the same town. Clear. Duck and .Mud Lakes 
in section 20. in the town of Milton, (irass Lake in 
section 17. in Milton, and .Slorr's Lake between 
sections 25 and 2(5. in Milton. 

The principal prairies in the county are Rock, 
exteniling almost the entire length of the county 
from east to west, and varying from six to eighteen 
miles in width; .lelTerson. lying mostly within the 
boundaries of the town of Clinton, but extending 
north into liradfoni and west into Turtle; l)u La<'. 
mostly in Milton, but extemling into Lima on the 
east; Cattish, extending through the towns of Ful- 
ton, Porter and I'nion; and Ramsey's and Morses'. 
both in Fulton. 

l.AXnMAKKS or .\N KXTINCT liACK. 

Throughout the valleys of the rivers traversing 

this part of the Stale, have been discovered works 

which have hail nothing to distinguish them from 

those more within the pmper region, as it were, of 

the mound-builders, and some such have long been 

known to exist within the borrlers of this county. 

On the college gnnuKls in Heloit. Prof. S. P. La- 

throp surveyed sonic ancient works in 1852. They 

consisted of circular and oblong moumls. Ou the 
«^ . ■» 



f 



4 



1000 




ROCK COUNTY. 



east bank of the river, three-quarters of a mile 
above the cit3', he also surveyed that year some in- 
teresting mounds, believed to have been left bj* a 
pre-historic race, some of wliicli were in animal 
shape. On a bluff overlooking Turtle Creek about 
two miles and a half east of Beloit, there is a group 
of earth mounds whicli also represent animals of 
different kinds. Proceeding up Rock River the first 
works worthy of notice are near the confluence of 
the outlets of the four lakes at Fulton. At Indian 
Hill, a mile above the mouth of the Yahara or 
"Catfish," Dr. I. A. Lapham in 18.i0, surveyed a 
series of oblong mounds on the steep slope of the 
hill, converging toward a point where there is a 
"dugway" le.idinjr to the river. The hill has an 
elevation of seventy or eighty feet, and from its 
summit the valley of the river m.iy be overlooked 
for several miles above and below. It has been 
suggested that this maj- have been a very impor- 
tant post of observation, and that the peculiar ar- 
rangement of the mounds was intended to guard 
the access to the water from the hilltop, for though 
quite steep, tlic hill bears evidence of having been 
originally constructed by art. .\t the intersection 
of Main and State Streets in the village of Fulton, 
Dr. Lapham found in 1850, an irregular oval earth- 
work, consisting of a flat ridge and somewhat re- 
sembling a modern turnpike, the breadth of what 



represented the roadway, varying from thirty to 
fortj' feet, its elevation ranging from two to three 
feet in the middle. Tlie diameters of the oval were 
5(10 and 300 feet. "What was the purpose of this 
work is part surniisal. Dr. Lapham found also nu- 
merous tumuli of the ordinary circular form sup- 
posed to be sepulchral, occasionally ranged in more 
or less regular rows along the margins of brooks or 
valleys. I'suallj' two or three mounds near the 
middle of the row were found larger than the oth- 
ers. Three of these mounds were found on the 
east side of the Yahara. half a mile below Fulton, 
and a group a mile above the village. Two miles 
above, on sectitm 11, was found a group of eight 
circular mounds; a mile below Fulton a group of 
fourteen ; and on the side of Rock River another 
group. Some of these mounds had been opened, 
.ind it is snid most of them contained remains of 
human skeletons, frequently of several persons iu 
the same mound. In 1834 the government sur- 
veyors noted eight mounds on the west shore of 
Lake Koshkonong immediately above where Rock 
River leaves the lake. Ten or fifteen j-ears ago one 
of these mounds sixty feet in diameter and eighty 
feet above the water, was opened by \V. C. AVhit- 
ford and W. P. Clarke, disclosing Indian skeletons 
and relics, and what were believed to be the skulls 
of a trio of Mound lUiilders. 




1 ' 



T 



.»-#^^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1001 



~^^^-te->- 



r^^ 






mm 



-^ 




Indian Oseeupaney^ 





f 



•^r 



SHERE is evidence that the 
territory now known ns Rofk 
Couuty was occupied by llic 
Winnebago Indians prev- 
ious to the advent of the 
whites. One of their villa- 
ges was located at the ex- 
treme northern boiindarj' of the 
county, as now detined; another at 
the extreme southern boundarj". 
The tirst, known as Tay-e-hee-dali, 
was on the northwest fractional 
(piartcr of section 6, township 1 
\*^ yl^^T"' """'f'^- "'' rangi' 13 east, on the west 
' ^^' i^ side of ]>ake Koshkonong and upon 
S' N/ rV iis bank three-quarters of a mile 
'^ iy niirtli of where the river leaves the 
lake, and, consequently, within the present limits 
of the town of Milton. When, in 1834, the (iov- 
ernment surveyors were there, they described it as 
" the ruins of an old Indian village." It was de- 
serted some time before the Rlack-Hawk War, but 
how long before is not known. Helow Tay-e-hee- 
d:ih, at or near the mouth of the Yahara or " Cat- 
fish," on the west side of Rock River, it is probable 
that there wiis also an Indian vilhige, hut there is 
little really known of it. Where Heloit is now lo- 
cated, was the Winnebago village called b}' the early 
traders and explorers "The Turtle." When Oen. 
Atkinson passed that point in pursuit of Black Hawk, 
he found the dwellings deserted. There were many 
tribes of Indians who claimed to l)e sole owners of 
all the lands embraced within the present limits of 
^» « 



Wisconsin when it came under the jurisdiction of 
the I'liited .States; but all conllicting claims were 
wiped out by a succession of treaties, Ijy the last of 
which, in 1838, the Winnebago Indians ceded to the 
I'nited States all their lands east of the Missi.>'sippi 
River. "With this treaty," says a writer, "the 
United States obtained an una.ssailable title to all 
lands lying within the present bounds of Rock 
County; but so fond of their homes in this locality 
were the Rock River Winncbagoes. that even after 
they had been removed to the reservation i)rovide<l 
for them, they continually revisited them in small 
parties, to the great annoyance of the citizens; and 
the (iovernment was linally compelled, in 1841. to 
send a military detachment to secure obedience to 
the order confining them to territory set off to them 
beyond the Mississippi. lUit, though forced to 
leave, they would frecjuently return in small parties, 
and when thes'- straggling bands would pa.-*s their 
old-time burial-places they would nianifcsl the 
deeiiest reverence." 

THE IlLACK-llAWK WAl;. 

The summer of 1832 was a notable one in the 
history of Rock County, or of the territory then 
comprising it. .June and .Inly saw the gathering 
within it^ present borders of the .Sacs under lilack 
Hawk, at war with the whites, and the great chief 
had retreated up Rock River to a. point justonUide 
the present city of .lanesville. where he and his 
hordes remained some time in camp at the grove 
which h.as received his name. It w.-vs to this camp 
that .Sylvia and Rachel Hall were brought u|M)n 



_^ ■ <• 



•^-i^i^ 



•t^ 



1002 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-^ 



their capture t>y the Sacs. Tlieir subsequent expe- 
riences, which have been ninny times published in 
their own language, form an interesting episode in 
pioneer history. The march of (Jen. Atkinson 
through Rock County is thus recorded by one who 
participated in it: 

'■ The 30tli da}- of June, 1832, we passed through 
The Turtle village [now the cit}' of Beloit], whicli 
is a considerable Winnebago town, but it was de- 
serted. We marched on about a mile and encamped 
on the open prairie near enongh to the Rock River 
to get water from it. We here saw very fiesh signs 
of the Sac Indians, where the}' had apparent]}' .been 
fishing on that day. Gen. Atkinson believed we were 
dose to them, and appreliended an attack that niglit. 
Tlie sentinels fired several times, and we were often 
paraded and (irepared to receive the enemy, but 
they never came, though from the accounts given 
b}' the sentinels to the otliccrs of the day there was 
no doubt that Indians had been prowling about the 
camp. 

"July I. — We had marched l)ut two or three 
miles before an Indian was seen across Rock River 
at some distance off. on a very high prairie, who 
no doubt w.as a spy, and likel}' was one that had 
been prowling about our encampment the night 
before. We proceeded a few miles further and 
came to the jilace where the Indians, who had taken 
the two Misses Hall prisoners, had staid for several 
days [near the present city of Janesville]. It w.as 
a strong position, where the}' could have withstood 
a very powerfid force. We afterward discovered 
they always encamped in such places. We had 
marched but a few miles from this |)lacc before one 
of our front scouts came b.ack meeting the army in 
great jiaste and stated that tiiey had discovered a 
fresh trail of Indians, where they had just gone 
along in front of us. M;ij. Ewing,who was in front 
of the main army some di.stance. immcdiatelv formed 
his men in line of battle and marched in that order 
in adv.ance of the main army about three-quarters 
of a mile. We had a ver}' thick wood to march 
through, where the undergrowth stood very high 
and thick; the signs looked very fresh, and we ex- 
l)ected every step to be tired upon from the thick- 
els. We marched in this order about two miles, 
nut stopping for the unevenness of the ground or 



anything else. l)Ut keeping in line of battle all the 
time, until we found the Indians hatl scattered ; then 
we resumed our common line of march, which was 
in three divisions. Soon after we had formed into 
three divisions the friendly Indians that were with 
us raised an alarm, by seven or eight of them shoot- 
ing at a deer some little in advance of the army. 
The whole army here formed for action, but it w.as 
soon ascertained that these children of the forest 
had been at what their whole race seems to have been 
born for — shooting at the beasts o^ the forest. 

•• We here camped by a small lake [Storr's] this 
night, and had to drink tiie water, which was very 
bad, but it was all that cduld be found. Here a 
very bad accident lihp|)ened. One of the sentinels, 
mistaking another that was on post, with a blanket 
wrapped around him, for an Indian, shot him just 
below the groin in the thick of the thigh. At first, 
the wound was thought mortjil. I understood be- 
fore I left the ai-my that the man was nearly well. 
Here (ien. Atkinson had, on this night, breastworks 
thrown up, which was easil}' done, as we were en- 
camped in thick, heavy timber. This was a ])re- 
caution which went to show that he set a great deal 
by the lives of his men, and by no means was any 
mark of cowardice, for generalship consists more in 
good management than anything else. 

••July 2. — We started this morning at the usual 
time, but went only a few miles before M.aj. Ewing, 
who was still in front with his battalion, esi)ied a 
very fresh trail, making otf at about a left angle. 
lie dispatched ten men from the battalion, in com- 
pany with Capt. George Walker and a few Indians, 
to pursue it and sec, if possible, where it went to. 
He moved on in front of his battalion a short dis- 
tance further, when we came on the main S,ac trail 
of IJlack-lIawk's whole army, which appeared to be 
about two d.ays old. Capt. Karly, who commanded 
a volunteer independent company, and had got in 
advance this morning, called a halt; so did Maj. 
Ewing with his battalit)n. Then Maj. Ewing sent 
b.ack one of his staff t)tlicers for the main army to 
call a halt for a few minutes. He. with 3Iaj. An- 
derson, of the infantry, Capt. Early and Jonathan 
H. Pugli went a little in advance, when Maj. An- 
derson, with a telescope, took a view across the 
lake, as we had now got to Lake Koshkononsr. 



-♦ 



t 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1003 1 



Tlu'v tlicn (liscdVficd three Indians apiiarently in 
tlieii- canoes. Maj. Kwing went liiniself and in- 
formed Gen. Atkinson what discovery was made, 
and requested Gen. Atkinson to let him take his 
battalion rouml througii a narrow defile that was 
between two of those lakes, where we su))posed the 
Indians were. 15y this litne, our scouts, who had 
taken tiie trail that led off on our left returned bring 
iug- with them five white men's scalps. They fol- 
lowed the Indian trail until it took them to a large 
Indian encampment that they had left a few days 
before. They reached it; the scalps were sticking 
up against some of their wigwams; some of them 
were identified, but I do not recollect the names of 
any, except one, which was said to be that of an 
old gentleman of the name of Hall. Maj. Ewing 
tiun marched his l)attalion about a mile, where the 
pass on the side of the lake appeared so narrow, 
that ho dismounted his men and had the horses all 
tied, and a few men left to guard them. The rest 
of us marched on foot about one mile through a nar- 
row defile on the (cast) bank of Koshkonong Lake." 



GOVERNMENT SUUVEYS .VNI) LAM) SALES. 

Soon after the Black Hawk war and the acquisi- 
tion by the United States of the Indian title to all 
the land West of Lake Michigan, not reserved to 
the Indians or secured to specified individuals by 
the terms of the several treaties, a survey was be- 
gun by the general government, during which the 
townships now constituting Uock County were laid 
off and described. When, in 1834, two land dis- 
tricts were created, embracing all that tract north 
of the State of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, 
south and southeast of the Wisconsin .and Fox 
rivers, in the then Territory of Michigan, Rock 
County was included in the Eastern or (ireen Ray 
District. In 183G, the Milwaukee land district was 
created out of the southern portion of the Green 
Ray district. A portion of Rock County was dis- 
posed of at the first sale at Green Baj*. in 1835, 
and the balance w-as brought into the market at the 
first sale at ^lilwaukee in 1839. 



^ ^^^ 4^. 




"T^ 



I 



_ «» ■ 4* 



•4 



,t 



1004 



ROCK COUNTY. 




,,,a&aat!i^f 



}j^; %'TV'ff^^'- •(f^ff'^.f- ^f%■^^:%■ TTT t T'J'V TT "f %'''^%' 



ft^fl* Scuttle ii]C:i5 1 bj W'l^ilos, ^^^- 



pJHC*"^*^' 



»)» 




urs^i^^ 




■^-&5^1>-€- 






HE return home of soldiers 
who had partieiixited in tlic 
151ack-IIa\vk war. all of whom 
told glowing tales of the 
hcaiitv and fertility of the 
Rock River Valley, called the 
attention of tiie people in all 
JJ the older portions of our land 
to the extraordinary natural 
advantages of this then virgin 
country. On the 14th of July, 
18."?.'). John Inraan. of Luzerne 
County, Pa., and William Holmes, 
of Ohio, "started frora Milwaukee' 
IJ to spj' out the land in this nuioh 
\fi vaunted valley. Procuring a 
J] couple of Indian ponies upon 
which to jiack their provisions, 
and armed with the trusty rifle, 
without which no (jne in the North- 
west traveled iu those days, they 
set nut \i|)on their explorations. 
Two da3's' march from Milwaukee 
brought them to Fort Atkinson, then just evacuated 
hy the officer for whom it was named and his com- 
mand, where they went into camp for the night. 
The next day they traveled west and soutli, and 
camped at night at the mouth of the Vahara ^Cat- 
lish) River. When morning came, they found their 
ponies had taken French leave, and that tiicy must 
either pack their own traps, or leave them behind. 
Tiiis was an inconvenience, to be sure, but not a 
disaster to hardy pioneers; so they shouldered their 
U\(r(riicre and continued their explor.ations, follow- 



ing the course of the river southward till they 
reached the point now occupied by the city of 
Janesville. where they camjied on the point of the 
bluflf on the Racine road. From tliis point they 
saw Rock Prairie stretching away in the distance to 
the east and south, till the verdant plain mingled 
with the blue of the horizon. They saw before 
them an ocean of waving grass and blooming 
flowers, and realized the idea of having found the 
real Canaan — the real paradise of the world. Con- 
tinuing their journey to the eastward, thev came 
within half a mile of a beautiful grove, iu which 
they found unmistakable indications of its having 
been occupied not long before as an Indian en- 
campment, to which they gave the name of Ulack 
Hawk Grove, which it still bears. Shortly after 
this they disccivered their ponies, and. having se- 
cured them, set out ui>ou their return to Milwau- 
kee, entirely satisfied witli their investigations, and 
fully determined to make this magnificent and fer- 
tile prairie their future home. They reached Mil- 
waukee on the -iSd of July, having been absent ten 
days. In all their travels they had found but one 
white family — that of Mr. McMillan, who resided 
where Waukesha now stands. 

"On the loth day of November, 183."», John In- 
man, Thomas Holmes, William Holmes. Joshua 
Holmes, Milo Jones and George FoUnier started 
from Milwaukee with an ox team and wagon, 
the latter containing provisions, tools and 
other necessaries, and on the 18th day of the same 
month, arrived opposite the "big rock.' The biting 
frosts of winter were at hand; no time was to be 
lost. The banks of the river on either side were 



1 

1 



UOCK COUXTV. 



U 



1005 



lined witli oaks, maples and ash. There was no 
.seaicily of building material. The woodman's ax 
soon resounded from the forest, and within a weel{ 
a losj house graeed the hillside. This was the first 
settlement in Kor'k County." A little more than a 
nujnth after the arrival of .hihn Inman and his 
eompany u|ion Koek River, Samuel St. .lohn and 
his wife eame, and soon afterward Dr. James 
Heath and wife joined the little eolonj*. All win- 
tered in the log cabin together. The names of 
other [lioneers in the county are given in the 



sketches of Janesville. Heloit and Milton, at wliich 
points the earliest permanent settlements were 
made. Settlements soon followed in other parts of 
the county. About ten years before actual settle- 
ment began, one Thiebaut (pronounced Tebo) 
established himself at the '-Turtle Village," (at 
Heloit) where he remained until the advent of the 
pioneer settlers of the count}-. His cabin is noted 
in the plat of the government survej- of the town- 
ship in 1831. 




rj^ 



t 



n 



1006 



ROCK COUNTY. 



.t 




§L,J 



OUNTY ORGACIZATION 



^J0 







AX act of the Territorial 
Legislature of Wisconsin, 
approved D c c e m b e r 7, 
IS.SO. to^ynships 1, 2, 3 and 
I iiorlli. of ranges 11, 12, 
13 and 11 east, of the 
Fourth Principal Meri<]ian, 
afterwards the towns of 
Newark. I'lymouth, Center. Porter, 
I5eloit. Rock, JunesviUe, Fulton, Tur- 
tle. La Prairie, Harmony, IMillon, 
Clinton. Bradford, Johnstown and 
Lima, were taken from Milwaukee 
County and constituted a separate 
county, called Rock. It took its name 
from tlie " big roi^k " on the north side 
of the river, now within the limits of 
the city of Janesville. By an act. ap- 
roved ,)une 21. 1838. townships 1. 2. 3 and 4 north, 
of range 10 cast, subsequently the towns of Avon, 
Spring Valley, Magnolia and Union, were added to 
Rock County. Though tiius enlarged, the new 
conntv remained attached to Racine Countj' for 
judical purposes, until its organization; meanwhile 
liv an act, approved December 27, 1837, the seat of 
justice was located on " part of the northwest quar- 
ter of section 36, in township 3 north, of range 12 
cast, of the Fourth Principal Meridian." April 2, 
1838, election precinct were established at what is 



now Beloit, at " the public house — Mr. Hackctt. 
Dr. White and Mr. Field, Judges." and at the 
public house of Nevins, in the village of Janesville 
— Hiram Brown, Daniel Smilieand Henry F. Janes. 
Judges. At the second annual session of the 
Commissioners. April 2, 1839, Rock Countj^ was 
divided into two road districts, by a line running 
cast and west about the middle of the county. An 
election was held May 28, 1838, for " pathmasters," 
which resulted in the choice of Lucius G. Fisher in 
Beloit, and John P. Dickson in Janesville. The 
county was organized by an act approved February- 
13, 1839. An election of county ofHcers was 
provided for, to be held " on the Grst Mond.iy of 
March, 1839," and the ofHcers then chosen were 
empowered to borrow money on the credit of the 
count3-. not exceeding *2r(0. for three years, at 12i 
per cent, per annum, to be .applied to i)rocuring 
land for the seat of justice. An act. api)roved 
Februar}' 28, 1839. fixed the time for election of 
county otlicers for the third Monda}' of Marcli fol- 
lowing; directed the canvassing of the votes; 
divided the Commissioners elected into three 
cl.asses, whose terra of office should expire in .lan- 
uai-y, 1812. 1841 and 1840, rcspcctivel3', and de- 
volved upon them all the duties specified in the 
preceding act. At the election held in pursuance 
of this law, AV. S. Murr.ay, William Spaulding and 
E. J. Hazzard were elected a Board of County 



-4^ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1007 




Commissioners and concluded ncsjotiations with H. 
F. .lanes wlieieb}- llie county obtained title to the 
land designated in the act of December 27, 1837, 
as the seat of justice. In 18.39 and the following 
year, all other county ofticials re([uired by law to 
be elected, were chosen and qualified. With the 
entrance of these officers upon the discharge of 
their duties, the organization of the county was 
perfected. 

COURTS. 

When the Teriitorial Government of Wisconsin 
was established the Territor3' was divided into three 
judical districts. By an act of the Territorial 
Legislature approved November lii, 1836, Brown 
and Milwaukee counties were constituted the third 
district and assigned to .Judge William C. Frazier. 
Rock County was then included in IVfilwaukee 
County. In 1839, Walworth, Rock, Green and 
IJane Counties were made the second district, and 
the first term of tlie district court was held April 
15-17, following, in a small wooden building on 
Main Street, .lanesville. The following named 
])ersons constituted the first giand jury of Rock 
County: .losepli Bullard, N. G. Storrs, Thomas 
Stoughtou, Farnuni Chickering, Joseph Goodrich, 
Ansel Dickinson. D. A. Richardson, Phineiis 
Arme.7, Charles Butts. Levi St. .loiin, .lason W.alker, 
David McKillups. Wiili.-un \irgin. .lolin Putnam. 
Luke Stonghton, .Tohn A. Fletcher. Jeremy- D. 
Warner. A. Blakcslcy. Francis A. Tyler, Elisha 
Newliall and .Icsse Corlis. .losepii liuil.-ird was 
appointed Foreman. .Judge David Irwin presided. 
Tiic next term commenced on Monday, the 21st 
day of October, 183lt. A public hall having been 
finished in the .lanesville Stage House, the first 
hotel of any pretensions in tlie village, the court 
conveiie(l in this new an<l nnliuished hall, wiiere 
their sessions were afterward liehl until a court- 
house was elected, .hidge Irwin continued to hold 
district courts for Rock County until Wisconsin 
became a Slate and the Circuit Court was estab- 
lishcd. with five juditral circuits with the ctjunties 
of Racine. Walworth, Ruck and Green constituting 
the firs'.. By subseciuent enactments from time to 
liuie the number of circuits has been increased and 
IJ.ck has at (litTeniil dates been associated with 
ilillcient ctuibinations of counties in the organi- 



zation of its circuit. The first session of the Circuit 
Court, for Rock County, was lielil at the court-house 
in .lanesville, commencing Monday, tiie 18th day 
of September, 1848. John Nichols was Clerk and 
John M. Keep, of Beloit, District Attorney. The 
first grand jury in attendance u|)on that Court was 
composed of the following persons: James Cass. 
David R. Bent. David Ilagadore. S. S. Blackmau. 
C. C. Phelps. A. I). Culbert. Henry B. Craudall, 
Charles Whipple. John R. Boycc, Andrew Stevens, 
David Merrill, George McKinsee. Whilden Hughes, 
Harvey Brace, Joel Wood, A. Henderson. Fdward 
Aiken, Elisha Coville and Levi St. John, who was 
appointed Foreman. Edward \'. Whitton was 
Judge. 

The first Probate Court in and for Rock Count}' 
was held at Beloit on the first Mond.ay in December, 
1839; the second at Janesville, on the first Mon- 
day in June, 1840. Horace White was Judge. 

James Armstrong was elected first County Judge 
in 1849. 

COUNTY INSTITUTIONS. 

Rock County's first court house was a two-.story 
frame building, erected almost upon the exact site 
of the present court house, in Janesville in isil. 
It was burned. The present court htjuse, a large 
stone, brick and iron building, was erected in 
1869 and 1870, and is provided with all modern 
conveniences. It is surrounded by an extensive 
park. Its original cost, including grading of the 
grounds, furniture, heating a|)paratus and other 
items was s^l 24,()72.<i2. It lias since been im- 
proved and repaired at ;iii expense of several 
thousand dollars. 

The first county jail wa.s a one-story log shanty, 
which stood on JIain street in Janesville. It 
proved too small for the increasing demands upon 
it. as settlement advanced and crime became more 
fre(|uent, and a large jail was built on the north 
side of the public square. The present jail was 
erected in 18.55 and 1856, on the east bank of the 
river, in the Third Ward of Janesville. 

March 22, 1854, the Board of Supervisors of 
Rock County purchased of Wright and K. G. 
Newell, for the county, the i)roperty now known 
as the Rock County Poor Farm, on sections 22 and 
27 in the town of .lohnstown. at a cost of iJo.O'iO. 




i 



■•►HI--* 



1008 



ROCK COUNTY. 



•►-i:^ 



In 1871 tlie county erected a building known as 
the County Asylum, on the Poor Farm, for thn 
care of the incurable insane, and placed it under 
the cliarge of the overseerer of the poor farm. 
Until 1856, a distinction between town and county 
l)Oor was in force, and tlie cost of caring for the 
town poor at the county house was charged to the 
towns in which the paupers were residents, and the 
county poor were l^ept at the expense of the 
county at large; but since that time all paupers 
and needy i)Oor have been cared for as county 
charges. 

The Rock County Agricultural Society and 
Mechanic-' Institute was organized Jan. 6, 1850, 
with the following oflicers: J. P. Wheeler, Presi- 
dent; W. F. Tomi/kins. of .lanesville; Ansel Dick- 
enson, of Harmony; Orrin Deusmore, of Bradford; 
Joseph Goodrich, of Milton; J. M. Burgess and A. 
W. Pope of Janesville, ^■ice-Presidents; Josiah ¥. 
Willanl,of Rock. Recording Secretary; Andrew 
Palmer, Corresponding Secretary ; and John Rus- 
sell, of Janesville, Treasurer. A l)oard of twenty 
directors, one for each town in the county, was also 
elected, viz: William Stewart, of Clinton; Peter D. 
Weniple, of Bradford; J. A. Fletcher, of Johns- 
town; Paul Crandall of Lima; G. W. Ogden, of 
Milton; Harvej' Holmes, of Harmony; (Juy Wheel- 
er, of La Prairie; John Hopkins, of Turtle; W. 
Yost, of Beloit; Z. P. Burdick. of Rock; L. D. 
Thompson, of Janesville; R. R. Cowan, of Fulton; 
D. Lovejoy, of Porter; E. A. Foot, of Center; H. 
C. Inman. of I'lymoulh; John L. V. Thomas, of 
Newark; A. Kenney, of Avon; R. U. Hamilton, of 
Spring Valley; E. Miller, of Magnolia; and H. 
Griffith, of Union. 'I'he first fair was held at 
Janesville, Oct. 1 and 2, 1851. The second was 
held at Beloit, Sept. 28 and 29, 1852. Fair 
o-rounds were [)urcliased at Janesville and im- 
proved, and the third fair was held thei-e Oct. 4, o 
and 6. 1853. These grounds were sold in 1856, 
having became too small, anil ten acres were pur- 
chased in the southern part of the city, which were 
.suitably fenced in and improved for the fair 
which was held Sept. 30, to Oct. 2, 1856. These 
grounds were enlarged in 1857. The society 
passed out of existence in 11S61. During the suc- 
ceeding thiee years the peoiile of the count}' were 



so much engrossed in war matters that no new 
societj' was formed and no fairs were held; but a 
new organization was effected in December, 1864, 
with H. P. Fales as President, Jacob Fowle as 
Treasurer, and R. T. Pember as Secretary'. Since 
that time the fairs have been successful and the 
grounds have been from time to time enlarged and 
improved. Tlie property of the society is situated 
wholly within the city limits of Janesville. The 
buildings are substantial and well arranged. 
The objects of the society are the promotion of 
agricultural, horticulture, home manufactures and 
mechanical arts and tlie breeding and raising of 
useful domestic animals. The present officers are 
R. T. Pember, President; S. C. Carr and J. E. 
Gleason, Vice-Presidents; S. L. James, Treasurer; 
and E. B, Ileimstreet, Secretai\y. The fair for 
188'J is appointed for Sei)tembcr 10 to l.j. The 
fol'lowing pioneers were present at a Fourth of 
July celeliratioii held at Janesville under the 
auspices of the Fair Association in 1871), and reg- 
istered their names as having settled in the ^ears 
mentioned: 1835 — Virgil Poiie; 1836 — Jeremiah 
Roberts, J. P. Dickson. Mrs. \'olney Atwood, 
M. T. Walker. Alford Walker, Mrs. H. II. Bailey, 
J. AY. Inman, S. C. Carr; 1837— G. H. Willisloii. 
Helen M. Bailey, Henry Tuttle. Cornelius Van 
Tassel, Volney Atwood. Charles Tuttle. E.G. New- 
hall; 1838 — James McEwan. Mrs. Wood. William 
McEwan, George W. Lawrence, C. B. Inman, 
Cyrus Teetshorn, II. J. Warren. Mrs. H. J.Grigg.s, 
A. L. \\alker; 1839— T. Gullack Graydell, Mrs. 
G. H. Williston, Mrs. R. T. Powell. Ezra Goodrich, 
George B. Mackey, H. R. Waterman. II. Wood, 
S. 1'. Harriman; 1840 — Thomas E. Stevens, P. E. 
Stillman, Jacob West, Margaret West, Royal Wood, 
^Irs. iNI. S. Pritchard, M. E. Bump, A. Morris Pratt, 
Mrs. Almeda E. Allen. J. G. Carr (liorn here), E. 
C. Dickinson, Alfred Dewey. At an old settlers 
picnic held at Crystal Springs, July 4, 1889, a 
Rock County Pioneer Association was perman- 
entl3- organized and the following officers, iiulud- 
ing vice-presidents in every town in the county, 
were elected: President, Ezra Goodrich, Milton; 
secretaiy, A. L. Fisher, Center; treasurer, James 
Clellaiid. Janesville; vice-presidents: Daniel John- 
sou, Evansville; Austin Fcssenden, Porter; Watson 



:=!?:#-^ 



± 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1009 



IIiil>l>!ir(l, Union; .lobn Smiley, Plymouth ; W. II. 
Mc'lntyre, Lima; .1. M. Lyncli, Avon; Clinton 
15abl)ilt .incl S. T. Momll, Keloil; W. 11. Wheeler, 
I>. .1. IJuiclge anrl A. B. Carpenter, city of Beloit; 
K. ii. Bennett, and Charles Sexton, .lanesvillc at 
larjre; James Kirkpatriek, Sprinii' ^'alley; G. II. 
Crosby, Turtle; William (innn, U<irk; .lolin Con- 
ley, town of Clinton; .John R. Helnier. Clinton; 
E. G. Fifield, Capt. W. T. Vankirk, Cyrus Miner, 
Andrew Palmer and N. E. Bennett, Janesville; 
S. L. Lord, Kdijerton; Aaron Broughton, Magnolia; 
.lames lloiikins, Fulton; J. L. Bear, town of .Lanes- 
villc; H. T. I'ember, .lolinstown; .1. II. IIu\ ihuid, 
LaPrairie; Andrew Barlass, Harmony; Robert 
Lilburn, Bradford. About seventy-five other 
names were added to the list of members. 

ROOK COUNTY IN THE UEliULLlON. 

When, early in 1861, President Lincoln called 
for 7.'), 000 men to defend the cause of the Union, 
Rock County responded witli the Beloit City 
(iuards, and thereafter, until the war closed in 
186;"), did its part nobly in supplying men and 
money to prosecute the war. Its contribution in 
men airgrcg.ated 2,817 soldiers, and an idea of the 
spontaniety of its patriotism m.ay be derived from 
the fact that of this number 1,493 by actual count 
enlisted i)rior to November, 1861. "Many of the 
• boys ' who went out to battle for the LInion, with 
only the benediction of a mother's tears and 
prayers, came back to that mother's arms shrived 
in glory. Many returned having left a limb in 
the swamps of the Chickahominy; on the banks of 
the Rapidan; at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg or the 
Wilderness. Many still bear the marks of that 



strife wliicli raged at Stone River, luka, Chicka- 
manga, or on tiie heights of Lookout Mountain, 
whence they thundered down the dcliauce of the 
skies — of that strife wliich raged before Atlanta, 
Savannah and in the Carolina.s. But there were 
many who came not back. Tliey fell by the way- 
side, or, from the prison and ballle-lield, crossed 
over and mingled with the ranks of that Grand 
Army beyond the river. Their memory, too, is 
held in sacred keeping. Some sleep beside their 
ancestors in the village churchyard, where the 
violets on their mounds speak not alone of wom- 
anl3^ sweetness but in Uuider accents of the devo- 
tion of those who sleep below. Their memory, too, 
is immortal; beautiful .as the crown of gold the 
rays of the sunset lay upon the hill-tops. Some 
sleep in unknown graves in the land of cotton and 
cane, lint the same trees which shade the sepul- 
cher of their foomen sliade their tombs also; the 
same birds carol their matins to both; the same 
Rowers sweeten the air with tiieir fragrance, and 
the same daisies caress tlie graves of both, as the 
breezes toss them into rippling eddies. Neither is 
forgotten. Both are remembered as they slumber 
there in peaceful, glorified rest." 

"Winds of Summer, oh I whisper low 
Over the graves where the daisies grow. 
Blossoming tiowers and songs of bees. 
Sweet ferns tossed in the sumnu-r's breeze — 
Floating shadows and golden ligiits. 
Dewy mornings and radiant nights — 
All the bright and beautiful things 
That gr.acious and l)ountifnl summer brings. 
Fairest and sweetest that earth can bestow. 
Brighten the graves where the tlaisies grow." 





n^r^f^' 



•►--lh-4*- 



1010 



ROCK COUNTY. 




..*-«. 




m 5^©wFiS and \/illacjes. 






— i-»-§.=^^:f+-^ 



HE County of Rock is fli- 
vidcd into twenty civil 
Idwiisliips, exclusive of the 
cities. In this connection 
are given short historical 
sketches of each, together with 
an account of their respective 
villages. While short, it is to 
hoped the facts here presented 
will be of interest and value to 
the reader. The historj- of the 
country is but a record of the lives 
of its people, those who have 
wrought sucli a marvelous vi-ork in 
converting the wilderness into a 
blooming garden. This most important history 
may be found in the biograi)hlcal department of 
the Aluum. 



Avon. 

S^T/ VON, the southwest town of the county, 
'@£M, contains township 1 north, range 10 cast. 
It was surveyed in 1833 and 1834 and was 
legall}- set apart and named, Feb. 11, 184 7. 
The first town meeting was held at the house of 



William Crippin,on the first Tuesday in April, 1848 
Among the early settlers were Joseph Kinney. Jr., 
Jose(>h Huntley, ^\'i]liam C'ripi)in, II. IJealcs, W. F. 
Thompson. William Grimes and Joseph Watson. 
There were numerdus Norwegian pioneers. They 
laid out a village which they called Bornitz. wiiere 
in 1847 they had built a church. The Kev. Claud 
Lars Clauson was their lirst pastor. 

Avon, in the town of Avon, twentv-live miles 
southwest of Janesville, contains two churches, a 
school, the steam llouring-mill of J. Finch, a <;ene- 
ral store, and a shoemaker's shop, a blacksmith 
shop and a pum|) f.actory. Population 150. 





Beloit. 

jELOIT was created a municipalit\- Feb. 17, 
1842. and then embraced an area e(]ual to 
about four townships, including the present 
towns of Beloit. Avon, Newark and Turtle. 
Its boundaries have been several times changed, 
and it is now co-extensive with townshij) 1 north, 
of range 12 east. The settlement began where tiie 
city of Beloit now is. The first town meeting was 
held April 5, 1842. 



-•► 



-h 






ROCK COUNTY. 



lull 



Bi-adfoitl. 

llrSl, KADFORl) is silnatod in liic soiitiicast part 
I'L^^ of tlio county on its casici-n houndary line. 
I'ltsvlli " ""s oi'S^mizccl for niiini(i|)al purposes un- 
^■^^r^ der an act of Lo<>islaliir(', apinovcd Feb. 2, 
l.S4(). Previou-ly thosoiitli half of the |)ro.seiU town 
was inchidc'il in Clinton and the iKjrth iialf in Janes- 
ville. Eraslus Dean was the first settlor, in 18;3(i. 
Otiier early comers were Andrew McCullagli, \Vill- 
iaui C. Chase, James Winnegar, Joseph Maxon, 
William B. Aldrieh. C. Dylvcnian, William Wyman, 
S. 8. Hlocknian and Alva liloclvraan. There are two 
postofBces in this town, Kinerald Cirove and Fair- 
field. Emerald Grove, in the town of Bradford, 
eight miles east of Janesville, contained in 1856 
a postofflce, a tavern, a church, a blacksmith shop, 
a store, a grocery, a school-house and fifteen dwell- 
ings. Since tliat date it lias grown considerably 
in extent and population. It contains a steam feed 
mill, the proi)ert3' of Alexander Mc(iregor, a gen- 
eral store, a hotel, a Congregational church and a 
Methodist church and a population of about one 
liundred. 



^VUU2/®^^ 



.-^^WOT»>» 



Center. 

Cjv KN'IT^R, in the northwestern part of tlic 
county, was organi/.ed by a legislative en- 
f' actment approved Feb. 17, 1842, and tiien 
included the present town of Center and portions 
of I'lymoutli, Spring \alley, Magnolia, and Janes- 
ville west of tiie river. Magnolia was set off 
Feb. 2, 1846, and other towns were formed, wlioll^^ 
or in part, from its territory at later dates. Its 
present limits are those of township 3 north, of 
range 1 1 east. Andrew Stevens, the first settler, 
located .at Black-Oak Grove in October. I84;i. 
llis nearest neighbor was five miles awa3-, the next 
nearest ten. Other earlj- settlers were David and 
I'liilander Davis, William Webb, William Warren 
and Elijah Wood. The first election was held at 
the house of James V. Knowlton. 
4> 



\r 




Clinton. 

HE act of tlic Territorial Legislature oigau- 
izing Clinton was approved Feb. 17, 1842. 
The town as organized embraced the Clin- 
ton of to-day. and the south half of Bradford and 
portions of Turtle and La I'rairie. Five sections 
in the present town of Turtle were annexed to it in 
1843. At this time the town comprises township 1 
north, of range 14 oast. Doctor Dennis -Mills, Mil- 
ton S. AVarner. Charles Tuttle and William S. .Mur- 
ray were the first explorers of the town, before the 
land was in market. Selections of land were maile 
and taken possession of in the name of the Jeffer- 
son Prairie Company, and it was on the west side 
of this prairie that the first settlements were maile. 
in April, 1837. A little later Daniel Tasker and 
wife and Stephen E. Downer and wife located on 
the southeast side of the prairie. Subsecpieut early 
settlers were Oscar II. Pratt, Frank Mitchell, Stacy 
L. Pratt and father and sisters, Reuben P. and Si 
Willard, Ezekiel and IIumi)hrey Brownell. M:irtin 
Moore and Henrj' Wheeler and their families, H. S. 
Warner, Albert and Hcnrj' Tuttle, (!riswol<l 
Weaver and others. The first town jneeting was 
held at Charles Tattle's house, April ;j, 1842. 
Clinton, an incorporated village in the southeastern 
part of the county, on the R. A S. W. division of 
the C, M. iV St. P. Railway, .at the crossing of the 
Wisconsin division of the Chicago i^- Northwestern 
Railw.ay. seventy-four miles southwest of .Milwau- 
kee and fourteen miles southeast of Janesville. is in 
the northwest part of the town of Clinton. Early 
settlers there were Deacon Chauncey Tuttle. Dr. 
Dennis Mills, Milton S. Warner, Charles Tuttle, 
William S. Murray, Stephen E. Downer and Daniel 
Tasker. The first wedding w.as that of Ezekiel 
Brownell and Adelina Pratt, b^' .loseph S. Pierce. 
J. P. The first religious meeting was held at the 
house of Charles Tuttle. by Elder F. Tajiping, in 
1 838. The first birth was that of a daughter of 
Mvs. S. E. Downer, in 1838. The first school wa.s 
kept at Willis' Corner, in 1843, by Miss Eliza Ba- 
ker. The ix)st-olIice was est^iblished in 1843. and 
Stephen Perley wxs the first postmaster. The name 
of the olHee was changed to "Ogden" in 18.J7, and 
was again made Clinton in I8(!4. The village now 
contains a bank, two hotels, an opera-house, thrtv 



T 



■» ■ 4* 



-4^ 



10J2 



ROCK COUNTY. 



grain elevators, a feed-mill, a baggage-truck fac- 
tory, a graded public school. Uaptist. Congrega- 
tional, Methodist Kpiscopal and (xertnan Lutheran 
churches, a library and a number of good stores. 
A weekly newspaper, the Clinton Herald, is pub- 
lished here. Population, 1,000. 




Fulton. 

URIN(i the winter of 1<S1:3, the settlers in 
I'j Fulton, as now bounded, met at the house 



^ 



of T.yman Morse, drew up and signed a 
petition, asking the Legislature to organize 
their town, to be called " Franklin." There being 
anotlier town by that name, they changed it to 
Fulton and passed the act of organization. The 
lirst Tuesday in April, 1843, the voters iu the town 
(some twenty in number) met at the bouse of Will- 
iam B. Foster and held their first town meeting. 
The settlement of this town began in 183()-37. 
The |)i()neers were Robert and Daniel Stone. Other 
early comers were (ieorge R. Rams.ay. William 1!. 
Foster (who established Foster's ferry ), F^lijah True, 
Lyman ^lorse, George E. Cowan. Anson Goodrich, 
William Sipiires and Silas llurd. The first wed- 
dins; was George E. Cowan and Mary Ward's, at 
Silas Hurd's. in 1810. The first death was Mrs. 
I'roctor's. at Cloudon Stoughton's. The first child 
was Ijoin in 18;!'.t. Dr. Rollin Head taught the first 
school at the house of William 15. Foster, in 1841. 
Guy Stoughlon. owning land on the river at 
the foot <^f Lake Koshkonong, believing that the 
fall was sufficient to make a good water-power, 
contracted with Mr. Ilanchett, in the spring of 
184.'). to build a dam. The dam was completeil 
during that year, an<l a sawmill built, which was 
run for several years and then converted into a 
gristmill. The first bridge across the river was at 
Indian Font, built in 1845, bv jjrivate subscri|)tion. 
This is the central town on the northern border of 
the countj'. It comprises townsliii) 1 north, of 
range 1 2 e;ist. 

Edgerlon. in the town ot Fulton, on the northern 

border of the county, twelve miles north of .lanes- 

ville, was settled in 18;i(!. laid out as a village iu 

lo.>l aud incorporated as a cit^' in 1883. It is an 

■^ 



important station on the Chicago, Milwaukee & 
St. Paul Railway. The shipment of tobacco is the 
principal industry, nearly half of what is raised 
in the State being shipped from this point. Robert 
and Daniel Stone and William .Squires were the 
pioneer settlers. Thomas (^uigley came in 1843, 
and located sixt3- acres wliere the railroad depot 
now stands. Soon after him came Lucius M. Page, 
who bought eighty .acres north of (^uigley's claim. 
That part of the village north of the railroad was 
laid out by H. S. Swift, that part south of the rail- 
road by Adin. J. and E. A. Burdick. Ferdinand 
Davis built the first frame house in 1853; U.S. 
Swift built Swift's block in 1857; the Exchange 
and the United States Hotel were built by Nelson 
Coon, who opened the former in 1854; and the 
American House was built in 1854. The first birth 
was that of Frank Hall, the first marriage that of 
John l^uigley and Theresa Malian. and the first 
death that of Mr. Hakes. The post-olflce was es- 
tablished in 1854, with William B. Hall in charge. 
The place contains Methodist. Catholic. Baptist and 
(ierman Lutheran churches. German and jjublie 
schools, two banks, two hotels, a well-equipped fire 
department, and two weekly uewspai)ers — the Wis- 
consin Tobacco Rfiporler and the Etigerton Index. 
Live stock, grain and lirick are shipped. Poiiula- 
tion. 2.000. 

Indian Ford, on Rock Uiver, ten miles north of 
Janesville, in the towi. of F'ulton, is so called be- 
cause, in 183G Black-Hawk and bis braves forded 
the Catfish River on the site of what is now the 
village. It owes its existence to Guy and Clouden 
Stoughton. who obtained a charter for the water- 
power from the government, erected a dam there 
and liuilt a mill, in 1843. .Mr. Guy Stoughton, to 
whom the credit of the latter work must be given, 
was the first bona-fide settler and claim-holder on 
the village plat, and erected the first house thereon. 
Jlr. Silas Ilurd and Mr. George E. Cowan were the 
first settlers in the neighborhood. The first store 
and tavern were kept in is 10. by a man named 
Ellett. The first school was opened about 1842. The 
village contains two llouring-mills, tw'o churches 
and several siiiall mechanics' shops. Po])ulation, 
250. 

Fulton, on the west border of the town of Ful- 



^ 



-th-<* 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-4' 



liMli 



toil, oil Cattisti Creek, twelve milos northwest of 
Jaiicsville and four miles soutliwe.st of Kdiijertoii, 
was settled in ISK!, by Eiiiainiel Corker, who soon 
began the erection of a gristniill. Other early sel- 
th'rs, who came soon after him, were James Jler- 
win. Ivlward Ilyland, Nelson Coon, David J^. 
Mills, Stiles Makes, and Henry M. Dickinson, who 
opened the first store. Nelson Coon huilt the hotel, 
which was opened by Philip Davault, under the 
name of the Fulton House. A creamery was estab- 
lished in 1875. A frame school-house was erected 
in 1847, and gave pl.ace to a brick one in 18(J4. 
The first Sund.ay-school w.as organized by Frank 
Sayre in 1449. The gristmill of White Brothers 
was )nirchased by them about twenty j'ears ago. 
It is the same built orininallv by l''.inaiuu'l Corker. 



-Ji3- 



e^ 



Hiii'iiioiiy. 



.VK.MONY was organized from .Janesville 
l) March 1!, 1848, and comprised the north 
half of township "2, and all of township 3 
north of range Ki east. Later the n*rth 
half of township 2 was detached, and became a part 
of La I'rairie. The first town meeting was held at 
Mt. Zion school-house, April 1, 1848. Daniel A. 
Richardson was the first settler, in 1837. Charles 
and Ale.xander Hart came soon after. Other earh' 
settlers were Arvali Call, Jeremiah Warner, Ansel 
Dickinson, William and Joseph Spaulding, I'hinwis 
Amies, John X. Dean and John Turner. 



Jiiiiosville. 

«=i''F;i?RrARY 17. 1842, township 3 and the 

Pi north half of township 2 north, of ranges 
1.3 and I 1 east, and all of that p.art of 
township 3 and 4 north, of range 12 east, lying 
east of Rock River, were organized into a town 
by the name of Janesville. On March 21, 1843, 
that part comiirised in township 3 north, of 
range 14 e.ist and township 4 north, of range 12 
east, was organized into a town by itself. On the 
10th of April of the last mentioned year part of 



townshii) 3 north, of range 13 cast, wa.s annexed 
to Janesville. In 18.50, the east half, which was 
township 3 north, of range 12 east, was organized 
into a separate town; and thus the town of Jane.s- 
ville W!is made to include township .3 north, of 
range 12 east. Among the prominent fanners of 
the town thirty to forty years ago were Z. 1*. Bur- 
dick; Charles Terwilliger, Thomas Welch, K. 
Strunk, Gideon Cliapin,K. W. Barker. 11. R. Cul- 
ver, Henry Search, James Carl, Roliert Shaw, 
David JetTris, II. H. Simonds. John B. Carl. George 
Johnston, John Holmes, William Brace and Wil- 
liam R. Hall. As the first .settlement in this town 
was identical with that of the village and city of 
Janesville, an account of it is reserved for a place 
in the history of the latter. The first suix-rvisors 
were W. H. H. Bailey (chairman), George K. 
Cowen and Jesse E. Corless. 

— •> .o»o-(SJA><\J(53..o4o. *,*. 

•loliiistown. 

~ OHNSTOWN, on the eastern border of the 
county, was organized bj' an act of Legis- 
lature, approved March 21. 1843. The first 

settlement was made by Norman .Smith on 

the site of .lohnstown Center, in 1837. The second 
settler w.as Caleb B. Hill. Daniel .McKillip (who 
built the first frame house). Elisha Newhall and his 
sons, Wright and Klliridge (J. Newhall, Noah 
Newell. John A. FIcIcIut. Daniel Rhelps. William 
Virgin, John A. Pickett and .lohn I'utnam were 
among other early settlers. Among those who were 
enterprising farmers there thirt3'-five years ago 
were AVilliam Galbraith, John Mct^rath and bro- 
thers, Robert Burlass, .lohn and William Ziiill, .lohn 
and Davis McLay and John Wynn. 

Old .lohnstown, in the town of .lohnslown, twelve 
miles east of Jaiiesville(so called in contradistinction 
to Johnstown Center), is a village of about 125 
persons. It owes its existence in a great measure to 
the presence of Messrs. Carter, Fletcher, Camniell 
and Hill, who settled on the location of the village 
aboutl83;i, and built the llrst house. It contains a 
church find some small shops. 

.lohnstown Center, in the town of Johnstown, ten 
miles east of Janesville. was located in 1,'<37. by 
■» 



>► i r^ 



-«► 



U)14 



ROCK COUNTY. 



\ 



i 



Norman Smith. The first minister there was Elder 
Mills and the church-house there was built in 18-47. 
The village contains a blacksmith shop, a siioe- 
siiop, a wagon shop, a general store and niarlile 
works. Population, 200. 

Janes' Settlement, near Johnstown, in the town 
of Johnstown, derives its names from the settle- 
there, in 1842. of the Janes family. It at present 
consists of the residences of about a dozen fam- 
ilies and a church, erected in 1861, hj' the Free 
Will Baptists, at a cost of about ^2,000. 



■ t^^^^^f^r* — 



La Prairie. 

'if? A PRAIRIE, so named from the fact that 
I (©) tlie town is mostly prairie land, was organ- 
/l is^^ ized bj- an act of tiie Legislature, approved 
March 2G. 1849, and originally comprised those 
parts of tlie towns of Ilnrmony and Turtle which 
were included in townsliip 2 nortii, of range 13 
east. The west iialf of section G was subsequent!}' 
set off to the city of Jancsville. The limits of the 
town now are those of township 2 nortli. of range 
13 east. The first town meeting was held at the 
house of Justus P. Wheeler. April 3, 1 849. Among 
the early settlers were Samuel and Levi St. Joiin, 
^\■illiam Mertrom, Nathan AUyne, Lucius llurn- 
iiani. Clark W. Lawrence, James Chamberlain, L. 
li. Ally lie and Mr. Waterman. The town being 
nearly all prairie, it did not settle as rapidly as 
most (itlier parts of the county. Justus P. Wheeler 
made his purchase in the fall of 1840; Eliakim 
Thatclier in 1843. A man, by the name of Hocum, 
made a claim on section 3 and afterwards sold to 
Mr. Covil. Charles C. Cheney, Henry Cheesebro, 
William Loyd, Adcliiion Sherman and Epliraim 
Leach, .Ir., made their i>urchascs in the years 1844 
and l.slu; Almerin Sherman, Peter ShiifeU, James 
L Iloyt, William (i. Kasterly and .Mr. Foi<i. in 
l.s|(>. Among otiiers of the largest farmers of La 
Prairie, in 1856, Freeman Hitchcock. Alfred lias- 
kins. Aniaziah Sherman. J.acob Van Gelder. Wil- 
liam H. Read. R. AV. Schenck, Hiram Finch, Har- 
vey Sessions, S. L. llalste.ail, E. Cheesebro, Thomas 

^» ■- 



Auld, James Chamberlain, Harvey- Hart, E. W. 
Blish, James V. Beltings, J. P. Wheeler, William 
H. Stark, Ouy Wheeler, C. W. Lawrence, George 
Rliodes, William Schenck. 



Lima. 

\l7 IMA, in the northeast corner of the county, 
ll (© comprises township 4 north, of range l.'i 
/J^Vi east, and was organized for muncipal pur- 
poses, Feb. 24, 1845. It had previously formed a 
portion of the town of Milton. The first town 
meeting was held April 1, 1845, at the school- 
house in district No. 9. As early as the summer 
of 1836, Col. James M. Burgess visited wliat is now 
the town of Lima and made a claim on section 17. 
but as he never improved it. it is to be presumed 
it lapsed. He was followed, in June. 1837, by 
Solomon L. Harrington and Thomas Vanhorn. who 
located and built a sawmill on the west l)ranch of 
Whitewater Creek, in the cast part <jf the town. In 
the same year came Mr. Josejih Nicholls. wlio made 
a claim and built a cabin on the .Stephen Burrough's 
place. Other early settlers were Curtis Utter, 
George B. Hall, Azael Kenuey, Prosper Cravath, 
Jr., Deacon Prosper Cravath, Levi .-ind (Jiles Ken- 
ney. Deacon Zerali Hull. James Hull and Asa 
Hardy and their families. Tlie lirst death w.as that 
of Newton Baker, Sei)t. 19. 1839; the first wedding 
that of Solomon L. Harringttm and Margaret Palni- 
eter, June 7, 1841 ; the first church, a log building, 
erected by the Methodists, in 1845. In the winter 
of 1862-G3. J. B. Lewis. II. J. Wilkinson. S. Mor- 
gan and others organized a lyceum. In the fall of 
1866, they formed a new organization known as the 
Farmers' Union Club and Lj'ceum. A library of 
about one hundred volumes, largely composed of ag- 
ricultural works was donated. The members of the 
society claim to liave been instrumental in procur- 
ing the re-enactment of the town iiisuiaucc law of 
1859, and in the spring of 1872, they organized 
a town insurance company, which accumulated a 
large capital, which has saved the farmers much 
in insurance. Its operations were confined exclu- 
sively to the town. Lima Center, in the town of 
Lima, on the C. M. k St. P. Rv,, sixteen miles 



^ 



-^^ 



ROCK cur MY. 




1015 




northeast of Jaiiesville, is somolinies enlK'd Child's 
iStation. It was located in 1853, by M. A. Chikls, 
wlio I milt a house within the present village limits, 
and. in partnership wilh L. II. Childs. huilt and 
oi)ened the first store. He was also the first post- 
master. The village comprises two stores, a black- 
smith and wagon sho|), a cheese factory, two 
churches and a good school, and has a population 
of 150. 



Majirnoliii. 

\,A- AdIS'OLIA is situated in the northwest part 
of the county, adjoining Green. It was 
% organized by act of the Territorial Legis- 
lature, approved Feb. 2, 184G,and included 
township 3 north, of range 10 east, its present lim- 
its. The first settlements were in 1840, by J. X. 
Palmer, Joseph Prentice, Andrew Cotter, W. 
Adams, W. Fockler, Abram Fox, .lonathan Cook, 
Kdmund Easy, Ambrose Moore, George McKenzie, 
widow nines and her son, William L. Ilines. an<l 
Sanford P. Hammond. A reliable record gives the 
following, among others, of the princi|)al farmers at 
an early day: N. B. Howard, James A. Kobson, 
William P. Hammond. A. K. Barrett. Jopthan I.ai- 
ten. T. M. Lockwood, James M. Smith. William 
Huyke, kzra Miller. Charles S. Dunbar, Hiram ]5arr 
and James F. Jones. 

Magnolia, a village in the town of Magnolia, fif- 
teen miles west of Janesville. and two miles west 
of Cainville (Magnolia Station), the nearest rail- 
w.ay point, w.is located in the fall of 18-13, by 
Josh\ia Dunbar, Andrew Cotter, Joseph Prentice 
and Mr. Jenkins. Settlement advanced so rajiidly 
as to encourage Mr. Colter, tw-o years later to plat 
a portion of his land for building pur]>oses; but he 
found no jjurchascrs for his lots, settlers selecting 
other sites. A post-otHce was established in 1848, 
with (ieorge McKenzie in charge. Kev. Mr. Jame- 
son was the first preacher. ( )sborn Howaril and 
others began manufacturing spring beds in 1877; 
J. U. Whitney embarked in plowmaking in 1879; 
There are two churches. Population, 250. 

Magnolia Station (Cainville). in the town of 
Magnolia, on the Chicago <k Northwestern Railway, 
twelve miles northwest of Janesville, was locate<l 



as early as 1848, but no general settlement oc- 
curred until after the advent of the railroad, in 
1860. It was named in honor of S. J. Cain, who 
was instrument.al in establishing a post-oflice there 
in 18G1. The settlement comprises a store, a school- 
house built twenty years ago, and a few residences. 
Population. 50. 



Milton. 

f^p^HE town of Milton comprises all of town- 
(jff^^ ship 4, north of range 13, east of the prin- 
^§^' cipal meridian. It is a fine body of land, 
and was first settled, in the summer of 183(), by 
Alfred, Jason and[ Aaron Walker, who located on 
sections 35 and 36. For some months the}' were 
the only persons in the town. In May, 1837, 
Daniel F. Smith and wife came in and located on 
section 11. Mrs. Smith was the first white woman 
in the town. Others came iu that year, among 
whom were Peter McEwan and Nathan C. .Storrs. 
The former made claim to the north half of section 
34, and the south half of the southeast quarter of 
section 27. Mr. Storrs made claim to the south 
half of section 26, and the north half of the south- 
east quarter of section 27. He erected his resi- 
dence on the northwest corner of the south half of 
the southeast quarter of section 26. Mr. McEwan 
built very near the center of the northeast quarter 
of section 34. 

In July, 1838. Joseph Goo<Iricli came out from 
Alfred, AllegaAy Co., N.Y., and bought from Mr. 
Storrs his claim to the north half of the south half 
of section 26. and the north half of the southeast 
quarter of section 27. During the following month 
he erected a stor\- and a half frame building, in 
the upper part of which he placed a small stock of 
general merchandise. In September he returned 
to New York, leaving James Pierce, who is yet a 
respected resident of the town, in chargi' of the 
house and claim. 

From what can be learned from old settlers now 
living, there was doubtless an understanding be- 
tween Jlr. Goodrich and Mr. McEwan that the 
southeast quarter of section 27 should be laid <>ut 
as a village. Subsequent events seem to confirm 



•►-HH^ 






1016 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



this idea. On the return of Mr. Goodrich to his 
old home, he made ijublic what ho had done. Oiiiii 
S|ir:igiie. with whom he was not on very siood 
terms, on learning the facts, immediately sold out 
and, with his family, at once started for Rock 
County. Arriving iierc, he reported to Mr. Mc- 
Ewan that he was sent out by ISIr. Goodrich to 
start a blacksmitli shop. On ids representatJDn. 
Mr. JIcEwan staked off for him a lot on which to 
erect his cabin and shop, on that ])orti()n of section 
27 whicli he, McEwan, had claimed. The caliin 
and shop were at once erected, and, when Mr. 
Goodrich returneil. March 4, IM'J. he found his 
old enemy in full |)ossession. That he was dis- 
pleased is staling it mildly. 

During the year 18;i'J no further improvements 
were made to the prospective village, with the excep- 
tion of a second building l\y Mr. Goodrich, which 
was the original .Milton House, and the erection by 
him of a substantial barn. Tu .Alarch, 1839, the sur- 
veyors locating a road between Chicago and Madi- 
son reached Goodrich's, and in May following con- 
tinued the survey on to IMadison. One point was 
now made for the new village. 

On the 18th day of July, 18;!'.l. llie people of 
the vicinity met at the residence of Joseph Good- 
rich for the purpose of raising for him a barn. 
While here assembled, it was delerniined to peti- 
tion the Government to here establish a postofflce 
under the name of Grainlield. and to api)oint Mr. 
Goodrich Postmaster. A meeting was subsequently 
held at the residence of Peter McEwan, and the 
name was reconsidered and that of Prairie Du Lac 
substituted. The petition was sent on, but the 
name was rejected by the authorities on account of 
its similarity to Prairie du Sac, an otlice which had 
already been established. At a meeting held Oct. 
1, 1839, the name of Milton was suggested by 
Daniel Butts, and adoiited. The ollice was soon 
afterward established, with Joseph Goodrich as 
Postmaster, who held it until 1853, when he was 
succeeded by W. T. Morgan. 

The first land sale in which the people of this 
section were interested was held in April. 1810, at 
Milwaukee. This sale w.as attended by Messrs. 
McEwan, Goodrich and Sprague. It had been 
learned that no one could purchase more than one- 



half section of land. Mr. McEwan, as already 
stated, had nuuKt rluiiii to tlie north half of section 
31 ancl the south half of the noi'theast ((uarter of 
section 27 — a total of 400 acres. If he purcha.<eii 
the north half of section 34, he could not purchase 
the other. Sjirague. who was living upon the 
the south half of the northeast (piarter of section 
27. felt th;it iiere was his opportimily to get cheap 
land, and become the owner of a prospective vil- 
lage, lie proposed to avail himself f)f the oppor- 
tunity. Of all things, this did not suit Mr. Good- 
rich. As he had not claimed Ijut what only 
amounted to 240 acres, he could yet purchase 
eighty acres more. He. therefore, purchased of 
Mr. McEwan his claim to the south half of the 
northeast quarter of section 27, but with the under- 
standing that on receiving his deed he was to deed 
to ^Ir. Sprague one .aci-e, comprising in part the 
land on which his cabin and sho|) were located. 

On returning home from the sales. Mr. Goodrich 
at once instructed James Pierce, who was a prac- 
tical surveyor, to survey f)ne acre of ground to 
Sprague. and that he should be careful that it was 
a full acre, but not a foot more. His instructions 
were carried out to the letter, and Mr. .S|)raguegot 
an acre with live sides to it. The land was entered 
by ;Mr. Goodrich April 13, 1840, and April 27. 
1840, he deeded Sprague the acre of ground. .\ 
l)ark com])rising twenty-three acres was laid out 
l)y Mr. (Goodrich, which fronted on the south the 
land owned b}- Peter McEwan, doubtless for the 
purpose of giving the latter any advantages that 
might accrue from the location of the village. 

As stated. Joseph Goodrich returned to his west- 
ern home March 4, 1839. He was a member of the 
Seventh D.ay Baptist Church, and at his house the 
first religious Services were held in what is now the 
village of Milton, on the Sabbath (Saturday, or 
Seventh day ) following. March 9. A society was 
organized Nvhich met every alternate sabbath at the 
houses of Joseph Goodrich and Henry 1!. Crandall. 
Previous to this time, however, religious services 
were held in the town, the lirst l)eiug at the house 
of S. 1). Butts, March, 1838. by the Revs. Hal- 
sted and Pillsbury, two ."Melhodisl E])iscopal min- 
isters. On the 16th d.ay of August, 1838, a Con- 
gregational Church was organized in the Walker 



■^^ 



^' 



-4*- 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1017 



4 



neiglihorliooil. which is saiil to have hec'ii the third 
religious society orgMiiizcd in Wisconsin. 

The lirst sciiool in tlic town was in the wintei- of 
1839-40, at tho liousc of Hoiiry B. Crandall, and 
was tauglit hy Miss Olive llall. now Mrs. James 
Pierce. In Milton village some months later Knos 
C. Dickson, now a respected citizen of the town of 
Harmony, taught a term of school at the house of 
Joseph Goodricli. Tlie first was a private school, 
and the latter was a pulilic school. 

The first birth in the town was that of Daniel 
.Smith, son of Daniel F. and Klizn .Smith, Feb. 2t, 
1839. He died at the age of five years. The first 
hirtli in the village was that of David T>.. son t)f 
Orrin Sprague, April 2;i, 1S|I). 

The first death in the town was th.at of .lane 
Bowers, daugiiter of Andrew and llann.ah Bowers, 
Sei)t. I-f. 1838. Tiie third (ieath, Mrs. Diana Wa- 
terman, wife of Ilezekiah Waterman, who died 
Nov. '), 1839, and was buried in Milton Cemetery, 
the first there interred. 

The first marriage was that of .lames .Murray 
and Margaret McKwan. Jan. 1, 1840. 

No building was erected in the village of INlillon 
in 1839 save those mentioned, but in 1840 a build- 
ing wa.s erected b3" Mr. Goodrich, and occupied by 
Mr. F^gglcston as a blacksmith shop. Mr. Bassetl, 
a cari>enter, erected a building for him.self near the 
northeast corner of the square, while Jacob Davis 
built at the northeast corner of the square. 

For some cause there was no convej'ance made 
by Mr. Goodrich to either of those men for several 
years after their settlement. The first conve3ance 
was to Sprague; the second was to Davis, March 
14,1844; the third to .Tohn Chittil, Feb. 13,181(5. 
Mr. Chittil soon afterward erected a store build- 
ing, and was the third person to engage in mercan- 
tile trade. During this year James L. Quirk, who 
for a time had been engaged in tailoring, added a 
few groceries in connection, purchased a lot and 
erected a building. 

Slowly the village i)egan to form .around the 
square laid out by Mr. Goodrich. In the first ten 
years he m.ade about fifteen or twenty conveyances 
of lots, principally on the north and west sides of 
the square. In the fall of 1844 John Alexander 
came to Milton bringing with him a small stock of 

^19 ' 



goods. Renting a room i]i the house of Peter Mc- 
Fwan he opened up the second store in Milton, 
Jan. 29, 184.'). Alexander Paul purchased a lot of 
McKwan fronting the park, on which he erected a 
store building, into which Mr. Alexander moved 
his stock of goods. A large granary was subse- 
(luently erected by Mr. Alexander for the storage 
of grain taken in exchange for- merchandise. At cer- 
tain seasons of the year he shipped the grain to Mil- 
waukee by teams, which, returning, brought loads 
of general merchandise. The second building erected 
fronting the i)ark on the southeast corner was built 
by Asa Weaver as a dwelling house. The Congre- 
gational Church was the third on the south. About 
18|(;Peier McKwan donated a lot opi)osite the 
park to the CongregationaPChurcli, .and from time 
to time he sold other lots from off his tract, the 
northeast quarter of section 34. Thus the vill.agc 
has spread out until at present writing (July, 
1889) it covers an area of about KJO acres. It has 
never been incorporated, l)ut now c(>utaius about 
1. 000 inhabitants, and is represented by the vari- 
ous lines of lousiness necessary to supply the wants 
of the community. l{eligiousl3', the Congregation- 
al ists, Methodist Episcopal and Seventh Day Bap- 
tists arc represented, the latter greatly preponder- 
ating. The first to commence the proclamation of 
the gospel, it has held the lead, and is represented 
by Millf)n College, an educational institution 
which has sent forth a large number of men and 
women, who have become noted in church and 
State. 

In 1852 the present Chicago, Milwaukee and .St. 
Paul Railroad was built through the place, and 
shortly afterward a small portion of the village ly- 
ing on either side of the road, was platted. All the 
remainder has been sold by metes and bounds with- 
out being platted. 

Milton Junction, lying one mile west, owes its 
existence to the building of the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, which crosses the Chicago. Mil- 
waukee it St. Paul Railroad at this point. The road 
was built through here in 18.")8. when G. W. Mat- 
thews erected a hotel at the crossing of the two 
roads on the site of the present .Morgan House. 
The village has since had a slow but steady growth, 
and to-daj' numbering about 1.000 inh.abitant.s. T 



I 



1018 



ROCK COUNTY. 



i 



presents a very neataiifl attractive appearance. Its 
business men seem to be thriving, with almost 
every chiss of business represented. There' are 
three churciies in the villaare. aiifl its public sciiools 
compare favorably with any in the county. The 
Milton Junction News is a live local paper, and is 
published \veel<ly. 

Tiu- town of Millon, including- its two villajres is 
well represented in the liiograpiiicMl depnrtnicnt of 
this work. 

The Seventh Day Baptist Church of Milton was 
organized Nov. 12, 1840, by the adoption of ar- 
"ticles of faith and a constitution, both of which 
were very simple in form, concise and compre- 
hensive. Previous meetings had been held for the 
puri)0se of studying the Word of CJod. the first as 
early as March ',), 1839, in the house of .Joseph 
Goodrich, five days after the arrival of Mr. Good- 
rich and his family in this county, which was the 
first white family that settled in Milton. 

The church was organized with sixty meml)ers, 
who for a long time worshipped in the house of 
Henry B. Craiulall, who is still living at Edgerton, 
and is over ninety years of age. Subsequently the 
place of worship w.as changed to the house of Mr. 
Goodrich, and afterwards to the old .Vcademy. In 
1852 a large and commodious church edifice was 
erected, which was twice afterwards enlarged, the 
original buihling and its adilitions costing -^.'i.OOO. 
This building was erected upon two lots donated 
by Mr. Joseph Goodrich. At a meeting of the 
church and society held Feb. .■). 1882. it was voted 
to erect a new house of woi'ship on the site of the 
old one, which was done at a cost of nearly :3;7,000, 
and completed in March, 188;i, and dedicated Oct. 
I;'), 1883, when arrangements had been completed 
for liquidating all indebtedness incurred in its 
erection. It is a beautiful building, Gothic in its 
general design, the admiration of the beholder. 
Sabbath-school rooms and auditorium arc all on 
the same floor. Additions have been made to the 
membershii), sometimes at revival seasons, but 
more recently without wh.at are termed '■ pro- 
tracted meetings," 34() individuals having been 
baptized into its memliershii) from the beginning, 
seventy-nine under the labors of its present pastor; 
423 have been dismisseil l)v letter to form other 



churches or to unite with those already formed, 
about 100 of these uniting with the Seventh Daj- 
Baptist Cluirch at Millon .Tunction at tho time of 
and since the latter's organization. 'I'he church 
has assisted in the establishment of eleven other 
churches in this State, Minnesota, Illinois and Dji- 
kota. This has been effected by thi? dismission of 
members for that purpose and by contribulions of 
money to aid in organizing and building u|) these 
weaker societies. Thus it will be seen that the 
church has been a center from which has radiated 
other centers of Christian [mwer and influence. It 
is largely through the influence of this church that 
no license has ever been granted in the town of 
Milton for the sale of intoxicants. 

The following is a list of the pastors from 1841 
to the present year: 1811-4.5. Rev. Stillman Coon; 
184G-1850, Rev. Zuriel Campbell; 1850-56, Rev. 
Varnani Hull; 185G-5!l. Rev. William C. Whitford, 
1). 1).; 185D-(i4, Rev. O. P. Hull; 18G4-71,Rev. 
D. E. Maxson, 1). D.; 1871-74, Rev. S. C. Rogers; 
1874-70, supplied by the Rev. J. C. Rogers; 
1870-89, Rev. Elston M. IJunn, present incumbent. 

The present membership is 213. It w-ould be 
much larger numerically but for rei)ealed success- 
ful efforts recently to erase the names of all wliose 
whereabouts cannot be .ascertained or who have 
abandoned their faith and [Mactiee. The church h.as 
always maintained a flourishing Snnda\- -school ; its 
present superintendent is S. B. Saunders, cashier of 
the bank. Mr. Saunders is also conducting a mis- 
sion work at Rock River, supplying them with 
preaching each Sabbath, enlisting 3'oung men who 
exp(v't to enter the ministry in this work, and when 
they caimot be procured Mr. Saunders talks to 
them himself, his congregations varying from 
twenty-five to sixty. This mission work is per- 
formed under the auspices of the Milton Church, 
which has a missionary committee of nine persons, 
elected by the church annually, whose dtitj- it is to 
work in and outside of the society as opportunity 
may offer. This committee holds its meetin<>s 
monthly. One of their number, a female member 
of the church, born on heathen soil, em|)loys most 
of her time in this work, and is remuneiated bv 
the voluntary contributions of the church. The 
church is doing otlier missionary woi'k on the fii-st 



t 



■► m^ 






RUCK COUNTY. 



1019 



(lay of the week. orLf.'uiizinf^ aiifl concUicting' Sun- 
(l.iy-seliools uiul supplying (kstitute neigh borlioods 
with preaching. 

Tiie Methoilisl Kpiscopni Ciiiiich of Milton, Wis., 
was organized in the fall of 1840 by Kev. jMatlliew 
Bennett, with a memhershlp of nine, viz.: .\l)raham 
Biillis and wife, William P. Ind and wife. .Jacob 
Bowers, Mrs. 1). 1). Sowles. Miss C. C. Atherton, 
now Mrs. William MeEwnn, and a local preacher. 
Rev. A. Warren and his wife. Previous to this 
organization, meetings were held from time to 
time liy preachers .sent by (he Illinois Conference. 
As early as 18:57, Rev. Jesse Ilalstead |)reaclied to 
the settlers. lie was followed by Rev. C. 1). Pills- 
bury, Rev. Hodges and Father McK.ay. The first 
services of the society were held in the old stone 
•school-house. In .laiuiai-y, 18.54, steps were taken 
to erect a chuich wliith was completed in the fall 
of the same yeai-. 

Messrs. Abraham Bullis, William P. Ind, Jacob 
Bowers. Loander Ilalleck and Charles M. Drake 
constituted the l)oard of trustees. Messrs. P. G. 
McComber, Joel Wood and David Walsh were af- 
terward added to the board. The church was a 
frame building with a stone basement, with a seat- 
ing capacity of 225 and cost ^1,500. The lot uiion 
which it was erected was the gift of Mr. Peter 
McHwan. The church was enlarged and repaired 
at a cost of -^2,400 under the pastorate of Rev. D. 
L. Barrows, and is now a beautiful house of wor- 
ship, car|)eteil throughout, with elegant seats and 
pulpit furniture. 

The Milton .lunction Methodist Episcop.al 
Church was organized and a church erected in the 
year 1HG7 under the pastorate of Rev. A. A. IIos- 
kin, at a cost of ^2,000. It was built originally as 
a Methodist church with the privilege of being 
used by other denominations, when not occupied. 
For several years the church was closed, until in 
1883 Rev. I). L. Barrows began services, since 
which time they h.'ive regularl}' continued. The 
house was handsonu'ly decorated in 1888 and 
otherwise improved under Rev. W. B. Robinson. 

There is now a good congregation an<l nourishing 
Sunda3'-school. 

Vote— William McEwan claims that S. D. and 

1(1 that Nathan 



tN'oTE— Willuim McKwan claims tl 
D.injel Butts were here in \s:H\ am 




Storrs came in 1838. When Spratrue came he had 
two span ofhoises and liis tools, lie did not repre- 
sent to .Mr. McKwaii that he was sent out by Good- 
lich. The flist relij;Joiis services, he claim's, were 
held liy the Rev. .Mr. Ilalstead. 



Newark. 



f|^^^EWARK is situated 

III jlj of the county, it 
liv2^ separating it from t 



^EWARK is situated in the southwestern part 
its south boundary line 
the State of Illinois. It 
was organized by act of the Legislature, approved 
February 2, 184(;, and included tlie present town of 
Avon, adjoining it on the west. The first town 
meeting was held at the house of I. I). Marvin, 
April 1, 184G. In 1842, Mrs. Gunale, a Norwegian 
widow lady, made the first location in the town, 
and erected the first log cabin. The following year 
she was followed by several of her countrymen. In 
the year 1844, i)urcliases and improvements were 
made by Nathaniel Strong. J. B. Smyth. John Ste- 
phens, Peter JIc^■aill, A. G. Felt, P. P. Ch.ase and 
others. A Lutheran Church was organized in 
1844, a Congregational Church in 181.3, and a 
Baptist Church in 1849. 

P«>i-ter. 

ORTER lies in the northwestern part of the 
county, its northern boundary separating 
it from the county of Dane. By an act of 
the Legislature, approved Feb. 2, I84(!, it 
was incorporated b^' the name of •• Oak." At the 
next session, an act was approved changing its 
boundaries and name. It was made to include town- 
ship 4 north, of range 11 cist, its present liniil.s. 
It received its name in honor of one of the principal 
and proprietors in the town — Dr. .lohn Porter. 
The first settlers were Joshua Webb, William 
Webb, John Rhinchart, John Winst^>n, Joseph Os- 
born, Robinson Bent. Charles Stokes, Solomon 
Griggs, John R. Boyce, John Cook and Daniel 
Cook. A list of early farmers shows, among the 
largest, Daniel Lovejoy. Horace Fessendeii. .Samuel 
Pound. .Ier(»me V:iughaii. .lohn While, I'^arle W(i(hI- 




i 



^ a 4 * 



1020 



ROCK COUNTY. 



"M^ 



Iniry. Levi Sanires. C. ^'a^Igllan, Robert ]N[erviii, 
.1. P. Miller. William Webh, J. Pouiul, Roger 
Shepherd, Dennis McCarthy and Stepher Allen. 

Couksville, in the town of Porter, on the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railway, twenty' miles north- 
west of Janesvillc. was laid out in 1842 by John 
Cook, who honghl and platted the west half of sec- 
tion () under tiiis name. Cook built a saw-mill on 
Badfish Creek in 1812. and in 1844 sold it to John 
Shepard, who began the erection of a gristmill 
which was completed in 1847. Another has since 
been built. One is owned by W. H. Leedle & Son; 
the other is managed by Charles W. Jock cV' Son. 
The first store was opened in 184.5 by John J). 
Chambers, and in 1845 the owner of the east half 
of section platted it under the name of Waucoma. 
The post-oflice was established in 1849, with J. D. 
Chambers as postmaster. The village contains two 
gristmills, two churches and a i)ublic school. 
Population, 175. 



Plyiiioiith. 

.LYMOITII is situated in the southwest 
([uarter of the county. It w.as organized 
b}- act of Territorial Legislature, approved 
March 8, 1848, to include all of township 2 
north, of range 11 east, was first settled in the 
spring of 1841. David and Stephen C. Douglass 
and Samuel Colby arrived with their families from 
Michig.an on the 31st of May, and pitched their 
tent near the center of section 2. on the bank of a 
branch of Bass Creek. They made use of their 
tent and covered wagons, of which they had three, 
for a habitation, and they were enabled to build a 
house for the elder Douglass. Their nearest neigh- 
bors east were Jasjier P. Sears, on Rock River, and 
Judge Holmes and family, who lived on the farm 
now (1856) owned by David Noggle. To the west 
were John Crall, Abraham Fox, John D. Holmes, 
Alansou Clawson, Wendel Fockler, George W. 
Adams and father, with their families, some nine 
miles distant. The first town meeting was held 
AuLT. 28, 1848. The supervisors elected were 
Caleb Luman. chairman ; George Ayers and Samuel 

^ « 




Smiley. The number of votes polled was seventy- 
one. 

Hanover, in the town of Plymouth, at the junc- 
tion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- 
way and the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 
eight miles southwest of Janesvilie, was first 
located by Joseph Ilohensheldt, in 1844. He was 
followed the next year by Mathias Gundel and 
wife, but about that time imigration almost ce.ased. 
The village was platted April 16, 1856. by John L. 
V. Thomas and wife, proprietors. The Milwaukee 
& Mississippi Railroad, as the Chicago, Milwaukee 
cfc St. Paul road was then called, was finished so 
that the first freight was received at Hanover, Sept. 
4, 1857. In 1856 a post-office w.as established, 
with William Ranney as postmaster. The first 
birth was that of Montana Hohensheldt in 1845. 
TUe first marriage was that of Simon Hohensheldt 
and Miss Fox. in 1854. The first store was opened 
in 1856, by Nathan Highme. A gristmill was 
built in the same year by S. F. Chapman and is 
now owned by A. Beekman. The school-house 
was erected in 1858. The village has one church, 
of the German Lutheran denomination. 

Footville. on the northern border of the town of 
Plymouth, on the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
wuv, ten miles west of Janesvilie, was first settled 
in 1845. by Mr. E. A. Foot, from whom it derives 
its name. The locality was formerly- knuwn as 
Bachelors' (4 rove, and for six years had the distinc- 
tion of being the terminus of the (iaiena & Chicago 
Union Railroad (as tiie line was first designated) 
then in course of construction. E. F. Richards 
was the second settler, and his and Mr. Fool's and 
two other families, who came later, constituted 
Footville's population until 1854. when the railroad 
became an established fact. The first store was 
opened by Watson Beacli, in 1853; the second in 
1854, by Bancroft it Northway. The first born 
here was a daughter of E. F. Richards, who later 
became Mrs. N. L. Maxon. The first marriage was 
that of E. A. Dougl.ass and Martha Beach, Christ- 
mas, 1846. The first death was that of a woman 
at Mr. Foot's house. Julius Gilbert taught the first 
school in a log-house belonging to Mr. Foot in 
1848. About a 3'ear later a school-house was built 
half a mile north of the village, in Center, which in 



r 



h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1021 ^ ,! 



1853 was removed to Footville ami was occupied 
there for school purposes till 185;), wlieii tlie 
Methodist Church was built and tlie scliool was re- 
moved to it. coiUiiuuii<>- tliere till 1875. when the 
chuich l)uni('d and an adequate frame school-house 
was huill. The post-otlice, formerly Bachelors' 
(Jrt)ve, was establislipd in 1815. witli E. F. Richards 
as postmaster. 'J he village contains two stores, two 
l)lacksniitli-shops. a harness-shop, a shoe-shop, a 
hotel and three churches. I'opiiiation .'iOO. 



•i- 



-*^ 



llotk. 

^ilpj"!) V an act of the Territorial Lesjislature, ap- 
jl^ proved March 8, 1839. the town of Rock 
■jfM) I: was erected. Its boundaries were originally 
^^s=^ co-extensive with those of Rock County at 
the present time. Almost three years i)assed before 
it w.ns organized. It was tiien reduced to almost 
its present limits; for the act of the Legislature, 
apjiroved February 17. 18 12, restricted it to ''town- 
ship 2 nortli. of range 12 east, excepting fractional 
sections 1 ami 2, lying north and west of Rock 
River," which was "oi'gani/.ed into a se|)arate town 
by the name of Rock." It w.as also declared that 
the iirst election should "be held at the house of 
.lasper .Sears." As the city of .lanesville afterward 
absorl)ed the whole of sections 1 and 2. in township 
2. north of range 12 east," the town included, as 
now, the wliole of the towr.ship just named, except 
these sections. The first town election was held 
Aprils, 1812. when the following ticket was chosen: 
Supervisors: — George W. Briltain (Chairman), 
.lames Heath and J. V. .Scars; Town Clerk, Ira AV .ash- 
burn ; A.s.sessor, Rufus Washburn; Treasurer. Richard 
S. Inman; Collector. .1. Wesley Inman. .Some of 
the earliest prominent settlers in this town are 
mentioned in the history of the city of Jauesville. In 
Xi)vember, 18;{(i. Richard Inman arrived with his 
family and entered land in section 27. .Mr. Clau- 
son settled on Iho Youngs' farm in 18.^7. The 
Uathernmn farm was settled by .leremiah Roberts 
il'e s;ime year. The site of the village of Aflon 
w.is settled by Hiram IJrown about the same time. 
Rufus and Ira Washburn and J. I'. Sears made the 
tirst settlements on the west side of the river in 



•^ 



^^^^ 



1838, and the Major Inman farm was settled by 
Mr. Fox; (J. W. Rrittain settled in the town, .and 
Hrestol m.ade the first claim on I). W. Inman's farm 
the same year. In 1810. Kzekiel Clapp and Prosper 
A. Pierce settled on section 2. and Klijah Nourse 
came into the town. In 1841 came Israel Inin:ui, 
.lohn Dougherty and .Mr. Hurt. -In 1842," wrote 
one of the pioneers, '-Mr. Nan Antwerp arrived." 
In 1841 J. F. Willard purchased Mr. Warren's 
claim in section 10. The Antisdells, Comstocks 
and Newtons came about 1843-44. In 1850, a 
colony from Rensselaer County, N. Y., .settled in 
the northwest [lart of the town. Among them were 
Z. P. Hurdick and his biother. M. L. Hurdick, A. 
P. ILayner. Israel Smith and subsecjuently. Mr. J. 
P. J. Hayner. These arrivals :idded not a little to 
the agricidtural reputation of the town, as they 
pursued the Eastern mode of farming, which con- 
trasted very favorably with the loose Wisconsin 
method. The first 'breaking' done in Rock, or in 
the county, was on the northwest cpiarter of section 
11, upon the farm of .1. F. Willard, by John In- 
man, in the spring of 1830. It was 'cropped' with 
buckwheat, and produced a fair yield. He was 
com|)ellcd to go to Rockford to get his plow sharp- 
ened, it taking two days to make the trip. The 
first house erected on the west side of the river 
was bj- Ira Washburn, in 1838. The first wedding 
in the town of Rock took i)lacc at the house of 
Richard Inman. .^lareh 30. 1840, the parties being 
(■eergfi W. Rrittain and Mi.ss .Sylvania Inman. 
"If the opinion of speculators and large real- 
estate operators from the East is enlitletl to consid- 
eration and respect, the town of Rock stands 
number one. if not more, in regard to superior lo- 
cations and natural .-ulvantages for building up 
cities and villages; for surely no town in the county 
has figured so largely in that de|)artnient as the 
town of Rock. Its corner and water lots have 
made no small figure in Wall stree; its lithogra|)hed 
city plats have been honored with a conspicuous 
place in all the great land-agency olHces of the 
country. At one time, this town could boast of 
four cities and villages — 'Wisconsin City,' 'Kosh- 
konong Cit}',' ' Rock[)ort,' ■ Monterey ' and • Afton.' 
Rockiiort was laid out l)y Thomas Holmes in De- 
cember. 1815. and was the first surveyed village (or 



t 



f- 



u 



•«»> 



u 



1022 



ROCK COUNTY. 



city) in the county. 'Wisconsin City ' was surveyed 
by luraan. Breese and Slie|>lierd, in 1836; 'City of 
Koslikonong,' in the sununer of tlie same year, by 
Kenzie. Iluntur and I5ool)y; 'Monterey,' by Ira 
Miltimore. in 1850. By an act of the Legislature 
of Wisconsin, approved March 19, 18.53. tlie city 
of .lauesville was incorporated, and, by its charter 
sections 1 and 2 of tlie town of Rock were brought 
witliin its limits. Consequently, ' Monterey ' and 
• Kockport ' are now a part of the territory belong- 
ing to the city of Janesville. With sections 1 and 
2, there also passed from the town many of the lo- 
calities "where the pioneers located." 

Afton, near the soutliern border of the town of 
Rock, on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, six 
miles southwest of Janesville, first became known 
through the medium of the railroad, in 1855. J. 
Allen, John Jloore, Reuben Deuel, and Mr. Dimock 
were the first to locate on its site. It was laid out 
in 1855 by Joseph Cliurch (the land then belonging 
to Tripp, Hoyt and Hodgson) .and speedily settled. 
The first birth was that of Sally, daughter of Charles 
Tulker, in i855. Rev. Albert Newton (Baptist) 
anil Klvira Washburn were the first couple married. 
The first death wjis that of a non-resident 3'oung 
man who, while stopping there, took strychnine for 
quinine. The school w.as opened by Charles Newton 
in 1847, in the old Watts Hotel, a mile north of 
the village. The gristmill was built in 1872 by J. 
F. Leitel and is now operated by Uehling & Bodden. 
The vilLage also has a church and a creamery. 
Population, 140. 



Spriiij; Valley. 

^\ PRING VALLEY lies in the southwest 
portion of the county, its western boundary 
separating it from Green. It was org.an- 
ized by act of the Legislature, approved 
Feb. 2, 1846. Its territory includes township No. 
2 north, of range No. 10 east. The first town 
Mieeting was held at the house of Nicholas E. 
Phelps. John Call was the first settler. Among 
those who soon after made claims were James Kirk- 
pat rick, Erastns C. Smith. Robert Taylor, Roderick 




M. Smith, James Bradshaw, Almerin Sprague. Amos 
Remington, Allen Ilurllmt. S. C,. .Mills and Solomon 
Rose. 

Orfordville is an outgrowth of the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railroad, upon the line of which 
it is situated, in the town of Spring \alley, sev- 
enty-four miles southwest of Milwaukee, and four- 
teen miles southwest of .binesviilc. It was first 
settled in 1850 by Isaac Wright, who located on a 
farm south of the raili-oad; l)ul it w.as not until 
1857, when the railroad was completed to that 
point, that it began to grow. • The vill.age was 
laid out and named by J. T. Dodge, a surveyor of 
Janesville. in 1855, and included about sixtj- 
acres, part of which was re-devoted to farming 
when jt l)ecame evident the village would not 
cover it. The first merchant was Edwin Ibuimg- 
ton, who begiin business about about 1855. A 
year later David Il.arris and Daniel Mow built a 
store, which was occupied by onetireenleaf. About 
twelve months after the opening of this second 
store .'I third — a grocery and liquor store — was es- 
tablished by Thompson & Diamond. The first 
birth was that of "Patsey" Coleran, in 1857; the 
first marriage that of Edward Wright and Edith 
Clark, in 1856; the first deatii that of Mrs. David 
Harris, in 1859. The first school was taught in 
1846 bj' Clara Sprague, in what was afterw.ird the 
residence of Isaac Wright. A second school-house 
wiis built in 1848, which gave place to the present 
one in 1862. The hotel w.as opened by S. A. 
Thompson in 1857. The village contains Baptist, 
Lutheran, and Methodist Churches, and ships live- 
stock anil grain. Population, 300. 




Turtle. 

5)URTLE is situated on the southern boundary 
of tlie county. It was organized by an act 
tif the Legislature, approved Feb. 2, 1846, 
and included in its limits township 1 and tlie south 
half of township 2 north, of range 13 east. Subse- 
quently the last half township was set off to La 
Prairie. Among the first settlers were D. B. Eg- 
ery, D. Bennett. R. Doll, Chauncey Tuttle, John 
Lewis, A. Lewis, S. G. Calley, and .lohn lIoi)kiiis. 



■♦- 



:?^rf-^ 



I 



-^•- 



ROCK COb^'TY. 



102.i 



Others, 'viio came from 183(5 to 1S5G, were the fol- 
lovvinji-: D. IM. Pelton, J. II. Puole, All)eit I'oiter, 
W. riekelt, C. Provost, Chiiiincv Hoss. .1. F. Ross. 
K. C. Reigart, L. K. Ross, F. L. Ross, .1. 11. Reig.art, 
S. I). Ross, Wi Ilium II. St:iik, .Swingle, S. II. Shiy- 
maiier, Alexander Tliom. II. L. Shoemaker, W. S. 
Thoni, C. M. Treat, S. \V. Hart, li. F. Mnrray, 
S. .AInrray,G. M. Murray, II. II. MeLenegan. II. J. 
Murray, Joel Miner, C. 1'. .Murray, S. A. Murray, 
N. McLaugliliu, Philo Porter, IJenjainiu Park, 
George W. Porter, R. J. liurdette, William Hraud, 
Adam liell, Thomas Crosby, Mrs. A. E. Coe, K. .1. 
Carpenter, C. T. Curtis, (i. II. Crosby, G. U. Cul- 
ver, E. .1. Dole, I). D. Egery, .1. M. Everett, O. C. 
Gates, .1. B. (Gordon, William (iates, Erastus (iiles, 
Edward (iiles, Russell Harvey, F. A. IIunn)lirey, 
and Thomas Holmes. The first town meeting was 
held April 7, 1816. 

Sliojiiere, in the town of Turtle, on Turtle Creek, 
and on the Chicago i^- Northwestern Railroad, eleven 
miles south of .lanesville. was first made the abiil- 
ing place of a white man in 1831), by Caleb E. 
Culver. Mr. lIoi)kius came in 1840, Mr. Ulack- 
stoiie and Mr. I'.lodgelt, two or three years later. 
The lirst log house was erected by Mr. Culver, the 
first farm house by Jared Randall, in 1811, and the 
first stoiU! house by Jlr. Cuher. in 1 8 J2. Mr. lUack- 
stone opened the first store. The first birth was 
that of Charles (Udver, shortly after the arrival of 
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Caleb E. Culver. The 
post-ollice was established in 18.')0. with .S. P. Har- 
vey as Postmaster. The llouring-niill was built in 
1848-l'.t by Harvey, Randall it Dextader. George 
Sears ac()uired a half-interest in it in 18()C. and 
became sole proprietor in 1873. The Turtle Cheese 
Factory was established in 1873, by F. N. Parker. 
The school house was built in ISaG. Hesides the 
fiouring-mill. .Shoijiere contains a wagon factor}' 
and two churches. Population, 300. 



Union. 

^NU»N, the northwestern town in the county, 
was organized by an act of Legislature ap- 
proved February 11, 1812. and .at that time 

Porter and the 







included what is now Union, 



north half of Magnolia. Its present limits are 
identical with those of township i north, of range 
10 east. The earliest settlers were Iraand Stephen 
.lones, Uoyd Phelps. Charles McMillan, Hiram 
(iritlith, .John .Sayles, Erastus Quiney* Washington 
Iligday. Samuel Lewis, Jacob West, John T. Baker, 
Levi Leonard and Willis T. Uunton. 

Evansville, in the south part of the town of 
Lnion, on the Chicago, St. Paul & Milwaukee line 
of the Chicago & Northwestern Railwaj', tiventy- 
two miles south of Madison and sixteen miles 
northwest of J.ancsville, was incorporated as a vil- 
lage in 18()7. The first settler on what is now the 
village plat, was Amos Kirkpatrick, in 1842. Wil- 
hur Potter came about the same time and started a 
chair factory. Ilenr}' and Lewis Spencer arriveil 
a little later and erected the lirst frame dwelling, 
rp to 1848 the jjrincipal center of business between 
Janesville and M.atlison was at the vill.age of I'nion. 
three miles north of the present site of Evansville. 
In that year, William Winston .and C. R. Bent 
built and o|)ened the first store at this point, which 
at that d.ate had neither name nor post-ollice. The 
post-otHce was established in 184'.t under its present 
name. Jacob \Vest had the first contract for car- 
rying the mail, and his son, James R. West, then 
twelve years old, carried it ou horsehack. The first 
postmaster was Curtis R. Bent. The village was 
platted in 1855. The first .school was taught in a 
log school-house by Levi Leonard. The old semi- 
nary building w.as erected in 18.").') and the graded 
school building in 1868-(JU. The Bank of Evans- 
ville was organized as the Firet National Bank of 
Ev.ansville, in 1870. It surrendered its charter in 
1875 and was reorganized under the State law and 
soon afterward changwl hands. The capital is 
?!50,000, Lloyd T. Pulleu is president and (ieorge 
L. Pulleu cashier. Evansville is fast gaining that 
prominence as a manufacturing center, which its 
location and the liberal i)olicy of its citizens justly 
entitle it to. Among the principal industries are a 
large pump and wind-mill factory, a cjuriage and 
wagon manuf.actory, a tack factory, a creamery anti 
a llourmill. There are five churches, two good 
graded schools and a public hall. Two weekly 
newsiiajiers. the I'Jntfrprise and the Rerieir. are 
ably edited. The population i- 1.700. 



f 



4~ 




f 



4•— 

1024 




ROCK COUNTY. 




rm 



fwl ^-^ ^ -^ ri 

'LAM ^•••fcS'^ 






AN'J<JS\ILJ>E, located ueiiily 
in tlu' geographical center 
I if Hock Comity, and about 
three and one-half hours trav- 
1)V railway from Milwau- 
\ i%:>./ kca and Chicago, is the seat 
ej^_ 'i;,i^P^ of justice of tiiis county and one 
. I of the most iiii|)ort.>nt commer- 
cial and manuf.acturing centers 
^ in this part of the country. It 
is provided with fine water-power, 
afforded by Roek River, which 
Hows iliagonally acro.ss the town. 
and excellent railway facilities, both 
of whii-h have contributed largely 
to advance the cit_v to its present 
ackiiowledgod importance. Janesville was made 
the .seat of justice of Rock County in 1839. 

.Settlement at this point was begun .about tifty 
years ago. The first settlers in the vicinity were 
.lohn Innian and some companions. In December, 
l.H.'i.")., Samuel St. John an<l liis family arrived. The 
wife and child of St. John were the first white 
woman and child brought to the Roek River valley. 
In January following Dr. .lames Heath and wife 
came, and in February Henry V. Janes made his 
claim :iiid went back for his family. In March 
came .judge William Holmes and his wife and their 
il nighter Catherine and their sons John and George. 




Other sons of (u'Orge Holmes had preceded them 
and lived in a cabin on the hillside. The Holmes' 
constructed a rude ferry-boat to i)ly on the river 
and when they had built a large log house on the 
opposite side, em|)loyed the boat in moving over. 
Rock River Valley became widely known and the 
advance of settlement was so rapitl that it became 
evident that at no distant period the place would 
develop into a l.irge and thriving frontier town. 

The energy with which the pioneers labored to 
promote the advance of civilization was wonderful. 
\\ithiu a year and a half from the day of Inman's 
arrival three distinct villages were located, surveyed 
and staked out in lots, blocks, squares and streets 
within the i)re.sent limits of .lanesvillc. The first 
of these was called " Rockport " and its plat was 
filed by Thomas A. Holmes. Joshua Holmes, G. S. 
Ilosmer, George Reed and H. L. Hosmer. The 
second was ••Wisconsin City." the plat of which 
was filed by .lohn Inman, Jeremiah Price. Josiah S. 
Erase, James S. Seymour, John H. Ilardenburg. 
George C. Seelye and Kdward Shephard. The third 
was surveyed and platted by Henry F. .lanes, who 
called it •' Janesville," in his own honor. .Some of 
the events growing out of the strife between these 
rival villages were ludicrous. There was uuich 
speculation, and the speculative transactions in the 
southwestern •• boom " towns of a more recent 
date scarcely furnish more interesting history. 



I 



-<*■ 



ROCK COUNTY. 



102j 



4- 



An act incoiporatinjr the citj- of .Iniu'sviUe was 
ajipiovi'd IMaicli l',». 1853. The liist clwlion was 
liclil on tlio (irst ruesdMy in April. lx.')3. and ru- 
sulted in the choice of the foUowini;- ollicers : — 
Mayor, A. Hyatt Smith: Clerk. .). 11. O^ilvie; .Su- 
perintendent of Schools, C. P. King; Treasurer. J. 
W. llol)son; Attorney. C. 8. Jordan: Marslial, W. 
F. Tompkins: Aldermen — I!. F. I'ixley, E. L. 
KoJDerts and W. 1'. lUirroughs. of the first ware': 
J. J. R. Pease. Timothy .Tackmau and (Jeorge 
Harries of the second ward; K. A. Ilowand. B. 15. 
Eldredge and Charles II. Conrad, of tlie third ward; 
and (ieorge II. Williston. (ieorije W. Taylor and 
John Carlin, of the fourth ward; Justices of the 
Peace — Moses S. I'ritchard of the lirst ward: Al)ra 
ham C. Bailey, of the second wai'd; Lucius Field, 
Of the third ward; and J). Clow, of the fourtli 
ward. The comuion council first met on the even- 
ing of A|)ril 12, 1.S53. and 1!. F. Pi.xley was elected 
president of the hoard. 

The present city government consists of the fol- 
lowing named gentlemen: — Mayor. John Winans; 
City Clerk, P. S. F'enton; Treasurer. Michael 
^Murphy ; Street Commissioner, John Brown ; Sealer, 
Levi Canniff. Other officers elected hy tlie city 
at large are as follows: Justice of the Peace, M. 
8. Prichard :md F. .M. Scanlan ; .School Commis- 
sioners at large. (}. O. .Sutherland :ind .S. B. Smith. 
The common council is made up of tiie following 
nametl gentlemen. — First ward — Aldermen. I). P. 
Smith, .1. P. B.aker; secon<l ward — Aldermen, W. 
IL Judd, George Ilanthorn; third ward — Alder- 
men, James PL Fathers, C. B. Conrad; fourth 
ward — Aldermen. Charles Horn. .Sutton Norris; 
fifth ward — Aldermen, J. B. McLean, John Casey. 
The members of the Board of Supervisors are as 
follows: — W. F. Carle, lirst ward; Oscar Nowlan, 
second ward; Fenncr Kimball, tliinl ward; Andrew 
Palmer, fourth wanl aud T. M. Lynch, fifth ward. 
.Supervisors arc elected annually, one from each 
ward, also a constable from each ward. 

Seth B. St. John was the first wiiite child born 
within the present limits of Janesville. The first 
death was that of his mother, Mrs. Samuel B. St. 
John. The event first mentioned occurred in 1836. 
In June. 1839. Ward it Lapi)in opened the lirst 
store. They disst>lved partnership in July, 1849, 
^ 



and Mr. Lappin continued in business by himself. 
In 1811, the second store was opened, near Lap- 
I'in's. by D. A. Richardson. McClure iV Felton, a 
-Milwaukee firm, also opened a store. They failed 
in 1M44 and were succeeded by Stonghton. Law- 
rence (fc Co. This firm later became Lawrence it 
Alwood. The principal citizens of Janesville in 
1839 were John P. Dickson, W. II. H. Bailey, 
Henry F. .lanes. Judge Holmes. Charles .Stevens. 
Luke Stoughton. Dr. Cny Stonghton. John Lang- 
don Kimhajl. General Sheldon and Thomas Lappin. 
In December. 1843, there were 157 dwellings and 
855 inhabitants. Twenty-six of the buildings 
were brick, nine were stone, seven were log and 
the others were frame. A tri-weekly line of four- 
horse stages passed through from Milwaukee to 
Galena, two weekly two-horse stages connected the 
village with Madison, tri-weekly lines were run to 
Dixon's Ferry and Racine and a weekly mail wagon 
ran toChicago. In 1849 the town contained 1,812 
inhabitants and had the following mills: — A starch 
factory, a brewery, two plow shops, three cabinet 
shops, two fixnning-mill shops, two chair factories, 
tiiree carriage shops, nine blacksniilli shops, one 
sash and blind factory, two jewelers' shops, two 
tin shops, a bakery, two lumber yards, three brick 
yards, two stone wharfs, and two saddlers', four 
tailors', three milliners', and two coopers' shops. 
The growth during recent years has been rapid and 
the present po|)ulation is about 12,00(1. Janes- 
ville's manufacturing history woidd be interesting 
could it be written in full, and few inland cities 
exhibit a record of such rapid and substantial pro- 
gress. The first mill was that of Charles St<.-vens. 
built in 1845 and later remodeled and known as 
the -Old F'ord Mill." The "Old Big Mill" wa« 
erected in 184G. by Ira Miltimorc. for A. Hyatt 
Smith, James JlcClurg, Martin O. Walker and 
Shul)£iel W.Smith. Other mills erected later wore 
the •• Ilodson," •• F.armers'." •■ Stone." and •• Bower 
City ■' mills. These and other enterprises marked 
the beginning of manufacture here. The earlier 
productive establishments have piisseil away to 
make room for factories of greater |)retensions and 
wider resources, and a great variety of manufac- 
tures are turned out at this time, includini!' imots 
and shoes, cigars, morocco, agricultural impir- 

w^ 



^ 



r 



I 



102G 



ROCK COUNTY. 



' iT* 



incnts, machinery of near!}' all kinds, carriages 
and wagons, woolen goods, brick, furniture, sash, 
blinds, and liuildors' materials, harness and sad- 
dles, lager beer, iron products of various kinds, 
brooms, perfumes and proprietary medicines and 
numerous other goods which find a ready market 
in all parts of the Iniled States and in nearly every 
enlightened foreign land. 

The Janesville Cotton Mills Company was in- 
corporated in March, 188G. and is an outgrowth of 
the Janesville Cotton Manufacturing Company. 
The first lioard of Directors of the new company 
consisted of W. A. Lawrence. F. S. Eldred, E. C. 
Smith. George Sutherland, E. W. Fisher, A. J. 
Ray, 11. I'arker. William Macloon, A. P. Lovejoy, 
James Sheaier and II. Reichwald. The first offi- 
cers of the company were Henry Palmer, Presi- 
dent; George Sutherland Mce-president; F. S. 
Eklred. Treasurer; A. J. Ray, Secretary; John IT. 
i\Ivers, Manager. Ttiese gentlemen have since 
filled the resi)cctive offices to which thej' were then 
elected. The present Board of Directors is com- 
prised of H. Palmer, G. G. Sutherland, F. S. Eld- 
ri'<l. K. C. Smith. A. J. Ray, James Shearer, H. 
Keichwald, William M.acloon, John H. Myers, E. 
W. Fisiier and John J. R. Pease. The new build- 
ing of the company at Monterey, near the city, 
w:is erected in 1881 .and opened for business 
in January, 188;'). It is a :iO() loom-mill, 
with a c.Tpacity of Ki.OOO yards of sheeting per 
d.ay and employs 175 hands. The city, or upper, 
mill has 100 looms, emploj's 225 hands and turns 
out 35,000 yards pev day. The capital stock of 
tlie new company is $150,000, including both 
mills, and the employes are paid each month the 
sum of .$10,000. 

The Janesville Machine Comitauy w,as incorpor- 
ated Oct. 7. 1881, the incorporators being James 
Harris. Hiram Merrill. William A. Lawrence, J. B. 
Crabe, J. D. Rcxford, S. C. Cobb. A. P. Lovejoy, 
Daviil .left'ris and H. D. Reichwald. The capital 
stock amounts to -tlOO.OOO, and the company en- 
g.agcs in the manufacture of mowers, seeders, disc 
pulverizers, disc corn plows, reapers and harrows. 
The annual business .aggregates ^250.000, and the 
princii)al markets are in Wisconsin, Illinois, Min- 
y i nesola, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas and Kansas, ex- 



tending into Montana and California. The first 
officers of the companj' were J. D. Rexford, Pres- 
ident; A. J. Glass, \'ice-president and General 
Manager; Isaac Farnswortb. Secretary; L. E. Rob- 
inson, Treasurer; .S. C. Cobb, Superintendent. 
Tlie present officers are J. D. Rexford. President; 
A. P. Lovejoy, \ice-i)resident; L. 15. Reynolds, 
Manager; S. C. Cobb, Superintendent; Isaac Farns- 
worth. Treasurer; and Collin C. McLean. Secretary. 
In the manufacturing department of the .lanesville 
Machine Comiiany from ninety to l.'io hands are 
employed. This is a leading enterprise of the city 
and h.os had a prosperous existence from the begin- 
ning. 

Janesville has three banking institutions. These 
arc the Rock Countj^ National Bank, the Mer- 
chants' and Mechanics' Savings Baid< and the First 
National liank. 

The Rock County National Bank of Janesvilk' 
was chartered and organized on the 24th d.iy of 
Januar}', 18(i5, by the proprietors of the Rock 
County Bank, one of the pioneer banking houses 
of the county. The original Rock County Bank 
w.as organized on the IGth d.ay of October, 1855, 
bj' the following named business men of this 
county: John .1. R. Pe.asc. L. E. Stone, Timothj' 
Jacknian. .1. B. Crosby. A. L. Kiml)all. .\ndrew 
Palmer. B. F. Pixley, M. C. Smith, S. W. Smith 
and J. C. Jenkins. Of the company Timothy 
J.ackman was elected President; Andrew Palmer, 
Vice-president; and J. B. Crosby, Cashier; while 
the capital stock was ^50,000. Of these gentlemen 
only Mr. Pease and Mr. Palmer are now living. 
Mr. Jackman continued to serve .as President of 
the original bank during its existence and was 
chosen I'resident of the National ISank at its or- 
ganization. He was reelected and filled that posi- 
tion until his death, which occurred Aug. 13, 
18G8. He was succeeded by S. W. Smith, who 
served until Nov. 9, 1881, when he declined to Ijll 
the position longeron account of failing health .iml 
was succeeded by B. B. Eldredge. The latter gen- 
tleman served until January 17, 1887, when C. S. 
Jackman, the present president, w.as chosen to the 
position. 

J. L. Kimball succeeded .1. B. Crosby as I'asliier 
of the old bank April 20, 1857, and yielded the 



"t^ 



■» m4i r 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-■^ 



1027 



position again to Mr. Crosby on tlie 1 Otii day of 
.lamiary, 1860. Mr. Crosby tbcii filled tlie oHice 
(luring the remaining- years of the existence of the 
Rock County liauk and was chosen cashier of the 
National Bank at its organization, serving in that 
capacity until .Ian. 16. 1872, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Chester S. Crosby, who servetl until 
Aug. 17, 1880. when C. S. .fackman was appointed 
to the position and served till Sept. 30, 1886, 
when S. IJ. Smith, tlic present cashier, was chosen 
to the office. 

On the 13th d.ay of .January, 1885, the charter of 
the bank was renewed for twenty- years. From its 
long and successful career this bank has won its 
way to popular favor and is recognized as one of 
the most important linancial concerns of Rock 
County. 

The Mercliants' and Mechanics' Savings Rank 
was chartered in September, 1875, with an author- 
ized capital of ^100, 000, and a paid up capital of 
ii;20,00(». After five years the capital stock which 
had been paid amounted to ^50.000, and the entire 
capital was reduced to that amount. The iMincipal 
incorporators of this institution were Frank Leiand, 
Henry Palmer. M. 1)., A. H. Sheldon, Capt. Will- 
iam Jlacloon. A. A. .Tackson. and l^avid .Jeffris. 
The first executive P>oard wiw conqjosed of David 
Jeffris, President; A. A. .laekson and John ^IcL.ay, 
Vice Presidents; and H. (i. Reichwald, Cashier. 
The board of directors consisted of William M.ac- 
loon, David Jeffris, L. R. Cash, II. Palmer. II. G. 
Reichwald, Frank Leiaiul. A. II. Sheldon, Setli 
Fisher and A. A. .laekson. The present ofh'cers 
arc Henry Palmer. President; A. H. Sheldon and 
F. Kimball, N'ice Presidents; W. F. Jeffris, Cashier, 
and William RIadon. Assistant Cashier. The di- 
rectors arc II. Palmer, W. Macloon, David Jeffris, 
A. II. Sheldon, F. C. Cook, F. Kimball, .Tames 
Shearer, Ceorge E. Sutherland, and W. S. .leftris. 
The Merchants' and Mechanics' Savings Rank is one 
of the leading financial institutions of the countv, 
and does a general banking business. Jt consists 
of two departments — a commission bank and sav- 
ings bank. The ba]ik w.as first located in the 
Lappin RIock on Milwaukee street, where business 
was carried on for ten years, when, in August, 
1885, it w.as renidvcd to the new ollice in the Jeffri> 



Rlock. at the west end of Milwaukee street bridge. 
The room was especially fitted up as a banking 
office, .and the vault is one of the most complete In 
the West. It Is absolutely fire and burglar proof, 
measures 7x9 feet, is eight feet high inside, and 
lined with chrome steel, drill proof. The solid 
masonry of this vault is two feet in thickness out- 
side, with two air chambers between the lining .and 
the outside wall. The doors are double, the out- 
side doors weighing about 4,000 pounds. Inside 
this are steel folding doors, a 60f)0-pound Hall safe, 
with a consolidated time clock, and, inside this 
safe, the reserve chest. The vault is also supplied 
with a nest of 143 deposit boxes, which are rented 
to persons desiring a safe place to deposit valualilc 
papers, etc. These boxes are provided with single 
key locks, which arc kept by the depositors. David 
.Icffris, the first president of the bank, remained in 
that position until lie w.as succeeded bj' D. H. Pal- 
mer, the present incumbent. Mr. Reichwald filled 
the office of cashier until July, 1883. when W. S. 
•Icffris succeeded to the position. The bank has 
had a prosperous existence, and is fine of the lead- 
ing institutions of the city. 

The first sehool-Iiouse erected within the city 
limits was a log one. The charter for the establish- 
ment of a free academy was obtained in 1843, and 
in 1844 a stone building w.as erected for the occu- 
pancy of the institution, on the site of the central 
school-house, and under the charter it became an 
important factor in municipal affairs. The second 
anil fifth ward school-houses were built about 18o(;. 
Otheis have been added as required, until now the 
city has accommodations for 1.685 pupils. Last 
year's enrollment was 1.608. Thirty-nine teachers 
are employed. The Roard of Education consists 
of seven members. Schools other than the public 
schools are the Catholic school of St. Joseph's Con- 
vent, the (iernian Lutheran school. Mrs. C. A. 
Hunt's select school. Miss Lulu Williams' .Short- 
hand school. .1. W. .Sander's Shorthand and Tvpe- 
writing school, the \'alenline Rrothers school of 
telegraphy. Silsbee's Commercial College, and the 
Wisconsin Schnol for the Rlind, which was orii.'iu- 
nally established as a private institution at the 
home of .Mr. llnnler on North J.iokson street. 
The first sii|ieriiiti'i|ilc'nl of the iM^lrtulloii w.-i.s .In 



h 




■<*• 



••► 



1028 



ROCK COUNTY. 






sepli T. Axtel, who remained in charge until Aug. 
1, 1851, wlien he vvas succeeded by Mr. McDonald, 
who served until 18.5:5, when C. B. Woodruff was 
placed in charge. After tliree years, in 1856. he 
vacated the position, and William B. Churchman, 
who was himself blind, had charge of the insliiu- 
tion from 185() until 18G1. Mr. Churchman, a 
noted te.acher in various institutes, was a man of 
niarlied ability, and during his leadership, more 
than any other, the school increased in .ittendance. 
gained the favor of all and became a success as an 
institution. In August, 18(;i, Thomas H. Little 
succeeded Mr. Churcliniaii, having charge of the 
institution until his death, which occurred Feb. 4, 
187.'). Under his direction tiie school also pros- 
pered, and the advancement of the pupils was 
rapid, and the management was satisfactory to all 
concerned. After tiie death of Mr. Little his wile 
was appointed to fill the vacancy, and h.as remained 
ill charge since, having tlie honor of being the only 
lady occupying a like position in the world. In 
tlie spring of 1881, the system of the school was 
changed and a State board was placed in charge of 
its business affairs. 

.Tanesville will compare favorably with other 
cities of like ijopulation in the number, variety 
iind ((iiality of its places of religious worship. It 
has twelve church edifices owned and occupied by 
the various Christian denominations. Of church 
oro'aniz.itions it has one ljai)tisl, one Congrega- 
tional, two Methodist Episcopal, one Presbyterian, 
two I'rotcstant Kpisct>i)al, two Roman Catholic, 
one rnitariaii. one (ierman speaking Evangelical 
Lutheran and one Norwegian. These are suffl- 
cientlv strong and energetic to sustain the ordinan- 
ces of norship. all but one having settled p.astors 
who are wholly devoted to the work of the minis- 
try. Church enter|)rise has fullj' kept pace with 
the general growth and improvement of the cit^'. 
Sabbath congregations are good, Suiid.aj--schools 
are prosperous and considerable earnest work is 
bestowed upon mission schools in neighborhood 
and school districts in adjacent towns. 

All of the popular secret and social organiza- 
tions are represented, niimliering among members 
of local lodges, many of Janesville's leading pro- 
fessional and business men. 




The press is represented b}' the Janesville Daily 
and Weekly Gazette, the Janesville Daily and Weekly 
Mecorder. and the Sii/nal. the latter being [lublished 
weekl}-. The first named is the leading Republican 
paper of Southern Wisconsin, while the second is 
the leading Democratic paper. 'l"he <S7;/«a/ is inde- 
pendent and is edited by that veteran newspaper 
man, Garrett Veeder, assisted by his accomplished 
wife. 



The C'it.v of Ueloit. 

,EL01T is a prosperous manufacturing cit3-, 
picturesqueh- situated in the Rock River 
valley, about three hours ride b}- rail, from 
either Chicago or Milwaukee, and is widely 
known as being the seat of Beloit College. Rock 
river here not alone gladdens the eye, but has also 
contributed to the growth and prosperity of the 
city by turning the ponderous machinery of scores 
of large manuf.acturing establishments, the products 
of which find their way to nearly every portion of 
the civilized world. 

The water power is ovvned and controlled by a 
corporation. I he capital stock of which is divided 
into 800 shares. The river is fed from immense 
lakes to the northward, which cover 10,000 acres 
of land, rendering the water sup[)ly practically in- 
exhaustible, and the cost of power is onl3- insignifi- 
cant as compared with steam. The Chicago. Mil- 
waukee ife St. Paul, and the Chicago & Northwes- 
tern railroads have a track S3'stcm extending the 
full length of the water-power on either side, to 
facilitate the shipments of products from the im- 
mense factories located .along this portion of the 
river, and through the excellent accommodations 
afforded by these railways, metals and ores arc 
shipped from the North at a nominal cost. 

Among the varied jn'oducts of the mammoth 
manufactories of Beloit are wood-polishing m.achin- 
ery. wind-mills of all sizes, pumps, feed grinders, 
wood-sawing machines, water tanks, pulleys, plows, 
cultivators, harrows, check-rowers, shoes and slip- 
pers, tlie finest made in the world, of 600 varieties 
and styles, gloves, mittens, straw board, cedar car- 
pet lining paper, building paper, chilled steel roll 
for and other paper mill machinery, overalls, work- 



-►•-» 



f 



ROCK COUNTY. 



4 



ing punts, jackets, shirts, scales, machine l<nives. 
fire extiniiuisiiers, rotary movement maehineiy, 
cigars, paper pnils. paper boxes, sash, doors and 
blinds, (lour and feed, patent roller Hour, barrels, 
butter tryers, wire bustles, pump cylinders, iron 
lamp posts, pop and soda water, pipe tongs, pipe 
lifting machinery, beer, bread, drive well points, 
washing machines, patent wrenches, etc. 

Notwithstanding the t'.act that so many indus- 
tries are already in active o|icrati(ni in this beauti- 
ful city, there is room for iumdreds more. Several 
eligible sites on the water povvei- can still be oli- 
tained .at a nominal cost. The surrounding rich 
farming country provides an al)undauce of good, 
cheap food, and is capable of feeding a city ten 
times the size of Beloit, while it also furnishes an 
abundance of raw material for factory use. The 
hrst white man known to have settled in any part 
of the country adjacent to the present city of Be- 
loit was one Mack, a native of Kxeter, N. H. The 
lirst wliite person who located at what is now He- 
loit was one Thiebault, a French-Canadian tr.adcr, 
who must have made his home thereabout 1823 or 
1824. These men cannot be called i)ermanent set- 
tlers. The first such was Caleb Blodgett a Ycv- 
monter. This man was an adventurer who had 
liad a most exciting career. He came about ISSfi, 
and purchased Thiebault'sclaim, which the French- 
man boundi-d only by ■'three looks" (three times 
the lindl of his vision) in every direction. He 
brought with him his sons. Nelson and Daniel, and 
the family clainuHl about four sections of land, as 
near .as can be estimated. Of course the land I>e- 
longed to the government, and Blodgett had no 
title to it, but he proceeded as if he had, building 
a huge double log house, and beginning the erec- 
tion of a saw-inijl, and .selling one-fourth of his in- 
terest in it to Charles F. II. Goodhue, one-half of 
which (iiii)dhue sold to Charles Johnson and -lohn 
Doolitlle. An impet\is was given to the settle- 
ment by the purchase of one-third of Blodgett's 
claim by tlu; New i;ngland Kmigrating Company, 
which had been organized in New Ham|)shire in 
18;i(), through its agent, Dr. Horace White. Prior 
to this purchase, the settlement consisted only of 
Caleli Bloilgetl and his fan)ily, John Ilackett and 
his wife. Major Charles Johnson, the Guddhues. 



1029 A 



John J)oolittle, Z. Jones and brother, James Carter 
and a Mr. J^elamater. March <), IHlil. II. }'. Cane 
and O. V. Becknell, members of the companv. 
cauje, and later came other meml)ers. among them 
Henry Mears, his wife .and two of her brothers. 
Dr. (;eorge W. and Kdwin Bricknell. A. L. Field, 
Horace Ilobart, Asahcl B. Howe, Captain Thomas 
Crosby and wife, Israel C. Cheney. James 
Cass and wife. Among the early settlers not 
connected with the comp.any were Ira Ilersey, Ben- 
jamin Cheney, Walter Warner and David No<ry|,.. 
At a later date there was serious and somewhat 
protracted dilliculty about titles to lands here, thus 
irregularly acquired, which were finally settled. 

The first white woman heie was Mrs. Caleb Blod- 
gett. The first building was Thiebault's cabin. 
Tile first large building was the (.M Beloit House. 
i'lie first mill was that begun by Blodgett an.l 
finished by Goodhue. The first brick building was 
put ui) by Ira Ilersey about 1842. The first sermon 
was preached in the Beloit House, by Prof. AVIiit- 
ney, in 1837. The first school w.as taught by John 
Burroughs in 1838. The first marriage was that of 
Harvey Bevedy and Mary J. Moore by -.Sfinire" 
Colley, in 1839. The first death was that of 
Horace Clark. The first birth was that of a daugh- 
ter of Mr. Wadsworth who kept the Beloit House. 
The first store was John Ilackett's. opened in lis37. 
The first school-hoH.se was a frame bnildini; put up 
in 1839. The first lawyer was David Nogj^le. 
The first church w.as organized at the Rock River 
Hotel by Rev. William Adams. The first bankinir 
business was begun by A. B. Carpenter in 18 1(1. 
The first highway was from Beloit to Jancsville. 
The first railway survey was made in 1849. The 
first bridge over the Rock River wa.s built in ls|.-,. 
The first election was held in 1838. 

The village of Beloit w.as incorporaicd wnh 
municipal powers and privileges in I8.j(;. 'Ijio 
first officers were W. T. (ioodline. .Mayor; .S. <). 
Hnmiihrey, Treasurer; W. II. Sherman, Clerk. 
The City Government is vested in a mayor and 
twelve aldermen, three from each ward. 'I'h,. 
present iinuor Hon D. G. Foster, wjvs elected in the 
spring of 1889. The First ward is represented in 
the council by K. .\. Howell. F. .S. Foster. John 
Martin; the .Second by F. P. AVheeler. L. M. C.lt 




•^f^ 




1030 



ROCK COUNTY. 






H. H. Brown; the Third by E. J. Adams, L. t. 
Cunningham, F. PI Kaee; the Fourtli by B. A. 
Treadway, Daniel Kiordan, S. C. Slaymai<er. Tiie 
other ofliccrs of the city arc as follows: Clerk, E 
T. Hansen; Treasurer, .1. A. Love; Marshall, C. 
F. North. 

Beloit is specially well favdicd in regard to her 
educational advantages. Both her High School 
and graded schools are provided with fine new 
buildings and are fully equi[)[X'd with all the 
modern appliances for object and experimental 
teaching, while the management is in the hands of 
educators of long experience, who are assisted by a 
corps of thoroughl3' trained teachers. The schools 
are all well attended and an adnural)le discipline by 
slrictl}' moral methods is among their distinguished 
features. The pupils are fnlly iif) to the standard 
of the best metropolitan schools, i'lie reputation 
of the gentlemen who comprise the school board is 
of itself a guarantee of the efficiency of the schools. 
Prof. T. A. Smith is President and A. N. Bort, 
Secretary. Tiie other members are as follows: L. 
Holden Parker. C. P. Whitfor.l. R. J. P.urdge, IJr. 
Samuel Bell, C. B. Salmon. The present principal 
is AV. S. Axtell. Twenty-three other teachers are 
required. The Higli School buiMing is located on 
the West Side. No. 1 school is located on the 
nortli end of the park, and is a department school 
for tlie First and Second wards. No. 2 isa depart- 
ment sciiool for the Tliird and Fourth wards. 
'I'he primary scliool building is located on the West 
Side. These are all elegant, substaiitiid brick and 
stone structures, that relied great credit on the 
city of Beloit. 

The citizens of IJcloit ;ue a <luirch-going people, 
and their spiritual instructors arc ministers of a 
high degree of culture. 'l"en churches, most of 
which are spacious, substantial structures, of a fine 
order of architecture, are located in various i)arts 
of the city, the following denominations l)eing rep- 
resented: The Congregational (by two churches.) 
Presbyterian. Baptist, Methodist E|)iscopal, Epis- 
copal, German Lutheran, (icrnian Presliyterian, 
Norwegian Lutheran and Ronuin Catholic: The 
First Congregational Church w.as organized fifty 
years ago; the Second Congregational in 1859; the 
Fust Presbyterian in ISll); tlie Baptist, forty -eight 
-^It 



years ago; the Methodist Episcopal, in 1842; St. 
Paul's Protestant Episcopal, in 1849. [See history 
in biographical sketch of Rev. Fayette Royce;] the 
German Presbyterian, in 1869: the Norwegian, in 
1873; St Thomas Roman Catholic about six years 
ago; the German Lutheran about ten 3-ears ago. 

The various benevolent societies have strong 
organizations, numbering among their members 
many leading citizens. Among the organizations 
represented here are the Free Masons, Odd Fellows, 
Grand Army of the Republic; Knights of Pythias, 
etc. The Young Men's Christian Association, with 
Mr. J. W. Van Beyuura as Secretary, is in a flour- 
ishing condition. 

The Beloit Savings Bank, one of the leading 
banking institutions of the county, was established 
in 1881. S. T. Merrill was one of the prime mov- 
ers in the affair. At the first election of officers, 
S. T. Merrill was elected President; Aaron L. 
Cliapin and C. C. Kulor were elected vice-i)resi- 
dents; and J. A. Holmes was elected Secretary and 
Treasurer. The following named gentlemen were 
the first trustees of the bank: A. L. Chapin, S. T. 
Merrill. .). H. Rcig.u-l, (). C. Johnson. C. C. Keler, 
.1. B.Gordon. U. .1. Hurge. S. S. Northrnp. C. Bab- 
bett, .1. A. lldlnu's. L. i>. Lansing and R. .1. Dowd. 
The financial committee was composed of R. .1. 
Burge, O. C. .lohnson and the president and vice; 
presidents. The )iresent ollicers are R. .1. Dowd, 
President; E. .1. Smith and C. D. Winslow, Vice- 
Presidents. The board of trustees is composed of 
R..I. Dowd. K. G. Smith, S. T. Merrill, Dr. E. N. 
Clark. H. AL ^Vhilney. C. E. Wheeler, E. J.Smith. 
H. IVntland.C. 1). Winslow, J. B. Peet, P. John- 
son, and .1. A. Holmes. 

The Beloit Savbigs Bank is the only institution 
of the kind in the .State. It has been a jviying 
enterprise since its organization, and from the be- 
ginning it has paiil ;i dividend of 2^ per cent, 
every six numtlis. amounting to x9.(i89. The de- 
posits at this writing, .lune, 188'.t, amount to jslT.- 
300. and r:w be made in sums from 2.') cents to >!1000. 
This institution has been of steady' growth from 
the l)egiiuiing and is one of the important business 
concerns of Beloit. The press is represented l)y 
the Free Press and Citizen. An account of the 
former is given in the biogr.aphical sketcli of 





ROCK COUNTY. 



1031 



J 



Cham Ingeisoll. Tlie Citizen was established in 
1879, when it was tliought by some people that it 
was lime for a second paper to be established in 
Heloit, consequently tlic WWkh/ Graphic was pre- 
sented, edited mimI pulilislu'd by Matliews & 
Filmore. 'I'iu' paper was vigorously edited and 
the oHico did a thriving business. Later, Mr. 
Mathews severed his connection with tlie olliceand 
went to Nebraska. Mr. Filmore died in the har- 
ness and the Graphic newspaper passed into other 
hands and was later re-issued under the name of 
The Outhok, wiih Mr. Truesdale, editor and pub- 
lisher. Like its predecessor the Oailook enjoyed a 
good business and seemed to thrive on the "'fat of 
the land." Hecomino; personally embarassed, Mr. 
Truesdale sold out and went to St. I'aul, where he 
was engaged on the Pioneer Press and went to 
Washington as the Press corresi)ondent, where he 
is now located. 

From Mr. Truesdale's time to the spring of 1S83 
the Outliink had a checkered career and passed into 
ciiarge of numerous editors. In the spring of 
1883, Mr. F. F. Livermore purchased an interest 
in the office and later became sole proprietor and 
the proijerty has since remained in his charge. 
Ill 1888 some of the citizens of Beloit felt the need 
of a second daily paper and organized a stock 
comiiany with a capital of ^1,000, of which i\Ir. 
Livermore took a half interest and citizens of 
Beloit a half, the company purchasing the plant 
of Mr. Livermore, and it has since issued what 
is known as the Daily and Weekly Citizen. 'J'he 
company also do an extensive job- and printing- 
business — the work turned out of the ollice being 
second to none in the county. The office needs 
much better facilities for doing work and the de- 
mands upon it seem to warrant a better outfit. 

Mr. F. F. Livermore, secretary and manager of 
the company, is an exiierienccd printer of sixteen 
vears' practice, having successfully published a 
newspaper for four years in Berlin, Wis., and four 
years at Lanark. 111., and has for the p.ast six years 
been located in Beloit. Mr. A. II. N'an Tassel, 
city editor, is a graduate of the Beloit College; 
other members of the company .are representative 
educational, m.anufacturing, professional and busi- 

O 



ness men of the city. All enjoy the highest social 
and business couQdence of the community. 

BKLOIT COLLEGE. 

This celebrated institution has earned the repu- 
tation of being the ecpial in ever_v respect of an}' 
institution of its kind in this country. The first 
Freshman class, composed of five members, under 
the direction of the II(m. S. T. Merrill, of Beloit, 
was started Nov. 4, 1847, in the basement of an old 
stone church, located on the northwest corner of 
Broad and Prospect streets. In M.ay, 1818, the 
faculty was increased liy the acquisition of Profs. 
J. J. Bushnell and Joseph Emerson, cla-ssmates at 
Yale. In 18.')0 Rev. A. L. Chapin was called to 
the college, and became its first president in July 
of that year, retaining that position for more than 
tliirty-six years. 

The first college building, now known as Middle 
College, was erected in 1847 and 1848, the corner- 
stone being laid June 24, 1847, and was ready for 
occupation in the autumn of the following year, 
and for six 3'ears was the only college building; all 
|)ublic exercises being held in what is now the geo- 
logical room, except Commencement, which was 
iield out-doors. 

The buildings have since been increased to eight, 
all of which are situated upon a beautiful bluff on 
the eastern side of the Rock liiver. A new awid- 
emj' building is projected. The college grounds 
consist of twenty-five acres, the larger part of 
which was donated b}- the city of Beloit. The lo- 
cation is not only one of great beaut}', but most 
healthful. This college in every respect offers 
every advantage that the best Fiastern colleges offer, 
without the besetting temptations so common to 
college cities. The citizens of Beloit manifest a 
cordial interest in the welfare of the students, and 
a healthful restraint is put on anything th.it would 
have the least tendency to lead them into vicious 
channels. It is a settled principle of the faculty 
not to retain any one as a student who does not 
show a manly purpose to make good use of the ad- 
vantages afforded. The cost of tuition is compara- 
tivelv low; board and home comforts are obtain- 
able here at much lower rates than in the Fast, while 
many opportunities arc presented by which indus- 

■» 



■ 






■•► 



1032 



ROCK COUNTY. 



-f 



trious students can meet part of their expenses 
while attending college. 

The library contains over 1 1,000 volumes, which 
have been thoroughly indexed, facilitating their use 
by the students. Astronomical studies arc rendered 
specially interesting and practical through the col- 
lege observatory, which contains a telescope sur- 
passing even that of Yale College. Students of 
astronomy have much more latitude in the use of 
this telescope than is given elsewhere. The col- 
lege has an equipment of thirteen large micros- 
copes. The course of geology is unsurpassed for 
extent or thoroughness, by any universit}-, east or 
west. The gymnasium is well equipped, and offers 
an unfailing means of exercise and recreation. 

An idea of the general method of ])rocedure 
adopted by the college can be conveyed in no bet- 
ter way than by quoting a few paragraphs from its 
prospectus, i. e., "The work comprehends a train- 
ing (a) in language, as the great instrument and 
condition of all culture, civilization and thought; 

( b ) in mathematics and exact science, as a most 
valuable discipline, as well as furnishing the mind; 

(c) in the histories of nature and of man, as the 
source of practical knowledge; and (d) in those 
philosophic and religious principles necessary to 
complete the general preparation for a broad and 
useful life, and, when supplemented b3' special tech- 
nical training, for the best success in any good 
profession or employment. This work is distrib- 
uted in two departments: 1. The college proper, 
with two parallel courses : (a) A classical course, 
giving prominence to ancient languages and litera- 
ture, (b) A philosophical course, combining with 
Latin a wider range of science and of modern lan- 
guages. 2. The academy, which is under the im- 
mediate charge of the principal and his .assistants. 
The college F.acull3' have a general ilireclion re 
siiecting the duties, advise concerning the disci 
pline. and take part in the instruction of the 
school. The work of the academy comprises three 
courses of study — a classical, a scientific, and an 
Knglish or business course." 

The classical and scienlilic courses are es|iecially 

designed to prepare the student in a most thorough 

manner to enter the college, while the English j 

cour.se is designed to thoroughly prepare students | 

^ 



to enter upon the active duties of business life, and 
for teaching in the common schools of this region. 
Suitable apparatus is provided in each department, 
necessitating their use, and qu.antitative and quali- 
tative chemical analysis is a special feature of lalj- 
oratory work in the department of chemistr3' and 
mineralogy. Several prizes and scholarships are 
annually' distributed, the most deserving, of course, 
being the reci|)ients. 

Voluntary literary .societies in the several de- 
partments are sustained by the students. The 
degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Phi- 
losophy, respectively, are conferred upon graduates 
of this college, while at any time, not less than 
three years after graduation, the degree of Master 
of Arts will be conferred upon any student of Be- 
loit upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that 
he has spent at least one year of the intervening 
time in some line of professional or liberal study, 
together with a satisfactory thesis on some topic of 
science or general literature. 

Although undenominational, tiiis college was 
started with a conviction that a complete liberal 
education must combine in its culture, learning, re- 
ligion and morality, that christian truth received 
and obe3'ed in love, is essential to the devel<)|)ment 
of the faculties of perception and reason, and is the 
spring of righteousness in the individual life, and 
of pure and healthful morals in the .State. I'r.ayer 
and biblical study are among the exercises of the 
w-eck, while on Sundaj" evcr\- student is recjuired 
to attend divine worshij) .at some one of Beloit's 
churches. The influence for good that has gone 
out from this model institution has ditfused itself 
through every avenue and by-wa\' in this vast 
country', emanating, as it continuall}- is, from the 
persons of hundreds of noble men, whose mental, 
moral and spiritual faculties have been quickened 
into a l)roader and deeper thought at tliis overllnw- 
iiig fountain of the waters of true life. 

'I'hey are now discharging their respective duties 
among their fellow-men in varying capacities, as 
ministers, college presidents, editors, physicians, 
lawj-ers, statesmen, manufacturers, merchants, etc., 
in a manner most ci editable to themselves and to 
the institution, as well as .acceptable to those among 
whom they labor. 



^ 



h 



ROCK COUNTY. 



1033 



From its inception, the scholarship of this institu- 
tion li;is ranked with the most famed Eastern eoilcijes 
as a comparison of liie alumni will verify-. Founded 
by men from Yale, they modeled it after their Alma 
Mater. At a great pecuniary sacrifice the scliolarship 
has been maintained on a higii plane, as many who 
desired an education by an easy process would not 
undergo the rigid courses of Hcloit College. 

The second and last [jresidcnt of this institution 
to the present time, Rev. Kdwanl D. Katon.D. 1)., 
LIj. I)., was called to the position on the retirement 
of Uev. Dr. Ciiapin. a biograi)liical sketch of whom 
appears on another page. Mr. Katon was born in 
l^ancaster. Wis., .Ian. 12, I8.J1. After ids gradua- 
tion from Beloit College in 1872, he look a lln-ce 
years' theological course, the first and third years 
at tlie New Haven Theological Seminary, from 
which institution he graduated in 187.T,and the 
second year at Andovcr Theological Seminary. 
After spending some time in educational pursuits 
at Leipsic and Heidelberg universities, in 187(5 lie 
accepted the pastorate of the Congregational 
Church of Newton, Iowa, and in ] 87!) that of the 
Oak I'aik. III., Congregational Ciiunh. where he 
remained until, in 1876, he accei)led the Presidency 
of Heloil College. In 1887 the degree of LL. D. 
was conferred upon him by the University of Wis- 
consin, and that of 1). 1). by the Northwestern Uni- 
versity at Evanston. 

Heloit College is especially strong in its faculty, 
which ranks among the ablest in the I'nited States. 
Rev. Joseph Kmcrson, D.C, professor of (ireek, 
has l)een identified with the college since its incep- 
tion. He is a graduate of Yale College and was a 
nuMuber of the Yale faculty when he received the 
call to Beloit. He had also stu<licd theology l)Otli 



at Yale and Andover. He is a cousin of lialph 
Waldo Kmcrson and is endowed with brilliant 
qualities similar to his. Uev. William Porter, I)D., 
professor of Latin, and secretary of the college, has 
been connected with the institution nearly forty 
years. A biograpliical sketch of the Rev. .lames 
Blaisdell. D.I)., professor of mental and moral 
philosophy, appears elsewhere in this volume. Rev. 
Henry M. Whitney, M.A., professor of rhetoric 
and English lileniture, is a brother of Prof. W. D. 
Whitney of Yale and Prof. J. I). Whitney of Har- 
\ ar<l. He was elected an honorary member of the 
British .\ssociation for the Adv.'incement of Science 
in 1881. Since 1883 his leisure time has been 
m(jstly given to work as associate editor of the 
fortlicoining Century Dictionary, and a Dictionary 
<jf Synonyms and of .Synonyms Discriminated, 
written by him, has been incorporated into that 
work. Thom.as A. Smith., Ph. D., is professor of 
mathematics and pliysics. E^rastus G. Smith, Ph. D., 
has been professor of chemistry and mineralogy 
since 1881. He graduated from Amherst College 
in 1877 and received his degree of doctor of philo- 
sophy at the University of Gottingen, Germany, in 
1883. RoUin D. Salisbury, M.A., is profes.^or of 
zoology, botany and geology. Rev. Almon \V. 
Burr has been principal of the academy for five 
years. Calvin W. Pearson, Ph. I)., is jjrofcssor of 
modern languages. 'I'heodore \.. Wright. M.A., is 
.assistant professor of ancient languages. Hiram B. 
Densmore. B.A., is instructor in botany and zoo- 
logy. Robert C. Cliapin, M.A., instructor in civil 
polity, is a son of E.K-President Chapin. Rufus B. 
McClenon. M. A., is assistant in the .academy; so 
also is Llewellyn J. Davies, B. A.; Edwanl M. 
Booth. .M..\., is instructor in elocution. 



---^:<5 




I 



*»■ '^ ^« 



f 






*7r^ 










Adair, Norrti \V 747 

Adams, John 33 

Adams, JohnQ 39 

Ainslee. J;tmcs 9^3 

Alden, J. G 439 

Alexander, William 767 

Allen. E. C 376 

Allen, William H 206 

AUer, Jesse D 256 

Aller, Peter 255 

Allen, L 75^ 

Alverson, Wm 448 

Ames, H. S 454 

Anderson, George E 273 

Anderson, H. A.. 5'4 

Anderson. Van Burcn 768 

Andre. W. H 345 

Andrews, Frederick 367 

Arthur, Chester A 99 

Ashcraft, W. H 831 

Atherton. A. A 777 

A I wood, Volney 296 

Austin, Henry 200 

Auld, Thomas 218 

Austin, ']". H 870 

Austin, George H 289 



B 



Bahcock, E. W 718 

Babcock. Daniel C 755 

Babcock. George C 592 

Bacon, P. V 216 

Bailey, Chester 543 

Bailey, W. H. H 546 

Baines, Wm. B 678 

Baker. A. S 484 

Baldwin. B. H 617 

Baldwin. Almon Q36 

BalUrd, George 300 

Barker, J. C 973 

Barker, Cyrus G 428 

Barlass, Andrew 463 

Barr, Samuel W 310 

Barr, H. M 324 



Barrett, Fred 270 

Barstow, William A 133 

Bartlett, Jonas H. 926 

Bartleti, Her rick .519 

Bartlett, N Qi2 

Bashford, Coles 137 

Bates, Charles H 681 

Bcebe, L. B 384 

Pehrendt, F. E 586 

Behrendt, Anton 787 

Bennett, Almon 227 

Bennett, J. R 191 

Billings, U. H 526 

Bingham, Lucius 711 

niaisdell. Prof. J. J 202 

lilanchard, H. H 558 

IMiss. Howard F 4S5 

Blodgett, Selvey K 776 

Blodgctt, Wm 766 

Blunt, Dr. A. L 727 

Bond, L. H 708 

Borden, Dr. W. H ;762 

Boss, Geo. R 732 

Bostwick, Mcrritt . ■ -244 

Bostwick, J. M 517 

Bostwick, R. M 597 

Bostwick, Joseph 427 

Bo ugh ton. Rev, Alanson 726 

Bowe, J F 941 

Bowerman, C C 505 

I^otflcs, Thos 622 

Bowles, Willard 642 

Boymgton, C. W ■■-4O0 

Bradley, L. B 356 

Bradshaw, James 525 

Firown. Rev. Norman 249 

Brown, Wilson 560 

Brown. Rev. W. F 427 

Brown, Bcnj 385 

Buchanan, James 75 

Buchholz, H 795 

Buck, Sylvester 194 

Buggs, August W 550 

Bullock, Elijah 287 

Bump, N. P 537 

Burdick, Z. P 970 

Burdick, Ethan L 890 

Burpee, A. E 559 

Burpee, F. C 833 

Biishncll. J.J 887 

Buten, E. G bgf" 

Butler, Wm. G 300 

Butts, Geo. H 706 



Butts, Theodore.. 
Eyers, J- H 



.6£9 
538 



Caldwell, A. H 296 

Campbell, Henry... 429 

Campbell. James S 914 

Carle, W F 369 

Carle, L. B 369 

Carpenter, E. F -473 

Carpenter, A. B ^56 

Carr, Joseph G 834 

Carr. S C 92^ 

Calor,H.W 348 

Chapin, Rev. A. L 879 

Chapin. Thomas P 475 

Chapell, Daniel O 327 

Chamberlain, J.tmcs A 857 

Chamberlain, James 405 

Chambers, H. B 406 

Charles, H. R 991 

Chase, Wm. C 192 

Chcevcr, D. G 923 

Checver, R. W 861 

Chcsebro, E. D 264 

Child, F. B... 248 

Child. W. W 323 

Chrisiman, H. .A,. 862 

Clark, Lewis 213 

Clark, Luther 370 

Clark, Clarence L 590 

Clark, Charles L 475 

Clark, E. V 738 

Clarke, Condon L 720 

Clarke, Dr. Ella J 722 

Clarke, Willis P 717 

Clarke, Wm. W 757 

Clarke. Samuel 395 

Clary, Rev. Dexter 503 

Cleland, S .258 

Cleveland, Grovcr S 103 

Clifford, Alvin S... 898 

Clifford, John W 937 

Clow, Daniel. -477 

Coakley, Dr. J. E 702 

Cobb, H. M 995 

Colby, C. A 459 

Cole. William 739 

Cole, Nelson 907 



Coleman, J- E 458 

Colling, Geo. K 507 

Comfort, Kev. O. F.. 520 

Conger, D ^^g 

Conrad. Chas. H 510 

Coon, F. W g20 

Coon, M. R y^o 

Cooper, John H ^65 

Cottrell, Thos 660 

Covert, Dr. Geo 3B7 

Cowles, A. J 424 

Crall, John -359 

Grand all. Rev. E. M 708 

Crandall, Ezra 716 

Cravan, Geo 868 

Cravaih. Miles 710 

Crist, John W 842 

Croft, Joseph L 320 

Croft, 1 hos. T 500 

Cros^man. Geo. W 891 

Crow, C. S .985 

Crowley, John 470 

Cuckow, S. J- 496 

Cumming^, D. .A 567 

Curtis, M-H 486 

Cutting, J. W 761 



D 



Dainerow, August 631 

Da no, Francis 224 

Dates, John 813 

Davcnporte, Ira M 276 

Davidson, Thomas ...728 

Davis, G.H- 33^ 

I>avis, Henry 223 

Davis, Will 953 

Davis. P. F 719 

Dawe, John 407 

Dayton, J. S 319 

Decker. C. S 306 

Dc Forest, O. L 819 

DeLong.H.B 260 

Dennett, J.J 983 

Dewey, .Alfred 259 

Dewey, Nelson 135 

Dickinson. E C 233 

Dixon, Martin 298 

Dockstader, Joseph .284 

Dodge, Henry n 



-•► 



t 



t^ 



INDEX. 



344 

117 

..3.8 

360 

■ .961 

..418 

•4«S 

,737 



Doty.H. A 

I'oty. James I) - . . 
Douglas, K. A. . . . 
Doi.cl.is. H. O ... 

Dowel, R. J 

Drake, J. F 

Dresser, J. G 

D.inn, Rev. Elslon M 



£ 



Kclwards, D. W 460 

Eldrcd, V. S 646 

Eldredgc, K. B 851 

Ell wood, James H 225 

Everett. Josiah M 877 

Evans, John M 807 



F 



Fairl);tnks. C"h;ts. M. 
Kairchiltl, Lucius. . . 
Karmer, Thos. H.... 
Farnsworth, J. P.... 
Karnsworih, Isaac .. 
Farnsworih, Brig. Clc 
Farwell, Leonard J . 
Fathers, Samuel. .... 

Fathers, John 

Fathers, James A... 

Fathers, Wm 

Fellows, George. . . 
Fellows, Edmond . . . 

Fcnton, F. S 

Fcnton, P. S 

Fessenden, Austin B 
Felhers. Oi^den H... 

Fificld. E. (J 

Fifield, Thcs. B.. . 
Fillmore, Millard. . 

Finch, Lorcn 

Fish, Alfred C 

Fisher, Scih 

Fisher, Jacob 

Fisher, E. \V 

Flagg, A. S 

Fraddell. Oliver A. 
Frcdendall. J. C. 



008 
'57 
87» 
3M 

9S9 

853 
izg 
819 
S.6 

S°« 
818 
giT 
975 
435 
=37 
q8o 
896 
507 
809 
67 
305 
866 
909 
956 
74" 
434 
73' 
qi8 



G 



(laardcr.Olc V 818 

Gardiner, Wm 830 

Garfield, James A 95 

Gaston, N. B 5»9 

Ga vey , Eiekiel 836 

Gifford, A. 720 

Gilbert, Zina 695 

Gilbert, C. T 388 

Cilberl, Lovcll R 487 



•f 



L'.illcy, George goo 

4* 



Gil ley, Edward gSi 

liilman, Geo. .A 419 

Gish, S. •-* 790 

Gliss, Henry B 768 

Glass, Charles V 781 

Gleason, Hon. Geo 751 

Gle.ison, Normnn M 658 

Gleavc. J. K B87 

Goldin. Theo.W 661 

Gooch. J. C 987 

GoodhuL-, Wm. T 817 

Goodrich. Hon. Joseph 443 

Goodrich, Ezra 778 

Gould, Fred — 6^a 

Gould, Franklin 6^9 

Grant, Ulysses S 87 

Green, F. G 709 

Green, P. M 725 

Greenman, H. G 688 

Grccnman. R. J 759 

(Jregory, Lcander D 87a 

Griffiths. John 982 

Griswold, C 840 

Gulvin, Wm gii 

Gundcl, M 798 



H 



Hadden.Wm 527 

Hadley, Peter 55.^ 

Hall, Geo. W 648 

Hamilton, E. T 742 

Hamilton, H. G 984 

Hamilton, Samuel C. 473 

Hammond, Holmes 263 

Hamlin, Cyrus 919 

Manchcit, G. M 474 

Han thorn, Geo 829 

Hardy, Ara 785 

Hardy, Zcrah 906 

Harrison, Benjamin 107 

Harrison, William H 51 

Harper, 'I'hos. T 602 

Hart, S. W 530 

Harvey. Louis P 145 

Hatfield, Wm. H two 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Hayes, George 580 

Hay lock. Geo. W 878 

Heard, William D 181 

Heath, John 533 

Hcimslreet, E. B 504 

Helm. Warren 430 

Hemphill, Wm- M 641 

Henderson, Wm 354 

Hobarl, Horace 896 

Hodge, Rev. M.G 464 

Hogan, John W 543 

Hohanshelt, Joseph 494 

Holdredge.S 5'8 

Holliday, Abncr J 601 

Hollistcr, A. F 56* 

Hollister, Truman 1 413 

Holmes. W. C 498 

Holmes, Ihomas 601 

Holmes, Albert 483 

Holmes. John A 675 



Holmes, WiHUm 894 

Home* Robert 1 898 

Honey sell, Samuel 598 

Hopkins, James 513 

Houfe. R 605 

Howard, Charles A 579 

Howe, Henry M.. 959 

Hoxic, L A 7 390 

HubbelL Alfred 6jo 

HulL James 929 

H u!l, Samuel 535 

H umphrcy, Frederick 569 

Hurd. John C 688 

Huseman, Halvor H 283 

Hutchinson, Stoaklcy . - ....599 

HoicllinE^ Stephen 556 

Hutson, Wm 686 

Huykc. Wm .585 

Hyzcr* E. M 498 

Hyzer.J.B 994 



Ingersoll, ("ham 503 

Inman, Jonas ...... 358 

Inman, Col. Edward 337 

Isham. Albert S 771 



Jack, Wm ^74 

Jackman, C. S 340 

Jackman, C. W 24^, 

Jackman. Timothy 343 

Jackson, Andrew 43 

Jackson, C 330 

Jacobus. O.I. 701 

I ames, W 426 

Jeffris. David 745 

Jeffris, M.G 31c 

Jeffris, Wm. S 390 

Jefferson, Thomas 27 

Jenkins, Daniel H. 6a8 

Jenson, Andrew 6^5 

Johnson", Andrew 83 

Johnson, J.J 480 

Johnson, Daniel 229 

Johnson, .\biathar 246 

Johnson, H. B -9*5 

Johnson, D. G .687 

"Jones, J. Boyd 199 

Judd,T 746 

Judd, Samuel S 315 



K 



Kellogg, Wayne L .930 

Kellogg, Geo. J 765 

Kellogg, W. DeW 810 

Kendall, Charles 389 



Kent, A. C 523 

Kent, E. J 320 

Kenyon, S. B 191 

Kcycs. C. H 931 

Kimball, Fcnncr 198 

King, John 337 

King, Robert W 305 

Kin:;. Thomas 195 

Kirk, Thomas 195 

Kirk pal rick, J. B 353 

Knapp, A. D 655 

Knipp, Loui% F 769 

Kycs, Myron ...E46 



Langworthy, F. B 657 

Langworthy.C. E ..672 

Lappin. Thomas 217 

Lathers, John W 32S 

Lalta, Benjamin 1(^7 

Latta, William 830 

Lawrence, W, A 285 

Leonard, Levi 788 

Lepper, Wm 313 

Letts, George G 40S 

Lever, C 457 

Lewis, James T 153 

Libby, C. A 344 

Lieh, Frank 455 

Licnau, John 68^ 

Lilburn, James 995 

Lilburn, Ro!>crt 979 

Lincoln, Abraham 79 

Little, Thos. H 573 

Little. Mrs. Sarah C 659 

Livingston, 1 . 1. atS 

Loudon, F. W...^ 403 

Loudon. M. V 467 

Lord.S. S 333 

Lovejoy, A. P 243 

Loyd, H.G 375 

I,.oyd. Henry 4*7 

Ludingt*n. Harrison 169 



M 



.McDouBall. Alfred 786 

McEwan. Wm 969 

McEwan. Peter 400 

McEwan. James 9yft 

McGinniiy. Rev. E. M 373 

McGuirc. P. A 340 

Mclntyre. Wm. J «i8 

McKellipj. Daniel 897 

McKey.Geo. M 780 

McKey. Edw. and Michael. . .3sr 

.Mcl.ean.Ceo. C «15 

McLean, Colin C 5«« 

Mcl.enigan, Henry H fsf 

McMillan. John S 9*4 

Madison. James 3' 

M alone. Booth s*o 

Manley, Dr.A. B »« 



_ ■» _ ■ ^» 



■ » W 4» 



■•►Hh-* 



Marsdcn, Henry 954 

Martin, Dr. C. L 626 

Mayhcw, \V. A S93 

Mayo. Joseph 278 

Marzluff. F. M 857 

Mendcnhall, James 873 

Menzics, John 565 

Menzies, James 824 

Menzies, Hugh -577 

Merrill, Hiram 567 

Merrill. I>avid 976 

M etca If . J . C 399 

Miller, Chas 268 

Miller, lason B 346 

Miller. D.P 30 

Mills, R. H goo 

Mills. Dr. James 638 

Miner, Joel 416 

Minor. J. B 868 

Monroe, James 35 

Montgomery, James 799 

Montgomery, Tracy 493 

Moore, Z. C 814 

Morgan, Wm. H 640 

^! organ, Isaac P 737 

Morgan, Wm. T 705 

Morton, Robert 823 

Morton. James 885 

Alunger, A 250 

Murray Heman 368 

Myers. Peter 595 

Myers, John H 380 



N 



Nelson, Hah'cr 944 

Nelson, J. J 776 

Newell, Noah 563 

Newton, W. K 860 

Nichols, J. H 8g5 

Nolan, T. S 548 

Norcross, Pliny 253 

Normingtou. Dr. Clara 1 988 

Norris. M . A 8oi 

Norris, Sutton 953 

Norris, Alvin 918 

Northrop, H arson 404 

Northrop, S. S 447 

Northrop, J- O 499 

Nott. Robert J 590 

Nowlan. O. F 418 

Nye, Clark. 971 

Nye, Wm. M 945 



o 



Ohouni, S. S 


M9 


Oliver. Wm 


574 


Osboiirn, F. H 


750 


Osborne, Cynis 


83» 


Otis. S.E 


3J« 


Ott, M. A 


377 


Ottraan. J. E 


377 



INDEX. 



Ottman, Henry 366 

Ottman, Theodore 330 



Page, Lucius H 699 

Palmer, N.N 933 

Palmer, Henry 364 

Parker, J. J 45.^ 

Patterson, J. (J 983 

Patterson. Henry A 196 

Paul. Wallace 637 

Paul. Wm 730 

Payne, Wm 549 

Pearson, John I 658 

Pease. J. J. R 488 

Pease, Clark O 792 

Peck, F. E 7G9 

Peck. S. W 961 

Peckham. John A 219 

Pember, Dr. J. F 946 

Pember R. T 307 

Pennycook, Francis 279 

Pepper. Nicholas .943 

Perkins, Calvin 812 

Perry. F. C 267 

Pfennig, Max 950 

Phillips, A. J 433 

Pierce, Clias. E 780 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Pierce, James 645 

Playter, C. J 295 

Plumb, J.C 679 

Polk, James K 59 

Pomeroy, Ralph --SSS 

Pomeroy & Pclton 951 

Pope, Virgil ... ^78 

Porter, Isaac G. . 109 

Porter, Wm. M 409 

Post, Wilkerson 6S0 

Potter, Chas. A 288 

Powell, E. C 671 

Powers, A. C. 294 

Pratt, M. V 941 

Pratt. Henry 309 

Pratt, Selden 410 

Prichard, M. S 325 

Prichard, A. P 266 

Proctor, Eli 350 

Pullen, L. T 990 

Pyre, Frai\k 389 



R 



Radway, I, o veil 942 

Randall, Alexander W 141 

Ranous, Clark E 576 

Rasey, Lorenzo 758 

Rathbun, Chas. A 993 

Ray. A. J 577 

Reid, Archie --576 

Reigart, H. M 915 

Rcigart, A. E 596 



Resseguie, A. C 303 

Reynolds, Nelson 722 

Rich, A. K 566 

Richards, Wilbert B 277 

Richards, Albion 446 

Richards, John 781 

Richardson, TTamiUon 948 

Richardson, Wm. C 973 

Richardson. Alex 339 

Richardson. M. L 393 

Robinson, Rev, W. B 75a 

Roche. Rev. R. J 862 

Rodd, John 913 

Rogers. L. T 796 

Rogers, Daniel S 835 

Rogers, Henry 466 

Rogers. B. C 914 

Roheny, J. S 856 

Ross. Chauncey 578 

Rovsiter, Robert 365 

Rowe, O. D 863 

Rowley. D. M 338 

Royce, Rev. Fayette 587 

Rusk, Jeremiah M 177 

Russell, Geo. W 280 

Russell, Joseph 3^3 

Ryan. Patrick 988 



Salomon, Edward 149 

Sawin, Alvin J 865 

Sawin, Lorenzo D 865 

Sawtell, Elnathan 557 

Saxe,John G 947 

ijcarcliff, George Cog 

Schenck, Nicholas 205 

Schoonover, Simeon 668 

Sell ur man, L. H 757 

Scott, Robert W 692 

Selleck, A. R 288 

Shaw, Wm 811 

Shaw, Geo 415 

Shepherd, W. N 791 

Shepherd, Truman 786 

Sherer, Albert 952 

Sherman, Amaziah 224 

Shopbcll. Ellis 831 

Shults, Walter 932 

Simpson, James 204 

Skavlem, Lars Halverson ...433 

Skavlcm, H. L 215 

Slaymaker, S. H 886 

Skelley, Chas 509 

Skelly , John 823 

Skinner, Eugene H 850 

Smith, Dr. Chas. M 449 

Smith, Peter 406 

Smith, Nichol 832 

Smith, E. G 78a 

Smith, Collin 66(S 

Smith, Nicholas 615 

Smith, .'\. Hyatt 414 

Smith. E. H 478 

Smith, D. P 773 

Smith, Col. Jesse . .770 



Smith, M. C 610 

Smith. Milo 665 

Smith, Shubacl W 725 

Smith, William E 173 

Snashall, C 677 

Snyder, S.Spencer 697 

Soper, A. W ^3 

Sovcrhill, Myron H 528 

Sowles, D. 864 

Spa ulding, William. 2^5 

Spaulding, A. It y^g 

Spence, E. L ^(t) 

Spencer Bros ^^d 

Spencer, John C 833 

Stark, Chas. Wm 005 

Stebbins. Harri-^on 715 

Stebbins, Clouden 236 

Stevens. Thomas E 247 

Stevens. And re .v . .468 

Stevens, F. F 437 

Stevens, Chauncy 662 

Stewart. Lucius 916 

Stillman, H. W ^38 

Stockman, Robert 729 

Stockman, John gaS 

Stokes. John 238 

Stone, Wm. A 888 

Stoney, John W 802 

Strang. Jacob 4g5 

Sutherland, James 691 

Swan, Taylor 293 



Taltmadge, N. P 121 

Talmadge, F. A 436 

Tasker, Daniel 440 

Taylor, William R 165 

Taylor, Zachary . 63 

'Ihoroughgood, John 676 

Tice, Jacob A 682 

Towne. J - P 855 

Treat, C. M 533 

Treat. M. P 845 

Treat, E. Hamlin 821 

Tripp, W. H 927 

Turner, Chas. F 609 

Turney, C. G 966 

Tuttle, Thomas ... 939 

Tutile, James F 6it 

Tuttle. Chauncey 953 

Tuttle, Henry. .. 955 

Turner, Watson 209 

Tyler, John. 55 



V 



"^f^ 



Van Buren, M.irtin 


• 47 


Vandcrlyn. James 


.3o8 


Vanderlyn, E. F 


.889 


Van Galder.S. C 


6jo 


Van Kirk, Wm. T 


.467 


Van Wart, David 


978 



h 




INDEX. 



Vceder, Garrett 839 

\'inccnt, O. D 760 

Vincent, Orin. ■ ^(,J 



n' 



Wagley, N. O 946 

VWilker, Rev. Wm 717 

Walsh, David 748 

Wardner. Rev. N 849 

W.-»rner, Deacon Milton S... 899 
W.Tshljnrn, Cadwalladcr C. . . 161 
Washington, George 19 



Watson. John 650 

Weaver, M. G 434 

Webber, Andrew 6(j9 

Webster, Kitcl G 834 

Webster, Frank N 637 

Wells, Henry 939 

West, J. R 539 

Whcelock, Elijah O 554 

Whitaker, Henry 656 

White, Charles 564 

White, Alexander 456 

White. Horace 919 

Whitford, W. C 875 

Whitehead, James 393 

Wickhem. J. G 8y2 

Wiggin, Uichiird 565 

Wiggins, Alexander Colden-.6o6 
Wilder, C. H 607 



Willard, Frances F. 735 

Willis. G. N 705 

Williams, W. F 630 

Williams, Randall 859 

Wilson, A. O ..766 

Winans.John 843 

Winston, R 669 

Winston, Nelson 619 

Winslow, C. T 638 

Wixom, K. P 651 

Woodard, A 585 

Woodward, Archibald 450 

Woodbury, Chas. H 788 

Wood. n. B 841 

Wood , Volney 636 

Wray, J. G 676 

Wright, Wm. 1 547 

Wright, Josiah 544 



Wright, Sidney 39O 

Wright. Wait 568 

W y ma n . W m 383 



\'ost, Wm. S 536 



Zader, Henry 775 



A. 




i 



Adarn^, John 22 

Adams, John Quincy 38 

Arthur, Chester A 98 

Aiild, Josias ai8 

Anld, Mrs. Clara F, 219 

Habcock, Daniel C 754 

Hacon, Phinney V 216 

Hacon, Mrs, J. A 216 

Pailey, Chester 542 

liarker, Jiidson C 27a 

P.arkcr, Mrs- J. C 272 

Tarlass, Andrew 46a 

Harlass, Mrs. M. G 462 

Barslow, W. A 132 

Hashford, Coles... 156 

Bennett, John R 190 

Blaisdell, J. J 202 

Buchanan. James 74 

Buchholz, Herman 794 

Checvcr. Dustin G ..gaa 

Chcever, Mrs. 1>. L 92a 

Child, William W 322 

CUrk, Lewis aia 

Clary, Rev. Ocxtcr 50a 

Cleveland, Grovcr loa 

Davis, Henry aaa 

_Dewc> , Nelson 134 

Dickinson, F.nos C 2 la 

Dodge, Henry -tia 

Doty, James D 116 

Kvans, J. M 804 

Kvans, Mrs- Hmma 805 

Fairchild, Lucius 156 

Farnsworth, J P 31a 

I'arwell, Leonard J • 128 

Fillmore, Millard 66 

Finch, Lorcn \--^<*S 

Finch. Mrs. Nancy J 305 

Garfield. James A 94 

(^berl. Zina ^94 



Goodrich, Joseph 442 

Goodhue. William T 816 

Grant, L'lysscs S 86 

Green, Paul M 724 

Griswold, C 840 

Griswold. Mrs. C 840 

Hammond, Holmes a6a 

Hammond, Mrs. H. ........ . 26* 

Hamilton, Samuel C 472 

Hamilton, Mrs. H. B 472 

Hanthorn, George 826 

Hanthorn, Mrs. Kebecca A . .>i27 

Hardy, Ara 784 

Harrison, Benjamin 106 

Harrison, Wm Henry 50 

Harvey, Louis P 144 

Hayes, Rutherford B 90 

Hoard, William D 180 

Hohanshpli, Joseph 492 

Hollister. Truman L 412 

Holmes, Albert 482 

Holmes. Mrs- A 48a 

Holmes, John A 674 

Hopkins, James 512 

Hopkins, Mrs. Klizabeth 51a 

Houfe, Richard 604 

Houfc. Mrs. Ann 604 

Jack man, Timothy 34a 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jefferson, Tljomas. a6 

Jeffris, Davi<t 744 

Jenson, Andrew 634 

Johnson, Andrew 82 

Johnson, Daniel 229 

Johnson, Mrs. Angelinc 3-J9 

Judd, S. S 838 

Judd. F. H 744 

Kellogg. Geo. J 764 

Kellogg. Mrs. F.mily 1 764 

Kent, .Arthur C y-'.- 



Kirkpatrick, James B 35a 

Kirkpatrick, Mrs. S.J. . . .352 

Knapp, Andrew B 654 

Lepper, William 31a 

Lienau, John 684 

Lienau, Mrs. Mina 684 

Lewis, James T . 15a 

Lincoln, Abraham 78 

Little. Thomas H. . 57a 

Lord, Simon 1 33a 

Loudon, P'rancis W 402 

Loudon, M rs. Elisabeth 40a 

Lovejoy, Allen P 74a 

Luddington, Harrison 168 

McGi unity, Eugene M 372 

McLean, George C 624 

Madison. James 30 

Martin, C. L 624 

Montgomery, Tracy 492 

Monroe, James 34 

Morgan. William T...V. 704 

Morton. James 882 

Morton, Mrs. James 883 

Myers, Pcicr 594 

Newell. Noah 56a 

Norcross, Pliny .252 

Parker, John J 452 

Parker, Mrs. John J 452 

Phillips, Alfred J 43a 

Pierce, Franklin 70 

Pierce, James 644 

Pierce, M rs. Olive 644 

Polk, James K 58 

Randall, Alexander W 140 

Rcsseguie. Alexander C. , . .302 

Richardson, Matachi 1 19a 

Rusk. Jeremiah M 176 

Russell, Cnl. Joseph 3*» 

Roycc, Fayette 587 

.'^.ilamon, l-'.duard M^ 



Skavlcm, Lars H 42a 

Skavlem. Mrs. L. H 423 

Smith, C. M 449 

Smith, Milo 664 

Smith, Mrs. Milo 664 

Smith, Nicholas 614 

Smith, William E 172 

Stark, C. W Qoa 

Stark, Mrs- Cora M 903 

Stark. Mrs. H. E 903. 

Stcbbins, Harrison 714 

Swan, Taylor 29a 

Swan, Mrs. Taylor 292 

Tallmadgc, N. P 120 

Taylor, William R 164 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

Treat, Cornelius M .. 512 

Treat. Mrs. C. M 533 

Treat. M. P 845 

Tripp. W. H 937 

Tyler. John 54 

Van Buren, Martin 46 

Vanderlyn. James 8cg 

Vanderlyn, Elixabeih 80I 

Veeder, Garrett 838 

Vincent, Or in 55a 

Vincent, Lucy 551 

Waidner, Nathan 848 

Washburn, Cadwallader C- t6o 
Washingicn. ticor-:--. 18 

Whitehead, Jamr^ ga 

Willis. Gilbert N -04 

Willard, Frances E 734 

Woodard. Archibald s'* 

Woodard. Mrs A - 1 

Wyman. William "■ 

Wyman, Mr». C. L i---^ 

Zader, Henry 774 



■*•• 



h 



••^f^ 



INDEX. 








PHYSICAL FEATURES 


999 


Bradford 


1011 


Ne<vark 


1019 


INDIAN OCCUPANCY 
SETTLEMENT BY 
WHITES 

COUNTY ORGANIZA- 


1001 
1004 


Center 
Clinton 
Fulton 
Harmony 
Janes vi lie 


1011 
1011 
1012 
1013 
1013 


Porter 

Plymouth 

Rock 

Spring Valley 

Turtle 


1019 
1020 
1021 
1022 
1022 


TION 


1006 


Johnstown 


1013 


Union 


1023 


TOWNS AND VIL- 
LAGES 


1010 


La I'rairie 
Lima 


1014 
1014 


CITY OF JANESVILLE 


1024 


Avon 


1010 


Magnolia 


1015 


CITY OF BELorr 


■ i.028 


Bcloit 


1010 


JMilton 


101.') 


BELOIT COLLEGE ' . 


1031 




i- 



■*► 



r 



